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Examine Earth processes, witness dramatic geological forces at work, and discuss the science of global climate change with local researchers.

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Get a firsthand look at new technologies that are being created to address challenges facing the world today.

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Set out on shoots to improve your photography or film skills, leveraging storytelling to illuminate the places you encounter.

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Wildlife Conservation

Delve into underwater ecosystems and better understand how the health of our oceans, seas, and shorelines impacts all life on Earth.

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On these programs, I repeatedly witness students maturing and gaining skills in self-reliance, collaboration, science, and critical thinking. In short, I watch students become leaders. Dr. M. Jackson, National Geographic Explorer

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Earthwatch expeditions pair researchers with volunteers to address some of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges. Explore our current expeditions to discover how you can make a difference.

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Filter results, earthquakes & volcanoes.

England , Scotland , Wales

Hundreds of earthquakes shake the earth every day – some big, some small, some enormous! Meanwhile, boiling hot lava erupts from volcanoes around the world. But what are earthquakes and volcanoes? What causes them to happen? How do humans protect themselves? Let’s find out in this KS2 Earthquakes & Volcanoes workshop! An ideal workshop for schools all year round or for British Science Week.

**You can now join us online and browse an exciting digital library of educational videos for primary pupils, including STEM workshops. Click here to visit Uno. **

"A really positive, enriching experience. The children had not discussed this topic before the day, but went away with key vocabulary and an empathy for people involved in natural disasters such as these. It was clear that Adele had prepared thoroughly."

Wolverhampton

What the children learn...

• Explore the key aspects of the physical geography of volcanoes and earthquakes
• Examine current natural disasters and significant historical incidents
• Discuss what life would be like if natural disaster occurred in your area
• Express ideas and feelings through voice, movement, role play and drama

How this One Day Workshop works:

This workshop can be delivered as a one-hour, two-hour or full-day workshop depending on your class numbers and preference.

Suitable for

KS2 / P4 - 7

Pricing for this workshop ranges from £365-£450 + VAT for the full day depending on the number of classes. Please get in touch for a tailored quote.

What we need from you

A large, clear space (such as a school hall) is ideal so participating children can move around comfortably. The more information you can provide about the needs of your class the better.

Enquiry about: Earthquakes & Volcanoes

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We are aware that occasionally the online enquiry form fails to submit and we are working on this. If you experience any issues in the meantime please email [email protected] so we can respond without delay. Many thanks.

Have you seen these related Workshops & Performances

Forces and magnets.

Combine science, drama and movement in this cross-curricular Forces and Magnets KS2 workshop, with a particular focus on push/pull forces, gravity, resistance, floating, sinking and magnets.

Our Diverse World

Let’s explore our extreme earth in this school science workshop for KS1 & KS2. Different climates, unique geography and caring for the environment.

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Virtual Field Trips

Explore the World with Virtual Field Trips

Designed for ages 9-15 but customizable for all ages, virtual field trips allow students to travel the world and explore natural environments without leaving the classroom. Each virtual field trip contains a video, teacher guide and student activities.

Working Trees: Reforestation and Responsible Forestry

Forests represent a powerful opportunity to pull carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere, helping to cool our planet while also providing clean air, clean water, and habitat for wildlife.

Less Harm on the Farm: Regenerative Agriculture

Food is more than something we eat to survive; it's a part of how we thrive. Learn how regenerative agriculture can help us feed a growing population while restoring nature.

Climb-It Change

Explore how climate change is impacting alpine ecosystems and go on a climbing adventure with scientists who take you to some of the most stunning mountain ranges in the United States. This film is a Rocket Soul Studios production.

Protecting Our Oceans and Ourselves

More people rely on our ocean for food, energy, transport, recreation and other natural resources than any other time in history.

Climate Heroes: The Power of Trees

Trees are our climate superheroes! From Louisville, Kentucky, in the United States to St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the Caribbean, trees are playing critical roles in cleaning our air and improving our resilience in the face of climate change.

