Forest School Activities Online Training
Module 4: Shelters and Play
Build Shelters with Confidence
Knowing how to put up a group shelter from the sun or rain is essential when working in the outdoors and in this module, you will learn how to do this.
We will also teach you a range of uses for the small tarpaulins including learning how to put up a mini shelter that can be used to play under or keep bags dry.
You'll also learn how to make a debris shelter from sticks for play activities with Early Years children, and how upgrade this to make a rain proof shelter that is suitable for spending the night in.
What makes the Forest School Activities Training Course so important
Today more people understand the necessity for outdoor learning.
Moreover, the importance of securing nature’s future.
Sir David Attenborough said: "No one will protect what they don’t care about, and no one will care about what they have never experienced."
We know working with nature is the best solution for climate change...
What’s more, Covid 19 has taught us that immersion in nature positively benefits children’s and adults' health, mental health and wellbeing.
Which is why now more than ever, it’s vital to show people of all ages how to engage with nature.
"Spearheading the transformation of education and health through nature"
This video-based online learning course gives you everything you need to run engaging outdoor sessions…
From acquiring the skills … to mastering the techniques … to health and safety risk assessments …
Remember, this extensive nature-based training programme comes from my 30 years of experience teaching Forest School to outdoor practitioners and teachers like you, in face-to-face settings … and now online.
I understand the barriers you face: namely space, time and cost.
This comprehensive training will equip you with the outdoor learning knowledge and skills you need to overcome perceived barriers and take your classroom outdoors.
You’ll get clear guidance … on how to run engaging activities for early years, primary and secondary children.
You’ll get practical tips on … conducting risk and benefit assessments.. and much more.
You’ll get lifetime access to my highly visual training videos that let you see and hear in detail the outdoor activities taught. You can replay the videos as many times as needed.
So that by the time you complete the Forest School Activities Online Training Course
You’ll have all the information you need to plan engaging outdoor sessions…
Take a look at some of the activities you’ll learn
Small Tarps for Shelters and Play
Remember that giving children tarpaulins to play with is always a first step in them choosing what they want to do with the material. Unless the weather requires you to have a more sturdy shelter, it’s wonderful to observe how the children work out how to tie knots and put the material up themselves!
Building Debris Shelters
Debris shelters are often called survival shelters as you are using natural materials that you can find in the forest or where you may be. This video shows you how to set up a basic debris shelter that is good enough to sleep inside. Do be aware to use green or solid wood as your central frame, as this will carry the weight of your structure. When key procedures are followed, your debris shelter should be water proof and keep you warm. Consider the direction of the wind to help you decide which side you create your entrance. From a play and discovery perspective, there is no wrong way to make debris shelters.
Working with High Tarps
Remember that giving children tarpaulins to play with is always a first step in them choosing what they want to do with the material. Unless the weather requires you to have a more sturdy shelter, it’s wonderful to observe how the children work out how to tie knots and put the material up themselves!
So, whether you’re a teacher who wants to embed outdoor learning into the curriculum or an outdoor practitioner looking to refresh your skills and gain inspiration…
The Forest School Activities Online Training Course can get you to where you want to be…
What do other people say about the course?
Charlotte Savins
Arts Psychotherapist, EMDR & Play Therapist
"This is such a helpful and practical module. Marina takes you through the process of building a shelter in a step by step process. The videos are clear and informative, and by the end, you will be skilled up for building shelters - large or small. After watching the videos I felt confident about doing the knots, as they are explained so clearly. I highly recommend it."
Róisín Dexter
Primary Teacher and Forest School Leader, Dublin
"Having learned my outdoor skills on face-to-face courses, I initially couldn't understand how they could be learned online.. but The Outdoor Teacher has shown me that they absolutely can! And, in fact, with some extra advantages. For example, I was able to rewind and watch something again in order to take it in more fully or practise it. Marina brings to the screen her decades of experience teaching in the outdoors. Each technique is explained and demonstrated very clearly, with lots of background information and ideas - perfect for both the beginner and the experienced outdoor teacher. I highly recommend The Outdoor Teacher for educators, parents and anyone wishing to share their passion for the outdoors."
Debora A Tavares
Escola da Floresta, Portugal
"This brilliant course provided me with the knowledge on how to be in the wild and helped me to gain the skills to take groups to the outdoors safely and with integrity."
Course Curriculum
What's Included in Module 4?
✔️ 4 video lessons full of tips, ideas and essential safety knowledge for anyone who wants to learn how to put up a tarpaulin to shelter their group from the rain or sun or to have fun with debris shelters.
✔️ Lessons include in depth instructions on how to put up different types of shelters in playgrounds or woodlands.
Plus downloadable resources:
✔️ Risk and Benefit Assessment
What will you learn?
✔️ To create diverse opportunities for play, creativity and creating a sense of home
✔️ Expand and progress skills from building materials to tying knots
✔️ Erect a range of temporary group shelters using tarpaulin & natural woodland materials
✔️ Explain how to facilitate the safe erection of a large and small group temporary shelter using tarpaulins and/or woodland materials
Who provides the Forest School Outdoors Activities training?
