This 500 acre country park is one of Liverpool’s most important heritage sites and is Grade II listed.
A great visitor attraction for families, the park has something for everyone including:
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
Whether you want to just sit and watch the world go by or indulge in activities we have something for you at Clyne Farm.
Lifecentre Hattersley is a registered charity which has been in existence since June 2007. Previously, launched under the name of EDEN Hattersley in September 2002. It is a Christian organisation that offers training, education and personal development programmes for the benefit of the local community with a particular focus on young people.
Wyre Forest Discovery Centre hosts the "education centre of excellence". Curriculum linked activities and a variety of adult craft and wildlife focus days are available including high wires and muddy games!
Our fantastic new Visitor Centre offers a modern base for your visit. Discover a wide range of Environmental Education programmes and also visit the nearby water treatment works to learn about the water cycle.
EYFS:
Exploring Senses, Pond Power, Go on a Bug Hunt, Teddy Bears Picnic, Natural Art
Key Stage 1:
Outstanding 14th-century moated manor house
Lose yourself in this romantic moated manor house, described by David Starkey as 'one of the most beautiful and interesting of English country houses'.
Built nearly 700 years ago, this house has seen many changes and been owned by Medieval knights, courtiers to Henry VIII and high society Victorians.
Chafford Gorges Nature Park offers a variety of activities for schools and nurseries. Topics covered: Habitats Studies, Ponds, Bugs, Plants, Rock and Soils, Bush craft and Den-building, Birdwatching. We have an on-site classroom, toilets, gift shop and more.
EYFS:
Exploring Senses, Pond Power, Go on a Bug Hunt, Teddy Bears Picnic, Natural Art
Fingringhoe Wick is one of the county’s top wildlife sites. Uncover the secrets of woodlands, meadows, ponds, heathland and the Colne Estuary. Our varied hands-on Environmental Education programme caters to all ages, from bug hunts for the early years to vegetation sampling for secondary pupils.
EYFS:
Beautiful lakeside park offering, windsurfing, sailing, canoeing, water skiing, wakeboarding, cycle hire, fishing, miniature railway, mini golf and playground! Wow!
There are beginner and improver tuition sessions available for every kind of activity, plus taster days and other options so you can try your hand at several new skills before deciding which to pursue with full gusto!
William and Mary-style country house, garden and park
Built in 1701 by Thomas Vernon, a lawyer and whig MP for Worcester, Hanbury Hall is a beautiful country house.
Ancient royal hunting forest
Hatfield Forest is the best surviving example in Britain of an almost complete Royal Hunting Forest. It has seen many owners, from Kings to commonors. No other Forest on earth evokes the atmosphere of a medieval hunting Forest so completely.
A Land Apart...
A precious landscape whose distinctive character and natural beauty is so outstanding that it is protected for future generations...
A garden lovers' home for all seasons, with an extensive yet intimate garden set around a romantic house and ruins.
In the late 1800s Ludwig Messel bought the Nymans Estate in the Sussex High Weald to make a dream family house. Inspired by the wooded surroundings he created a garden with plants collected from around the world. Here this creative family entertained friends and family, enjoyed relaxing, playing and picnicking in the garden and woods.
It’s a fantastic forested site overlooking the River Tay, at the heart of Perthshire’s ‘Big Tree Country’. As well as all the usual exciting PGL multi activities, this is our only centre with the Sequoia Scramble (a vertical challenge suspended between 2 Sequoia trees) and the catwalk, which tests your balance high above the ground!
Enjoy the wonderful settings of our sites based in Moray in the Scottish Highlands, school groups are welcomed to experience the stunning rivers, lochs and coastline of our corner of Scotland.
Experience inflatable kayaking or canoeing on the River Spey which flows through the heart of Moray and Speyside for your introduction to quiet and moving water with fun rapids.
Scotland remains a key area for The Trust and as such, bursary support will still be available to all eligible clients. We are committed to the Leadership for Life project in the long term with 18 groups each year for the next two years.
WCA is a family run outdoor activity company. We pride ourselves in making outdoor activities accessible to people of diverse ages, aims and interests.
Loch Ranza, on the Isle of Arran is PGL’s specialist Field Studies centre, catering for a wide range of courses. Ardrossan Harbour, is less than 1 hour by rail from Glasgow and the ferry crossing to Brodick takes approximately 55 minutes. Exciting outdoor activities are also available.
We provide a full range of outdoor activities to suit all ages and interests. Based on idyllic Loch Ard, within the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park activities include gorgewalking, our unique waterpark, canoeing, climbing/abseiling, cliff jumping, archery, mountain biking, orienteering and many more.
A brand new adventure training and experience company based in Scotland, but with instructors across the UK
Abernethy Ardgour is on the shores of Loch Linnhe on the Ardnamurchan Peninsula on the west coast of Scotland.
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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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