The new outdoors course has been launched by the Forestry Commission at the park near Clipstone to offer 11- to 18 year-olds hands-on tuition on survival skills, fire making, animal tracking, shelter building and open air cooking.

Six-day courses, taster sessions and day-long programmes are being offered to schools and youth groups, but the initiative will also target pupils with challenging behaviour. These could include those at risk of offending or truanting, or youngsters who struggle in formal education or training.

Ranger Joanne Broadhead told Chad: "We have run small-scale bushcraft events for years with great success. But this scheme is on another level altogether.

"Many youngsters find it hard to concentrate in school, have little experience of the countryside, or simply want to get their hands dirty and learn practical skills. This project totally changes their environment and pushes back the boundaries."

And the new course will not only give participants more rustic knowledge and higher self esteem but it will also give them the chance to gain qualifications after the The Forestry Commission teamed up with the Open College Network (OCN) to design a set of three OCN accredited local modules.

Joanne added: "We can tailor courses to specific needs and there's no need to pursue qualifications, but it does add another string to our bow in terms of what we can offer. Although the course teaches practical skills, it also develops co-operation, communication skills and confidence."

Anybody wanting further information on the course should contact Joanne Broadhead on Mansfield 822447 or email joanne.broadhead@forestry.gsi.gov.uk