This 5-day Biology Residential Camp is ideal for young people considering studying biology or ecology at University. Do you want to enrich your field experience and explore some of the possible career pathways?

Ecology is about questioning how ecosystems work and the interactions between the organisms within them. This residential is set in quintessential Constable Country in the Dedham Vale AONB, Suffolk where you will meet other students from around the country and use a range of scientific approaches to explore the complex relationships in a variety of ecosystems. From investigating biodiversity in a woodland environment to sampling rocky shore and freshwater environments, this course will give you a breadth of experience to support your next steps.

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
  • Keeping focused
  • Problem solving
  • Decision making

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

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.

Tutor: Field Studies Council Staff

Courses are led by experienced Field Studies Council staff.

  • Student holding a hand lens
  • conservation course
  • FSC Flatford Mill in the Sun

Our centres are operated in a fully Covid-secure way and accommodation will be in suitably shared rooms based on the current government guidance.

Example Timetable

Example Timetable
Day 1 
Arrive-1200
Welcome, show in and ice breakers, ecology immersion session.
team session (team games/orienteering challenge)

Day 2  
full day investigation into biodiversity in a woodland environment, a chance to hone your plant ID and sampling skills.
workshop – data analysis/statistical analysis

Day 3  
Full day investigation into succession and its effect of plant distribution (one of: salt marsh or shingle ridge)  with opportunities for coastal bird watching. Metamorphic rocks
Workshop data presentation/GIS skills

Day 4  
Two half day sessions looking at rocky shore and freshwater ecosystems and how to sample within them.
Campfire end of course celebration.

Day 5  
Participants undertake small scale local investigations as a progression of what they have learnt throughout the week.  These mini- investigations will then be presented to the rest of the group.

Depart 1500 

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

What's Included

A train station pick-up can be offered at an additional charge.

Lunch will be provided on arrival.

Breakfast will be provided in the morning.

We cater for a wide range of dietary requirements, offering delicious meals.

The course will end at approximately 15.00 on the final day.

A train station departure can be arranged.

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.

Sorry this course has ended