You’re the Scientist! Citizen Science, Frogs and Cicadas

The conservation community relies heavily on volunteers not only to restore natural areas but to help gauge the success of restoration efforts.

Changing Climate, Changing Cities

Get a front-row, ground-level seat to the challenges cities face as they confront this force of nature, and discover the solutions experts are promoting to mitigate it.

The Secret Life of Corals

Learn how fragile reefs are being damaged by human activity and climate change, and how scientists are developing ways to restore corals.

Borneo: The Symphony of the Rainforest

On this journey, we’ll learn how experts are using cutting-edge science to find out how healthy the rainforest is—and to discover where it needs some help!

View from a Canoe

Can you imagine a place with 100 million acres of forest and 30,000 miles of coastline? It exists. The Emerald Edge is home to the largest intact coastal temperate rainforest.

Wild Biomes: America’s Rainforests & Deserts

Two wildly different ecosystems, both dependent on the same precious resource: Water. On this virtual field trip, we’ll travel to Seattle and Arizona.

The Coral Reefs of Palau

Join our expert scientist, marine biologist Stephanie Wear, on a virtual field trip to the coral reefs of Palau where you'll explore amazing underwater cities.

China’s Great Forests

Join our expert scientist Yue Wang, a conservation planning officer for The Nature Conservancy, on a virtual field trip across the world to two stunning provinces in China.

Powering the Planet: Renewable Energy

Join scientist Alex Wegmann as we embark on a Virtual Field Trip to explore a compelling question: How can we get the energy we need without harming nature?

Journey of Water: Colombia’s Páramo

In this virtual field trip, we will explore the magical páramo ecosystem and the stunning mountain landscapes found just beyond the capital city of Bogotá.

Peru: A Coastal Ecosystem

Join fisheries scientist Matias Caillaux to explore the Humboldt Current Ecosystem off the coast of Peru while learning about the area’s amazing diversity and productivity.

Ridge to Reef: A Virtual Field Trip to Hong Kong

The “Ridge to Reef” (R2R) concept is a holistic approach that takes into consideration all the environments within a watershed — from the top of the mountains down to the ocean — and shows that what happens on land affects what happens in the water.

Stay connected for the latest resources from Nature Lab

Don't miss new Nature Lab teaching guides and videos. Sign up to get the monthly Nature Lab newsletter with free environmental education materials for educators and families.

Explore Our Youth Curriculum

Access resources aligned to The Nature Conservancy’s research and designed specifically for a young audience and classroom use.

Adventure Travel: 7 Extreme Places You Can Visit

Adventure travel often takes us to some of the most remote corners of the globe to visit places that few other people ever experience. But what if you wanted your travels to literally take you to the extremes? This is a list of the absolute most extreme places on the planet based on specific criteria and, as you'll see, some of them will take you into demanding environments that certainly aren't for the faint of heart. 

The Lowest Place on Earth

Unlike Everest, the lowest place on Earth – that is located above water anyway – is much easier to access. The shores of the Dead Sea in Jordan sits 418 meters (1371 ft) below sea level. But, it is easy to drive there and actually wade into those waters, where the mud is said to have cosmetic and healing properties. 

Traveling through Jordan is quite safe and easy, with Intrepid Travel offering a trip that includes a stop at the Dead Sea. 

The Highest Point on Earth

There are few places on Earth that are as extreme as Mt. Everest, the 8848 meter (29,029 ft) mountain that is the tallest on the planet. Despite its incredible height, however, each year several hundred people make the climb to the summit, where high winds and extremely cold temperatures push mountaineers to their physical limit. But it is the extremely thin air (oxygen is a third of what it is at sea level) that truly makes this an extreme destination, where altitude sickness is a serious concern at every step of the way.

Climbing Everest is not cheap - it costs upwards of $50,000 per person. But there are a number of companies that can guide you to the summit, including the Adventure Consultants and Himalayan Experience . 