Marina Robb (Bsc; PGCE; MA; Msc; Author) is Founder and Managing Director of Circle of Life Rediscovery Community Interest Company and The Outdoor Teacher Ltd, both leading organisations that aim to transform education and health through nature.
Marina is co-author of ‘Learning with Nature’ (foreword by Chris Packham), a must-have book for Forest School & Outdoor practitioners, and ‘The Essential Guide to Forest School and Nature Pedagogy’ (foreword by David Sobel) which contains everything you need to know from theory to practice
Marina has more than 30 years experience in outdoor learning and nature connection. She provides a deep understanding of effective nature education at all levels and for a range of diverse backgrounds.
Marina is a qualified teacher (PGCE) and since 1989 has studied Environmental Education (MA), Environmental Management (BSc) and Social Research (MSc). She is a leading Forest School endorsed trainer and practitioner (UK and International). Her aim is to share her knowledge and experience with teachers and others wishing to work outside the classroom.
Complete the full course and you’ll qualify for Forest School Liability Insurance
Birnbeck Insurance is the UK's leading provider of specialist liability insurance for Forest School and Outdoor Learning Practitioners. As such, the firm has approved our Forest School Activities Online Training Course, which means when you complete your training, you’ll be eligible for their Forest School Liability Insurance.
Contact Birnbeck for a quote
Satisfaction Guaranteed
If you are not happy with the course, you can contact us with an explanation and claim a full refund within 30 days.
Know that your course is available on all devices
The Forest School Activities Online Training Course is mobile friendly and available on all types of devices.
If you have an iPhone you can download the 'Teachable' app from the Apple Store and download the videos onto your phone.
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FAQs
When does the course start?
The course starts as soon as you register. You work at your own pace and you will receive a certificate when you complete.
How long do I have access to the course?
You will have lifetime access to the course! Unlimited access to the lessons and videos for as long as you like, across all your devices.
Is my instructor qualified?
Yes, Marina Robb is a UK Forest School Association Endorsed Trainer and has been training Forest School Leaders since 2011. She has been working with groups in nature since 1995 and you can read more here.
Our organisation can’t pay using a credit or debit card – can we still buy the course?
Yes, we understand that many schools and other organisations can’t pay by card – contact us and we can send you an invoice to pay us by bank transfer in UK Sterling, Euros or Dollars. We can even accept cheques from UK bank accounts.
Can I access the course on my mobile?
Yes, the course can be accessed on all devices. If you have an iPhone, you can also download the free ‘Teachable’ app from the Apple Store and complete the course using the app, downloading any videos you like onto your device.
What if I am unhappy with the course?
If for some reason you are not happy with the course, contact us in writing within your first 30 days for a full refund. You will need to include an explanation of why you want the refund.
We don't have access to a woodland - can we do these activities in a playground or park?
Yes, you can. Whether you are near a woodland, park or school playground - all the activities can be adapted for different circumstances.
We have run activities using fire, tools, games, wild food, crafts, swings & ropes, shelters in school yards and playgrounds.
It does take more preparation and consideration of equipment. If you wanted to make fires, you would either designate a small green area of the playground for this purpose or use a fire bowl to lift the fire off the ground. We have also taken many groups on short walks throughout the seasons to gather some plants for many activities.
Posts can be put up to replace trees, so that children can still set up various rope bridges or constructions and with a little thinking you can easily set up a rope swing and tarpaulin shelters.
In schools we often ask parents to contribute a log for our wood pile and ask for help to bring in useful materials we may need over the year.
Can I share my course with my colleagues?
No - the license is granted for 1 user to view the contents of the course. This access must not be shared with any other person and only the named user will receive the certificate and be able to answer the assessments. See next question for bulk licencing queries.
Can we purchase multiple licenses for our staff team?
Yes, please contact us for bulk purchasing discounts. We can set up the user accounts for you and send you access codes and you can pay by invoice.
Do I get a certificate?
Yes, all our courses come with a ‘Certificate of Completion’ from The Outdoor Teacher Ltd. You can view a sample certificate HERE
How can we contact you if we have a question?
Yes feel free to call or email us with any questions - our contact details are on the contact page.
Our commitment to Nature & People:
The Outdoor Teacher, alongside its sister organization Circle of Life Rediscovery CIC aim to transform health, education and family through nature.
We are whole-heartedly concerned about the safeguarding of future generations, human and non-human alike, and the growing understanding of reciprocity between humans and nature. Whilst we are advocates for all people accessing nature and its benefits, we know that this is only healthy if we prioritise the care for the natural world and address issues of equality.
The Outdoor Teacher is working towards becoming a certified B-Corp. Certified B Corps are a new kind of business that balances purpose and profit. They are legally required to consider the impact of their decisions on their workers, customers, suppliers, community, and the environment. We aim to be part of this community of leaders, driving a global movement of people using businesses as a force for good.
We are using Monzo Business Banking which is listed as an ethical bank: https://monzo.com/ethics.
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