29 October 2008

Schoolkids get back to nature with Ray Mears and Ordnance Survey

A dozen lucky schoolchildren from across the country have spent the day learning bushcraft skills with Ray Mears – courtesy of Ordnance Survey.

Every year Ordnance Survey offers 11-year-olds across the country a free OS Explorer Map. It is one of the largest educational initiatives of its kind, with the 5 millionth map given away this year.

As part of the scheme, children were asked five map-reading and nature questions and were invited to design a new map symbol. The best 12 were then chosen to spend the day with Ray.

For the winners it was a fantastic chance to put the map-reading skills they learn in the classroom into practice.

Ray was full of great tips to avoid getting lost – including how trees grow to face south and catch the sun. He also showed the group how to make a fire using flint and tree bark before making everyone hot drinks with water from the nearby stream.

Ray comments: "It was a real privilege to spend the day with such well motivated youngsters. Their energy and enthusiasm for wild Britain was really refreshing. We covered some challenging concepts of navigation, which they grasped without difficulty."

During the day Ray helped the children discover a badger set, track wild animals and build a shelter. He also showed them a special fungus that acts like an antiseptic plaster – great if you forget a first-aid kit.

Roger Jeans, Ordnance Survey’s Education Manager, says: “The Free maps for 11-year-olds scheme is about encouraging young people to take an interest in the world around them. We had a fantastic day with Ray and I hope the children were inspired by what they learnt.

"Every school in the country still has the chance to order their pupils’ maps for the 2008 scheme and enter this year’s competition to spend a day with Time Team. Teachers can phone us or visit our website for more information."

Teachers have until 30 November to order and can contact 0845 337 3133 or visit www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/freemapsfor11yearolds more information.

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Head of Corporate Communications - Rob Andrews

Email: rob.andrews@ordnancesurvey.co.uk

Phone: (+44) 023 8079 2265

Senior Communications & PR Officer - Paul Beauchamp

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