Camping at South HettonA low-cost alternative

Why did the South Hetton Learning Away partnership choose camping? Our context:

East Durham communities Limited learning away experiences (or any ‘away

from home experiences for many children) Wanting to promote ‘family’ values

Our ethos: Promote life skills to create well-rounded children

with a range of abilities Child-led learning approach already embedded into

our curriculum

Where did we start? 1. Equipment Central stock based in Easington Colliery Primary School

Pod tents Sleeping bags Roll mats Cooking utensils Small stoves

School based stock Additional sleeping bags/roll mats Bell tents Chairs Outdoor first aid kits Waterproofs ‘Spares’ e.g. torches, toothbrushes, blankets, etc.

Where did we start?2. Training

Initially or staff weren’t keen!

We launched the PHF Learning Away programme by having an outdoor learning and camping experience at Weardale House for staff in all three of our partnership primary schools

Staff took part in a range of outdoor activities including bushcraft, high ropes course, problem solving and teambuilding challenges, and shelter building

… and we all camped!

3. Further training

Food hygiene Volunteer walker leader training Outdoor first aid Introduction to Forest Schools Family camping course – teaching children and their

families how to camp Food/cooking Health and safety Bushcraft Setting up, maintaining and striking camp Games and entertainment

Time to ‘fess up’ …what went wrong? Our first camps - Moor House September and October 2010

Were too close together! We had no time to sort out, clean up and pack away equipment properly before passing on to the next school

Transporting equipment to and from camp Our first joint camp – transition project Yearr 6 to Year 7,

Kielder 2011 Overambitious with numbers (150 children + 25 staff) Lack of communication on camp between the four schools involved Too many activities on timetable Creepy crawlies

The Great British weather! Finding appropriate venues – led us to create an educational

visits directory

So why are we still camping? Staff confidence has improved and residentials are being planned

largely independently by staff in school. Learning Away leaders have taken on a more advisory role

It has led to LOtC being embedded across the curriculum

Greater use has been made of the schools grounds, immediate locality and areas of interest in the region

Learning in context - camping increasingly combines curriculum and ‘real life’ skills (great for geography which is so often neglected!)

Brilliant for those children who are not typically ‘academic’

Training up to two children per year from Years 2-6 as ‘Learning Away Leaders’ (Learning Away training camp May 2012)

Camping opportunities are now identified in yearly planning

Camping is an affordable opportunity that all of our children can access

Sustainability and our plans for the future Very low cost now that we have our own equipment – we can

afford to keep going

Staff have received training both in school and externally to improve confidence

Greater appreciation of what’s on our doorstep (including the school grounds)

Further embedding LOtC in our curriculum

Plans to develop a ‘Rent a Tent’ scheme for family residentials