“Learning outside the classroom – Curriculum focused solutions at Rippledown.”

Onsite Activities

Pond Dipping / Surveying
Use our newly refurbished pond to investigate a freshwater ecosystem, its development and the food chains/webs present within it.

Any of these activities can be combined with any other. However some fit better into a weekly program when combined with specific other activities. Please speak to us for more information and advice on planning your visit.

All of the activities listed here can be run to meet the needs of your year group, most can be adapted for use anywhere between Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 5. If you want more information on how our activities can be used in conjunction with the national curriculum please speak to one of our tutors.

Introduction to Mammals & Mammal surveying
Let our tutors introduce you to some of the mammals that are natives of Britain. Focusing on the smaller mammals, their homes, diets and habitats this session makes extensive use of the mammal collection we have at Rippledown. We can also help the group to lay out humane mammal traps around the grounds of Rippledown to see what small creatures share our environment.

Map & Compass
An introduction to map reading and compass work including keys/legends, 4 and 6 figure grid references and all 16 points of the compass. It also includes practical work on bearings through the use of handheld compasses.

Pinhole Photography
Learn how photos are taken and how it is possible to capture images without a camera. Our tutor will take the group through the basics of photography and the theory behind it and then the group will have the chance to take an image with a pinhole camera which they can take away with them.

Minibeasts
Spend time looking into life all around us by searching the Rippledown wild area for minibeasts. Once the creatures have been found and identified the group can discuss how they have adapted to their habitats

Fieldwork Skills
A vital activity for any group highlighting the skills and techniques for preparing for the outdoors. Covering what you need to wear, to take and how to get all of it into your rucksack this activity is an ideal way to start the week.

Pipehenge
Based on the world famous Stonehenge learn about one of only two Pipehenges in the UK. This astronomical calendar can be used to calculate the date and where the sun is expected to be. In conjunction with this the cardinal compass points are taught along with emphasis on the equinoxes and shortest/longest days. Fits well with map and compass.

Night Time Walk
Everything is different at night! Let our tutor guide you through the experience with a ramble through the countryside up to the highest point for unique Kentish views.

Habitats
An introduction or a more detailed look at the different habitats around us. The activity can cover any area that you require but concentrates mainly on woodland habitats. Other possibilities include chalk down land, freshwater and coastal habitats

Environmental Artwork
Use the natural resources around us to create either temporary or permanent art work, inspired by our tutors.

Camouflage and Concealment
Test your powers of observation in our camouflage challenge. Learn about how animals camouflage themselves and see if you can discover the hidden items.

Roman Signalling and Manganells
Through a hands on approach to the issue learn how the Ancient Romans managed to communicate across large distances. This tutor led activity engages the group in a practical activity and encourages teamwork between the participants. As a add on the group can test their design and technology skills in the creation of small scale manganels (catapults).

Team Building
Try your hand at our small group individual team building activities – test your brain and ingenuity in our variety of problem solving / team building activities.

Treasure Trail
Using map reading techniques and good old fashioned running around to investigate the grounds of Rippledown and crack the secret. This activity also includes looking out for and collecting natural ‘treasure’ leading to a discussion of the environment around Rippledown and the variety of shapes, colours, textures found within it.

Shelter Building
Using our sustainable shelter as a starting point learn about historic sustainable building methods and how they can be applied today. Try your hand at wattle walls and then in groups attempt to build a shelter that you can get inside of. The activity includes demonstration of historic techniques and how these have changed and been adapted to fit into modern life.

Activities local to Rippledown

Rock Pooling/ Beach Scavenger Hunt
Discover the fauna and flora living in a seawater ecosystem through a hands on approach led by our experienced tutors. The activity includes time spent on the seashore in amongst the rockpools with the group being led through the tips and techniques required for a successful visit. Afterwards the group can have a closer look at what was found.

All the equipment that is required is provided. Added to this activity is an introduction to tides, long shore drift and coastal erosion.

Countryside Ramble – A walk of variable length through agricultural land and woodland. This activity covers habitats, life processes, food and farming and our tutors will take the group through any interesting thing that occurs on route.

Food and Farming
A walk from Rippledown towards Ripple with the emphasis being on food and farming and/or a visit to Pines organic gardens to discover where our food come from. This activity also looks at allotments and growing your own food..

Woodland Walk
A walk to a nearby woodland to discover more about this habitat and ecosystem. Experience the nature and essence of the woodland in this tutor led activity which highlights everything you should know about a woodland.

River Study
Spend a day exploring the River Dour as it runs through Dover. Gain either an introduction or development of river processes the water cycle and different water management techniques and try your hand at dam building.