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Wild Wood Activities Den building safety (main points suggested to be covered when

instructing on dens)

Aim: to detail safe den building instruction as expected during good quality outdoor/woodland

sessions. To highlight leader role and responsibilities.

Before beginning the den building session:

Ensure the den area is clear of old dens, debris etc.Check the tree canopy on site and decide safe

areas for den building (no leaning tree, hung up branches etc)

If appropriate for the session, ensure that there is adequate rope, string and tarpaulins/shelters

provided for the group

Decide if the group will be divided into teams or be able to choose if they work as individuals,

chose their own groupings etc. This may be age dependent, group size dependent and time

dependent. In these instances, leaders should use their discretion.

Leader must ensure they have adequate first aid equipment- a large main first aid kit and first aid

bumbag all fully stocked.

Leader must ensure that they have selected demonstration poles and trees for the safety talk

BEFORE the session starts.

Leader must brief assistants and volunteers as necessary.

Please ensure that you give a den building safety talk and demonstration covering main

points at the beginning of the session. Please make it age/group appropriate as you see fit as

long as safety issues are covered.

Location of the den

• Scan the area first- all the woodland layers ESPECIALLY the canopy area- look out for loose

branches, hanging branches, dead wood in the canopy and shrub layers. If unsure, locate the

den elsewhere.

• Flat ground where possible

• Away from prickly trees such as hawthorn

• Away from the fire and tool areas (as appropriate)

• Demonstrate safe areas for den building if group need guidance

Carrying den poles/building materials

• Encourage team work, especially when carrying large/long poles

• Demonstrate safe carrying with the group before beginning the session- get 2 or 3

members and arrange them on alternate sides of the pole then allocate a ‘controller’ or team

leader. Team leader makes sure all are ready to lift (encourage eye contact) and the group lift

and walk with the pole to where they want it to go, then place it down on instruction from the

team leader, minding feet. Pole is carried at waist height. If carrying independently,

demonstrate dragging the pole behind and walking with the pole.

• If carrying stumps/ heavy objects, demonstrate carrying at waist height and make it very

clear that any heavy items should be placed on the floor or on the OUTSIDE of the den/

shelter, NOT balancing on the den structure (ask them why). Heavy items might be useful for a

log to sit on, a table…

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Selecting den materials

• Forked poles are useful for den building, demonstrate the difference in poles.

• Very rotten/dead wood should NOT be used for the main structure due to potential weakness

in the wood.

• Poles should be able to bear weight

Creating den structure

• Instruct on stability- NOT leaning branches loosely against tree to create main den structure-

using natural forks in the trees or forked poles to help create main den structure. Or if teaching

lashing, using square lashing to lash poles to trees. If teaching tipi-making, using tripod lashing

to secure poles (make sure lashing is at thinner end of poles). Making sure that the thicker end

of the pole is the end which rests on the ground for stability purposes.

• If unsure, TEST what they are creating and search for loose poles that could fall. Please

ensure that you monitor the den building and, if unhappy with what the group are doing, guide

them and remove/alter anything unsafe.

• Suggest different kinds of dens/shelters such as making nests, making small dens,

weaving..they don’t have to be big or small..

• Use dead wood on the woodland floor where possible. Remind the group to leave living/

attached wood/ branches alone and to search for den materials on the woodland floor.

• If planning to use bracken, harvest WEARING GLOVES. Leave fern alone

• Build the den from the outside- do not place wood on the den if someone is inside

• Inform the group that the leader will check den safety as necessary and if they are concerned,

will move poles etc. to make it more secure or dismantle the den.

• If using tarpaulins, show the group one so they understand what it is and how they might be

able to use it.

• Ensure that participants are not balancing very heavy poles/ materials on the den.

• Ensure that participants are considering the lengths of their poles- balancing short poles on

the structure can destabilise it and create lots of moving parts which could fall.

• Try to give enough time so that the participants can really think about what they are doing.

• If appropriate, participants can work individually or in teams- it may be good to mix the teams

up a bit to diversify skill sets.

• Ensure that participants respect other peoples den materials and don’t take materials gathered

for or on other dens.

• Depending on the group and the aim of the session, it can be appropriate to demonstrate

some more structured and directive den- building methods such as a lean-to shelter and an A-

frame shelter

Use of tarpaulins, rope and string (if relevant to your session)

• Show the group a tarpaulin, get them to open it out so they can see the size and get used to

the feel of it. Point out the gromets which they can use to put the rope through.

• Introduce the rope/ paracord etc. Instruct on safe carrying- ie. walk with the rope/ cord and

ensure it is wound/ bunched up to prevent trips

• Demonstrate how to safely attach rope to the tarpaulin. At this stage, you may wish to get

them to try this.

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• Demonstrate how to attach the tarpaulin to the tree using a timber hitch (depending on the

group). Distribute string/ cord and invite them to tie the timber hitch on a tree in pairs/ small

groups. Instruct and support as necessary.

• If they are not already in teams, get this sorted now and distribute materials. This may be for

either a tarpaulin shelter activity or use of the tarps on their natural dens. Explain to the group

that they are responsible for the equipment and for its safe return, including ensuring that the

ropes/ string are bunched up after they have finished using it.

Sustainability: It is vital that we treat the woodland with respect, dead leaf litter is a habitat as is

dead wood. Try to encourage the group to use a wide search radius and collect from a variety of

locations. Be sensitive to nesting especially march- October and encourage that all materials are

spread back into the woodland. Teach the 10% harvesting rule and encourage the group to ask if

unsure.

Tree climbing: children will sometimes wish to climb a tree to attach something as part of their

den construction. If appropriate, facilitate this by ensuring it is a safe tree for this purpose and by

teaching children to always have three points of contact with the tree and to keep their body, feet

etc. close to the trunk of the tree. Be very definite in how high you are happy for them to climb (

make sure your insurance is clear about this).

Going into the dens: Make sure that the dens do not get very overcrowded as this is when

accidents can occur- moving bodies can dislodge and move wood. It may be necessary to limit

numbers at any one time. Please also respect that some people do not want their dens invaded by

others- this will need to be negotiated as appropriate.

Taking down dens

This is potentially the most dangerous part of den building. This must be done from the OUTSIDE

in with NOBODY inside the den and should be done considering the safety of others,

demonstrate safe den deconstruction before getting the group involved. Remind that it is not a

race. When the den is taken down, store poles/materials appropriately and ensure area is left tidy.

There is a lot more that could be said, but this should provide you with some useful core den and

shelter building safety to get you started!