No sting in the tale of surviving Camp Beaumont

In my case, it was a supreme belief in the healing power of the humble dock leaf.

For decades I’ve rubbed them on pesky nettle stings, confident their natural properties would soothe away any painful irritation.

But, according to our Bushcraft expert, I've been completely wasting my time. I was truly crestfallen to learn their healing properties are in fact....zero.

However, at least I now know what to use - either plantain (rib wort) or, rather ironically, the juice from the nettle itself. Both contain anti-histamine, although the nettle offers many another herbal benefit.

I was genuinely surprised at just how much I and son Tom gleaned from our bushcraft session at Camp Beaumont, as perhaps you can tell!

Once upon a time the only source of survival tips and country lore came from the likes of watching Grizzly Adams, the A Team or Blue Peter. These days we have Bear Grylls, Ray Mears and now Camp Beaumont, which provides residential activity holidays for seven to 17-year-olds.

New for this summer, it has teamed up with the Discovery Channel to introduce the Ultimate Survival Camp, designed for young explorers aged 10 to 13.

Experienced instructors teach such wilderness skills as finding food and water, first aid and signalling in a controlled but fun environment, where children are able to absorb a huge amount of genuinely useful knowledge while developing a real enthusiasm for the outdoors.

The highlights for me were being taught to handle and strip a nettles (without gloves!) before braiding their fibres into string.

Then came the art of whittling wood with a knife, making fire and shelter-building. All these activities were extremely popular with the kids - even turning down the offer of a 15 minute snack break to continue with their fire lighting efforts.

An instructor explains the intricacies of making fire using the bow drill

Tom was particularly determined, first succeeding in making flame with a flint and steel before a team effort saw us create an ember by the lengthy process of using the friction of a wooden bow drill.

Coming away from the camp at Dearne Valley – the former Earth Centre, near Doncaster - we wreaked of wood smoke and glowed with a real sense of achievement. And all the youngsters I saw had big grins on their faces.

As well as Dearne Valley, Ultimate Survival Camps are also held at centres in North Wales, the Isle of Wight and North Norfolk during the summer holidays.

Fire lighting

Shelter building

Bushcraft advice

Teaching survival

As with all Camp Beaumont activities, it is conducted in a safe environment under expert guidance, where youngsters gain a sense of real personal achievement whilst learning to work as a team.

Camp Beaumont also runs the hugely popular Multi-Activity Holiday – which this year includes the added elements of Bushcraft and Environmental Art.

The great thing about the Multi-Activity Holiday – catering for seven to 17-year-olds – is just that; an amazing array or experiences and challenges stretching from dawn until dusk, designed to tempt kids away from their computer games and darkened bedrooms.

They include and array or both outdoor and indoor adventure and sports, such as aerial walkways, giant zip wires, 3G swing, climbing, high and low ropes, abseiling plus the awesome leap of faith.

Learning knife skills

It’s not all about high adrenalin, however. Other activities include archery, aeroball, canoeing, circus skills and plenty of social events, such as camp fire entertainment.

However, the Camp Beaumont philosophy is always to provide youngsters with the necessary skills and confidence to push themselves as far as they can. It’s about building self-esteem, learning new skills, making new friends and enjoying the freedom of being away from parents and home.

Camp Beaumont offers age specific activities in three categories 7-10, 11-14 and 15-17 and there are also other residential centres at Dukeshouse Wood, Northumberland and in Kent, together with several day camps in the London area.

On the ropes

There’s a choice of a seven or 14 -night stay or 3 or 4 day day mini-break. There are also activity upgrades which include football, golf, surf school, watersports and horse riding as well as tuition in Spanish.

Not all activities are available at all centres.

Camp Beaumont is part of Kingswood Outdoor Education & Adventure Centres, a leading provider of educationally-based adventure activity programmes for young people.

For more information, to request a 2014 Camp Beaumont Brochure, or make a booking call 0800 655 6560 or go to www.campbeaumont.co.uk