Activities at Dell Farm 

 

 

Dell Farm offers a range of activities which the schools can choose from to create their own timetable for a week, 3 days or a day.

 

   Below is the list of activities that we offer.  They can be combined or as a lesson in their own right:

 

Compulsory

• Welcome to Dell Farm 

Science Based Activities

• Whipsnade Zoo
• Comparing Habitats
• Classification keys - branch diagrams using trees, leaves or the animals
• Seed dispersal
• Food Web
• Invertebrate hunt
• River Study - unavailable at the moment
• Pond Dipping
• Dell Farm Fox
• Old MacDonalds Symphony
• Whats nice for mice
• Tring Museum

Humanities Based Activities

• Canal
• Village Studies ( Whipsnade and or Aldbury)
• Where's the Impact?
• Watermill

• Evening / Night walk
• Orienteering
• 50 'Whipsnade Mile' Walk (Ashridge - Ivinghoe Beacon)
• Team Challenge
• Night Line
• Climbing
• Archery
• Caving
• Mountain Biking
• Survival

Other Activities

• Sensory Activities
• Art in the environment
• Journey stick
• Scavenger Hunt
• Dell Farm Well

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Below are the activities in more detail:

 

 

Compulsory

 

 

Welcome to Dell Farm

 

Introduction to the centre, including meet the animals, farm and fire regulations and health and safety advice

On the first day at Dell Farm it is important that everybody is introduced to the animals and you know where you are allowed to go, which animals you can groom, when and how.  Questions will be asked of each animal which are important if you are going to be living on the farm for the week.  The rules of the farm are also explained in this first meeting, for example shutting the gates, not feeding the animals except at 8am with the stockman, and treating the animals kindly and with respect. 

After this introduction of the animals you can then in your free time go out with your friends and meet the animals.  Free time also means you can play the famous 'welly ball'!

 

                                    

 

 

Feeding the animals every morning is one of the best activities here.  It isn't everyday you live on a farm so we really do advise you to go out and help feed them at 8am. 

 

                                    

 

It is fantastic and you are in the cages with the pig, goats, baby rabbits, chickens and ducks, animals that you can't at any other time get that close to.

  

                                              

 

 

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Science Based Activities

 

 

 Whipsnade Zoo

 

We are very lucky to have Whipsnade Zoo just across the road from Dell Farm.  The zoo is a choice the schools can choose to make but it is a bit extra to pay for.  Some schools choose to go on a Monday morning and you are taken around by your own teachers or if it is in the week then Mrs Gutteridge takes you round.  Mrs Gutteridge will get you thinking about the different habitats and the way the animals are different so that they can live in their environment.  Below is a gorgeous giraffe enjoying the sunshine.

 

                              

                                                          

                                Below is a baby White Rhino born earlier this year:

                                                                                                                                                                                                 

                       

 

 

 

Comparing Habitats

 

 

    Mrs Gutteridge is the queen of habitats!  She takes half a group at a time and after an introduction in the classroom they go for a walk in Whipsnade discovering all the different habitats along the way.

 

 

 

Here are a group of children from Hillborough Junior School with Mrs Gutteridge discovering all they can find under a rotting log.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Classification Keys - branch diagrams

 

Pupils generally start the lesson going over branch diagrams and we use children in the class for an example.  Once we are clear of the process we go out and study trees, leaves or the animals.  We look carefully at the differences so that it is possible to group and divide each subject.

 

 

Seed dispersal

 

Investigating plants and seeds from flowers to seed dispersal, including walking and drawing activities

 

 

Food Web

 

At Dell Farm we are trying to develop the pupils understanding of the world, the state the world is in and the importance of every living organism.  Even nettles have a purpose in life and we look at what could happen if the nettles were cut out.  It is important that you understand where the plants get their energy from and who the plants pass their energy on to etc.  We play a game to help understand this process. 

 

 

Invertebrate Hunt

 

  Walk past a patch of long grass and you would never guess how many weird and wonderful creatures are hiding there, but these are just a few of the twenty or more species that Year 6 Norton Road pupils discovered outside Dell Farm. 

  The invertebrates were caught using a sweep net and transferred to magnifying viewers so we could look at them closely and draw them.  Afterwards they were put back into their patch of grass.  Below are some of the girls catching and looking at what they have caught before placing them in the magnifying viewers.

 

 

                 

 

 

                  

 

Below are some of the drawings of the invertebrates they found:

  Sweep netting needs fine, dry weather.  If the grass is at all wet, the invertebrates get damaged easily as they stick to the viewers in the water droplets.  We always try to look after the animals we are observing and do as little damage as possible to their environment.

   Dell Farm's science teacher, Mrs. Gutteridge, says,

  "I always love going on an invertebrate hunt with groups as I never know what we will find - something new turns up every time!  It just proves that letting a patch of grass grow long in the corner of your garden or school grounds and not being too fussy about a few weeds creates a wonderfully rich little habitat for you to explore".

