Unforgettable Residentials at The Hive School Trip

We keep and care for a wide range of animals suitable for handling these include reptiles, amphibians, fish, mammals, birds and a variety of invertebrates. We provide them with enclosures that mimic their natural environment as much as possible and include necessary stimulation. Visit our special scientific sites of interest, check our ponds, bug hotels, bird and bat boxes and become Habitat Hunters for animals of all shapes and sizes.

We tailor all our sessions to suit the needs of your group. Tell us more about the aspects of the curriculum you wish to cover and let us come up with fun yet educational activities for you.

Suntrap is located in the heart of Epping Forest which hosts a rich variety of habitats including woodland, grassland, heath, rivers, bogs and ponds, providing us with a wealth of flora, fauna and wildlife to study on the site itself and surrounding area.

The outdoors provides the perfect environment for young people to experience and observe the natural world around them, noticing seasonal phenomena, patterns and grouping things such as plants, types of animals and habitats. We encourage them to explore, be curious and ask questions. For example, they can look for mini beasts under a log, record what they find and discuss the types of creatures present and the properties of that habitat. Through all ages and abilities we provide stimulating practical experiences that uses scientific enquiry, enabling students to make informed behavioural changes to help reduce their carbon footprint.

Students learn about how human activity has impacted on the environment and habitats, both locally and internationally and the important role of both plants and soils in mitigating the effects of global warming.

Bush craft sessions aim to improve communications skills, resilience and environmental awareness. The activities can include how to safely make and light a fire using natural materials, water purification, cooking, camouflage and concealment as well as building a shelter. Each session is different and focused specifically on your age group and learning outcomes.

Creative sessions aim not only to help develop young people's creative thinking, expression and practical abilities, but also help bring other areas of the curriculum the life. For example, making pictures and patterns using materials available around them and investigating their differing properties. Using brushes to paint mud onto a tree, examining the bark, structure of the roots and sparking discussions about what we use trees for and why they are so important to our environment

The Hive's outdoor activities help to promote an active lifestyle for the future and demonstrate the importance of physical well-being. Engaging in the kinds of fun-filled, competitive challenges that The Hive provides build character and confidence as well as embed values like fairness and respect.

What better way to develop knowledge, build understanding and inspire curiosity about diverse places, natural environments and physical processes than first hand - outside of the classroom ' on a site of Special Scientific Interest. Observations can be made about features in the environment, describing places, making maps, conducting field studies and recognising why people may seek to manage them in a sustainable way.

Our bespoke programmes are designed to build confidence and encourage teamwork using the stunning Epping Forest as a catalyst for positive outcomes.

We're going on a Bear Hunt - Go on an exciting outdoor adventure through the forest following the bear's footprints; splish splashing in the stream and squelching in the mud. Find the bear and make your own cave using natural materials. Early learning goal links: Communication and language

The Gruffalo - Help the little brown mouse find his way through the forest, meeting a snake, fox and owl on your journey. You might even meet the Gruffalo! Curriculum links: English Y1 Reading comprehension

Map co-ordinates trail - Learn how to read a map and use coordinates to undertake a map reading challenge with a partner in The Hive grounds. Curriculum links: Year 4 Geometry

Shelter Building - Work in groups to plan and build a shelter in the forest using natural materials. Challenge to make the shelter warm, stable and waterproof. Curriculum links: Design and Technology (Make; Evaluate; Technical knowledge);

Stone age to the Iron Age
Surviving the Stone Age - Enter the Stone Age in the forest; finding wild food, collecting clay to make a thumb pot, do some cave painting using natural pigments and build your own shelter. Curriculum links: History changes in Britain from the Stone Age to the Iron Age.

Eco education is critical in helping young people understand the impacts of climate change, encourage a change in attitudes and behaviour needed to address the causes of climate change, and develop competencies and leadership skills that are vital for a sustainable future.

Our activities across the curriculum address the important understanding of sustainability and we aim to support visitors to be future climate leaders.

The Hive is in the heart of Epping Forest, and we are able to offer Forest School sessions on our beautiful 7 acre site or we can come out to local schools and run sessions in your grounds led by our Qualified Forest School Leaders. Our Day visits and Residentials incorporate the known Forest School benefits of hands-on experiences in a natural, woodland environment.