School Trips

School Residential Trips

Overnight Adventures

"There truly is no scientific justification anymore - if there ever was - for labeling children as having different amounts of 'intelligence, 'ability', or even - the new weasely euphemism - potential." (Claxton, G, Lucas, B. 2010)


Residential Trips at Treejumpers are all about experiencing the outdoors and the many ways that this can be enjoyed. We offer residential trips for Primary Schools, Secondary Schools and Colleges.

However, they are also about so much more than that. Over the past 15 years we have seen how young people are quite literally transformed through their experiences on a residential trip with us. Below we outline our philosophy that hopefully explains why.

 

Why we don't talk about ability: (Dweck, 2006)

Our society worships talent, and many people assume that possessing superior intelligence or ability - along with confidence in that ability - is a recipe for success. In fact, however, more than 30 years of scientific investigation suggests that an overemphasis on intellect or talent leaves people vulnerable to failure, fearful of challenges and unwilling to remedy their shortcomings. At Treejumpers we never talk about talent, ability or potential.

 

Why we do talk about effort, choices and strategies:

Every word and action from teacher or instructor to student sends a message. Listen to what you say or hear others say and tune into the messages you are sending:

 

"You have permanent traits and I am judging them"

or

"You are a developing person and I'm interested in your development."

 

"If teacher/instructor actions create learner expectations what can we do to ensure ALL of our students view themselves as learners with potential?"

 

At Treejumpers we always talk about effort, choices and strategies.

Words That Encourage (and develop):How are our instructors trained to question.

 

  1. Tell me about it.
  2. Show me more.
  3. How did you do that?
  4. Let's see what you did.
  5. How do you feel about it?
  6. How did you figure that out?
  7. I see that you __________ (be specific)
  8. That looks like it took a lot of effort.
  9. How many ways did you try it before it turned out the way you wanted it?
  10. What do you plan to do next?
  11. That looks like it took so much work.
  12. Are you pleased with what you did?
  13. What did you struggle with today?"
  14. "This is hard, this is fun, what should we do next?"

 

 

How does a residential secure powerful and lasting learning?

Below is a table outlining some of the activities we run. More importantly though is the learning outcome that each activity secures and how this can be taken back into school. 

Each of the activities is designed to draw out and develop specific parts of our learner profile. Schools can work with us to tailor make programmes from 1 to 5 days to develop some or all of these dispositions. You outline your aims and desired outcomes; we put the programme together and match you with the appropriate instructors. 

Please click here for our pricelist or email us here for a tailor-made quote.

 

Jacobs Ladder- learning to... 

  • Work with others
  • Build on and combine ideas
  • Decide on a course of action and review the consequences.

 

Low Ropes- learning to...

  • Identify and clarify solutions
  • Communicate ideas and solutions clearly
  • Deal with multiple solutions
  • Get beneath the surface of a problem.

 

Leap of Faith- learning to... 

  • Deal with new situations and experiences
  • Take risks and manage fear
  • See opportunities and enjoy success.

Climbing Wall- learning to... 

  • Deal with multiple possible solutions
  • Use mental rehearsal
  • Give and seek critical feedback
  • Explore alternative solutions.

 

Crate Stack- learning to...

  • Make predictions and generate hypothesis
  • Know when to take the lead and when to take a step back
  • Filter and sift information to make decisions
  • Listening and valuing the opinions of others
  • Try out ideas and solutions and modify them if they do not solve the problem.

 

H-Bar- learning to...

  • Take the lead and not rely on others
  • Create own solutions
  • Use critical feedback to improve
  • Check how well the solution solves the problem
  • Not look for one answer.

Heli Ladder- learning to...

  • Set and meet a target
  • Not to expect instant gratification
  • Keep calm in difficult circumstances.

 

 Zip Wire- learning to... 

  • Decide on a course of action and commit
  • Confront fears and negative self-image

 

Aerial Trek- learning to... 

  • Take responsibility for own actions
  • Identify and understand manageable risks
  • Use own initiative to solve problems and achieve a goal.

 

Archery  Air Rifles  Paintball Target Range: learning to...

  • Learn a new skill and review success
  • Understand Risk and Safety
  • Identify weaknesses and improve performance

 

Paintball Strategy Games: learning to...

  • Plan and Implement a strategy as a team
  • Follow Rules and Regulations and understand fair play.
  • Work under pressure
  • Deal with competitive situations

 

Raft Building (available on specific request only): learning to...

  • Understand Material Properties
  • Work as a team to achieve a common goal
  • Explore alternative solutions and making informed decisions
  • Speak with passion to persuade others.

Ground Based Initiative Exercises: learning to... 

  • Understand team Roles and the importance of multi skilled teams.
  • Sum up clearly and with purpose
  • Review and Improve individual and team performance
  • Explore multiple solutions and make an effective decision .

 

Nightline: learning to...

  • Overcome sensory deprivation
  • Sequence, order and rank information to help decide on a course of action
  • Give clear explanations and effective directions
  • Be patient and respect the difficulties that others face

 

Bush Craft: learning to...

  • Explore new environments
  • Become aware of natural surroundings
  • Draw conclusions and give reasons.
  • Rely on themselves - self sufficiency
  • Develop their Natural Synergy

 

Orienteering (available on specific request only): learning to...

  • Develop and use a technical skill for the first time
  • Sometimes take the lead and sometimes take a step back
  • Make important decisions that may effect your success/failure to complete a task
  • Review the impact of those decisions on the problem.

 

Kayaking: learning to...

  • Develop a new skill quickly and safely
  • Develop skills and improve own performance through seeking feedback
  • Understand water safety.

 

Pioneering: learning to...

  • Understand material properties
  • Choose appropriate equipment to meet the goal
  • Overcome limitations and restrictions
  • Not look for one answer.

  

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