Fifteen lucky boys and girls aged 8 to 14 enjoyed an action packed survival camp last week in Teesdale. Based around a scenario of being trapped up river due a landslide which had closed the major roads the children in three groups first navigated three miles with rucksacks to a woodland area where they were informed they had to survive for twenty four hours before they could be collected.

They were then shown how to build fires without the aid of matches, build waterproof team shelters and shown how to cook the army ration packs which had been ‘airdropped’ in to sustain them. Other highlights included laying freshwater crayfish traps using rabbit as bait and being tasked with keeping team fires burning throughout the night.

On a fantastically warm weekend (which did also experience some rain to prove the shelters were water tight) the children and supporting adults were kept hydrated with an unlimited supply of Seaton Spring water used for both drinking and cooking the superb rations. A great time was had by all.