The Hottest Place on Earth

The World Meteorological Organization officially recognizes Death Valley as the hottest place on Earth, thanks to a record-setting temperature recorded back in 1913. That's when the mercury actually climbed above 136ºF (57.7ºC). During the warmer months of the year, temperatures average well over 110ºF (43.3ºC), which is plenty hot for most of us.

Since Death Valley is part of the National Park System in the U.S., accessing this extreme environment is very easy to access for those who choose to do. 

The Coldest Place on Earth

 the.radness / Twenty20

Russia's Vostok research station in Antarctica recorded the coldest temperature ever back in 1983 when the thermometer plunged to -128.5°F (-89.2°C). That's cold enough to freeze water almost instantly and cause human skin to contract frostbite nearly as fast.

It isn't easy for the average adventure traveler to visit Vostok however, but the Antarctic in general is much easier. There are a number of companies that offer Antarctic cruises of course, but if you want to really explore the continent than Adventure Network International is the one you want to contact. 

The Windiest Place on Earth

Antarctica may be the coldest place on Earth, but it doesn't hold the record for being the windiest. That distinction goes to Barrow Island in Australia, where a windspeed of 253.5 mph (408 km/h) was recorded back in 2010, besting a 75-year old record that had been set on Mt. Washington in the state of New Hampshire. 

Because Barrow Island is an "A" Class nature preserve, visiting it is a bit harder than Mt. Washington , which can be climbed just about any time of the year provided you are equipped to handle it. The island is actually off limits to visitors without a special permit, although you can explore the surrounding waters by boat. 

The Driest Place on Earth

Surrounded on one side by the Andes Mountains and Chile's Pacific Range on the other, the Atacama Desert is considered the driest place on the planet. In act, there are certain places there where it has not rained in recorded history. The lack of moisture and high altitude of the Atacama makes it one of the best places for stargazing in the world too. 

Visiting the Atacama Desert is also quite easy. There are a number of resorts and hostels in the town of ​ San Pedro , with options for adventure tours into the desert on foot, mountain bike, horseback, and even other modes of transportation available. 

The Most Remote Place on Earth

It is often difficult to quantify just how "remote" a place is, but the idea of a Pole of Inaccessibility is one popular measure. POI's are defined as places that are the furthest from any ocean, which as you can imagine can lead to some distance spots on the map. In Asia, the Pole of Inaccessibility sits at a point located in China's Xinjiang region, not far from the border with Kazakhstan. That point actually sits 1644 miles (2645 km) from any coastlines. That makes it the furthest point on Earth from an ocean.

Xinjiang is one of the more distant places in China, but it is still easy to reach the area, which does have some historical and cultural attractions that travelers will likely enjoy. 

There are of course other extreme places on the planet, but it is difficult to top this list for true natural extremes. If you manage to visit each of these places, you truly have gone to the ends of the Earth.

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Visiting earth school.

This guide includes information about your school visit to Earth Trust such as pricing, what to bring and how to get here, as well as answers to frequently asked questions.

Please read the Earth School Terms & Conditions before booking. If you have any further questions please contact the team via [email protected] or call us on 01865 407792.

What are the timings for a visit?

Our full day sessions start at 10am. Before heading out we recommend the group has a snack and a toilet break. We aim to have lunch around 12pm for approximately 30-40mins, with the workshop finishing at 2-2.30pm (depending on what time you need to be back at school).

How many children can I bring?

We can facilitate groups of 90+ pupils depending on the session you require. Please contact the Education team to discuss large groups further. During the visit we allocate one Earth School Tutor per 30 pupils.

Can I come for a pre-site visit?

We welcome teachers or TAs to come for a pre-site visit, please contact the Education team to arrange a time.

Pricing & Payments

Eyfs & primary school £10 per child.

