Spend a day outdoors with your family learning bushcraft skills, cooking over a fire, and creating shelters in the woods. This experience is designed for all ages and abilities, giving everyone the chance to connect with nature and spend quality time together. With guidance throughout the day, you’ll leave with new skills, shared memories, and plenty of stories to take home.
The day begins with a warm welcome at basecamp, set in the woodlands of Vogrie Country Park. Once settled in, you’ll get to know the tools and techniques needed to work safely in the outdoors. The morning is spent gaining confidence with knives, saws, and axes, and then moving on to one of the most essential bushcraft skills—firelighting. You’ll try out different methods and use your success to prepare a fire for the group’s lunch.
Lunch is a shared experience cooked by the fire, where you’ll be able to prepare your own campfire treats. This relaxed break is as much about connecting with each other as it is about food, giving everyone a chance to recharge before the afternoon’s activities. The setting makes it easy for children and adults alike to join in, helping to create lasting memories in the outdoors.
The afternoon focuses on putting skills into practice. Together you’ll build shelters, explore water collection and filtration, and even learn how to purify water for hot drinks in the woods. Once the practical skills are complete, there’s time for creativity—making tools and projects that would support life at camp. The day finishes back at the fire, reflecting on what you’ve achieved, with the chance to look back at photos and videos of your outdoor adventure.
The session takes place in Vogrie Country Park in Gorebridge, a large woodland estate set around a Victorian country house. The park offers over 11 miles of countryside paths, a café, children’s play facilities, and even a miniature railway, making it a great destination for families.
The basecamp itself is tucked within the woodland, providing a peaceful and authentic setting for learning bushcraft skills. Easily accessible from Edinburgh and the surrounding areas, the park provides both convenience and a sense of escape into nature.
No previous outdoor experience is needed to take part. The session is designed for families of all ages, ensuring that everyone from young children to grandparents can enjoy the activities together.
All equipment is provided, and activities are tailored to suit the group’s abilities. Just bring suitable outdoor clothing and a willingness to get hands-on with nature.
The centre is run by passionate outdoor leaders with backgrounds in bushcraft, survival, and outdoor education. Every session is carefully planned to be inclusive, engaging, and packed with practical learning.
With a focus on helping people reconnect with nature, the centre aims to inspire families to value and enjoy the outdoors together. By combining professional expertise with a love for the wild, each experience is designed to build confidence, strengthen bonds, and create memories that last.
No prior outdoor experience is necessary. These sessions are designed for complete beginners, giving you a safe and structured introduction to the basics of wilderness skills. The activities are led step by step so you can gain confidence and enjoy learning in a supportive environment.
During the day, you’ll be introduced to fundamental woodland skills that will provide a strong foundation for any future adventures. Everything you need to get started will be covered, so you can focus on having fun and picking up new abilities at your own pace.
It’s best to come dressed in clothing that is both comfortable and appropriate for the outdoors. Long-sleeved tops, long trousers, and sturdy footwear are highly recommended as they help protect against scratches, insects, and undergrowth. Waterproofs are also advisable, as the Scottish weather is known to change quickly.
Layered clothing is a smart choice, as it allows you to adjust easily depending on the conditions. Supportive boots, durable trousers, a waterproof jacket, and a practical backpack are all excellent options for staying comfortable and prepared throughout the day.
You’ll need a few essentials to make the most of your time outdoors. A waterproof jacket is a must, along with comfortable outdoor clothing and supportive footwear suitable for uneven ground. A small day sack is useful for carrying your belongings, especially if the weather brightens and you want to store extra layers.
Bringing a packed lunch and a refillable water bottle will keep your energy levels up during the day. Having these simple items with you ensures you’re well-prepared, whatever the weather or activity.
Scottish weather can be unpredictable, but there’s no need to worry. The site is equipped with waterproof shelters and covered areas so the activities can continue without interruption, even if the rain sets in.
In the event of more severe weather, such as a storm, safety always comes first. On those occasions, your session will be rescheduled for another date that suits you, ensuring you don’t miss out on the experience.
The day is full of practical bushcraft skills that help you connect with the natural world. In the morning you’ll work with knives, saws, and axes under supervision, before learning several methods of firelighting. Once the campfire is going, you’ll prepare and cook food using traditional outdoor methods.
After lunch, you’ll turn to survival skills such as shelter building and water purification, before finishing with some creative tool-making projects. Each activity is designed to be accessible to all ages and abilities, so everyone in your family can join in and contribute to the camp’s success.
Yes, the session is designed with families in mind, so children are fully included in all the activities. Instructors take great care to introduce tools and techniques in a safe way, ensuring that everyone understands how to use them properly before getting hands-on. Tasks are adjusted depending on age, so younger children can still participate without handling equipment that might be too advanced.
Parents are encouraged to join their children in the activities, creating a shared experience that builds confidence and teamwork. The group size is kept small to allow for plenty of supervision and individual support, ensuring a safe and enjoyable time for every participant.
Absolutely, you’re encouraged to capture your day in the woods. There will also be opportunities for instructors to take photos and short videos of your activities, which can be shared with you afterwards. This way, you’ll be able to relive the highlights and share the experience with friends and family.
That said, many families also enjoy taking a step back from technology and letting the instructors handle most of the recording. This allows you to be fully present, focusing on the activities and enjoying the moment, knowing that memories are still being captured for later.
About the centre
Vogrie Country Park, Gorebridge, EH23 4NU
We partner with Rewilding Britain to help protect our natural spaces for future adventures.
All centres are vetted for safety and quality. Your adventure is in good hands with adventuro.
Operated by Earth & Nature Adventures, a partner of adventuro.
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