A Typical Day

At Aldenham Country Park, half the group explores the farm. There are pigs and sheep, hens and ducks. The eggs are just hatching in the incubator; the chicks are just like balls of fluff!

The children learn about animal homes, animal coats, the food that they eat, how the animals stay clean and what happens in winter.

Country Park staff guide the groups around, providing information pitched at the level of the group. Simple recording sheets, developed with Three Valleys Water staff, act as an aide memoire for back at school.

While half the group explore the farm the other group are in the "100 Aker Wood", finding out where Tigger, Pooh and Owl live. The fallen oak looks so sad with the owl's home all broken.

After the adventure of the wood a short nature walk brings the group past the lake to the farm ready to swap over.

The park has ample hand washing facilities so the children can wash before they leave. There is a shop and adventure playground, which is always useful to burn off that extra energy!

The coach now collects the group and takes them to Bushey where they have lunch on the picnic tables.

The afternoon activity is making a drought tolerant patio box and learning about plants.

Drought Tolerant Patio Box

The patio planters get to work. The group has to create a planter to take back to school. The empty planter has a reservoir to capture rainwater in the base, gel crystals are added along with the compost. The children choose the plants, all drought tolerant, with a theme of herbs, flowers, or butterflies.

The children plan out the location of their chosen five plants and in they go. Finally mulch is added to reduce evaporation. Then off to the school for its pride of place in the playground! The staff receive an information sheet showing how the planter can be used for Maths, Science, Literacy and Art.

The groups now swap and at the end of the day, wash hands, receive their free gift and are on their way, carefully holding their planters created at the centre.