Hudnall Park residential activities

Audience: KS1 & KS2

Age: Year 5 and above

Group size: 12 students (max): 1 Tutor. At least one member of school staff must accompany the group.

Activity Length: 1hr 30min

Activity Session Overview

This activity gives participants the opportunity to have a go at the sport of Archery. Participants will learn archery techniques and appropriate safety considerations. Each student will be able to develop their technique and accuracy over the course of the session.

Session aims and outcomes

Participants will:

KS2

• Take part in an outdoor and adventurous activity challenge.
• Learn, apply and develop new skills.
• Evaluate and recognise their own success through taking part in a series of games (competitive and collaborative).
• Consider how their actions influence the safety of others.
• Manage risks and stay safe.
• Take part in an activity that promotes a healthy, active life.

KS3/4

• Take part in an outdoor and adventurous activity which presents an intellectual and physical challenge.
• Develop techniques and improve performance in a competitive sport.
• Understand the safety implications when participating in an adventurous activity and how to manage risks to heath, stay safe and keep others safe.
• Be involved in an activity that promotes an active, healthy lifestyle.
• Be physically active for a sustained period of time.

Audience: KS1 & KS2 Curriculum Studies in Art and Design

Description of Activity

• Mixing and Matching Colour
• Textures
• Observational Drawing
• Charcoal Line Drawing
• Making and Using Soil Paints
• Water-colour Painting

Learning Outcomes

Some examples of learning outcomes that can be introduced within this activity are below. Please discuss the outcomes you wish to achieve with your course tutor during the planning of your group programme.

Children will:

• improve their observational skills
• gain confidence in using a range of materials
• acquire greater understanding of the properties of colour, line and texture
• understand how observational recording can be developed into imaginative work

Audience: KS1 & KS2 Curriculum Studies in Art and Design

Description of Activity

• Leaf transparencies and half leaf matching
• Ephemeral woodland floor and 3D group work
• Shape hunts and Printing
• 3D forms in natural clay, wood and twine forms with suspended natural objects.

Learning Outcomes

Some examples of learning outcomes that can be introduced within this activity are below. Please discuss the outcomes you wish to achieve with your course tutor during the planning of your group programme.

Children will:

• improve their observational skills
• gain an increased awareness of the diversity of the natural world in terms of shape, pattern and form.
• learn how to organise a print table and print successfully
• learn how to develop 2D work into 3D forms
• acquire confidence in working directly with natural materials
• gain an appreciation of the work of Andy Goldsworthy and the concept of ephemeral art.

Audience: KS1 & KS2 Education for sustainable development 

Description of Activity

Identifying building materials and exploring their properties, Children will be encouraged to consider the basic survival requirements of human life and how expectations have changed in modern times. In small groups children will build basic shelters to meet survival needs out of a limited supply of resources provided.

Learning Outcomes

Some examples of learning outcomes that can be introduced within this activity are below. Please discuss the outcomes you wish to achieve with your course tutor during the planning of your group programme.

Children will:

• understand the properties of different materials
• appreciate the limited nature of resources
• develop an understanding of the origins of settlement.

Audience: KS1 & KS2

Description of Activity

• Investigating conditions for growth
• Life cycles
• Wind and insect pollination
• Seed dispersal
• Diversity of Flower structure
• Investigation of non-flowering plants
• Fungi (seasonal)
• Observational drawing
• Conservation issues

Learning Outcomes

Some examples of learning outcomes that can be introduced within this activity are below. Please discuss the outcomes you wish to achieve with your course tutor during the planning of your group programme.

Children will:

• understand conditions necessary for growth and how plants are adapted to a specific habitat
• understand plant life cycles
• be able to use a variety of recording methods
• be able to interpret data and draw conclusions

Audience: KS1 & KS2

Age:Year 8 upwards

Group size: 35 students (max): 1 Tutor. All groups must be accompanied by visiting group leaders. Please follow county guidelines for offsite visits when providing additional staff members.

