Geography package

Bring the great outdoors to life

Geography activity, YHA Wye Valley

Introduction

Affordable geography options in England and Wales with YHA 

Bring the great outdoors to life with our popular KS2 geography packages.

Pupils have an ideal opportunity to carry out fieldwork as covered in the National Curriculum while getting hands on with the world around them. YHA’s locations are ideally suited for making the most of England’s human and physical landforms. 

Designed to meet the requirements of the curriculum, our affordable geography residential packages offer a range of educational activities including, detailed work on map skills, navigation work, river investigations, guided walks and more. 

Our experienced staff will guide your pupils to make the most of all the sites of interest that are on our doorstep. Plus, thanks to the location of our hostels, no additional travel or transport costs will be required during your residential – helping make our packages great value for money.

Full board from

£55.33

Per person, per night (excluding VAT)

Activities

Geography residential activities 

May include (subject to availability and location):

Activities

Team building: exploring our environment

A warm welcome to our hostel and its grounds awaits as teams work together to identify physical and human features. 

Compass making

Did you know you can make your own compass? We’ll show you how!

Map skills

For hundreds of years maps have helped people travel from one place to another. Where could a map take you? Learn how to get started with a map, understand its symbols and practice navigation skills. 

Guided walk / Contrasting Localities

Along the coastal path, through a local village, around a beautiful lake or across moorland, our expert led guided walks introduce groups to the outside world and its geographical features. Groups may take part in fieldwork, collecting local data and comparing it to your surroundings at home.

Orienteering

Navigate between checkpoints in our orienteering courses designed to challenge young people and build their teamwork  and communication skills.

Weather stations

It’s time to investigate! Young geographers use light meters, anemometers and thermometers to observe, measure and record different microclimates. 

River dipping

A hands on fieldwork activity where groups work in teams to collect data and observe a local river and its environment.

Mini beast hunt

A hands on outdoor activity observing and exploring micro-habitats using investigative tools.

Evening walk or Night line

As the sun sets and the stars begin to twinkle, groups are invited to explore the great outdoors with our expert and friendly teams.

Life in a Protected Landscape

How does life differ in a Protected Landscape? Young people discuss the different needs of local people in this fun role play activity.

What to expect

Curriculum links

  • Geographical skills and fieldwork
  • Compass directions
  • Describe location of features and routes on a map
  • Simple fieldwork and observational skills
  • Topographical features (hills, mountains, coasts and rivers)
  • Land use and how aspects have changed over time
  • Human geography: economic activity
  • Place knowledge
  • Geographical vocabulary
  • Grid references
  • Fieldwork to observe, measure, record
     

Key skills

  • Teamwork
  • Communication
  • Problem solving
  • Field work and observation skills
  • Data collection

Sample itineraries

One night residential:

Day one

  • Arrival
  • Lunch and hostel welcome
  • Team Building - Exploring Our Environment, Orienteering
  • Evening meal
  • Compass Making

Day two

  • Breakfast
  • Contrasting Localities – Guided Walk
  • Evaluation
  • Lunch - Departure

Two night residential:

Day one

  • Arrival
  • Lunch and hostel welcome
  • Team Building - Exploring Our Environment, Orienteering
  • Evening meal
  • Compass Making

Day two

  • Breakfast
  • Contrasting Localities – Guided Walk
  • Lunch
  • Contrasting Localities – Follow up
  • Evening meal
  • Life in a Protected Landscape

Day three

  • Breakfast
  • Weather Stations
  • Evaluation
  • Lunch - Departure

Three night residential:

Day one

  • Arrival
  • Lunch and hostel welcome
  • Team Building - Exploring Our Environment, Orienteering
  • Evening meal
  • Compass Making

Day two

  • Breakfast
  • Map Skills
  • Compass Skills
  • Lunch
  • River Dipping
  • Mini-Beast Hunt
  • Evening meal
  • Evening Walk or Night Line

Day three

  • Breakfast
  • Contrasting Localities – Guided Walk
  • Lunch
  • Contrasting Localities – Follow up
  • Evening meal
  • Life in a Protected Landscape

Day four

  • Breakfast
  • Weather Stations
  • Evaluation
  • Lunch - Departure

All itineraries are sample and subject to change / dependent on location*

What you need to know

The geography package includes accommodation at a YHA hostel*, delicious full-board catering, and a wide range of exciting activities.

All of our in-house activities are delivered by trained, DBS-checked staff who are skilled at leading engaging residentials that are tailored to meet the needs of your group.

Full board from

£55.33

Per person, per night (excluding VAT)

Don’t just take our word for it…

“All instructors had a brilliant understanding of the children’s needs and lead the activities in an engaging manner during their trip to YHA Castleton Losehill Hall.” 

Group leader

“Many children in our group had no experience of being outdoors/walking. The three rocks walk in Castleton has had a great impact on them and broadened their thinking.”

Group leader

“The hike around areas of outstanding natural beauty (Janet's Foss, Malham Cove, Gordale Scar) was a favourite activity as was the star gazing which was just incredible!”

Group leader

Make a group booking

Ready to make a group booking?

Simply get in touch with our experienced groups advisers to start the process. Our experienced groups advisers will check availability, create a quote and support you with every aspect of planning your visit.

Get in touch

Hostels that offer the geography package

Hostels that offer the geography package

YHA Whitby hostel next to Whitby Abbey ruins

YHA Whitby

  • WiFi

  • Garden/grounds

  • Free parking on premises