Ofsted Registered Provider
Qualified Teacher Led
DBS Checked & Fully Insured
First Aid Qualified On Site
Not a Kids Club. A Skills Programme.
By the time most children reach their early teens, they have outgrown the typical holiday club or forest school circle. They need more challenge, more responsibility, and more trust. Elements Fire exists for exactly that moment.
Fire is our weekly advanced programme for home-educated teenagers aged 12-16. Every Wednesday during term time, we run a full day of serious bushcraft, practical skills, and collaborative outdoor projects.
These are not watered-down versions of the younger programme. Fire participants manage their own fires, use tools independently, plan and execute group builds, and take on genuine leadership roles within the session.
The atmosphere is different too. We work with teens as young adults. There is more freedom, more expectation, and less hand-holding. The result is a group that builds genuine competence, self-reliance, and the quiet confidence that comes from doing hard things well.
If Elements Earth is about discovery and play, Fire is about mastery and responsibility.
Skills That Stick
Over a term at Fire, participants develop:
Advanced fire craft
Tool mastery
Natural navigation
Shelter and camp craft
Group leadership
Self-management
Resilience and risk judgement
IS FIRE RIGHT FOR YOUR TEEN?
Fire is designed for home-educated teenagers aged 12-16 who are ready for something more demanding than a typical outdoor activity day. We do not require prior experience, but we do require the right attitude.
This programme suits teens who:
-
Are bored by structured, adult-led activities and want more autonomy
-
Respond well to responsibility and genuine challenge
-
Are ready to work with tools and fire safely, without constant supervision
-
Want to build practical skills that feel useful, not just recreational
-
Are comfortable in all weathers and willing to get cold, wet, and muddy without complaint
We are here to give capable, curious young people the space and trust to become competent young adults.
Parents of teens with ADHD, autism, or anxiety have found Fire particularly effective, because the programme is built on clear expectations and real outcomes rather than abstract social rules. If your teen needs additional support, speak to us before booking so we can plan together.
KIT LIST FOR FIRE
Fire participants are expected to arrive fully prepared. This is part of the programme - learning to look after yourself in the outdoors starts with your own kit.
Waterproof clothing and wellies
Warm layers
A packed lunch and water bottle
A change of clothes for the journey home
Notebook & Pencil for skills logging
Note: We provide all tools, fire equipment, and project materials. We do not provide food. If your teen has forgotten their lunch, they will be hungry. That is part of the learning.
FAQs
No. Fire is strictly drop-off. Parents are welcome at our end-of-term sharing events, but the day itself is for the teens. Part of the programme is learning to manage without a parent nearby.
We do not manage it. We teach them to manage it. Every teen completes a tool safety induction before touching any blade or saw. Fire is introduced progressively, starting with ignition and moving to management and cooking. We maintain a 1:8 staff ratio and every session is led by a qualified practitioner with outdoor first aid certification with other members of staff on site for support if required.
Perfect. We do not expect prior experience. What we expect is willingness and attention. A teen who listens, tries, and accepts that they will be encouraged to try new things, will thrive in Fire.
Fire is aimed at 12-16 year olds. The social and emotional dynamics of the group rely on a genuine teenage cohort. An 11-year-old in the mix could change the culture for everyone. However, we sometimes make exceptions for 11-year-olds who are already well-known to us through Earth and are emotionally ready, but this is decided case by case.
Not yet, but we are developing an older youth programme. If you are interested, let us know and we will contact you when it launches. In the meantime, some 17-year-olds stay on as junior mentors in Fire, which is a brilliant development pathway.
We do not bail them out. This is a deliberate part of the programme. A hungry afternoon or a wet afternoon because they forgot their waterproofs is a more effective lesson than any lecture we could give. We will not let them suffer dangerously, but we will let them be uncomfortable. That is the point. We will let you know if we are made aware early enough.
Yes, we have worked successfully with autistic teens, teens with ADHD, and teens with anxiety. The structure of Fire - clear expectations, physical work, visible outcomes - suits many neurodivergent teens better than abstract classroom environments. Please speak to us before booking so we can understand your teen's needs and plan any adjustments.
Skills they can use. Confidence they have earned. A group of peers who respect competence over popularity. And a folder of skills logs that they can use as evidence for awards, college applications, or Duke of Edinburgh portfolios if they choose.
What Parents AND TEENS Say
"My daughter was anxious about joining a new group, but Saira made her feel welcome from the first minute. Six months later, she counts the days until Thursday. The confidence I have seen grow in her is remarkable."
- Parent, Bournemouth
"As a home-educating parent, I was looking for something that gave my son social time without sacrificing the quality of learning. Elements is exactly that. He comes home muddy, exhausted and full of stories about what he built or discovered."
- Parent, Christchurch
"We tried a few outdoor activity groups before finding Elements. The difference is the teaching. Saira does not just supervise - she plans, she questions, she extends their thinking. My children are actually learning, not just playing outside."
- Parent, Southbourne
"The mixed-age group works brilliantly. My 7-year-old learns from watching the older children, and my 12-year-old has developed real patience and leadership. I did not expect that outcome."
- Parent, Poole
Book a Trial Day at Elements Fire
No term commitment. One Wednesday in the woods to see if your teen is ready for the challenge.
Note: If you are new to Elements entirely, we recommend starting with a trial session. If your teen is currently in Earth and turning 12, we will contact you directly about transition timing.
ELEMENTS FIRE
Special rate offered to current customers for Autumn Term 1 2026. 7 sessions - Sept 9th - October 21st inclusive.