Deer Clan Juniors 11-13

In an age of ever-increasing noise and pressure from peers, technology and social media, it is more important than ever for boys to experience real connection: connection with positive male mentors, a supportive community, the natural world and their own thoughts and feelings.

Over the past three years, Deer Clan has provided a space where boys can be themselves, build confidence and develop greater self-awareness. Through bushcraft, games, practical skills, shared challenges and time around the fire, the group supports boys to form meaningful friendships and explore what it means to grow into capable, grounded young men.

We are excited to offer another round of our monthly nature-based mentoring group for boys aged 11–13, held at OakWood Camp near Witham Friary, Somerset.

Please see further info below:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GwioAxIjwGjNU8dcXXXmIQ5xB0ATFTaLYHaNFV1Jw38/edit?usp=sharing

Being around the fire with friends meeting regularly to explore and be in nature, building on foundations 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 challenge.

This is a course event where participants commit to the block booking. If for whatever reason you can not make the session that's ok you can still sign up to the course. However, we are not in a position to refund missed sessions.

What are the benefits of these sessions?

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.

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

Practical outdoor learning forms a central part of the programme, including wilderness survival skills, fire making, shelter building, tool use, crafting, 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