This five day course offers a unique look at conservation efforts and animal care in a new collaboration with Dartmoor Zoological Society.
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Participants will start the week at Slapton Ley Field Centre, exploring the range of habitats in our National Nature Reserve, canoeing on the stunning Slapton Ley, and getting hands-on with vital conservation work.
The second half of the course offers a rare behind-the-scenes stay at Dartmoor Zoo, with expert-led workshops including on animal training, handling, and conservation. Participants will get up close and personal with the zoo’s animals, from reptiles to big cats, before setting up camp right in its centre. On the final morning, students will learn about zoo management and take part in an enterprise challenge.
Participation in this course may be used to complete the residential requirement for Duke of Edinburgh Gold and/or the John Muir Conservation Award.
Our residentials also give you the chance to develop a range of transferable skills. These types of skills help across many areas of life and are particularly good for including in job or education applications.
Transferable skills that are likely to be covered in this residential:
- Communicating with others
- Working as a team
- Managing your time
- Taking the lead
- Keeping focused
- Problem solving
- Decision making
This course is open to young people aged 16-25. When you book, it is essential that you enter the age and attendees name in the Order Notes at the checkout. If the attendee is under 18, the booking must be made by a parent/guardian.
If these course dates do not suit you, we run similar courses at many of our other centres.
Example Timetable
Day 1: Arrival
Introduction to Slapton Ley NNR & Team Building
Day 2: Conservation at Slapton Ley
Practical conservation tasks around the NNR
An introduction to mammal trapping, moth trapping, and bat identification.
Day 3: Life in the Ley
Freshwater invertebrate sampling followed by canoeing on Slapton Ley.
Evening activities will include a virtual introduction and Q&A with Dartmoor Zoo in preparation for the following day.
Day 4: Arrive at Dartmoor Zoo
Activities will include workshops in conservation, animal handling, enrichment, and zoo careers.
Evening activities will include a campfire, a night tour and setting up camp.
Day 5: Departures
Participants will spend their final day with a 'close encounters' session and an enterprise challenge.
Departure may be arranged from Slapton Field Centre, Dartmoor Zoo, or Totnes train station.
What's Included
Before You Attend
What shall I bring?
- Boots or wellingtons
- Waterproof jacket & trousers
- Hat and Gloves for warm and cold weather
- Wash kit
- Suitable clothing for the time of year
- Small day rucksack
- Head torch
- Water bottle and lunch box
This course is open to young people aged 16-25. When you book, it is essential that you enter the age and attendees name in the Order Notes at the checkout. If the attendee is under 18, the booking must be made by a parent/guardian.
Opportunities to attend this course
Mon 07, August 2023 12:00 - Fri 11, August 2023 15:00
The centre does offer pick up and drop off at Totnes station. Pick up is 12pm at Totnes station on arrival day, and drop off at Totnes station at 4.30pm on departure day. In addition to the course cost, this is £10.00 each way.
Sorry this course is out of stock