1.7- Assignment (Unit 2): Explain how to erect a temporary shelter, making use of woodland materials.

It is very useful to know how to build a shelter in the woods,this may be for fun, an opportunity for problem solving challenges, or that you may need shelter from rain whilst outdoors.  Den building can encourage communication skills and build companionship skills within a group. It can also enhance a child's imaginative play and create a great space to role-play.

How to build a den:

Choose a suitable area to build your den, whether you are using an open space or leaning against a tree, make sure the ground is free from holes, or signs of insect nests or anything that could cause harm (skin irritating plants etc). 

If you have chosen to use trees as part of your structure, please make sure they are strong trees and will be able to take the weight. 

Gather the materials you need for your den, straight logs and sticks are the main material you will need to find, make sure they are sturdy, if they are dead wood, check how strong they are. If you are going to try and cover your den with ferns, leaves or bracken, collect this up being careful you are not disturbing wildlife or touching anything poisonous, you should not pick anything, it will all be items already on the ground unattached. 

A Frame Shelter:

Stand the sticks in a triangular shape, leaning them towards each other and creating a strong bond with sticks. Then cover all sides with smaller sticks and twigs to fill any gaps, then using leaves, grass and moss, add this on top to create the shelter to be waterproof. 

Tree Shelter:

I chose to build this den as I find them stronger and when working with children I like to be sure to be safe.

I found two tree’s about 1.5m apart, with a fork in the branches that were quite low down. 

I made a frame by propping a long, straight stick in the fork’s creating a ridgeline.  I then added branches all along the back propping them up and trying to fill any gaps with different size branches. 

If you have been able to find some, weave some bendy sticks in and out of the sticks to make walls, if you have no bendy sticks just place more branches and sticks over the walls standing upright.

When all the large gaps had been filled, I gathered some bracken and moss to cover any small holes and as much as  I could to try to create a waterproof shelter.