( Minimum charge: £225)

Secondary School £11 per child

( Mininum charge: £275)

*All prices are subject to VAT  (which schools can claim back).

We will invoice your school for the number of pupils in attendance after the visit. Please let us know if there are any special requirements you have for invoices.

Earth Trust will send an invoice to your school at the end of the month, via email to the email address on your booking form.

If you require invoices to be sent to a different email address please provide this on your booking form.

If you have any questions please contact the team via [email protected] or call us on 01865 407792.

What if the weather is really bad?

Your day will be a combination of indoor and outdoor activities. Unfortunately, we can’t guarantee perfect weather! Here is a suggested list of things for pupils to bring:

• Outdoor clothes which can get wet or muddy. If possible we recommend a change of clothes if the weather looks particularly wet.
• Warm clothes, gloves and woolly hat in cold weather, sun hat and sun cream if hot.
• We recommend long trousers, no matter the weather, to protect from brambles and nettles.
• Waterproof jacket (and trousers if you have them).
• Wellington boots for wet weather.
• Strong shoes, boots or trainers if the weather is dry.

In extreme heat we can supply extra water and will head for the shade where possible. Unless the weather conditions are dangerous, an element of all of our workshops will be outside. However, for very cold weather we can provide indoor activities for part of the day.

Group organisation and ratios

To save time on the day we have found that it is often easier if you arrange pupils into smaller work groups before the visit and let them know what these are before they arrive. For younger groups it is often good to provide each group with a specific adult to focus them on the activities and lend a hand. There is no charge for accompanying adults.

Mobility & access

I have a child with a medical condition and/or mobility problems, can they take part in all activities?

We are a fully inclusive site and work with a number of groups with mobility problems. Please discuss any specific needs with our team so adjustments can be made to your trip.

How do you deal with allergies?

Please make the team aware (on your booking form) of any allergies (food, insect stings, etc) before your visit.

The Earth Trust is not a nut free zone, our gardens and nature reserve contain nut trees including walnut and hazelnut and we cannot guarantee the indoor spaces are nut free. Some workshops will have a food element such as campfire cooking on history or survival days. If there are any dietary requirements please let us know as soon as possible (on your booking form).

Will we have access to toilets?

Your group will have access to our indoor toilets which include a disabled toilet and baby changing facilities.

Where do we eat lunch?

We have plenty of space for eating lunch. Your group will have access to either outdoor space in the Earth Trust Centre garden or inside space. We always aim to have lunch at 12pm for 30-40 minutes.

Do you have coach parking?

We have facilities for coach parking and turning – coach drivers are reminded not to leave their engines running while they wait.

Is there wifi?

Yes, however the signal in the Learning Barn is weak. Please ask for the password at the start of your visit.

Do you have a risk assessment?

All activities and workshops are risk assessed. These will be sent to you with the confirmation of your visit. If you would like to see the risk assessment for your workshop before booking please get in touch .

Are your staff first aid trained?

All Earth Trust leaders are qualified first aiders (2 day outdoor course) and will be carrying a first aid kit and an emergency action plan, which includes our lost child procedure. The emergency action plan will be made available to you at the beginning of your visit.

Please make sure that you have all medicines, such as epi-pens and inhalers, needed for your groups.

Can we buy tea and coffee?

Tea and coffee is provided free of charge for staff and helpers at lunchtime.

Our address: Earth Trust, Little Wittenham, Oxfordshire, OX14 4QZ

Please make sure that your driver follows the brown signs to Earth Trust and does not go through Little Wittenham village – this will avoid difficult corners for large coaches. (Schools need to provide their own transport to and from Earth Trust.)

Education experiences

Earth school.

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Arctic expedition primary resource

Plan an imaginary class trip to explore the extreme environment of the arctic.

This Science and Geography primary resource introduces children to the environment of the Arctic. Using a fun, activity-filled expedition map, pupils have the opportunity to explore the kinds of conditions an explorer may face in this landscape. What does it take to be an Arctic explorer? What kinds of vehicles are used to move around on the Arctic tundra? How does wildlife live in these extreme environments? Where can you find the Arctic on a world map?

