Safe use of dangerous toys

The Catapult/ Slingshot: Make and shoot

Organisation links
Location address: Essex Outdoors Danbury, Danbury
Chosen age group:

Ages: 18+ years

Available tickets:
Dangerous Toys; Catapult Free
Next date: None - Register your interest
A summary
There is an understandable reticence over the inclusion of projectiles such as spears, darts and arrows, boomerangs and catapults in Forest School sessions. This workshop will guide practitioners towards and approach that is both safe and manageable as well as being suitable for working with groups of young people. The session will include the manufacture of a working catapult using knives and abrasives before shooting it ( a small additional cost to cover materials). The session will include the use of Atlatl and Darts and both returning and hunting boomerangs. Practitioners will be guided towards the identification of risk and its management with regard to the ‘range’ and assisted in the creation of appropriate risk assessments.
About your mentors
Feral Science
A Science teacher gone Feral
Rupert Loch is a former Head of Science and science teacher of 15 years’ experience. His introduction to outdoor learning started in one of his schools where he was among the team who started the project. While completing the IOL Bushcraft Competency Certificate he realised that the skills and techniques could be applied to support teaching curriculum science at GCSE level, improving outcomes for students and connectivity with the natural environment. Rupert formed Feral Science in 2019 with the intention of providing curriculum based science delivered using Bushcraft and other outdoor skills. Through Feral Science he delivers direct to students, designs outdoor curricula to teach science, provides CPD training and creates curriculum linked resources for schools. He has previously delivered sessions for the FSA with Atlatl, Darts and Boomerangs and Making and testing Natural Cordage. He is currently a Masters student at Exeter University on the Experimental Archaeology course where he is slightly obsessed with pre-historic technologies.
Nic Harding
Project's Officer at FSA
As the Project Officer, I'm pleased to be organising the annual Forest School Association Conference. I am appearing as a Mentor on each workshop to give me oversight and allow me to help out on the day, I may not actually be on your workshop.
Learning aims
Aim 1
To enthuse Forest School leaders with the use of ‘dangerous toys’ and support them in managing the risks for safe and enjoyable participation.
Aim 2
To build a working catapult using knife and abrasives and then take part in shooting it.
Aim 3
To examine, and use, a range of other projectiles; atlatl, dart and boomerang and examine how these may be made safe and appropriate within Forest School sessions.
Pricing information
Ticket nameDangerous Toys; Catapult
Price£0
InformationSession available to attendees of FSA Conference only
LEARNER REFLECTIONS0 reflections
Where we'll be
Essex Outdoors Danbury, Well Lane, Danbury, Essex, CM3 4AB
WHAT’S PROVIDED
Equipment
Safety
Enhanced DBS
Risk Assessment
Public Liability Insurance
Safeguarding Training
First Aid Training
First Aid Kit

Please note

Please note, it is the responsibility of the booker to satisfy themselves about the adequacy of the safety measures. This platform is merely an introducer and does not verify the items listed here.

Cancellation Policy
The listed session is part of the FSA Conference and is only open to delegates on the dates of that conference

My experience consists of a leisure activity, on a specific date(s), and therefore the 14-day ‘cooling off period’ under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 does not apply.

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