Geology Camp

Are you considering an A level or a degree in geology, earth science or physical geography? This residential is for young people that are looking to improve their field skills and explore the options of a possible career in geoscience.

Geology offers a fascinating window into Earth’s deep past and the foundations of our most iconic landscapes, but can be slightly daunting to the uninitiated.

This course is designed to develop an appreciation of the basic skills and knowledge of earth science in a fun and supportive environment.

Please take a look at the example timetables on this page as the course content will differ slightly depending on location.

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.

Here are some of the transferable skills that are likely to be covered in this residential:

• Communicating with others
• Working as a team
• Managing your time
• Taking the lead
• Resilience
• Reliability
• Keeping focused
• Problem solving
• Decision making

The course is suitable for a Duke of Edinburgh Award Gold residential. Always check with your leader before booking.

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 you choose and check they fit in the age category for that date when booking. (Please see each individual course at the bottom of this page for age ranges) 

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.

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

Example Timetable

Our Geology Camps take place at Dale Fort and Nettlecombe Court Field Centres. They vary from 5 to 6 day courses. Please note weather, location and season can affect activities which is why these are example timetables.

Nettlecombe Court

This residential will immerse participants in geological technique and fieldwork at stunning locations in West Somerset. You will have the chance to study a range of geological structures and rock types across West Somerset at world-renowned geological locations and to meet local experts.

Day 1

Arrive 12.00, midday.

Folding and Faulting at Minehead and Blue Anchor.

Afternoon:

In the afternoon,  at superb coastal exposures including the world famous cliff at Blue Anchor,  you will look at examples of the two main groups of rocks exposed in the area, interpreting the evidence for the environments in which they were formed, and the way they have been deformed by past continental collision and break-up.

Evening:

A Q and A session to sum up the day’s activities in relation to the overall geological picture.

Day 2

Morning:

Geomorphology and Industrial Geology of the Brendon Hills.

You will visit various inland sites to see evidence of how the landscape of the Brendon Hills has developed, and look at evidence of the past extraction of geological resources. (Sites could include Treborough, Burrow Farm, Kennisham Hill, Couple Cross and Clatworthy Reservoir).

Afternoon:

Fossils, Faulting and Flooding of the land, at Splash Point, Watchet and St Audries Bay.

You will see evidence, in the form of sedimentary rocks and the superbly preserved fossils they contain, for how, 200 million years ago, hot deserts were replaced by coastal lagoons and a muddy shelf sea at these stunning coastal sites, one of which is under consideration for the world standard (GSSP or “Golden Spike”) for the boundary between the Triassic and Jurassic periods.

Evening:

The evening will be spent writing up projects such as mapping and logging attempted during the day, or plotting data collected e.g. dip and strike measurements.

Day 3

Morning:

Logging and analysis of Triassic sediments at Woolston.

An exercise which aims to get you “up close and personal” with these red sediments, typical of the Vale of Stogumber in a fantastic location close to the West Somerset Railway. This will improve your identification and recording skills as well as helping you to deduce past environments.

Afternoon:

Folds, Faults, Fossils and Volcanoes at Pepper Hill (or Holford)in the Quantocks and Kilve.

Great contrasts are seen here in the way that rocks have been created and deformed by past plate movements. You will both appreciate, and record, the resulting structures in both cross section and in plan at another world-famous site where hundreds of geologists have trained. You will also see evidence for the only volcanic episode experienced by the area.

Evening:

Professional geologist/geologists working on local projects will give a talk to the group to offer ideas and advice on possible career paths.

Day 4

The South: Wiveliscombe, the Southern Brendons and the Blackdown Hills.

You will see evidence for the evolution of the landscape: rivers which cut right across the geological grain of the country, and lots of flint but no Chalk! The impressive escarpment of the Cretaceous rocks above Wellington will be scaled at Sampford Point, an unusual source of lime will be seen near Milverton, traces of the enormous Triassic Budleighensis River will be examined, and you will be able to hunt for Devonian fossils at Stawley.

Evening:

Professional geologist/geologists working on local projects will give a talk to the group to offer ideas and advice on possible career paths.

Day 5

The Nettlecombe area.

Our final morning will be spent close to the centre, observing local rocks and structures and their effect on the landscape, in particular, the much-quarried Devonian limestones, the Monksilver fault valley, the impressive Vale of Stogumber and the Quantock fault-line escarpment.

Depart 15:00

Dale Fort

Arrival 4pm

Day 1

Evening - Introduction to the course and ice breakers.

Day 2

Folding, faulting and geomorphology at the Stackpole Estate - You will take in the structures and fossils at Stackpole Quay before embarking on a cliff-top journey looking for features of a karst landscape and evidence of coastal erosion. A trip to the Green Bridge of Wales is included.

Day 3

Geological mapping - You can practice your mapping techniques on the foreshore at Dale Village before completing a group mapping project on igneous rocks at Porthclais. Precambrian igneous and volcanic rocks, and the Cambrian/Precambrian unconformity will be examined in the St David’s area.

Day 4

Ordovician volcanoes, metamorphism, and fossils in North Pembrokeshire - The stunning pillow lavas and evidence for explosive volcanic eruptions near Strumble Head will be observed before visiting the Blue Lagoon at Abereiddy to hunt for graptolites and trilobites.

Day 5

Folding, faulting and ancient environments at Broadhaven and Marloes Bay. - You will spend the day looking at the evidence for past environmental change, including continental collisions at two fantastic coastal locations, including a visit to St Ann’s Head to view the spectacular folding.

Day 6

The morning will be spent at the Centre completing maps and/or studying rock exposures at Dale Fort.

Depart 12pm

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

What to Bring

You will need to be prepared for full days outside whatever the weather. In order to stay safe and comfortable you will need:

• Walking boots with ankle support*
• Waterproof jacket and over trousers*
• Lots of warm layers
• Hat and fleece
• Suncream
• Rucksack
• Towel
• Wash kit
• Drinks bottle/flask and lunch box
• Personal medication
• Torch
• Plenty of warm clothing

All geological field kit will be provided, but you will need:

• Hardback notebook – a waterproof survey book is ideal
• Pencil – propelling is advised to keep a sharp point

This residential is only open to young people who will be aged 16 or 24 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 you choose and check they fit in the age category for that date when booking. (Please see each individual course at the bottom of this page for age ranges)

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.

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.