As the coordinators of student volunteering groups working local kids, these don’t usually feature heavily in our weekend activities, usually held in Oxford colleges. I can just imagine the face of Magdalen College’s Home Bursar presenting him with that particular risk assessment. The Giant Jenga set seems to be dangerous enough.
But on a June morning at the OxGrow site, as I watch some twelve children eagerly preparing a small fire and learning bush craft techniques under the watchful eye of a qualified and enthusiastic instructor, Harry, I realise what we’d been missing. Though the kids are surprisingly knowledgeable about the subject matter – credit where it’s due, Bear Grylls – it’s clearly a real treat for them to see, in the flesh, a bow drill being painstakingly used to start a small bundle of grass smouldering, and the flames being coaxed into life. Before long, we’re sitting round a merrily crackling (and very smoky) blaze.
Bushcraft Harry Goes up in Smoke
The children enjoying the OxGrow experience on this day come from disadvantaged backgrounds throughout Oxford. Whilst individual circumstances might vary – some are Young Carers, looking after an ill or disabled relative at home with little help or recognition, others may come from families afflicted by addiction or other difficulties – most of them have one thing in common: their capacity to enjoy a fun and protected childhood, free from responsibility and worry, is significantly restricted. At the Magdalen Young Carers Project and Kids Adventure, we primarily aim to give them some respite from their responsibilities and cares – what better place for kids to do this than down at the wild-yet-verdant OxGrow site?
After some introductory name-games, a deluxe tour of the site courtesy of Joe, and our bushcraft session with Harry, it was time to get down to some serious growing. The kids prepared seed beds and did some planting and watering with Doireann – particularly popular was collecting water from the stream. The new pump and water storage mechanisms look very impressive, but I don’t think they come close to the rustic simplicity of crouching on a rusty, half-submerged trolley to scoop up muddy river water! After a break for a lovely al-fresco lunch of fire-baked sweet potatoes, delicious and nutritious OxGrown salad and fire-charred turnips, and perhaps not-so-nutritious tinned hot dogs, it was back to planting and growing for some, and football on the nearby sports field for others. The day was rounded off by an exhausting and contentious game of capture the flag – the long grass near the site boundaries providing ample opportunities for the questionable practice of actually hiding the flag.
The kids went home happy and smiling, having had a brilliant day out, and having learned a few handy tidbits about horticulture and bushcraft to boot! A big thank you is due to our volunteers, and especially to Joe, Doireann, Harry and all the OxGrow team for making it possible. OxGrow represents a fantastic resource for the Oxford community – not only in the site itself, but also the fantastic people who run it – and we really look forward to coming back soon. The kids have a great time, you get another source of free and enthusiastic labour – what’s not to like?
Now to talk to College about lighting some fires on the Lawns…
Laurie Blair
Coordinator, Magdalen Young Carers Project
youngcarers@oxfordhub.org
He's got his match-striking technique down!
Peering down the tube at the saplings
Examining the Heritage Wheat with Joe
Cathy clowning around!
OxGrow 