Using our accompanying National Geographic Kids’ lesson plan, pupils will learn about how the animals and people that are found in the Arctic have adapted to survive in the environment. The LEGO Arctic Map resource can be used as a printed handout for pupils to complete the eight missions on the map, or for display on the interactive whiteboard to complete as a whole class exercise.

Activity:  As a class, discuss what the children know about the North Pole. Where is it? What’s there? What is the climate like? Use the Preparing for an Arctic adventure lesson plan download  to lead your class through an exploration of what lies in store on an imaginary school trip to Alaska, in the Arctic Circle. Children will have the chance to think about Arctic conditions in the summer and winter —and the impact the temperature has on sea ice; how the polar bear is adapted to survive there and the threat that the Arctic faces in relation to global warming.

  N.B. The following information for mapping the resource documents to the school curriculum is specifically tailored to the English National Curriculumand Scottish Curriculum for Excellence. We are currently working to bring specifically tailored curriculum resource links for our other territories; including South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. If you have any queries about our upcoming curriculum resource links, please email: [email protected]

This Geography primary resource  assists with teaching the following  Key Stage 2 Geography objectives  from the  National Curriculum :

Pupils should be taught to:

• describe and understand key aspects of: physical geography, including: climate zones, biomes and vegetation belts, rivers, mountains, volcanoes and earthquakes, and the water cycle
• human geography, including: types of settlement and land use, economic activity including trade links, and the distribution of natural resources including energy, food, minerals and water
• name and locate counties and cities of the United Kingdom, geographical regions and their identifying human and physical characteristics, key topographical features (including hills, mountains, coasts and rivers), and land-use patterns; and understand how some of these aspects have changed over time

This Geography primary resource  assists with teaching the following  Social Studies Second level objective  from the  Scottish Curriculum for Excellence :

• By comparing my local area with a contrasting area outwith Britain, I can investigate the main features of weather and climate, discussing the impact on living things.

Scottish Curriculum for Excellence Third level Social Studies objective :

• I can investigate the relationship between climate and weather to be able to understand the causes of weather patterns within a selected climate zone.
• I can investigate the climate, physical features and living things of a natural environment different from my own and explain their interrelationship.

Scottish Curriculum for Excellence Fourth level Social Studies objective:

• I can explain how the interaction of physical systems shaped and continue to shape the Earth’s surface by assessing their impact on contrasting landscape types. 
• I can demonstrate an understanding of weather and climate by explaining the relationship between weather and air pressure .

As a Science primary resource , this resource assists with teaching the following Lower Key Stage 2  Science   (Year 3) objectives  from the  National Curriculum :

Pupils should be taught to: 

• identify that animals, including humans, need the right types and amount of nutrition, and that they cannot make their own food; they get nutrition from what they eat 
• Compare and contrast the diets of different animals (including their pets) and decide ways of grouping them according to what they eat. They might research different food groups and how they keep us healthy and design meals based on what they find out. 

National Curriculum Lower Key Stage 2 Science (Year 4) objective :

• recognise that living things can be grouped in a variety of ways
• explore and use classification keys to help group, identify and name a variety of living things in their local and wider environment
• recognise that environments can change and that this can sometimes pose dangers to living things 
• construct and interpret a variety of food chains, identifying producers, predators and prey.

National Curriculum Upper Key Stage 2 Science (Year 5) objective :

• describe the differences in the life cycles of a mammal, an amphibian, an insect and a bird.

This Science primary resource  assists with teaching the following  Sciences Second level objectives  from the  Scottish Curriculum for Excellence :

• I can identify and classify examples of living things, past and present, to help me appreciate their diversity. I can relate physical and behavioural characteristics to their survival or extinction.
• I can use my knowledge of the interactions and energy flow between plants and animals in ecosystems, food chains and webs. I have contributed to the design or conservation of a wildlife area.

