Outdoor Learning for Schools


Nature-based experiences that stay with your students for life
Bushcraft is not just about survival — it’s about understanding the natural world and finding your place within it. At Escola do Mato, we offer school groups the chance to experience the outdoors in a way that is both meaningful and transformative. Our bushcraft programs are carefully designed to combine adventure, learning, and emotional growth, fostering a deep and lasting connection with nature.
Whether you're planning a half-day workshop as part of your outdoor curriculum or a 4-day residential adventure, we provide experiences that challenge students, nurture autonomy, and promote strong group dynamics. Through hands-on activities in the forest — lighting fires, building shelters, identifying plants, and cooking together — students gain more than just skills: they gain confidence, resilience, and a sense of belonging in the natural world.
Each program is tailored to suit the age, ability, and goals of your group, and delivered in a safe, structured environment that encourages exploration and cooperation. We work with students of all backgrounds and experience levels, helping them move past initial discomfort and discover new strengths — as individuals and as a team.
By stepping out of the classroom and into the forest, students discover a different kind of learning — one that engages the body, the senses, and the emotions. These are the experiences they’ll remember, long after the school year ends.

Main themes

  • Shelter Building
  • Fire Craft
  • Tool Skills
  • Water Sourcing
  • Foraging & Plant ID
  • Campfire Cooking
  • Navigation & Orienteering
  • Knots & Cordage
  • Team Games & Scenarios

A Curriculum of Experience

Our bushcraft activities are rooted in applied learning. We bring key subjects to life — from biology and environmental science to geography and social skills — using nature as both classroom and teacher.

    Students:
  • Learn hands-on skills like fire-making, foraging, cooking, and shelter building
  • Strengthen communication, leadership, and group cohesion
  • Develop emotional resilience and autonomy
  • Disconnect from screens and reconnect with the real world
We work closely with educators to adapt the content to your learning goals, including support for IB and inquiry-based frameworks.


Age-Appropriate. Safe. Inclusive.

And full of adventure. We welcome international schools with students aged 6 to 18, with activities tailored to each age group and level of maturity. All programs are supervised by experienced instructors, with a monitor for every 5 students, plus logistics and medical staff always on site.

  • Inclusive for all backgrounds and abilities
  • Multilingual team (English and Portuguese spoken fluently)
  • Dietary needs accommodated (vegan, halal, celiac, etc.)
  • Separate facilities for staff and students
  • All insurance and safety protocols included
Your students will feel challenged but supported throughout — with moments of deep focus, playful teamwork, and real discovery.


Program Formats

We offer flexible formats for day visits or residential camps:

  • Half-day to Full-day Experiences
  • 2 to 4-Day Residential Camps
  • Thematic Programs (e.g. wild food, shelters, fire, water)
  • Seasonal Adaptations (e.g. autumn camps, end-of-year celebrations)
Camps include:
  • Firecraft & Cooking
  • Shelter Building
  • Foraging & Plant ID
  • Water Filtration
  • Knife Safety & Wood Carving
  • Outdoor Games & Orienteering
  • Reflection Circles and Team Challenges
  • Night activities and storytelling by the fire
For multi-day camps, students sleep in tents or open shelters, cook their own meals, and live in teams — creating a castaway-style experience that builds bonds and confidence.


The Setting: Sesimbra Natura Park

Located just 25 km from Lisbon, Sesimbra Natura Park is a 900-hectare private nature reserve with lakes, forests, trails, and adventure infrastructure.
It’s the ideal safe zone for students to explore, play, and grow — far from distractions, but close to home.
Facilities include:

  • Clean M&F toilets and hot showers
  • Camp kitchen and eating areas
  • Covered spaces for rain contingency
  • Emergency vehicle access and communication points
We can arrange transportation and support in Portuguese or English throughout the visit.

Why Schools Choose Escola do Mato

  • Over a decade of experience in youth bushcraft education
  • Fully licensed, insured, and aligned with school safety standards
  • A proven track record with international schools in Portugal
  • Programs that balance fun, learning, and character-building
  • A real sense of adventure, teamwork and achievement

Ready to Book or Learn More?
Whether you’re planning a single class trip or a full grade-level camp, we’ll work with you to create a custom outdoor experience that fits your calendar, curriculum, and goals.Contact us to request our school pack and start planning your next adventure in nature.


Contactos

Escritórios:

R. D. Francisco Xavier de Noronha, n31, 3 dto
2800-092 Almada
Portugal

Email: info@escoladomato.com
Telefone: (+351) 914 820 585

Campo Base

Sesimbra Natura Park
Herdade da Mesquita
Estrada Nacional 378 Km13.9
2970-679 Sesimbra

Parceiro Oficial