At the club where I work, the children spend at least 60 per cent of their time out of doors. In the summer, we're seldom in. I believe in getting children outside; unfortunately too much of their lives are spent indoors. Below are some of the outdoor activities I intend to introduce to staff, children and young people at our club - they may give you some ideas, too.
Outdoor centres
For many children and young people, a visit to an outdoor residential centre with facilities such as outward-bound courses, canoeing and abseiling is a watershed in their lives. They learn to become self-reliant, to work as a team and to be aware of the need for co-operation. They also experience satisfaction in having taken part in the activities - often seeing each other and staff in a new light - which helps to build relationships.
You should be able to get a list of outdoor residential centres in your area via the Internet, your public library or the local education authority. Costs can be kept to a minimum by going self-catering and drawing up your own programme of activities which some centres allow. A weekend visit canbe as little as 11 per child per night.
Talk through the planning with the children. Where do they want to go? What do they want to do at the centres? You'll also have to consider how to get there -this is where having your own mini-bus is ideal.
It is a good idea to have a reserve list of staff and children, in case some people drop out. And give yourself plenty of time to plan, so you can sit back and enjoy the trip.
Fishing
One of the great things about living on this island of ours is that we are never far away from water, whether it be a lake, river, canal or the sea. I have taken mixed groups of children aged eight to 14 on fishing trips and, although the girls learn quicker, the boys like it best. Sometimes older boys can be hard to engage in club activities, but this is one they do enjoy.
The first job is to talk about safety, and warn of the dangers that being near water can bring. Rather than spend a whole day at the water's edge learning how to cast, I show the children how to fix reel to rod and how to cast on dry land. Watch out for the hooks, though!
I then let the children dig for worms. The play worker leading the trip will have to check whether a permit is needed. You'll also need something to put the fish in. If the forecast looks changeable, make sure the children have wet weather gear, and take a picnic if necessary.
Check out your local library for books on fishing, or get someone from a local angling club to help you if you haven't been fishing before. The children will want to know what sort of fish they are likely to catch (show them pictures) and what to do if they do.
Being near an open space of water is peaceful and relaxing, and an experience that will stay with children for the rest of their lives.
Camp craft
This is another activity that is good for those aged 11 to 14. It can be carried out in the grounds of your club or be part of a holiday camping trip. The children will not only learn how to pitch tents, but will enjoy cooking burgers, hot dogs and bacon and eggs on gas cylinders or methylated spirit cookers. They can also make coffee for the staff!
Learning about health and safety issues and how to look after the environment are important. Visit a camping shop with the children beforehand as this will get them thinking and build up the atmosphere.
Planning and safety issues:
Staff and participants should be reminded that food needs to be thoroughly cooked, otherwise there is a risk of food poisoning.
The safe and efficient disposal of waste must be arranged.
Good habits of personal cleanliness must be encouraged.
Only competent adults should be allowed to change gas cylinders.
Gas supplies must be turned off at the end of each day, appoint someone to check this.
Participants must be carefully trained in the use of cookers, especially those using methylated spirit.
Tents must be spaced to prevent flames spreading in the event of a fire breaking out.
Participants must be briefed on areas that are out of bounds.
Groups undertaking lightweight camping expeditions must be sure to leave details of their route with a responsible adult.
Tent pitching
Tent pitching is not only a practical camping skill, but is great fun and makes children listen, think and work as a team. Try this game for which you will need two tents and eight blindfolds. Follow these steps: 1 Split the children into two groups with no more than five in each. Allocate one member of staff to each group. Give each group a tent.
2 Show the groups how to pitch a tent.
3 Blindfold four members of each group and ask the fifth person to instruct his or her team on how to pitch their tent.
4 When both tents are pitched, the staff and children can inspect each tent and give their views on how everyone did.
Model boats
Ask the children to design and construct a model boat that is stable enough to carry cargo (for example, sand or small stones). The boat should be able to carry the cargo a given distance on a stream, river or lake.
You will need:
Pencil and paper
Thin cane
Sticky tape
Newspaper
PVA glue
Poster paint
Brushes for glue and paint
To make:
1 Design your boat using a pencil and paper.
2 Bend the cane to make the framework of the boat and fix it in place with the sticky tape.
3 Cover the boat inside and out with layers of newspaper. Put sticky tape over the joins.
4 Paint two coats of PVA glue on both the inside and outside of the boat. Allow to dry.
5 Paint your boat with poster paints and, when dry, put on another coat of PVA glue. Leave this for a few days to dry thoroughly, and then set sail!
Area tour
This activity is a good way for children to learn some of the history of the area they live in. It also gives them an opportunity to learn map reading and orienteering.
You will need:
A map of the locality
Pencils
Clipboards
A list of places you wish to visit
Camera (optional)
To carry out:
1 Research some of the places of interest in your locality. Public libraries often have local history sections that can be of help.
2 Draw up a list of places for the children to visit that are in fairly easy reach of each other and, preferably, avoid busy roads. You could also make a project sheet with a few questions about the area, and encourage the children to find the answers to them.
3 Armed with the map, pencils and clipboards (and wet weather gear, if necessary) let the children take the lead in finding the way to the places of interest, helping them out where necessary.
4 Give a brief talk about each of the places you visit, trying to bring them to life.
5 Let the children take it in turns to take photographs of the buildings or landmarks that you visit.
6 If funds allow, treat the children to tea and cakes on the way home.
Denis Barrowcliffe is senior project worker at the CASC Childcare Project in Glasgow, where he has worked for nine years. He was Playworker of the Year in the Excellence in Childcare Awards 2000.
MORE ACTIVITY IDEAS
Constructing a conveyor
Making a pocket jacket
Making a pulley system to transport water Constructing a stretcher and a carry seat Constructing a hammock Path walking