 

 

River Study - unavailable at the moment

 

The River study costs an extra £2 per pupil.  It is a practical study led by the staff at Three Valleys Water at the River Gade in Hemel Hempstead.  You get to go in the river with nets and see what you can discover.  We then look at them later using a clasification key to work out what we have found.

 

They also measure the speed, width and depth of the river.  You definitely need tall wellies for this activity, it often ends up with many wet feet!

 

 

Pond Dipping

  

We have got a raised pond that was made by HSBC and a Dew pond out the back of Dell Farm that will both be used to do some dipping.  Wenlock Junior School found some very interesting creatures and if you click on the picture below you will be able to see what they found.

 

 

              

 

 

 

Dell Farm Fox

 

In this activity you have to think like a fox, act like a fox and hopefully survive like a fox!!  There are 10 questions that you need to answer whilst going round the farm without getting shot (with a water pistol!) by the farmers.  The foxes with the most amount of points are the winner.  Brilliant fun!

 

 

Old MacDonalds Symphony

 

Practical session recording and playing back animal sounds from around the farm

 

Whats Nice for Mice

 

Practical experiment aimed at finding out how to survive as a small mammal.

 

Tring Museum

 

Pupils get to look closely at a Victorian collection of well preserved (stuffed) animals.  It is fascinating to see so many animals that otherwise you probably would never get close to.  We also discuss our opinions on whether it is right or wrong to have a place like this...

 

 

 

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Humanities Based Activities

 

 

Canal

 

We take the group generally half at a time to the Grand Union Canal.  We usually start a Tring Reservoirs and walk along the canal towards the Wendover Arm and Bulbourne Dry Docks.

 

We are studying the history of the canal...why it was built, who built it, why we don't use it in the same way today.  We look at the narrow boats, thier detailed paint work and rope work, The speed they go and how they move today and originally.

We work out what the lock is for and how it works.  Generally we get to see it working especially in the summer when there are many more boats around.  It is here that we get the best hands on experience, helping (as long as the drivers don't mind!!) the boat through the lock.

Not only is it an educational experience but we are surrounded by beautiful scenery and wildlife at it's best.

 

 

Where's the Impact?

 

A mixture of discussion and practical activities themed around biodiversity and sustainability.

 

 

Village study

 

There is a choice of two villages to study, Whipsnade and Aldbury.  Whipsnade is often used as a map work exercise and or a comparitive study with Luton.  Aldbury is a beautiful Tudor village with many buildings that can be used to compare and contrast with todays modern buildings.  In both villages it is very interesting to note how village life has changed in the last 20 years or so and why there has been such a change of late.  We walk around the villages using a map and explore the local area.  In both villages we go inside their church.  Here is Someries School exploring Aldbury.

 

                                                                                  

                          

 

 

Watermill

 

We visit Ford End Watermill in Ivinghoe, Bucks.  It is fantastic to actually see a mill that is able to work.  It is so much easier to understand when it is infront of you working. 

 

 

 

 

 

We look at what the mill would have produced and how.  Above is a group from Norton Road having a tour around the mill.  There are 3 floors to look at and on the top floor there are even older methods of poducing flour from the Egyptian and Roman times.  Pupils get to have a go at these methods which helps realise how far we have come with modern technology.

 

 

 

 

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Adventure Based Activities

 

 

Evening Walk

 

On the Monday evenings we go for a walk up to Whipsnade Downs, sometimes as far as Dunstable Downs and back through the Whipsnade Tree Cathedral.  Here is the whole group from Norton Road Primary School at the top of the downs looking across to Ivinghoe Beacon.  (Where they finish walking on the Friday 50 Whipsnade mile walk).

 

 

                      

 

 

Sometimes we feel the need for a wedding to be held in the Tree cathedral and pick some unknowing volunteers to help out.   

      

 

Orienteering

 

Orienteering is a competition using maps and compasses to see who can find all 10 flags first.  There are lots of different types of orienteering and the one we do here is called star orienteering.  Everyone starts and finishes at the same point.  Each team has a different map so there are groups running in different directions to find their flag.  When they find their flag they have to stamp the card they are carrying.  They then run back to the start / finish place we check they have the correct stamp and they get a different map.  The same proceedure starts all over again except you would be running off to find a different flag.  It is much easier when you are here seeing how it all happens!!  Below are Hillborough school taking part in the orienteering.

 

Getting a little bit of help.....

 

 

 

                   Running as fast as possible with your partner (or Head Teacher in this case!!) to find that flag.....                  

 

 

Finding the right flag and stamping the correct number on your card...

 

 

 

 

                            

 The 50 Whipsnade Mile Walk

 

    On the last day at Dell Farm we usually go on the 50 'Whipsnade Mile' Walk.  It starts at the Ashridge monument and finishes at the top of Ivinghoe Beacon.  Below is one of the constant beautiful views we get along the walk.

 

 

 

   We do all sorts of challenges and fun activities and stories along the way.  Maybe there will be a scary story that will make your heart race, maybe we will be working in teams or partners trusting each other in different games, maybe you will be at one with nature and give a tree a good hug!

