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Under the Stars
Under the Stars
A fantastic experience for all young people and staff. The camp site is your choice… in the school grounds or a local green space within walking distance of your school. The educational content of the programme can be flexible, we would encourage staff to focus on current key priorities for the class e.g. Literacy/ Numeracy / Health & Wellbeing.
All specialist equipment can be provided by Outdoor Learning (although pupils will be encouraged to bring their own if they have it). All food will be provided for cooking a meal on an open fire. A member of Outdoor Learning staff will work with the school staff to prepare for the camp with an in schools session beforehand, set up the camp, support with cooking & associated activities.
Priority will be given to:
*P5's
*Schools who fill in a detailed request form
*Applications for whole classes / year groups
*Schools who have Outdoor Learning as an approach to curriculum delivery in their School Improvement Plan / Curricular Review
Duration:
Outdoor Learning staff support from 2pm - 8pm & 7am - 10am the next day
Locations:
* School Grounds
* Local Green Space - Many schools have got in touch with a local estate /land manager to secure an appropriate camping spot within a short walk of the school.
* Outdoor Learning agreed site near East Saltoun. Transportation will need to be organised by the school
Groups:
Group size is up to 30 pupils per camp. If you’re a big school you may need more than one night.
Cost:
£26.50 per pupil (Academic Year 2024/25)
£27 per pupil (Academic Year 2025/26)
N.B. The overall programme cost is subsidised by East Lothian Council. The parental contribution for the camping experience, in addition to curricular content, is covering additional staff employed to support the camp session & food.
**Schools will not be charged until AFTER the event and only for those pupils who took part**
What the School need to provide:
* a link teacher who will support delivery
* 1 adult for every 10 children with a minimum of 2 adults for every camp, with current ELC PVG, prepared to stay overnight. Ideally the school should provide at least 1 extra adult above and beyond minimum ratios. There is NO COST for ADULT staff/ helpers
* ensure pupils turn up for the camp with suitable clothing/ equipment and any medication needed
To book:
Have a look at the table at the bottom of this webpage for availability
Complete an Under the Stars REQUEST FORM
EVOLVE – this planning and approval form must be started as soon as your booking is confirmed and submitted well in advance of the activities. The EVOLVE form should be filled in by the Visit Leader N.B. This is a camping visit of 4 nights or less therefore pre-booking approval does not need to be sought but a provvurment form should be filled in. Select Multi-activity when asked for the adventurous activities. Start the form now – EVOLVE here
Letter to Parents – download the template and amend to suit here
Informed Parental Consent Forms – here
Equipment List – this should be given to all staff & pupils here
Letter to Staff/Volunteers – download the template and amend to suit here
Complete an Essential Information form
School Visits further information and forms can be downloaded from East Lothian EduHub
Programmes are always flexible and may need to be changed at the very last minute depending on weather conditions, staffing, group ability etc. Alternate activities that form part of the overall programme will be provided and similar outcomes achieved. We will do our best to inform you of these changes ASAP but in reality this may be the morning of, or possibly even during the activity. This is the nature of Outdoor Learning (especially in Scotland). Please make sure your staff, children and parents are aware of this.
Feedback:
Feedback:
'...buzz around school is already happening with pupils asking me all the time when they can go. I have seen the shyest of pupils tell us stories, work with new people and step outside their comfort zone on this trip. The confidence it has given pupils in the past is evident back in school in classes. The pupils have a newfound respect of the outdoors and many have even gone on to convince their families to take them camping. In an English classroom the quality of their stories have improved and they have a fresh approach to writing.'
- Quote from an East Lothian Secondary School
'...buzz around school is already happening with pupils asking me all the time when they can go. I have seen the shyest of pupils tell us stories, work with new people and step outside their comfort zone on this trip. The confidence it has given pupils in the past is evident back in school in classes. The pupils have a newfound respect of the outdoors and many have even gone on to convince their families to take them camping. In an English classroom the quality of their stories have improved and they have a fresh approach to writing.'
- Quote from an East Lothian Secondary School
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