Chapel Gate Nature Connection

At Chapel Gate, we offer a range of bookable campcraft and outdoor experiences.

These offer an excellent opportunity to build resilience, teamwork and a further understanding of the natural world. Environmental psychology and the studies surrounding human wellbeing and connectivity to the environment have shown us that by staying close to nature we feel more grateful and appreciative of what it has to offer (Proshansky 1976).

We can help you develop skills that are applicable to your personal and professional life.

These skills will be developed by combining campcraft techniques such as fire lighting and safety, tarps and hammocks, knots and hitches, shelter construction, adventure games, forest art, nature walks and education, and archery. It will also include how to use survival tools such as knives, saws and axes safely.

Learn numerous ways to use natural resources wherever you may find yourself, and begin to see a world full of valuable and familiar tools that you can rely upon should you need them.

30%

of people find woodland sounds to boost wellbeing (National Trust)

67%

of all adults agreed that spending time noticing nature has made them feel happier (National Trust)

Choose your experience

Our outdoor sessions can be tailored to suit the needs of your group. We will work with you to meet your aims and objectives for the session, whether this is a children’s party or a corporate team building experience.

The outdoor communal area is also available for booking as a meeting space if you are looking for that functional space with a twist. We can provide your team with hot drinks and a short introduction to campcraft skills as an ice-breaker or team builder before or as part of your team meet.

What does campcraft include?

Fire safety and lighting

Fire allows us to survive in regions where it would otherwise be too cold or too wet. It warms us, cooks our food, dries our clothes, and makes our water safe to drink. It illuminates our camp, discourages dangerous animals and biting insects, allows us to signal, and provides the means to manipulate and shape natural materials.

Matches and lighters go out the window in this environment. We will show you how to make fire with minimal equipment, using the materials found in the woods, even in the pouring rain. We also teach how to safely manage your fire, what fuels to use, and even how to structure your fire to meet the purpose you are aiming for.

Shelter building and hammocking

We’ll show you how to select and tie the most common knots and hitches and their applications in relation to setting up hammocks, tarps and shelters. Knots and hitches are an important addition to your repertoire; learning these intricacies helps to develop fine motor skills, patience, persistence and perseverance. These qualities can easily be transmitted into other areas of our personal and professional lives.

Forest bathing

Immerse yourself in nature. ‘Forest bathing’, originating in Japan as a health and wellbeing intervention, has been shown to have positive physiological effects, including blood pressure improvement, the boost of autonomic and immune functions, as well as psychological effects of alleviating depression and improving mental health. More recent research has shown that spending time outdoors can have a positive effect on stress reduction, lowering the hormone cortisol (Gidlow, Randall, Gillman, Smith & Jones, 2016).

Adventure games

Team building activities such as Tug-of-war, Giant Ski Walk, blindfold mazes, spider’s web and a selection of other challenges designed to test and enhance your teamwork and leadership.

Nerf Battles: A selection of Nerf-based games in the woods. SportBU have their own equipment and eye protection, but you are welcome to bring your own.

Relive or continue to enjoy your childhood with adventure-based games such as Hide & Seek, Capture the Flag, Tracker and Survival Scenarios.

Forest arts and crafts

Woodlands and forests are amazing spaces of imagination and inspiration. They are essential places for artists to engage with and make forest art, giving our groups the opportunity to show their creative side.

Why not take time out, indulge in some forest bathing, drawing inspiration from what’s around you to create your own bug hotels, pine cone palaces, bird feeders and even a log pile house.

Nature walks

Knife work

Like with many professions, it's important to have the right tool for the job. Many of the tasks associated with campcraft are possible without a cutting tool, some of which we cover. However, most are made easier if you have a knife, and a sharp one at that. We cover essential tool choice, safety, handling, use and care, and we include practical tutoring on sharpening safely.

Campcraft parties

Based at Chapel Gate, our 65-acre outdoor facility, Campcraft parties provide children with an opportunity to immerse themselves in the natural world, all while taking part in a range of fun and educational activities.

CoachBU

To inspire and broaden the aspirations of young people, enhancing lifelong skills and confidence supporting them to achieve their potential. To be a conduit for engagement with BU and the wider community.