CHILDREN got back to basics during summer camps.

As part of the week-long and day camps, which ran from the beginning of August, children fished for their food, made shelters and lit fires.

Cornbury Park, near Charlbury, offered the Bushcraft summer camps, which have been running for two years.

Spokesman Phia McBarnet said: “It is about getting kids outside during the holidays and giving them a chance to do something different to sitting on the computer all day, every day.

“They absolutely love it as it is something different — they are learning a craft and staying in quite an unusual setting. They all sleep out in their shelters under the stars and go down into the lake and do freshwater swimming.

“It really is about teaching life skills that our ancestors used that have been much forgotten.”

This week, 30 children have been taking part, with an extra 15 seven to 15-year-olds at a day camp yesterday. Prices range from £45 to £350, plus VAT.

Amanda Selby’s seven-year-old daughter Izzy attended a day camp.

Mrs Selby, 47, of Windsor, said: “She had a fabulous time. It’s a lovely environment for the children and great for them to enjoy the simple things in life and get away from technology.”

The camps run until the end of the month, with more activities in autumn and winter.

The Bushcraft Company plans to open two further camps next year in Cheshire and on the south coast.