The ever-challenging task of finding the perfect summer holiday for all the family to enjoy has just been made easier thanks to Eurocamp’s new partnership with bushcraft experts, The Woodcraft School.

Creating fires by friction, eating wild plants and tracking native animals are not the usual ingredients for the family’s summer trip but, as the kids get older, ‘out-of-the-ordinary’ experiences such as these are just the perfect adventure. And with courses provided by the award winning Woodcraft School – who have been providing bushcraft courses since 1997 – Eurocampers of all ages will be able to learn survival skills in a controlled environment.

Budding Bear Grylls aged 8 and over – plus mum and dad – can get closer to nature while learning survival skills to conquer the great outdoors. ‘Hands-on’ sessions from The Woodcraft School at Eurocamp’s La Croix du Vieux Pont parc, in Berny-Rivière, ninety minutes from Paris, include basic bushcraft techniques such as making safe drinking water, foraging in forests to identify, gather, cook and taste wild plants and also learn about the environment.

Chris Hilton, Head of Brand at Eurocamp said, “The popularity of TV shows from experts such as Ray Mears and Bear Grylls shows there’s real family interest in outdoor adventure and survival, and these bushcraft lessons are a fun way for kids and parents to get their hands dirty and actually give them a try for themselves. As well as that, the courses – which should hopefully deliver a truly unforgettable holiday experience – have been designed to help families enjoy some great quality time together, while enjoying the chance to enjoy the outdoors and get that bit closer to nature.”

And after the ‘back to basics’ experience in the parc’s own private forest, it’s not far from the comfort and civilisation of the parc and a host of other fun activities including the exceptional ‘Action Station’ – for both kids and grown-ups – that offers a giant climbing wall, a zip wire, abseiling, Trapeze walking plus archery. There’s also tennis, table tennis, horse riding and bike hire, plus, with Disneyland Resort Paris within easy reach, plenty to keep the kids entertained, while mum and dad can relax at the on-parc Jacuzzi, sauna and choice of four swimming pools.

The Eurocamp Bushcraft courses, in partnership with The Woodcraft School, run from the 6th April until the 27th October and cost just £24 per adult and £18 per child.
Group sizes are small for each of the four courses available, to ensure everyone gets the most out of the experience, so pre-departure booking is recommended.

A seven night stay at Eurocamp’s La Croix du Vieux Pont parc, in Berny-Rivière, Paris, arriving on 5 June 2010, staying in a 3 bed ‘Comfort’ mobile home, which sleeps up to 6, with decking will cost just £456 for the whole family, accommodation only.

A seven night stay at Eurocamp’s La Croix du Vieux Pont parc, in Berny-Rivière, Paris, arriving on 15 July 2010, staying in a 2 bed ‘Comfort’ mobile home, which sleeps up to 6, will cost just £ 888 for the whole family, accommodation only.

Ferry crossings, fly drive packages, rail travel and overnight stops – at hotels or parcs en route – can also be arranged through Eurocamp at a supplement.

For further information on Eurocamp, please call 0844 406 0552 or visit www.eurocamp.co.uk

Bushcraft courses:
• ‘Basic Bushcraft’ – includes fire making, water and shelter. Duration 3 hours.
• ‘Fire by Friction’ – includes tools use, making and using own blow drill set. Duration 3 hours.
• ‘Wild Food Forage’ – includes identifying edible foods, preparation and tasting. Duration 3 hours.
• ‘Nature Ramble’ – includes animal track detecting and wider knowledge of environment. Duration 1.5 hours.
• Courses run on selected dates throughout the summer.

You don’t need to travel to far flung parts of the country to take part in the renaissance in traditional crafts, to be featured on BBC TV over the next six weeks. Here in the heart of The National Forest there are plenty of opportunities to learn the techniques, skills and often forgotten histories of woodland crafts.

Mastercrafts, a six week series filmed in Dorset, starts on 12 February on BBC2, and follows three hopefuls in their search for the perfect traditional craft for them.

Here in The National Forest you can train under master woodsman Peter Wood in his woodland workshop Greenwood Days. Under his expert guidance, novices and keen amateurs can learn pole lathe turning, Windsor chair making, how to make your own long bow and learn to fire it, steam and tar a coracle, weave a willow basket or bend a hazel hurdle on courses lasting from one to eight days.

If Ray Mears’ bushcraft survival skills are more to your taste, there are three survival schools based in The National Forest. Forage for wild food, collect rain water from leaves, twist twine out of tree roots or filter water through socks lined with moss and wood ash. Build a snug shelter in the woods and watch the stars come out.

Or you can volunteer with BTCV (British Trust for Conservation Volunteers) and learn dry stone walling, hedgelaying, coppicing and other countryside skills. It’s a great way to meet people, have fun and get fit at the same time.

The National Forest & Beyond Visitor Guide for 2010 is just out – packed with new ideas for things to see and do in this wonderful forest in the making.

As well as details of attractions, events, local food and where to stay, the new guide highlights the exciting new places to go in 2010.
There is also a competition inside to win a short break to explore the waterways that wind through The National Forest & Beyond. Complete and return the Visitor Guide survey to enter the prize draw, offered in partnership with Aqua Narrowboat Hire, based in Mercia Marina near Willington.

Among the new attractions is a brilliant new visitor centre at Twycross Zoo, which will include a Himalayan themed Snow Leopard enclosure and the ‘New England’ wader bird enclosure.

In July, the National Memorial Arboretum will complete the Basra Wall to commemorate those who have lost their lives in the Iraq conflict. The arboretum is home to more than 100 woodland gardens and sculptures including the award-winning Armed Forces Memorial.

Reviving long-forgotten stories around the birth of Coalville, mining memories and the nature reserve, Snibston’s new audio tour follows the fascinating events and people who shaped history in this area.

A new circular off-road trail has been opened in the heart of the forest for those wanting a gentle cycle ride, a family walk, a wildlife ramble or a daily jog. The four and a half mile Conkers Circuit is ideal for all ages with easy to follow circuit markers and shorter loops within it. The circuit joins the Sustrans National Cycle Network, passing Conkers, Moira Furnace and YHA National Forest.

And hiring a bike is even easier with cycle hire now offered at Moira Furnace. There are regular events at the furnace as well as the museum tours, craft village and canal boat trips. Cycle hire is also available at Rosliston Forestry Centre which has just opened The Glade events arena. Look out for events and performances throughout the year.

Follow the smell of freshly-baked bread to the Ferrers Centre for Arts and Crafts which now has a wonderful bakery, stocking a range of home-made breads, cakes and local foods. The Gardener’s Bothy, a new garden store and rural craft workshop at the Ferrers Centre, will be hosting demonstrations and hands-on taster sessions for visitors to try woodland crafts. And for budding Ray Mears, Woodland Ways is launching a new bushcraft course especially for teenagers.

The National Brewery Centre (formerly Coors Visitor Centre and The Bass Museum) will open its doors to the public in spring 2010. Using animated interactive exhibits, this exciting attraction will give visitors a fun view of this important industry and a taste of Burton upon Trent’s particular contribution.

And of course, The National Forest itself is an ever-changing landscape. Over the years and throughout the seasons, there is always something new to see. Nearly 90% of the trees that are planted are native broadleaf, and the Visitor Guide details where you can go to see particularly fine examples of the different tree species, plus local myths and legends linked with the trees and locations.

The Visitor Guides are produced by the National Forest Company in partnership with East Staffordshire Borough Council, North West Leicestershire District Council and South Derbyshire District Council to promote the tourism economy in the Forest and surrounding area.