Forest School Camps (FSC) is not a commercial holiday company; it is an educational charity and a voluntary organisation. Join us to find out why!
This is an old page, we have staff, Stores and Glee group pages you can join and if you are not a staff member, but are interested to know more most information can be found on the website. All our officers and staff are unpaid volunteers. The original Forest School, which ran in the 1930s, drew its philosophy from progressive educators; from the Woodcraft movements and the Native Americans, from
Quakers and others. Special importance was attached to the experience of boys and girls, children and adults, learning to work and play together close to nature. FSC began in 1947 when former pupils and staff came together, keen to develop and pass on the ways, values and spirit of Forest School, which by then had closed. Our approach to education is about discovering for oneself how to do something, rather than being told in the abstract. Children and staff find themselves in situations that encourage this; the outdoors demands and encourages learning. We remove unnecessary authority and, with due regard for safety and legality, encourage children to take responsibility and reach their own decisions on both small and not-so-small issues, individually or as members of a group. At camp we aim to teach ourselves how to live with independence and responsibility; care and concern for others, the environment and ourselves; resourcefulness and self-confidence; tolerance and respect. FSC is determined that all people be treated equally, regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, ethnic origin, religion or disability. These are high ideals; we don’t always succeed. A Native American belief is that you will only be in touch with nature if you ‘sit and sleep on the earth’. This feeling for the wholeness of life on our planet is expressed in some of our rituals and the names we give things at camp. The philosophy developed at camp is practised throughout the administrative organisation of FSC. When you enrol your children you become part of FSC and this approach. Many staff members begin their association with FSC as parents or campers. Camp is great fun, though at a practical level it can also be cold and wet, and often dirty. Despite this, many people camp again and again and again.
