Geography and Geology Camp

Our young people residentials deliver a wide-ranging, enriching experience and give you the chance to develop a range of transferable skills. This can be great to include in higher education and job applications.

Around core themes of nature and landscapes, active learning, and personal and social skills, our courses promote nature connection, environmental understanding and responsibility, health and wellbeing, working well with others, resilience and curiosity.

If you are a Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award participant, this course is also an ideal way to complete the Residential section of the award

See our Residential FAQs page if you’d like to know the answers to our most frequently asked questions.

If these course dates do not suit you, we run similar courses at many of our other centres.

Accessibility and support

We are committed to making our courses as accessible as possible. As venues and activities vary, available adjustments may differ, so please contact us before booking to discuss your needs and how we can support you.

As an Approved Activity Provider for DofE, our opportunities meet all the requirements for DofE. We do however always recommend checking suitability with your DofE assessor before booking a Duke of Edinburgh Gold Residential.

Example Timetable

Please note, these programmes are an example of what may be covered during a course. Centre specific programmes will vary based on location, time of year and experience. Detailed programmes for each course will be sent to participants upon booking. For more location information please reference ‘opportunities to attend this course’ below.

Day 1 – Introduction to the course and local area

Arrival 12pm

Afternoon – Participants will receive an introduction to the centre, followed by icebreakers and team games. There will also be an opportunity to explore the area and familiarise yourself with the local environment.

Evening – Activities introducing the geography and geology of the local area.  

Day 2  Geomorphological skills

Morning/afternoon – Introduction and practice of key geomorphological skills such as rock identification and landscape interpretation. These environments may be coastal, igneous or glacial, exploring sites of national significance including SSSI and UNESCO sites.

Evening – Careers and technologies in the industry. A chance to chat to professionals and gain experience with tools such as GIS that will help you develop your own skills.

Day 3 – Landscape Exploration

Morning/afternoon – Look at how industrial uses have altered our environments. Gain experience of mineral ID, along with geomorphological mapping and rock formation, all whilst adventuring through some of the UK’s most rugged environments.

Evening – Make your own pizza night. Test your culinary skills and cook your own food on our wood fired oven.

Day 4 – Human Interaction

Morning/afternoon – Visit a local wonder whether that is touring a prehistoric cave or exploring slate mines and quarries in UNSECO listed sites. Looking at how humans have interacted with landscapes over thousands of years.

Evening – Gather around a campfire, toast a marshmallow, sharing stories and experiences.

Day 5 – Environmental Adventure

Morning/afternoon – Combine your geography and geology knowledge with stepping out of your comfort zone to explore an outdoor adventure activity working with your coursemates to solve problems.  Review and recap your week with group presentations.

Depart 3pm

• 
  Expert Tuition
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  Free Wi-Fi
• 
  Full Board Accommodation
• 
  Hot and Cold Drinks
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  In Course Transport
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  Picnic Lunch

This residential is only open to young people who will be aged 16 – 18 years old at the time of attending.   

We want to ensure participants get to share in their experience with those of a similar age. Please consider what age the attendee will be on the course date and check they fit into the age category when booking. (Please see each individual course at the bottom of this page for age ranges).

When attending the residential dates which welcome 16-18 year olds, all participants will be expected to follow the behaviour and conduct rules which will be in place to safeguard young people.

If the attendee is under 18, the booking must be made by a parent/guardian. When you book, it is essential that you enter the age and attendees name in the Order Notes at the checkout.

Prior to the course, you will receive the following:

• A full kit list. Any technical equipment required will be provided so you will just need typical kit for a residential stay and being outdoors.
• An introduction to the staff delivering the course and information about the centre so you know what to expect on arrival.
• A detailed itinerary for the course, including arrival and departure instructions. On some courses there may be the opportunity to book a train station pick up and/or drop off.
• A link to an online photo consent form.
• The expectations of young people attending our courses.
• A form to share any specific dietary or medical needs.