Back to basics

Children can get back to basics and learn how to live free from the land on one of several survival days taking place in the North York Moors National Park during the school Easter holidays.

•At The Moors National Park Centre in Danby on Thursday 8 April children can take part in a Bushcraft Skills day where they’ll learn to light a fire without matches, make string from natural materials and build a variety of shelters.

•The Centre is also offering an action packed ‘Hideaway in the Woods’ day on Friday 16 April where children will test different forms of camouflage and build a weatherproof shelter from materials found in the woodland. Both days costs £15 and are suitable for children aged 9 to 14.

•See the peaceful valley of Rosedale in a different light on a Bushcraft Walkabout on Thursday 15 April. Stopping at various locations, participants will undertake various bushcraft activities including building shelters and investigating animal trakcs and signs. The day costs £20 and is open to children aged 13 and over.

•Other activities at The Moors National Park Centre include a session making bat boxes as part of the National Park Authority’s International Year of Biodiversity activities (Friday 9 April, cost £6.50), a children’s compass and navigational challenge (Monday 12 April, cost £3.50) and an opportunity to make indoor willow decorations (Monday 12 April, cost £15).

Booking is advisable to guarantee a place on the National Park Authority’s events – call 01439 772738. More information on these and other events can be found online at www.visitthemoors.co.uk/events or in the new Out and About in the North York Moors – a free guide available from National Park and Tourist Information Centres.