Forest School Activities Online Training
Module 3: Cooking on a Fire
Cooking with Natural Materials
Preparing food and cooking together is a great activity to do with your group and it can create the space and atmosphere for conversations to flow.
Cooking on a fire is at the heart of our practice and in this module you will be provided with step by step instructions to recreate our favourite recipes, from pizza in a pan and popcorn over the flames to chocolate bananas and flapjacks cooked in leaves!
We will guide you through the tools and natural materials we use and cover the food hygiene aspects. We will also give you an overview of health and safety and what we call ‘Green light’ plants – plants or trees that are safe and abundant to use for cooking.
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
Toffee Apples
The apples are ready to be picked in autumn! This is a wonderful chance to collect them and make all kinds of apple-based food! We have put together a video to show you one of the children’s favourites – toffee apples!
Popcorn on a Fire
This cooking method is a fun and somewhat dramatic way of cooking popcorn! You will need to buy two metal sieves and then tie them together using some simple wire – you will need to be able to open the sieves, so place the wire in two places, like a hinge!
Bread on a Stick
You can get a group of early years children to have a go at making and holding their own damper bread with sticks. Ratios of adults to children is a really important consideration here. I would recommend starting with 1 adult to 2 children, then if you have enough support, you can offer this to more children. Young children can hold their own sticks but this is actually really hard for many of them! You may like to put a trivit over the fire to help them balance the stick, if they are finding it tricky.
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?
Louise Hack
Educational Consultant and Director of Whoosh Learning
“This was such a wonderful training module for anyone wanting to gain confidence with cooking outdoors with young children. The videos were easy to follow with top tips, health and safety reminders and ways to cook quickly and effectively with young learners. All the recipes looked very tasty too - I particularly loved the flapjacks wrapped in leaf parcels and the popcorn fairy cups! In my opinion this is great training, affordable and brilliant for anyone wanting a refresher, new ideas or to develop their confidence with working outdoors with groups of children. I will definitely be purchasing further modules to gain more knowledge from Marina's extensive outdoor experience”
Louise Lloyd-Evans
Founder of Snap and Owner of Young Friends Nature Nursery
“As a passionate advocate of getting children outside its lovely to have such an accessible and easy to watch training for early years teams. Marina will show your team how easy it really is. Great stuff”
Paul Stanford
Paediatric Occupational Therapist
"Enabling young people to experience the natural environment is so important for their health and well-being. Marina brings together the skills, knowledge and passion to do just that. The module activities are adaptable to meet the different needs of different people with the focus on having fun, being together, building skills and keeping safe. Essential learning. Shared activities and learning in a natural environment breaks down barriers, brings people together and gives meaning and purpose to a person's experience. Marina shows you how it's done and also encourages you to find your own way. To learn how to "be" with nature is a wonderful thing. The cooking module is fantastic. Practical, adaptable, fun and safe. It also leaves you feeling very hungry!"
Course Curriculum
- Welcome to the Cooking on a Fire Module (2:33)
- Cooking Bread on a Stick (7:32)
- Making Popcorn using a Sieve (5:14)
- Cooking Pizza in a Pan (4:26)
- Toffee Apples (7:10)
- Chocolate Bananas (2:49)
- Flapjacks Cooked in Leaves (9:26)
- Cooking Kebabs over a Fire (1:44)
- Cooking Chestnuts on a Fire (3:20)
- Cooking on a Fire Reflection
- Resources
- Course Feedback
What's Included in Module 3?
✔️ 9 video lessons full of tips, recipes and essential safety knowledge for anyone who wants to cook on a fire with their group.
✔️ Lessons on how to cook recipes on a fire ranging from kebabs and pan pizzas to popcorn, toffee apples and flapjacks cooked in leaves.
Plus downloadable resources:
✔️ Risk and Benefit Assessment
✔️ A Guide to Food Safety in the Outdoors with an example Food and Drink Policy
✔️ 9 Recipes to try on your fire
What will you learn?
✔️ Develop a range of skills that support fun cooking experiences and a sense of occasion and community
✔️ Safely offer and adapt our favourite seasonal recipes for different client groups
✔️ Cook on a campfire using a range of methods, with due regard to basic food hygiene and safety
✔️ Explain how to facilitate safe campfire cooking with your client group
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
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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