Activity Length: 1hr 30min

Activity Session Overview

Our fire building sessions show groups how to use natural materials collected from the woodland, to construct and light fires safely. Please note the tutor will be responsible for lighting the fire and for keeping the fire going. Students gather materials to build the fire. Groups may also like to incorporate outdoor cooking with this activity. Please note no raw products will be cooked.

Session aims and outcomes

Participants will:

• Learn the three elements that make up the fire triangle and how the properties of natural materials affect their use as fuel.
• Learn the techniques required to construct, light, and keep a fire going.
• Manage risks and stay safe.

You will need

Food if outdoor cooking

Audience: KS2

Description of Activity

Children will work in small groups to:

• Sample, identify and draw freshwater animals
• Construct food chains and food webs
• Study adaptations for survival

Learning Outcomes

Some examples of learning outcomes that can be introduced within this activity are below. Please discuss the outcomes you wish to achieve with your course tutor during the planning of your group programme.

Children will:

• develop an understanding of freshwater habitats and diversity of life within them.

Audience: KS2 Curriculum Studies in Geography and Physical Education 

Description of Activity

Choose from either a 3.5mile walk or a 7mile long walk. Activities will include:

• Map interpretation: symbols, keys, scale, co-ordinates
• Slopes and Contours
• Field sketching of Geographical features
• Wild flower and Tree identification
• Land use
• Investigation of Geographical formations

Learning Outcomes

Some examples of learning outcomes that can be introduced within this activity are below. Please discuss the outcomes you wish to achieve with your course tutor during the planning of your group programme.

Children will:

• gain confidence in interpreting maps
• understand the relationships between contour lines on maps and slopes
• practice field sketching and identification of Geographical features
• gain increased knowledge of wild flower and tree species
• understand how the landscape has been utilised and shaped by man
• appreciate how natural events and climatic change has shaped the landscape.

Audience: KS1 & KS2

Description of Activity

Choose from HEDGES, WOODLAND, FRESHWATER, MEADOW, or a combination to provide a comparison.

• Plant and animal identification

• Plant and animal adaptations to the habitat
• Surveys and data collection
• Measuring and recording micro-climate data
• Life cycles
• Food chains and webs
• Habitat protection

Learning Outcomes

Some examples of learning outcomes that can be introduced within this activity are below. Please discuss the outcomes you wish to achieve with your course tutor during the planning of your group programme.

Children will:

• be able to appreciate the distinctiveness of habitats
• understand life cycles
• be able to use identification keys
• be able to make predictions and draw conclusions from data collected
• appreciate the interdependence of living things within a habitat
• be able to use recording equipment in the field
• be able to construct food chains and webs
• gain heightened observational skills

Audience: KS1 & KS2 Curriculum Studies in Literacy

Description of Activity

• Sensory hunts using descriptive vocabulary
• Listening to stories and poems
• Creative writing
• Poetry trails

Learning Outcomes

Some examples of learning outcomes that can be introduced within this activity are below. Please discuss the outcomes you wish to achieve with your course tutor during the planning of your group programme.

Children will:

• increase their descriptive vocabulary
• appreciate other writer’s work
• express their own personal responses to the natural world
• be able to sequence extracts from a story or poem
• be able to collect information and write for a specific audience

Audience: KS2

Age: Year 4 and above

Group size: 15 students (max): 1 Tutor. All groups must be accompanied by visiting group leaders. Please follow county guidelines for offsite visits when providing additional staff members.

Activity Length: 1hr 30min

Activity Session Overview

Our low ropes course gives groups the opportunity to balance, climb and swing across a range of challenging obstacles including tyre traverse, multivine and balancing beams. The course can also be carried out as an individual challenge or as a team to increase difficulty. Emphasis is placed on staying safe and supporting others.

Session aims and outcomes

Participants will:

KS2

• Take part in an outdoor and adventurous activity challenge (either individually or as part of a team).
• Apply and develop skills learnt at the start of the session with increasing confidence.
• Cross obstacles that develop strength, technique, control and balance.
• Manage risks and stay safe.
• Be physically active for a sustained period of time.
• Take part in an activity that promotes a healthy, active life.
• Participate in a team challenge that promotes communication, collaboration and competition.

