Green Skills 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.

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.

Day 1

12 pm Arrival – Introduction to the centre and local area

Afternoon - A welcome to the centre, followed by a tour of the centre grounds and local green spaces.

Evening -  A talk with a guest speaker from an environmental science career background.

Day 2

Habitat surveying and digital mapping

Morning/afternoon - Participants will conduct a Phase 1 Habitat Survey, with a focus on indicator plant species identification and sampling strategies. Data can contribute to the management of local wild areas.

Evening - Using the data obtained from fieldwork, this workshop will provide an opportunity to collate and present survey data using ArcGIS mapping software.

Day 3

Species identification and ecological reports.

Morning/afternoon - An opportunity to undertake a biodiversity and Biotic Index Survey, practising species identification, taxonomy and outdoor risk assessing.

Evening – Using data obtained in the field, you will write an ecological report on their findings. Reports should include species list, current site conditions, threats and advice for site improvements and preservation.  This session can also allow practice of Data Processing, Statistics and Management Plans.

Day 4

Practical conservation skills

Morning/afternoon - Participants will assist with practical conservation tasks within a local conservation project. An opportunity to learn new skills, tool use and hands on tasks, and work alongside professional conservationists and wildlife managers.

Evening – Following the practical conservation session, participants will have a chance to explore the local environment and engage in reflection time within nature.

Day 5

Portfolio and Employability workshop

Morning - Consolidating the skills and knowledge gained in the week, participants will have an opportunity to create or update portfolios based on the course content. Certificates of attendance will also be issued and signed by the course leader.

Depart 3pm

Please note: to ensure safe and quality learning experiences for participants, the timetable may alter depending on weather conditions and local factors at centres.

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

This residential is only open to young people who will be aged 18 - 24 years old at the time of attending.

We want to ensure participants get to share 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 attendee's 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.