In a world increasingly dominated by screens and digital distractions, we believe it’s more important than ever to inspire the next generation to embrace the great outdoors. This is certainly not different in schools, where many headteachers are having to tackle the problem of keeping pupils away from their screens.

According to The Children’s People and Nature Survey for England, around 23% of children said that they had a low connection to nature. At BGSA, we believe that if you take children outside in the fresh air, then you can create a love for nature and adventure in them that may not have been there before.

Our Young Survivor programme is designed to do just that by equipping children with essential survival skills and a deep appreciation for the natural world that will extend far beyond their school days, and into their adult life. But what does the programme entail?

Hands-on learning and real world skills

One of the more effective ways to inspire young people is through hands-on learning. Sitting in classrooms listening or reading from textbooks certainly have their place in teaching children. But there’s no doubt that actively engaging them both physically and mentally can play a huge part in their development.

The Young Survivor programme offers a tiered curriculum that caters to children aged 6-16, with practical lessons and activities tailored to their age group. From basic fire lighting and knot tying to advanced navigation and first aid, our programme covers a wide range of survival skills that are practical, engaging and fun.

Rookies (6-8 years): Young children start with simple tasks like building a den or making survival food.
Bronze (9-11 years): As they progress, they learn more complex skills such as fire lighting and knife safety.
Silver (12-13 years): Older children tackle advanced techniques like earthquake safety and making a stretcher.
Gold (14-16 years): Teens master high-level skills such as rescue techniques and CPR & recovery.

We believe that it is so important that each child can develop at their own pace by providing a flexible learning environment, where they can grow as individuals whilst gaining confidence and competence in the great outdoors.

Encouraging teamwork and leadership

Outdoor adventures are not just about individual skills, they also teach valuable and unique lessons in both teamwork and leadership. Our weekend camps offer children the opportunity to work together in challenging and fun scenarios that they wouldn’t ordinarily get within the four walls of a classroom. Under the guidance of their teachers, students learn to rely on each other, communicate effectively, and lead by example through:

Team challenges: Activities like scavenger hunts or learning how to cook by the campfire help build cooperation and collective problem solving as a group.
Thriving in leadership opportunities: Older participants are encouraged to take on leadership roles, guiding younger children and helping them develop their own skills.

These experiences not only allow the children to learn freely and have fun whilst doing so, but it also instils a sense of responsibility and resilience that will serve them well in all areas of life.

Creating a love for nature

At the heart of any outdoor enthusiast, is a deep connection with nature and the world around them. Our Young Survivor programme has been developed to immerse children in the natural world in ways that maybe they never have before, helping them to foster a genuine appreciation for not only its beauty, but also its complexity.

Nature exploration: Activities such as hiking and camping allow children to experience the wonders of nature firsthand.
Environmental awareness: Lessons on topics such as weather patterns, dangerous animals and rainforest ecosystems teach children important lessons about the environment and the importance of conservation.

Bear Grylls, founder of BGSA said: “I’m thrilled to see that some of the lessons from my Survival Handbooks series are being taught to children all over the world. I think it’s vital, now more than ever, that we equip our children with the skills and confidence to embrace the great outdoors and learn to respect and protect our natural world.”

By giving children the option to learn whilst surrounded by nature, we believe that this will only help to inspire the next generation to become passionate about the environment and hopefully become responsible stewards of our planet once we leave it to them.

For more information about our Young Survivors programme, please feel free to get in touch