PET After-School Bushcraft Program
Bushcraft and Survival Skills After-School Programs with Out & About FNS
$420/ 12 Weeks
Description:
After School Bushcraft Program (Ages 6–14)
Our once a week, 12-week After School Bushcraft Program invites children and youth to build confidence, work together, and develop hands-on wilderness skills through play, exploration, and time in nature.
Each week we’ll explore a new skill, from learning about fire awareness and safety, building shelters, and using knives for whittling, to finding our way with simple navigation, identifying plants and trees, making cordage, tying useful knots, and practicing basic first aid.
Every week your child will receive a “Completion” certificate and instructions to demonstrate and practice what they have learned.
12 weeks: Tuesdays
Starting: March 31st - June 16th
Ages 6–9: 5:30 to 6:30 PM (Drop-off between 5:20-5:30pm and pick up is between 6:30-6:40pm)
Ages 10–14: 7:00 to 8:00 PM (Drop-off between 6:50-7pm and pick up is between 8:00 - 8:05pm)
* Drop-off and pick-up times allow for a few minutes to touch base and ask questions!
Each gathering offers space for curiosity, teamwork, and connection. It is a place to grow, to try new things, and to enjoy being outdoors in every season.
Highlights for Each Week
Fire Awareness and Safety
Learning how fire works, how to build a safe fire pit, and how to respect and care for fire. Older youth can learn to safely spark a small fire using natural tinder like birch bark or cottonwood fluff.Shelter Building
Practicing how to make simple shelters using branches, leaves, or tarps. This builds teamwork and problem-solving, plus, it’s fun to crawl inside your own creation!Finding and Respecting Water
Discovering how to find clean water in nature, understanding why it’s important to filter or boil it, and learning to protect natural water sources.Knife Safety and Whittling
Learning the “blood bubble” rule, safe carving positions, and how to make small tools, roasting sticks, or art pieces. Start with potato peelers or child-safe knives before moving to full blades.Nature Navigation
Exploring how to find direction using the sun, shadows, and simple landmarks. Older children can start using a compass and map for mini “nature missions.”Plant and Tree Knowledge
Identifying a few local trees and plants, especially which are safe to touch, eat, or use and understanding which ones to avoid. This builds observation and connection to the land.Making and Using Cordage
Twisting grass, bark, or plant fibers into rope teaches patience and focus and is useful for building shelters or tying gear together.Basic Knots
Practicing simple knots like the square knot, bowline, and clove hitch. Knots are useful for setting up shelters, tying gear, or creative reasons. Learning knots also builds fine motor skills and patience.
Basic First Aid and Medicine Walk
Learning how to take care of small cuts, scrapes, or insect bites; learning what plants and natural materials can be used to support accidents. Learning and knowing how to stay calm in an emergency. Builds confidence and responsibility outdoors. The medicine walk will be led by an Elder or Knowledge Sharer.Sit Spots and Nature Observation
Taking quiet moments to sit, listen, and watch. This helps children tune in to sounds, smells, and small movements. This practice nurtures mindfulness and respect for the natural world in which we occupy.Build Your Backpack
Practicing and discussing how to best build our backpacks for going into the bush or camping. What would we need to optimize our packs and how to pack them appropriately for weight distributionPut Your Skills to the Test!
During our last week together, scenarios will be provided for our Survivors to test their learning and grow as a team!
Passively, your children or youth will also learn:
Animal tracking and awareness as we find footprints, feathers, scat, and other signs of wildlife. It encourages curiosity and empathy for the animals that share our space.
Cooking Outdoors as we learn fire safety and boiling water.
Note taking and observation skills as we navigate our new skills and continue our learning.
Materials Provided and Take Homes:
Each week we will learn news skills that will in the end, support us as we go camping or just want to practice our bushcraft skills in our backyard.
Cordage and or rope
Flint and steel
Twine
Waterproof notepad
Pencil
Instructions and certificates to demonstrate their knowledge:
Ex. After the knot tying week, children and youth will take home instructions to keep practicing!
Once a week for 12 weeks, for one hour, children will engage in play-based, skill-building experiences that will focus on deepening their independence to be outdoors. Our goal is to encourage play over screen time, and provide children with the confidence to play in any weather condition. This program offers plenty of opportunities for children to learn new skills, build a relationship with the land, explore their imagination, and deepen their love of play and the outdoors.