Scottish Curriculum for Excellence Third level Sciences objectives :

• I can sample and identify living things from different habitats to compare their biodiversity and can suggest reasons for their distribution.

Scottish Curriculum for Excellence Fourth level Sciences objectives :

• I understand how animal and plant species depend on each other and how living things are adapted for survival. I can predict the impact of population growth and natural hazards on biodiversity.

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10 school trip ideas: geography trips

Ten Geography-themed trips engaging pupils with their environment.

These ten Geography-themed ideas for school trips highlight different aspects of the subject including weather, landscapes, nature and interaction between people and their environments.

1. Birdland Park

Opened in the Cotswold village of Bourton-on-the-Water in 1957, Birdland Park and Gardens was one of the UK’s first attractions of its kind.

The park includes a wildlife education centre, the interactive Discovery Zone with face-to-face animal encounters, and Marshmouth Nature Reserve, a 2.5 acre trail through marshland, ponds, meadow and copse with views over the River Windrush.

These provide schools with a unique resource that can be booked together or used separately to create a fun way of interacting with nature.

Pupils can go pond dipping in the reserve, watch wild birds from lookouts and see insects, bats and other species of wildlife in a natural setting.

The education team offers hands-on activities focused on a whole range of environment, wildlife and seasonal themes, and these can be tailored to match classroom topics.

2. Corris Mine Explorers

Pupils can discover how man has changed and utilised the landscape with a visit to this authentic, virtually untouched Welsh slate mine in Powys.

Original objects and mining equipment are still in place as the miners left them, including machinery, tools, candles and a rail track. Opened in 1836 and working until the early 1970s, schools can explore different parts of the Braich Goch mine to compare the contrasting types of early and late excavations.

They can also extend their studies of local geography with a visit to the village of Corris, which expanded with the growing success of Braich Goch and surrounding slate mines.

Houses were built for miners, the number of churches and chapels multiplied and a range of shops were opened to cater for the needs of the miners and their families in the early 1900s.

3. Creswell Crags

Pupils will be transported back thousands of years at Creswell Crags, near Worksop in Nottinghamshire. In this network of limestone caves and rocky crags they will experience one of the most northerly places on earth to have been visited by our prehistoric ancestors.

Creswell Crags welcomes students of all ages and can design a visit to suit specific needs.

A good introduction to the site is the Ice Age Cave Tour where students visit the Robin Hood cave to learn about its past.

The tour can be complemented with a workshop, such as Creswell Rocks, where pupils look at how rocks have shaped the world around us and examine the properties of different rocks and how they are affected by elements such as water.

4. Heights of Abraham

Study Geography at different levels at the Heights of Abraham in Derbyshire. A visit will provide your pupils with a stimulating day out combined with extensive learning opportunities.

Get the day off to a flying start with an exhilarating journey on Britain’s first alpine-style cable car system that will take your pupils to the hilltop park with its fantastic views over the surrounding Peak District. Afterwards head down below for a tour through caverns that wind deep into the hillside.

It is said that the mining of this area began in Roman times, reaching its heyday in the 17th century. Guided tours allow pupils to retrace the footsteps of the miners and experience the network of naturally formed caverns and passageways dating back millions of years.

5. Jurassic Coast

Dinosaurs are always guaranteed to fire children’s imagination and they can walk in their footsteps on England’s first natural World Heritage site, the Jurassic Coast.

The 95-mile coastline stretching from Exmouth in Devon to Studland Bay, Dorset, has been carved over thousands of years by ice ages and changes in sea level.

The Big Jurassic Classroom educational programme offers a wealth of teacher resources to inspire pre and post-trip studies and the big day out itself. Exciting guided walk and fieldwork activities are available for different ages, including a workshop for primary pupils where they take home their own handmade fossils.

