This course supports students through the transition challenges of Key Stage 3, helping to raise confidence, improve communication, increase problem-solving and build teamworking skills with a tailored range of fun, safe and challenging activities.
Students will benefit from connection with nature and a greater understanding of the environmental issues shaping their world. Our expert tutors aim to inspire their curiosity and strengthen their learning skills.
Our expert tutors will support students to build resilience, improve self-esteem and help them understand the steps they can take to improve their mental health and wellbeing. Whether they are lighting a fire, navigating through trees or working in a team to transport water, they will come away with a new perspective on what they can achieve.
At our accredited adventure centres you can also include adventure activities in the course programme, further information is here.
All courses include time for reflective practice to underpin the skill building opportunities and allow students time to assess their progress and achievement.
Example Timetable
Day 1
Midday arrival
- Welcome and outline the challenges ahead
- Tour of Centre
- Allocate kit eg waterproofs
Afternoon
Team Building
Depending on the outcomes you want to achieve, we will use a range of techniques and fun activities to focus on the skills required for teambuilding including effective communication, self-confidence and problem-solving.
Activities could include a team water transport challenge, a problem-solving minesweeper game and line-sorting tasks.
Evening
Night Walk
Take a guided journey around the centre grounds to connect to nature through contact with nocturnal wildlife. By observing the night sky (depending on weather conditions) students may learn about the stars, and also understand the impact of light pollution. Students will also engage with reflective exercises to develop a better understanding of how to manage their own wellbeing.
Day 2
Morning and Afternoon
Adventure activities day
The day will start with a session designed to develop the map, compass, navigation and safety skills needed for the team challenge, practice will take place in the safety of the centre grounds to build confidence.
Using these skills students will undertake a large scale, group challenge to foster independence, resilience and collaboration skills. With a leader for support, students will be given a destination to plan a route to and a series of tasks and challenges to complete along the way. This challenge will test their ability to problem solve, work together and show creativity and critical thinking skills.
On returning to the centre, the students will learn bushcraft skills such as shelter building or fire lighting and damper bread cooking to add to their navigation skills.
Whatever the weather and location, this day can develop student resilience, increase their ability to plan for an outdoor day, change their perspective and develop their team-building skills.
Evening
We will encourage students to reflect on the skills they have learned during the day. Depending on your preferred outcomes we can carry out a conservation/environmental activity or take students out for a fun, social activity like mini Olympics. Or you could let us run a campfire for you for students to learn the joy of keeping warm on a dark, chilly evening, laughing with their friends and learning how to toast (not burn) a marshmallow.
Day 3
Morning
The final morning will be based around sustainability and conservation, with links to our impacts on the environment, practical conservation skills and action for the environment.
Examples include habitat creation, planting for wildlife, water sustainability, micro-climates and sustainability, impact of tourism, or pollinator surveys.
Depart after lunch
To ensure safe and quality learning experiences for students, the timetable may alter depending on weather conditions and local factors at centres.
Please note: to ensure safe and quality learning experiences for students, the timetable may alter depending on weather conditions and local factors at centres.
How this course fulfills the specification
Students will take part in outdoor activities that promote creative and critical thinking as well as improving nature connection, teamwork and resilience and links to sustainability.
Added value of this course
Develop skills
- Communication | Resilience | Independent thinking | Leadership
- Numeracy | Literacy | Investigative skills | Observation
Enhance Knowledge
- Ask questions.
- Apply knowledge in the real world and make links.
- Make sense of new places and understand our place and role within this.
Enjoy
- Have fun | Make friendships | Connect with nature
Why Choose Field Studies Council?
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Expert tuition by fully trained staff
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Stunning locations across the UK
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Outstanding curriculum knowledge
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Rigorous health and safety procedures
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Support before and after your visit
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Free places for visiting staff