Bushcraft and Survival Skills After-School Programs with Out & About FNS
$420/ 12 Weeks
Description:
After School Bushcraft Program (Ages 6–14)
Our once a week, 12-week After School Bushcraft Program invites children and youth to build confidence, work together, and develop hands-on wilderness skills through play, exploration, and time in nature.
Each week we’ll explore a new skill, from learning about fire awareness and safety, building shelters, and using knives for whittling, to finding our way with simple navigation, identifying plants and trees, making cordage, tying useful knots, and practicing basic first aid.
Every week your child will receive a “Completion” certificate and instructions to demonstrate and practice what they have learned.
12 weeks: Tuesdays
Starting: March 31st - June 16th
Ages 6–9: 5:30 to 6:30 PM (Drop-off between 5:20-5:30pm and pick up is between 6:30-6:40pm)
Ages 10–14: 7:00 to 8:00 PM (Drop-off between 6:50-7pm and pick up is between 8:00 - 8:05pm)
* Drop-off and pick-up times allow for a few minutes to touch base and ask questions!
Each gathering offers space for curiosity, teamwork, and connection. It is a place to grow, to try new things, and to enjoy being outdoors in every season.
Highlights for Each Week
Fire Awareness and Safety
Learning how fire works, how to build a safe fire pit, and how to respect and care for fire. Older youth can learn to safely spark a small fire using natural tinder like birch bark or cottonwood fluff.Shelter Building
Practicing how to make simple shelters using branches, leaves, or tarps. This builds teamwork and problem-solving, plus, it’s fun to crawl inside your own creation!Finding and Respecting Water
Discovering how to find clean water in nature, understanding why it’s important to filter or boil it, and learning to protect natural water sources.Knife Safety and Whittling
Learning the “blood bubble” rule, safe carving positions, and how to make small tools, roasting sticks, or art pieces. Start with potato peelers or child-safe knives before moving to full blades.Nature Navigation
Exploring how to find direction using the sun, shadows, and simple landmarks. Older children can start using a compass and map for mini “nature missions.”Plant and Tree Knowledge
Identifying a few local trees and plants, especially which are safe to touch, eat, or use and understanding which ones to avoid. This builds observation and connection to the land.Making and Using Cordage
Twisting grass, bark, or plant fibers into rope teaches patience and focus and is useful for building shelters or tying gear together.Basic Knots
Practicing simple knots like the square knot, bowline, and clove hitch. Knots are useful for setting up shelters, tying gear, or creative reasons. Learning knots also builds fine motor skills and patience.
Basic First Aid and Medicine Walk
Learning how to take care of small cuts, scrapes, or insect bites; learning what plants and natural materials can be used to support accidents. Learning and knowing how to stay calm in an emergency. Builds confidence and responsibility outdoors. The medicine walk will be led by an Elder or Knowledge Sharer.Sit Spots and Nature Observation
Taking quiet moments to sit, listen, and watch. This helps children tune in to sounds, smells, and small movements. This practice nurtures mindfulness and respect for the natural world in which we occupy.Build Your Backpack
Practicing and discussing how to best build our backpacks for going into the bush or camping. What would we need to optimize our packs and how to pack them appropriately for weight distributionPut Your Skills to the Test!
During our last week together, scenarios will be provided for our Survivors to test their learning and grow as a team!
Passively, your children or youth will also learn:
Animal tracking and awareness as we find footprints, feathers, scat, and other signs of wildlife. It encourages curiosity and empathy for the animals that share our space.
Cooking Outdoors as we learn fire safety and boiling water.
Note taking and observation skills as we navigate our new skills and continue our learning.
Materials Provided and Take Homes:
Each week we will learn news skills that will in the end, support us as we go camping or just want to practice our bushcraft skills in our backyard.
Cordage and or rope
Flint and steel
Twine
Waterproof notepad
Pencil
Instructions and certificates to demonstrate their knowledge:
Ex. After the knot tying week, children and youth will take home instructions to keep practicing!
Once a week for 12 weeks, for one hour, children will engage in play-based, skill-building experiences that will focus on deepening their independence to be outdoors. Our goal is to encourage play over screen time, and provide children with the confidence to play in any weather condition. This program offers plenty of opportunities for children to learn new skills, build a relationship with the land, explore their imagination, and deepen their love of play and the outdoors.