Nature camps

Nature camps: book an experience shaped to what you want. Checked providers in the finest parts of the country.

Difficulty

Very easy – Moderate

Duration

1 day – 2 weeks

Location

Wild country, woods, parks, reserves and mountain areas

Season

Spring, summer, autumn and sometimes winter

What are nature camps for children?

Nature camps are teaching programmes held out of doors and given over to getting to know the natural world.

Children learn about plants, animals, ecosystems and why the country needs protecting, by doing rather than reading.

They put environmental teaching, outdoor games and exploring together.

The aim is to build curiosity, responsibility and respect for the natural world.

Outdoor experiences

Nature camps: experiences available

Book activities run by specialist organisers.

Camps can be built around a teaching theme and around the country they explore.

Nature camps: the kinds on offer

Environmental camp

Work on protecting the environment and behaving responsibly.

Woodland camp

Working the forest ecosystems and watching what lives there.

Mountain nature camp

Finding the mountain landscapes, the plants and the animals.

Wildlife camp

Watching animals and making sense of their habitats.

Science outdoors camp

Experiments and research work pitched at children.

Nature photography camp

Learning photographic technique out in the country.

The programme mixes interactive lessons, exploring and hands-on work in the open air.

Nature camps: how they work

01

Starting on the theme

Children find out what the activities are for and what the rules are.

02

Working the country

Participants come across plants, animals and natural landscapes.

03

Educational activities

There are games and exercises in watching closely.

04

Hands-on work

Children take part in environmental projects or experiments.

05

Sharing what they found

Participants talk about what they found out and learnt.

They suit curious children who want to find out about the world around them and learn by doing.

Nature camps: who are they for?

Children

Children

Activities pitched at the age group, for finding the country through play and exploring.

Small explorers

Small explorers

Right for children who are curious and want to look at the natural world.

School pupils

School pupils

It fills out schoolwork with hands-on activity outside the classroom.

Beginners

Beginners

No particular knowledge of the natural world is needed.

Children who care about the environment

Children who care about the environment

Right for those drawn to ecology and to protecting the country.

Children who prefer quieter things

Children who prefer quieter things

It offers exploring without much physical demand.

The level of a nature camp depends on what is included and on the country being explored.

Level of the experience

Nature: finding your feet

Curiosity

Watching, educational games and easy walks.

Learning Relaxation

Active exploring

Exploration

Easy routes, route-finding and hands-on activity.

Discovery Team

Environmental projects

Responsibility

Practical work on protecting the environment, and a bit of research.

Creativity Taking part
What matters before you send a child to a nature camp.

At a glance

How old the children are

The activities have to match what the children can take in and how much energy they have.

The natural surroundings

Where the camp is decides which plants, animals and activities are on offer.

Weather

Most of what happens takes place out of doors.

The people running it

The instructors have to know the area and be able to explain what is there.

How long it runs

It can be a day trip or a residential camp.

Best time of year

Spring and summer give you the most to explore.

What you need for a nature camp is simple and built around outdoor comfort.

Gear

Comfortable clothes

Clothing that suits a day out of doors.

Outdoor shoes

Trainers or boots for mixed ground.

A small rucksack

Handy for the outings and for personal bits.

Water bottle

Worth having for the activities and the walks.

Field notebook

Handy for writing down what they find and do.

Outdoor protection

Sun cream, a cap or something against insects.

Safety

Outdoor activities have to be set up so that children can explore safely.

Supervision
Suitable routes
Looking after the country
Around the animals
Adjusting to the weather
Ready for the unexpected
Answers to the questions parents ask about learning out of doors.

Nature camps: frequently asked questions

Do you need to know about the natural world?
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No. The activities are built for learning by doing.

What ages are they for?
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There are programmes for different age groups.

What do they include?
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Exploring, educational games, ecology, watching wildlife and practical projects.

Do they run in any weather?
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The activities are adjusted to the weather and to keeping the children safe.

Do you need special kit?
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Usually not — clothes that suit the outdoors are enough.

What do children get out of it?
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They build curiosity, responsibility and respect for the environment.

What is the point of them?
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Learning about the natural world by going out into it.