KS3/4

• Take part in an outdoor and adventurous activity which presents an intellectual and physical challenge.
• Work in a team, build trust and develop skills to solve problems.
• Be physically active for a sustained period of time.
• Take part in an activity that promotes a healthy, active life.
• Evaluate performance and consider improvements
• Understand the safety implications when participating in an adventurous activity and how to manage risks to heath, stay safe and keep others safe.

Audience: KS1 & KS2 Curriculum Studies in Geography and Physical Education
 

Description of Activity

i) Introductory skills:

• Recognition of spatial relationships
• Sketching and matching
• Shapes and symbols
• Basic compass work – eight points
• Directional orientation
• Grids

ii) Intermediate skills:

• Map familiarisation (scale, key, contours)
• Activity trails
• Co-ordinates
• Route planning

iii) Advanced skills:

• Orienteering with maps (line, star and route courses)
• Bearings

Learning Outcomes

Some examples of learning outcomes that can be introduced within this activity are below. Please discuss the outcomes you wish to achieve with your course tutor during the planning of your group programme.

Children will:

• Improve their spatial awareness
• Understand the use of a compass as an aid to navigation
• Be able to recognise shapes and symbols
• Be able to store and recall information
• Be aware of individual and team responsibilities
• Increase self confidence in planning and following routes
• Increase their awareness of the physical environment
• Understand how to set and walk on bearings

Audience: KS2

Age: Year 3 and above

Group size: 12 Students (Max): 1 Tutor. At least one member of visiting school staff must accompany the group.

Activity Length: 1hr 30min

Activity Session Overview

After carrying out safety checks on their bikes, participants will cycle along a mountain bike route through the Centre grounds, which provide a series of mountain biking routes of different technical ability. These range from cycling along open field tracks to cycling through dips, over obstacles and sections of more difficult single track. Each route will be selected according to group age and experience, but all will provide participants with the opportunity to challenge their ability and build confidence. Students must be proficient in riding a bike to carry out this activity and will complete a short cycling test during the safety talk.

Session aims and outcomes

Participants will:

KS2

• Take part in an outdoor and adventurous activity challenge.
• Learn and apply new skills and techniques with increasing levels of control and confidence.
• Manage risks and stay safe.
• Be physically active for a sustained period of time.
• Manage risks and stay safe.
• Take part in an activity that promotes a healthy, active life.

KS3/4

• Take part in an outdoor and adventurous activity which presents an intellectual and physical challenge.
• Develop techniques and improve performance in a competitive sport.
• Understand the safety implications when participating in an adventurous activity and how to manage risks to heath, stay safe and keep others safe.
• Be involved in an activity that promotes an active, healthy lifestyle.
• Be physically active for a sustained period of time.

Audience: KS1 & KS2 Curriculum Studies in Numeracy

Description of Activity

• Tree dating
• Tree height: estimation and calculation
• Estimating and measuring distances
• Using grids and co-ordinates
• Scale
• Quadrats and transects
• Shape, symmetry and pattern
• Data collection, interpretation and graphic presentation

Learning Outcomes

Some examples of learning outcomes that can be introduced within this activity are below. Please discuss the outcomes you wish to achieve with your course tutor during the planning of your group programme.

Children will:

• Be able to select and use appropriate equipment
• Improve their ability to estimate and predict outcomes
• Enhance their measuring skills
• Understand concepts of scale
• Be able to apply simple geometry to calculate height
• Gain an increased awareness of shape, symmetry and pattern in natural objects
• Be able to plot features on a quadrat or transect survey
• Be able to present data in graphic form

Audience: KS1 & KS2

Description of Activity

Children can investigate many aspects of life in the large pond at Cuffley, which supports a wide variety of life, and classify invertebrates, food chains, food webs and where animal live in the pond.