 

 

 

                                       

                                                        

 

Studying the tree roots: the different types, the 2 main functions and also the type of rock that is under our feet.

 

After getting so close to home the towering image of Ivinghoe Beacon looms infront of you!  The challenge for the hill is to get as far up the hill as possible, running!  Before you start you set your own goal and then try and beat the place you set.  To run all the way to the top without stopping is a mission and generally only 1 or 2 children make it.  Here is Hillborough school starting the challenge (note the teachers standing at the bottom!!!)

 

  

 

What a relief! finally at the top...

 

 

 

 

      

        

Team Challenge

 

Team Challenge is a lively activity used to help pupils work together.  We think of what team work means and then compete in different activities in small groups of 6-10.  I'm not going to explain each activity but some are physical, some make you think and others get you very wet!! here is a photo of cup towers.

 

                     

 

   

Night Line

 

This is a new activity that is still very much in its early stages of development.  Night line links with the sensory activities but focusses mainly on having a lack of vision.  Pupils are blindfolded and either as a team or with a partner who can see they have to follow a rope around a course.  This course may go over, under, in, out and through all sorts of different objects.  Its great fun to do and very amusing to watch!

 

                         

 

 

                                      

 

 

Climbing

  

We have an indoor climbing wall built at the end of the team challenge barn.  It is now being used by most of the groups that come out and stay. There are a variety of climbs to try out on walls of different heights.  Two of the climbs go up an overhang to try and work your muscles.  You will be able to see bolt ons (the coloured holds) and features (parts of the wall that look natural like holes).  You can use both of these to climb on but most people tend to stick to the coloured bolt ons. Depending on your ability we set different challenges of where you have to get up to or on what holds you have to use.  The really good climbers have tried going up the wall just using the twiglet (it really does look like a giant twiglet!!) with their hands and feet!  Other people are happy just getting 1 metre off the ground.  It does not matter, it is your own challenge and all of you will do the best that you can do.  During this Someries climbing session many of the children got to the top of their wall and 'high fived' the hand.

 

                                            

                             

 

Archery

 

Archery is our new activity for schools and holiday camps to try out.  We have newly qualified staff running the sessions and some fantastic games to play, like trying to pop balloons, once you have mastered shooting the target.  All of you will hit the target it is just a question of whether it will be gold or not!!

 

Caving

  

We have just had a caving or tunneling system put in at Dell Farm.  The tunnels go under the ground outside.  We will need to wear helmets with lights otherwise you will not be able to see!  Here are pupils from Someries School waiting in the main chamber before they explore the 3 tunnels.  Each tunnel gets harder with tighter turns and smaller squeezes.

  

                      

 

Mountain Biking

 

NEW in 2009!!  Take out our maountain bikes in our groups up to dunstable downs.  You need to be able to tackle the grassy slopes, the muddy puddles and complete the challenge course and activities along the way.

 

Survival

 

Can you survive outside?  would you be able to make a shelter and find the best place to camp? Would you be able to make a brew having found the best place to set up camp to get the flame alight and stay that way?  This is great fun and will test your skill in the outdoors.

 

 

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Other Activities

 

 

Sensory activities

 

This is an interesting lesson playing games and taking part in different activities to explore our senses.  We talk about what senses we have and what it would be like if, for example, we were deaf.  Some of the activities may be smelling or tasting different foods, blindfolded games where you need to make your way across a course of cones without stepping on them (you do have a partner to help give you directions) or finding different materials outside that feel different.

 

Art in the Environment

 

Art in the environment is best in the autumn time when the leaves have fallen and there is more on the ground to pick up and use.  It is a fantastic activity outside really looking to use everything from nature to create a picture.  Generally the class get into groups of 4 and have to think of lots of different ideas for their picture.  There might be a theme given or it could be anything you like.  Some groups in the past have made there design in 3D which is much harder to do.  Once a design is decided upon the group go to the tree cathedral and collect leaves, berries, twigs, mud etc.  It is a rule that you must not pick anything still living though.  Once the pictures are made, outside on the grass of the tree cathedral, each group has to present their own design to the rest of the group explaining what they have used and how.  The group watching need to try and guess what the picture is.

Below are two pictures from Wenlock Junior School (Dec 2004) with a christmas theme.

 

                              

 

 

                     

Journey Stick

 

The journey stick is an activity around the centre and the village of Whipsnade.  The idea is to collect evidence from a journey.  Once the walk is over the evidence is placed on a stick using coloured wool in the order of the journey.  It comes from the Native Americans who used to use ideas like these to remind them of where to find a certain place for example.  It is always more fun when in the spirit of the Native Americans with feathers, face paints and tribal names...get thinking!!

 

 

Scavenger Hunt

 

Using cryptic clues you need to collect natural items in groups and justify the reason for choosing that object

 

 

Dell Farm Well

 

A 400 year old well within the grounds at Dell Farm.  We look at how deep it is, drop water down and if you're quiet you can hear it land.  Traditionally a story is told on a Thursday afternoon, can be spooky if you are brave enough, the choice is yours!!