Discover amazing island scenery, brilliant wildlife and quality teaching at FSC Millport. Millport offers residential and day field trips for all ages, linked to Curriculum for Excellence or all the England and Wales exam boards. All our courses are tailored to your requirements and our experienced staff will work with you to develop a course to suit you and your students.
Orienteering
Orienteering
What is it?
Orienteering is a term used to cover sports that use maps and a compass to help the participant navigate what is usually unfamiliar terrain. People usually use the word to refer to orienteering on foot, but it can apply to a much wider range of pastimes including travelling by canoes, bikes, cars and skis; however, foot orienteering is the most popular version to try out!
What does it involve?
The basics of orienteering involve successfully reading a map and compass to reach checkpoints marked on the map in a certain order to check them off a list and complete the course. Electronic navigational devices are not allowed while orienteering, and there are many complex variants on style and rules involving teamwork, relay and time trials - but the basics remain the same throughout.
Why do it and what are the benefits?
This activity can be a great way of connecting students with nature in an increasingly technological world, and will satisfy any budding explorers in the group. It's also a great team building exercise as everybody works together to navigate their way through an unfamiliar environment to reach the goal.
What equipment do we need?
If going orienteering with an established company, they should provide all the equipment you should need, but make sure to check beforehand. You should make sure all your students are dressed appropriately for whatever the current weather is - check the forecasts and ask the venue for advice!
Who is it suitable for?
There are no real age limits on orienteering, but you may find it hard to engage younger children in the activity as it requires attention to detail and a fair amount of patience; but exploring the outdoors may hold an appeal for some students!
Costs?
The varying nature of the outdoors and the complexity of the course will change the costs of orienteering from place to place.
Issues/Things to think about? (unsuitable for age groups, medical conditions etc)
Participants should hold a reasonable level of interest in the activity or could quickly get bored!
How do we include?
You may find it hard to include students with physical disabilities in orienteering as it often takes place outdoors on uneven terrain, and requires quick travel when competing. However, there are places that have courses set up specifically for those with disabilities which could be a great experience for those concerned - make sure to check what's available in your area!
Doing it abroad?
Orienteering is fairly popular all over the world, but not especially well advertised! Don't wait until arriving to seek out the activity, make sure to do your research beforehand to find a good organisation.
Main website:
http://www.britishorienteering.org.uk is the main website for the competitive sport, but also has some good links concerning school trips!
Venues with this Activity
Snowdonia
FSC Rhyd-y-creuau provides high quality residential outdoor learning and fieldwork for primary schools, secondary schools and university groups. We also have a range of courses and holidays for adults and families.
Pembrokeshire Coast
Orielton Field Centre is ideally placed to explore the diverse environments & habitats that Pembrokeshire has to offer. As a centre we cater for University Groups, Schools and leisure learners.
Northern Ireland
FSC Northern Ireland provides fieldwork opportunities in Belfast with a wide variety of urban fieldwork courses across Belfast and in the Titanic Quarter, which is one of the world’s largest urban, waterfront regeneration projects.
West Fermanagh
Derrygonnelly Centre lies in the unspoilt West Fermanagh countryside, 10 miles from Enniskillen and only 15 miles from the Donegal coast. The Centre is run in partnership with Derrygonnelly and District Community Enterprises, on the site of a former creamery. The River Sillees runs through the Centre grounds.
Nurture in Nature
FSC Bishops Wood is an excellent base for primary school trips. At Bishops Wood Field Centre we offer opportunities in both fieldwork and adventurous activities for primary school children. From Literacy through landscape to wilderness bushcraft designed to encourage problem solving and teamwork.
Experience learning in the great outdoors with Magdalen. Magdalen Farm with its diverse landscape, animals and purpose-built residential centre provides a safe and secure environment to learn about organic farming, sustainability and nature.
The Forest Centre is the headquarters of the Conservators of Ashdown Forest who are responsible for the management the Forest. It is the best starting point for finding out about the Forest, what you can see, and where you can go.
Education
Two discrete centres within 26 acres of private woodland, surrounded by 200 acres of public woodland, overlooking the seaside town of Sheringham.
Hilltop primarily offers comprehensive outdoor educational opportunities to Primary and Middle schools and Sixth Form / Further Education Colleges.
Green Park welcomes school groups, families, scout groups, church groups, NCS groups, those with additional needs and many more.
Rookesbury House is a stunning former stately home situated at the top of a hill amidst a 2000 acre private estate. With its grand entrance through the gate keeper’s lodge and the drive sweeps through fields of arable crops to the house, you can be sure of a secure and calming setting at this former prestigious boarding school.
We offer a wide range of activities for all ages and abilities. Please see the drop down headings for more information on each one.
Condover Hall is a prestigious Elizabethan residential activity centre, hosting teambuilding and non-stop educational activity ideal for school children, sports groups, summer camps and corporate team building events and conferences alike.
Prestongrange is a site of major importance in the story of Scotland’s Industrial Revolution. Visitors can discover the story of the harbour, glass works, pottery, colliery and brickworks. A Cornish Beam Engine is available to visit via a guided tour. The Visitor Centre includes an exhibition area, shop and café.
Sewerby Hall is a Grade I listed Georgian country house with Regency and Victorian additions set in 50 acres of picturesque park. The Hall contains an important collection of Amy Johnson memorabilia and galleries in which a temporary exhibition programme is displayed.
The Adventure Starts Here...
Run by a specialist team from Essex Outdoors, Essex Schools Expeditions is a dedicated service for Schools and Youth Groups providing adventurous, challenging fun and safe trips abroad for young people.
At Essex Outdoors we believe passionately in the power of outdoor education.
Taking the classroom outdoors can broaden horizons, promote positive values, and develop confidence and self-esteem. Outdoor learning can also raise social and environmental awareness.
Hillcrest is a small, homely centre, with staff who really love working with younger guests.
It’s in a quiet rural setting and is ideal for a first visit away from home or if you’re looking for somewhere really friendly and extra welcoming!
A to Z Expeditions specialise in delivering Duke of Edinburgh's Award training and expeditions. We offer tailor-made programmes of DofE training and expeditions for schools and groups and we run open DofE expeditions for individuals and small groups.
Caythorpe Court is a fantastic place with everything you could possibly need to make your PGL holiday perfect. With 65 acres of grounds surrounding a huge mansion house there’s loads of great facilities and even more brilliant PGL activities!
We’ve also improved it further with new lodge accommodation and a purpose built dining room.
Merseyside Youth Challenge Trust’ established in 1985 is an urban-based Outdoor Pursuits Education Centre (Charitable Trust) in South Liverpool. The City Council provides premises for the Centre together with 35 acres of public parkland.
All activities take place in real adventure situations and are designed to be challenging but achievable. Activities range from Sea Level Traversing to onsite events such as orienteering. All activities are targeted for age and ability as well as prevailing weather conditions to ensure a safe yet enjoyable day.
Widehorizons Bryntysilio Centre is set above the River Dee, situated in ten acres of beautifully landscaped grounds. We provide a broad programme of adventure activities including mountaineering, canoeing and mountain biking.
Challenging Disability Through Outdoor Adventure
We know what we want - people to really love life, to delight in new experiences and to gain reward from being challenged. Why do our guests return to Calvert Trust Kielder year after year...exhilarating, exciting, challenging, life changing, inspiring, fabulous, wonderful...their words
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The Bushcraft Company offer residential school trips with a difference, taking students into the wild and giving them real back-to-nature experiences they will never forget.
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