Learning Outcomes

Some examples of learning outcomes that can be introduced within this activity are below. Please discuss the outcomes you wish to achieve with your course tutor during the planning of your group programme.

Children will:

• Be able to sample invertebrates using appropriate equipment
• Be able to identify common invertebrates using keys.

Audience: KS1 & KS2

Description of Activity

• Local Geology
• Investigating and sorting rocks through colour, form and hardness.
• Examining evidence of weathering and erosion
• Collection of soil samples
• Relating soils to plant and animal life
• Soil profiles
• Making and using soil paints

Learning Outcomes

Some examples of learning outcomes that can be introduced within this activity are below. Please discuss the outcomes you wish to achieve with your course tutor during the planning of your group programme.

Children will:

• Be able to identify local rocks and discuss their properties and uses
• Develop a vocabulary for comparing and sorting rocks and soils
• Be able to use keys to identify soil types
• Understand how plants and animals are related to soil types
• Be able to create and use paints made from natural materials

Audience: KS1 & KS2
 

Description of Activity

Children will work in small groups to:

• consider the survival needs of small mammals
• make up and set out live traps (Longworth traps)
• identify and record animals caught
• investigate the catch and consider the distribution and lifestyle of small mammals.

Learning Outcomes

Some examples of learning outcomes that can be introduced within this activity are below. Please discuss the outcomes you wish to achieve with your course tutor during the planning of your group programme.

Children will:

• learn how to use appropriate equipment safely
• develop an understanding of the lives of small mammals and their specific adaptations
• learn care and respect of wild animals.

Audience: KS2
 

Description of Activity

Children have the opportunity to work in small groups to measure channel characteristics of local streams, including stream widths, depths and stream flow. Consideration will be given to river features and the processes that form them, e.g. meander formation and children will complete field sketches of the river features they observe. Other activities can include sampling of bed load and investigation of pebble size and shapes. Sampling and investigation of freshwater life can also be studied as part of this activity.

Learning Outcomes

Some examples of learning outcomes that can be introduced within this activity are below. Please discuss the outcomes you wish to achieve with your course tutor during the planning of your group programme.

Children will:

• gain knowledge and understanding of the Water Cycle.
• Gain knowledge and understanding of some of the main features of a river, and of the processes that form them.
• Develop practical skills in the use of a range of equipment to measure channel characteristics.

Audience: KS1 & KS2 Education for sustainable development
 

Description of Activity

Children will be encouraged to consider the basic survival requirements of human life and how expectations have changed in modern times. In small groups children will build basic shelters to meet survival needs out of a limited supply of resources provided.

Learning Outcomes

Some examples of learning outcomes that can be introduced within this activity are below. Please discuss the outcomes you wish to achieve with your course tutor during the planning of your group programme.

Children will:

• Be aware of the difference between basic needs necessary for survival and personal wants.
• Appreciate the ephemeral nature of resources.
• Understand the origins of settlements.

Audience: KS1 & KS2 Education for sustainable development
 

Description of Activity

Children will be helped to uncover the secrets of the water cycle through interactive activities and environmental games. In small groups, children will work together to complete a number of experiments and measurements on a specially designed trail, to reveal the importance of water and the methods by which water can be conserved. The activity will conclude with children consolidating their findings. Part of this consolidation time will take the form of artwork.

Learning Outcomes

Some examples of learning outcomes that can be introduced within this activity are below. Please discuss the outcomes you wish to achieve with your course tutor during the planning of your group programme.

Children will:

• Understand the stages of the Water Cycle, and that our planet has a limited supply of water which is continuously recycled.
• Appreciate how essential water is in their lives and to all life on earth.
• Realise the importance of saving water and of keeping water clean.
• Understand how they influence the water cycle and that they can be active in helping to protect water.

Audience: KS1 & KS2 Activities in support of Physical Education and PSHE / Citizenship
 

Description of Activity

Children will work together in small teams to solve a series of physical and mental challenges.