Secondary school sessions include a visit to Lyme Regis to examine how the popular tourist resort is being prevented from slipping into the sea. Pupils unravel the mystery as they follow clues along the two-hour walk.

6. Magna Science Adventure Centre

Pupils will be in their element at this engaging attraction set in a former steelworks in Rotherham, South Yorkshire. Magna comprises four gadget-packed pavilions themed around the elements of air, earth, fire and water.

Of particular relevance to Geography are the earth and water areas, which include stories of rock formation, mining, quarrying and water movement.

Education sessions include Volcanoes and Rocks, where pupils learn about volcanic layers and identify common types of rock.

A highlight is using clay to track the classic vinegar and baking soda ‘eruption’ before taking a core sample through their model volcano and then testing some real rock samples.

Magna also includes a spectacular multi-media show that tells the story of the site’s steel-making history and on-site adventure activities such as zip wire and abseiling.

7. Museum of Cannock Chase

Once home to the Valley Colliery, this Staffordshire museum and its surrounding landscape shows how the geographical and industrial history of the area has been shaped by the coal industry.

The museum was previously awarded a grant from Heritage Lottery Fund to completely refurbish the coal mining gallery. The museum vividly recreates life in times gone by and today it is hard to believe there was a pit on the site.

The colliery been replaced by more than 30 acres of green space on the edge of Cannock Chase, at the gateway to the Hednesford Hills Nature Reserve. Today the hills form one of the last remaining areas of heathland in Britain. Workshops include Habitat Discovery, for KS2, which unlocks the secrets of the heathland habitat.

8. National Stone Centre

Situated on a dramatic 50-acre site near Matlock in the Derbyshire Dales, the stone centre includes ancient tropical reefs, rocks and minerals and centuries of industrial history.

Pupils will be amazed to discover how the fossilised remains of sea creatures that lived near the equator millions of years ago became embedded in rocks high above sea level in this land-locked county.

The centre offers a variety of activities for Geography-based learning, including gem panning, soil study and fossil casting. Several of these activities are also included in the Treasure in the Rocks itinerary that offers short taster sessions.

Visits can be combined with a tour of the nearby Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site, which shows how water power was successfully harnessed for textile production.

9. Natural History Museum

It might be in the middle of London, but the Natural History Museum is an outstanding resource for Geography studies.The educational programme taps into the collection of more than 70 million treasures from around the world and the new Darwin Centre, the museum’s state of the art research facility, hosts events for students.

General activities for schools include Wildlife Garden Explorers, available from April to October, where pupils are kitted out with a hat and binoculars for an expedition in the museum gardens.

Other sessions are available year-round and teachers and pupils can also visit the galleries on their own with the help of self-led guides. These provide an inspiring way for students of all Key Stages to get the most out of a curriculum-linked museum visit.

10. Wildnerness Wood

This 62-acre wood in the heart of the Sussex Weald dates back 2,000 years and today it demonstrates rural sustainability in action.

Teachers have a wide choice of ranger-led sessions, including an investigation of the wood’s minibeasts, with a pond dipping session, to look at their different habitats and how they use camouflage to blend in with the surroundings.

Another woodland trail is based around the seasons, where pupils look at the nature and landscape at the time of their visit and then work out what will happen in the next season.

Older pupils can take part in a GCSE Geography workshop that examines the impact of tourism and for AS Level there are dedicated ecology studies. Wilderness Wood can also arrange bespoke sessions to complement classroom studies.

• KS1 (Ages 5-7)
• KS2 (Ages 7-11)
• KS3 (Ages 11-14)
• Natural & Outdoor Attractions

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Summer Teen Backpacking Trips

Get lost in adventure & find yourself.

Come alive with adventure and discover the beauty of nature accessible only on foot! We will leave behind the modern world and use only what we carry on our backs, our own resourcefulness, and the gifts that nature provides. It’s time to get your teen out of their comfort zone and expanding their horizons while steeped in the beauty of nature.

