Teen Deer Clan (Monthly Mentoring Sessions)

Deer Clan (Teens) is a monthly, day-long outdoor group for young people aged 14–16, meeting in woodland settings in and around Wanstrow, Somerset.

Building on the foundations laid in the Deer Clan Junior, this group formed from a previous cohort transitioning into the teen years, beginning in September 2025. While many participants have come through the Junior Deer Clan, this is not a requirement, and new members are very welcome.
We are delighted to be continuing this journey in collaboration with Kevin Button (Bridging Nature), Journeyman Frome mentors, and local parents to deliver this next stage of the programme.

These gatherings bring young people together in a natural setting to deepen skills, relationships, and self-understanding through shared experience. Time is spent building and maintaining camps, lighting fires, cooking and eating together, taking on wilderness challenges, and participating in group activities that foster cooperation, resilience, leadership, and a strong sense of belonging.

The Three Core Pillars
Community Building
A consistent peer group that grows together over time, developing trust, responsibility, teamwork, and mutual respect. Participants are encouraged to take increasing ownership of themselves, the group, and the shared space.

Mentoring
Guided by experienced mentors, sessions create space for reflection, conversation, and personal development. Teen-relevant themes such as identity, confidence, boundaries, relationships, motivation, and responsibility are explored in an age-appropriate, grounded, and supportive way.

Wilderness Survival Skills
Practical outdoor learning forms a central part of the programme, including fire lighting, shelter building, tool use, navigation, awareness, and working safely with challenge and risk in natural environments.

What Happens in a Session
Days typically include:
Wilderness survival and campcraft skills
Group challenges and team-building activities
Camp building, fire tending, and outdoor cooking
Mentoring circles and group reflection
Time for exploration, responsibility, and leadership
Games, to keep it light and fun
These elements work together to support:
confidence and resilience
emotional literacy and communication
decision-making and boundary-setting
leadership and responsibility
environmental awareness and care
Friendship and relationship building