Oakwood Bushcraft Forest School & Wilderness Living

🌿 **Reviews like this make our day!** 🌿

We were absolutely delighted to receive this wonderful review from a very happy parent following their son’s birthday celebration at **Oakwood Bushcraft Forest School & Wilderness Living**. 🥳🔥🌲

Hearing that every child had such an amazing time, felt included and valued, and left wanting to come back for their own birthday is exactly why we love what we do! ❤️

A huge thank you to Mark for taking the time to share such kind words about the team and the experience. It was a pleasure to celebrate with you all, and we’re so pleased that the children had such a memorable day.

From bushcraft and outdoor adventures to laughter, teamwork and plenty of fun, we aim to make every birthday at Oakwood something truly special. 🌳🪵🔥

**“The best birthday party I’ve ever been to!”** — we couldn’t ask for a better review! 😍

Thank you for choosing Oakwood, and we hope to see you all again soon! 🌿

🛶🐿Paddled out to an island on Lough Erne with great friends for a weekend hammock camp and it was exactly the reset we all needed.🐝🌼

🛶Canoes heavy with hammocks, tarps, cooking gear and carving tools, we crossed water so still you could hear every paddle stroke echo. Once on the island we found our trees, got hammocks slung and tarps up, fire going, and let island time take over.
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Two full days of the good stuff - slow canoeing around the islands early morning and evening, wild cooking on the fire, whittling by the fireside, and proper time to just watch nature do its thing.
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The island was full of life. We found fresh deer tracks working the shoreline, right down to where we’d pulled the canoes up. Spent time exploring the island, We spent a long while studying tree bark identifacation the oaks especially, crusted in lichen, each one a little ecosystem of its own.🐝🐿

🎣🏕Nights were magic. Hammocks swaying gently, white tail eagles calling across the lough, the water lapping on the shore and not a single light to be seen. Kettle on late, carving in hand, great crack around the fire. No rush to be anywhere the next day.🐿🐝

It’s not about the miles paddled or the carvings finished. It’s about sharing a wild place with good people for two nights and coming home with your head cleared.

🕷One tray of pond water = a whole jungle 🌍💧

Give a kid a net and watch what happens...

🕷️ Pond skater on top
🚣 Water boatman rowing upside down underneath
🐌 Snails doing the cleaning
👹 And right in the middle - a dragonfly nymph. All jaws. The apex predator of this tiny world.

Take one away and the whole thing wobbles. No snails = murky water. No cleaners = no food for the rest. No food = no dragonflies.

That's biodiversity ✨ Not a word on a poster. A team where everyone has a job.

Pond dipping is the best way I know to teach it. No screens. Just nets, trays, and a lot of "Eww... COOL!" 😂🔍

They'll protect what they love. But they have to meet it first 💚

What's the weirdest thing your kids have pulled up in a net? 👇

Quiet afternoon at Oakwood Bushcraft and Forest School servicing the Feuerhand lanterns.

Wicks trimmed, glasses cleaned, tanks checked and all burning lovely again. There's something really grounding about taking the time to look after kit properly.🪔🪔

Had a little supervisor too. Little Rocky Robin landed right on the bench to say hello and make sure I was doing it right.🪶🪶

These old lanterns have lit up so many camps, stories and late night brews. Ready for the next group now.

Have you got a favourite bit of kit you love to maintain?

🎉🎊Congratulations to Oakwood Bushcraft's and Erne County Scouter Tony Smith 🌿👏

We are absolutely delighted to congratulate Tony, who has been named a finalist in the Impartial Reporter Community Champion Awards, in association with Encirc

Tony has been nominated for the Community Mentor of the Year award in recognition of his dedication, leadership, and commitment to supporting and inspiring young people and the wider community. Through his work with Oakwood Bushcraft Forest School & Wilderness Living and and his latest indevour with Fermanagh Trust Generation Nature Programne Tony has made a lasting impact, helping countless individuals develop confidence, resilience, outdoor skills, and a love for Nature and adventure.

Being named a finalist is a fantastic achievement and a well-deserved recognition of the time, passion, and care Tony gives to others.

🏆 The Community Champion Awards ceremony will take place on Thursday, 3rd September, where the winners will be announced.

Please join us in congratulating Tony on this incredible achievement and wishing him the very best of luck on awards night! 🍀
fans

Fermanagh Lakelands
Fermanagh and Omagh District Council
Fermanagh National Trust

🌿🔥 What a fantastic way to celebrate the end of term! 🔥🌿

A huge thank you to the wonderful staff from **Maguiresbridge Primary School** for joining us at **Oakwood Bushcraft & Forest School** for an afternoon packed with fun, laughter, and plenty of team challenges! 🌲🏹🤝

From problem-solving and bushcraft-inspired activities to teamwork challenges, everyone threw themselves into the adventure with great enthusiasm and a brilliant sense of humour. It was fantastic to see such amazing teamwork, encouragement, and friendly competition throughout the afternoon. 💪🌿

🏆 Congratulations to our champions, **The Green Foxes** 🦊💚, who claimed victory after an impressive performance across the challenges! Well done to everyone who took part—you all made it a memorable afternoon.

We hope you all have a well-deserved, relaxing summer break. Thank you for everything you do for your pupils throughout the year—we loved hosting you! ☀️🌳

🦊🌿🏆😊