Outdoor Learning

Outdoor Learning Programme, Guided Walks and School Group Activities

This year, 2013, we introduce our first outdoor learning programme, guided walks for groups and a great range of activities for school groups.

Outdoor Learning Programme
This new venture has thirty courses, walks and events in 2013 and has been partly funded by Natural England and BIG Lottery. It follows several requests for more in-depths courses using the woodlands and meadows in and around the Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site and are being led by local facilitators, all professionals in their own field.

We have a fine selection of activities to suit all tastes. Each course, to date, has been fully booked. And we are looking forward to many successful courses and guided walks yet to come.

The rustic chair making was enjoyed by 7 attendees and local people enjoyed a winter tree ID, as well as a river survey in Loamhole Dingle. Meanwhile 5 beginners enjoyed sketching the Coalbrookdale viaduct before putting paint to paper to create a landscape while 30 excited children and brave adults were led through Loamhole Dingle on the Gruffalo walk. Over all 20 people attended the 4 part 'Birds and their Habitats' course completed on Saturday.

Coming up, Pete Boardman is leading us on an insect hunt this Wednesday and there is a FREE family creative art course using natural materials on 29th May in Rough Park, a local meadow. A 3-day art workshop with Lynne Morgan, which may be booked as individual days, starts on 31sy May. Mick Krupa, a local archaeologist famous for his role in BBC's Edwardian Farm, has some practical heritage workshops such as History of Lime Production and a 2-day course making charcoal and creating charcoal artwork. See below for details or a programme. Advancved boking is essential on all courses as places are limited.

All take place outdoors, although some will use the Trust's award winning community hall for part of the day which is fully accessible. There is also a small car park with a disabled space.

Please ask for further details at time of booking as some of the courses and walks will be led through woodlands which are not accessible to wheelchairs due to the make-up of the land.

Places are limited and there shall be a reserve list in case of cancellations. Please click here for the full programme. If you would prefer a booking form emailed to you please contact bookings@severngorge.org.uk or cadiprice@severngorge.org.uk  or 01952 433880. We can also send the programme by post if you send us an A5 SAE with 1st class stamp. Thank you.

Guided walks and activities for Groups
If you are visiting the Ironbridge Gorge as part of a group or live locally and would prefer a group activity, please contact the Trust to discuss your requirements. Activities, for all ages, include guided walks, educational visits, and volunteering opportunities to suit your requirements. We have a permanent orienteering course located in safe woodland above the Youth Hostel at Coalport and a wealth of geo-caches in many of our woodlands. For an orienteering map contact Cadi Price as below.

On Saturday 13th July, we are teaming up with Wrekin Orienteers to lead a family 'Come and Try It' orienteering event at Haywood Plantation.

         

School national curriculum sessions, guided walks and activities
We offer a programme of half day illustrated guided walks which include activities for Reception, Key Stage 1-3. These include woodland and meadow habitats, earthwalks, river survey, quadrat surveys, forest skills, map skills, den building, practical conservation, heritage and geology. Half a day costs £100 and available on a Tuesday.

For more information, contact Cadi Price, Community Development Officer: 01952 433880: cadiprice@severngorge.org.uk