shmu trainees go 'down to the woods'

Trainees from our Positive Transitions 16 course have been out and about during their busy timetable, and managed to squeeze in a visit to Tullos Hill Wood, which was highly commended earlier this year at the Scotland’s Finest Wood Awards.

Stephen Bly, Local Countryside Ranger and shmuFM’s very own 'around with a ranger' presenter, spent the morning with the young people, passing on his knowledge of all things outdoors. Stephen has been involved with many local groups, working on a wide range of projects, which you can find out more about by listening to his show each Wednesday morning on shmuFM 99.8fm.

Under Stephen’s expert tutelage, our trainees learned to build their own emergency shelter from ropes and tarpaulin, essential skills for basic woodland survival.

The team then tried their hands at making some woodland themed art using all natural materials from their surroundings and managing to produce some interesting creations.  The last task that Stephen set for the group was to make a cuppa using a ‘storm kettle’.  This is a devise used to boil water outdoors using twigs and other combustible materials, even in bad weather.

The group displayed excellent team work skills throughout the morning, along with great problem solving skills. Stephen was particularly impressed with the boys’ emergency shelter, and the whole group enjoyed their time learning about the great outdoors.