Learning Outcomes

Some examples of learning outcomes that can be introduced within this activity are below. Please discuss the outcomes you wish to achieve with your course tutor during the planning of your group programme.

Children will:

• Understand the attributes of an effective team
• formulate and communicate plans and review outcomes
• work co-operatively on shared problems
• recognise personal strengths and weaknesses

Audience: KS1 & KS2

Description of Activity

Children will sample invertebrates, pitfall trapping, leaf litter collection, dead wood habitat investigations, tree sheet sampling in order to identify and investigate invertebrates.

Learning Outcomes

Some examples of learning outcomes that can be introduced within this activity are below. Please discuss the outcomes you wish to achieve with your course tutor during the planning of your group programme.

Children will:

• increase their awareness of different habitats and the animals which live within them
• identify invertebrates using simple keys

Audience: KS2

Description of Activity

In the village we will undertake a land use survey, mapping the amenity provision provided for the community, and investigate the church for further evidence of the community. Children can also take part in an environmental assessment and improvement exercise. On the way we will consider housing styles and do some field sketching. Later children will consider how the study area compares with their home area, and the reasons for similarities and differences.

Learning Outcomes

Some examples of learning outcomes that can be introduced within this activity are below. Please discuss the outcomes you wish to achieve with your course tutor during the planning of your group programme.

Children will:

• develop skills in map reading and consider how the function of settlements can change over time.
• practice skills in Land use mapping and field sketching.
• appreciate the differences between their home and study area.
• gain critical awareness and have the opportunity to express their opinions.

Audience: KS1 & KS2
 

Description of Activity

Children will consider the importance of weather and use meteorological equipment to record aspects of the weather; rainfall, air temperature, wind speed and direction, and cloud cover. Connections will be made to related issues; seasonal variations, change in plants and animals, and climate. Children can also be given the opportunity to investigate micro-climates in a variety of comparable habitats, and consider the affect of these local differences.

Learning Outcomes

Some examples of learning outcomes that can be introduced within this activity are below. Please discuss the outcomes you wish to achieve with your course tutor during the planning of your group programme.

Children will:

• develop practical skills in observing, recording and interpreting weather.
• be able to analyse data, perceive patterns, and draw conclusions.
• be able to give examples of seasonal change in plants and animals from the habitats studied.

Audience: KS1 & KS2
 

Description of Activity

Your teacher will show you the secrets of the wood. Woodland plant and animal life will be looked at with specific regard to adaptations, survival techniques and food chains. The use and abuse of trees by man and ideas of conservation will also be considered, through a number of interactive activities. Terrestrial Invertebrates can also be studied in the form of mini-beast hunt. Other activities will develop themes in Literacy and Art; such as Woodland Sculpture, Sketching, Patterns and Poetry. There will also be opportunities to play Environmental Games to help reinforce ideas.

Learning Outcomes

Some examples of learning outcomes that can be introduced within this activity are below. Please discuss the outcomes you wish to achieve with your course tutor during the planning of your group programme.

Children will:

• develop an appreciation of the structure and function of trees

• understand the uses of trees and the importance of the woodland
• use simple keys to identify trees
• use equipment to take measurements of trees
• understand conditions needed for plant growth
• gain knowledge of adaptations, survival techniques and food chains,
• be encouraged to explore their personal responses to the woodland environment.

Audience: KS2

Age:Late Year 5 and above

Group size: 15 students (max): 1 Tutor. At least one member of school staff must accompany the group.

Activity Length: 1hr 30min

Activity Session Overview

Our Zip Line operates by participants walking or running downslope attached to the zip line by body harness. The zip line is approximately 100 metres in length and is at its highest point (unloaded cable) 7.75 meters (25.4 feet) above the ground. Retrieval of participants is made through pulling participants back up the zip line length via a length of rope.

Session aims and outcomes

Participants will:

• Take part in an outdoor and adventurous activity challenge.
• Follow basic instruction
• Work in a team and build trust
• Have an opportunity to increase self-confidence