Education in the Campfire Valley

An ancient experimentarium

In the middle of Lejre Land of Legends, you’ll find Båldalen, our ancient history experimentarium. Here you can try your hand at the techniques, technology and work processes of the past: sailing in dugout canoes, chopping firewood, grunting flour and baking biscuits over a fire.

Båldalen is an activity area with high ceilings and plenty of space. The place is buzzing with life and bonfires. You’ll be welcomed by a facilitator who will give you an introduction and instruction to the three activities at Båldalen and help you with professional input and practical work.

You will get started with various prehistoric and historical activities that contribute to an understanding of technology, which will be deepened by the facilitator’s professional input.

The course is free when the entrance fee is paid.

Activities in the bonfire valley

You will engage in various prehistoric and historical activities that contribute to an understanding of technology that will be deepened by the facilitator’s professional input.

Sailing in prehistoric dugout canoes

• The program starts with a trip on Lake Båldal in tribal boats. The tribal boats are carved by hand, as it has been done all the way back in the Stone Age and up to modern times. It requires teamwork and provides training in motor skills. For the little ones, there is the opportunity to take a row with an adult in Bonfire Valley’s reconstructed 19th-century dinghies.

From farm to fork

• Next, you will grind grain as people did in the Stone Age. You’ll turn the flour into a dough, which is shaped into small flatbreads that are baked by one of the bonfires.
  note: It is not possible to grind flour in heavy rain. In case of rain, you will be offered an alternative activity under a canopy.

Firewood chopping as in the Iron Age and the Viking Age:

• During the grunting process, you will chop firewood with our axes, which are replicas of axes from the Iron Age and Viking Age.
  NOTE: For safety reasons, it is not possible to chop firewood in heavy rain. In case of rain, you will be offered an alternative activity under a canopy.

For the little ones, we recommend exploring Båldalen, where there are plenty of opportunities to play, tumble, climb our large Midgard snake, meet our cuddly carp and much more.

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Practical information

Duration of the tour

• Approx. 55 min for a group of maximum 28 students.
• The facilitator in Båldalen gets the group started with the activities and adds some professional reflections and conversations along the way. However, it is expected that the teacher/educator is actively involved throughout the program.
• The activities support the pedagogical curriculum and common goals in the subjects nature and technology, history, food science and physical education.

Age group/level:

• Preschool children and 0-10th grade.
• Upper secondary school level
• The course is adapted to age level

Specific learning objectives:

• Students use their bodies and practice skills in teamwork and collaboration.
• Students can use tools and equipment in relation to the form and function of the product.
• Students can investigate, put into perspective their own life world and put their first-hand experiences into words.
• The course supports food awareness and cooking techniques and provides opportunities to interpret meals with an understanding of cultural values.
• Students gain experience in ancient technologies.

The program is free of charge once the entrance fee is paid.