At Cup-O-T: Wellness and Therapy Services, our Campfire Community Occupational Therapy sessions are not your typical therapy appointments. This Spring, our group of young people made flaming torches—yes, just like something out of Indiana Jones! It was muddy, smoky, a bit fiddly—and absolutely brilliant.
Using green willow wood, bushcraft knives, and the shave horse with a drawknife, the young people shaped the bodies of their torches. They foraged for seed heads, birch bark, and other natural materials to stuff the torch heads, before wrapping them in cotton strips and dipping them in molten wax. After preparing the site—clearing dry debris and thoroughly soaking the ground—we placed our torches into pre-dug holes and lit them one by one, safely extinguishing them at the end of the session.
But you might be wondering… why are we doing this in therapy?
Nature-Based, Purpose-Driven Therapy
Woodland and bushcraft activities are powerful therapeutic tools, especially for young people facing mental health challenges. Multi-stage projects like our torch-making session aren’t just fun (although they absolutely are!)—they’re rich with opportunities to build important life and occupational skills.
Here’s what’s happening behind the scenes in an activity like this:
🛠️ Skill-Building
From splitting wood to carefully wrapping the torch head, this activity targets coordination, fine motor skills, dexterity, and gross motor control. These are all crucial for daily functioning—from writing and self-care tasks to navigating the physical world with confidence.
🧠Focus and Frustration Tolerance
Making a torch isn’t easy. Pieces break, things go wrong, and not every attempt works the first time. This creates a safe space for learning persistence, concentration, and how to manage frustration—skills that are directly transferable to school, home life, and social situations.
🗣️ Social Connection and Teamwork
Working in the woods naturally invites cooperation. The young people shared tools, gathered enough natural materials for everyone, and made group decisions about safety. These shared goals foster communication, empathy, and a sense of belonging.
🔥 Risk Awareness and Emotional Regulation
Using fire safely, working with knives, and handling hot wax all require thoughtful risk assessment. Rather than shielding young people from risk, we support them to understand it, manage it, and keep themselves and others safe—a vital step towards developing independence and confidence.
🌱 Connection to Nature
The woodland setting itself plays a vital therapeutic role. Being outdoors in natural spaces helps regulate the nervous system, reduce anxiety, and foster a sense of calm and groundedness that can be hard to access in more clinical environments.
What Parents Are Saying
We often hear from families about the impact of these sessions—and how they’re helping young people thrive in ways they haven’t before. One parent recently shared:
She has thoroughly enjoyed the group. After the first session she bounced back into the car and told me about everything (which she doesn’t tend to do). She has made friends. She enjoys your chats and says she has long chats with you, which previously at school she would never do with another adult. So you have made her feel accepted and able to be herself. She doesn’t mask and enjoys all of the session.”
A Different Kind of Therapy
Many of the young people who attend our sessions have struggled to engage with traditional talking therapies or indoor settings. Our woodland occupational therapy model offers an alternative—one that combines hands-on activity, sensory experiences, and real-world learning in a supportive, strengths-based environment.
The flaming torches session ended with glowing torches and proud smiles. For some, it was the first time in a while they felt capable, excited, or part of something bigger. And that’s exactly why we do what we do.
If you’re a parent, carer, or professional looking for a therapeutic approach that works with young people in a proactive, non-clinical setting then sign up to our newsletter for when our referrals open: http://eepurl.com/hgimIz
