Activities
Available group activities at Minstead Study Centre
All our visits promote a close connection to nature and our precious planet. Groups who stay with us find that no matter what activities they select, their pupils show increased confidence, independence, and improved decision-making abilities following their visit.
We are confident that our wide variety of activities helps to create more motivated learners and facilitates raising standards.
The following activity sessions are available for both residential and day visits:
Staff who led the activities were engaging, spoke to the children on their level and had a great knowledge of the forest and its flora and fauna.
The New Forest
Topics covered:
- exploring
- mapwork
- navigation
- history and geography
- habitat exploration
- conservation
- human impact
Sustainable living
Topics covered
- gardening - planting, growing, harvesting and tasting!
- animals - sheep, where our food comes from, is farming fair?
- energy - monitoring electricity, gas and water use in the dormitory block
Woodland exploration and nature connection
Topics covered
- sensory exploration and nature connection activities
- woodland games
- mindfulness
Local Geography
Topics covered
- rivers - investigating erosion, deposition and other stream features. Field sketching, measuring, splashing, damming and stick racing
- village - contrasting locality, church and land use
- rocks and soils - investigating properties of local (and less local) rocks, clay modelling, investigate and make soil and composting
Prehistory
Topics covered
- willow weaving and natural dying
- wattle hurdles and daubing our roundhouse
- shelter building
- fire lighting and cooking
Environmental Science
Topics covered
- habitat exploration - multiple habitats to explore, compare, observe and investigate (woodland, heath, bog, stream, pond, meadow and hedge)
- investigating food chains, adaptations, conservation and environmental protection
- the water cycle
Mapwork and Orienteering
Topics covered
- navigation - with hikes around New Forest
- orienteering - courses on-site
- map making
Art and Crafts
Topics covered
- felt making
- clay play
- hapa zome
- natural art (Andy Goldsworthy and James Brunt inspired)
Contact details
Contact the Minstead Study Centre office team to check for available dates and relevant pricing, or for any further information:
Contact usIf you do wish to make a booking, our office staff will be happy to take a provisional booking over the phone.