Why hike and camp with Living Earth School?

Living Earth Teen Expeditions are the perfect blend of deep wilderness immersion, leadership lessons, team building and personal development.

Your teens will learn how to be a part of nature instead of just moving through nature, connecting them with something much bigger than themselves. Our backpacking guides are trained, professional naturalists who provide meaningful mentorship throughout the trip.

Participants will walk away with a variety of soft and hard skills, including:

Packing your pack with the proper gear for the trail and the weather

• Reading maps and navigating the trail

Low-impact backcountry camping etiquette, including tent and rain shelter basics

Campfire cooking, safe water harvesting, and setting up a secure bear bag

Working together as a team, while also building independence

Strengthening communication skills with others and self

Thriving in remote backcountry with greater confidence

Intro Backpacking Trip

This trip is designed for teens who love the outdoors but have never backpacked before. On this 6 day adventure we will hike to scenic views, splash in cool mountain water, and connect together in the peace of the forests and mountains. This trip aims to take beginners and, by the end, empower them with the skills to:

• Set up tents
• Use backpacking stoves
• Assess hazards

Work as a team and trust themselves

Difficulty will range from walking 1 flat mile in a day to hiking 5 miles in a day, including uphill and downhill (to see those views of course!), all while carrying 30-40lbs in a backpack. There will be sweaty days and relaxing evenings with our well-seasoned instructors as guides every step of the way.

Location : To Be Determined

LGBTQ+ Backpacking Trip

As much as we like to categorize, few things in nature fit perfectly into the neat little boxes we make – and that includes us humans. A first for Living Earth School this year, we are offering a teen backpacking trip for anyone in or exploring the LGBTQ+ community. If you know what labels fit you, great! If you’re still figuring that out, perfect! Figuring out community, becoming an adult, and identity is already a complicated equation when the default script more or less fits for you. This trip is about figuring out your own script.

You’ll get to connect to other young people and trip leaders with shared experiences, explore the outdoors in a welcoming and affirming environment, and celebrate your authentic self out in nature. Like all of our teen trips, this expedition will focus on building connections to the natural world, gaining forest skills, and digging deeper into personal and community skills.

No prior backpacking experience is required but will include hiking up to 5 miles in a day with 30-40lbs in a backpack.

Location: to be determined

Advanced Backpacking Trip

One of the beauties of backpacking is the ability to go to a destination that offers extreme beauty and adventure. This trip is designed for people who have been backpacking before, whether with LES or on their own. Participants will become comfortable with the ins and outs of expedition backpacking, including :

• Camp set up

Participants will also have the opportunity to help pick the route and decide our adventure together. Every day, participants will learn more about the core areas of leadership—work ethic, initiative, communication, attitude, and respect.

We will advance backcountry and leadership skills so that your child can pursue a lifetime of adventures to beautiful places all over the planet. This is a trip they won’t forget.

Details & Registration – Teen Summer Backpacking Trips

Ages 13 – 18

2024 Dates:

(Intro) Backpacking Trip 1: July 21 – 26

(LGBTQ+) Backpacking Trip 2: July 28 – August 2

(Advanced) Backpacking Trip 3: August 4 – 9

Drop off is 10 am Sunday and pick up is at 4 pm Friday, at the Living Earth School office .

Hiking in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains

Cost: $695 per trip

Financial Assistance: We do have a growing Scholarship Fund for campers this summer thanks to generous donors! Please fill out this APPLICATION FORM to be considered for financial assistance. Decisions are made on a first-come first-serve basis and applicants will hear back within 3 weeks. We recommend applying before Jan 15, 2024. The application period ends March 11th, 2024.

All gear and supplies will be included, other than the basic camping and clothing needs. We will send a what-to-bring list and details upon your registrations. Essential camping gear and backpacks are available to borrow from LES.

Please send us an email at c [email protected] with any questions!

• Free T-shirt included

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