Testimonials

Dear Chris,

Ham Scouts thank you for an awesome weekend.
What a weekend to remember for a lifetime.
Thank you for going to the effort for supplying the extra facilities to make our Survival camp not only enjoyable, but also manageable for the helpers.
We appreciate the time you took to supply gas, water, new tables and a fantastic venue.
We at Ham Scouts recommended strongly that any youth organisation thinking of a Survival or Bushcraft weekend, contact Down in the woods Ltd.
Yours in Scouting
Graham King, Scout Leader
29/05/23

 

Hi Chris

We would just like to say what a fantastic camp delivered by Jim, Graham & Down in the woods. The instructors went above and beyond in delivery content and quality and everyone has given very positive feedback for the event.

Russel Saturday Scouts
5/07/22

 

Dear Chris,

Thanks for a very enjoyable afternoon last week – you managed to create a unique and interesting experience for both a 5 year old and his parents.

My son was fascinated by the animal skulls you brought and loved his bow and arrows that you made for him.

It was great to walk through the woods at Adhurst with someone knowledgeable about the natural environment we passed through. The bread you made over the fire was delicious and my husband said the trout was the best fish he has ever tasted.

The madeleines were fabulous too!

Kind regards,
Karen, Stephen and Alex
2/9/21

 

Dear Chris,

Thank you so much for a wonderful experience for our whole family. It was a half day course in Adhurst woods but we pretty much took up your full day. My boys are 8 and 10 years old and their highlights were collecting sticks, making bread on the fire, safely learning some knife skills, learning different ways to start a fire (fungus and weird contraption were the adults’ favourite!) and cooking the fish. You were very good at keeping them engaged.

Your knowledge made walking through and experiencing the woods much more interesting. I never knew silver birch trees had so many uses. We hope to return and see you again.

Best wishes,
The Mistry Family
2/8/20

 

Dear Chris,

Thank you so much for our day in the Woods yesterday. Although it was a wet and miserable day, the Students did get a lot out of the day and were very grateful for a hot bath when they returned home. 10 out of the 15 were asleep in the bus when we arrived back at school!

Many of the students experienced things for the first time, as well as a few of them overcomming some personal goals and achievements! Two in particular managed to keep themselves together over comming OCD tendencies and not being able to carry out their usualy ‘routines’.

In speaking to them all today, they were able to laugh at the misfortune of the weather, especially as today was such a glorious day! They enjoyed the experience of being out in the woods and cooking their lunch.

Thanks again for all that you do.
Felicity
Salesian School

 

Wow! – Fantastic! – What a great day.

Thanks Chris for organising such an unusual and exciting Game Preparation Course.

The day delivered much more than expected with not only the Deer, Pigeon and Rabbit preparation,
but also the great food and your beautiful surroundings.

The extra background that Tim (your stalker) gave to us, on local knowledge and hunting information was really interesting.

Thanks for letting Andre and I stay over the night, he absolutely loved the experience.

If you are running this course again next year, please let me know.

Kind regards
Graham King
19/4/19

 

Hi Chris,

Thank you for a brilliant day, all the staff and especially the students had a really brilliant time. Some of the feedback I have received from the Students have been:

“It’s was good, I worked with people I wouldn’t have done usually and achieved a good shelter.”
“Thxs for the trip today it was so fun would really like to go on a another trip again.”
“I found it all really interesting.”
The students have also been chatting to their year manager who sent me this:

I just wanted to drop you a line and say a huge thank you for organising the trip for the boys the other day. I have been talking to them and Finn in particular was saying how amazing it was. He just loved everything you did! That will be a day he remembers forever.”
9/7/2018

 

I booked Down in the Woods for my daughter’s 9th birthday party. Chris was fantastic! He was incredibly patient with the ten girls and ensured that each one felt included in every aspect of the bush craft experience. Despite the rain, the kids had an absolute blast – lots of activities that they could take part in; den building, foraging, fire lighting, archery. The children had a truly unique experience and each learnt something new that they could impress their parents with! A fantastic, well run event. The day exceeded my expectations and I’d definitely recommend Chris.
Sarah, parent of 9 year old Lauren.
11/2017

 

I wanted the Scouts to experience bushcraft skills. Fifteen of us spent a day in the woods under Chris’ expert supervision. The day was full on and we all learnt new skills including: fire lighting, den building, water purification and knife skills. The day finished in the dark at 5 pm, after the Scouts filleted and cooked fish making a cooking frame from the trees in the wood. A truly superb day and one we hope to repeat in the summer. I thought the day was inspirational and educational.
Dan, Assistant Scout Leader.
11/2017

 

Hi Chris,

Hope all going well at Forest School. We would like to thank all at Forest School for giving Adam the opportunity to discover new things; learn new skills with new friends and have a little independence from his family. All has done wonders for him. Thank you.

Michelle
11/09/2015

 

Hello Chris,

I thought I’d drop you a line regarding our camp last weekend. First of all we (both adults and kids) really enjoyed the time, I thought it was well structured with a good balance of activities and the boys always had something to be focussed on. So thanks to you and Tom for making it enjoyable and well run. We’ll certainly look to do this again, realistically I think it’ll be next year now possibly late spring or early summer. However, if you are doing day programmes then I would certainly be interested in that, especially if it’s building skills or techniques.

Sacha
31/8/2015

 

Hello,

Today I went to pick up Isabella from Forest School, having left her a bit anxious and unsure of herself. The first thing I heard as I crossed the road was an happy voice shout “Hello Mummy” as she bounded up to me. I was told that she had the best Forest School day ever. She made a new friend and really likes Chris. Apparently, he is very nice and very funny.

Thank you, once again, for Forest School and the wonderful thing it is.

Kirby x
4/9/2014

 

(Timothees birthday party)
Dear Chris,

A huge thank you for the fantastic experience the children were allowed to live thanks to you all! Timothee couldn’t stop saying how happy he was and that that was the best birthday party ever!!!

Again a huge thank you!

 

Dear Chris,

Just a quick note to thank you for a great day on Thursday – thunderstorms and torrential rain notwithstanding!! The boys had a wonderful time and I had the best outdoor stew, ever!!!

Thanks for such fun.
Best,
Maria, Luca and Marco.

 

Bushcraft at Melrose School

Melrose has been working with Chris for the last two years, and our relationship has gone from strength to strength. Through Bushcraft activities, Chris brings outdoor learning to life for our students, helping them develop essential life skills. Chris has the ability to engage our students through highly tailored activities, which are taught in a relaxed and fun environment. Lessons are always delivered to the students through Chris’s calm and patient approach, and with an anecdote or two thrown in that keeps us coming back for more!

Kevin Blythen

 

Dear Chris

Thank you for a wonderful party this afternoon – we all enjoyed ourselves so much.

Mercedes

 

I’d like to echo Mo’s email by saying that we all, children and parents alike, enjoyed this afternoon very much.
Great idea, and an idyllic, almost magical location.
Markus