Primary activities

Primary schools at Bryntysilio

The majority of Primary Schools come to Bryntysilio during term time, between the months of April and October, usually for a weekend or a 5 day course. Some schools also choose to split their weeks, for example bringing half a year group for the first half of the week and the other half for the second part of the week. There are two activities during each day, with a morning session and an afternoon session, returning to the centre between the activities for lunch. Activities can easily be tailored to suit the needs of a visiting school. There is also an activity offered each evening, run by the centre staff.

Throughout all of the activities the themes of ‘effort’, ‘responsibility’, ‘initiative’ and ‘cooperation’ are continually reinforced.

Fieldwork activities

These take place on and off site, and we have a well resourced classroom with laptop computers and an interactive whiteboard.

Stream study

We use a local stream to take measurements such as width, depth, speed and erosion, and compare different locations along the stream’s length. Links can also be made to the water cycle, drainage basins and ecology. This is an excellent opportunity to teach different measuring techniques, data recording, numeracy, field sketching, and IT skills. Splashing about in a stream is also great fun

Land use study

This teaches groups about the local land use, looking at farming, forestry, quarrying and tourism. It is also an opportunity for groups to compare a rural area, with their home urban environment.

Dinas Bran Castle

This is a walk up to the castle to see the fantastic views, explore the old ruins and learn about its rich history and legends.

Habitat study

This involves a walk around the impressive Centre grounds, searching for signs of wildlife and their habitats, such as badgers, owls, snakes and hares. The groups then head off to a local forest to build their own habitats, from sticks, leaves and imagination.

Pond study

We have two ponds on site, and armed with nets and buckets, groups can catch a whole array of pond life from newts to dragon fly larvae, identifying and counting many different species.

Outdoor activities

Canoeing

We take groups onto the local canal where they go on a small journey in open canoes, usually with 2 or 3 pupils in each boat. Along the way they learn basic canoeing skills and must work together to manoeuvre their boats. The sessions often include fun and games, and of course, lots of water!

Gorge Walk

This involves the group making their way down a small stream, flowing through a local forest. The pupils help each other across the various obstacles, negotiating small waterfalls and plunge pools, trying to keep their socks dry! Great fun!

Rock scrambling

We use a small outcrop of sandstone boulders where the pupils are set different challenges on the rock, from crawling through gaps between rocks, traversing large boulders or climbing up short sections of rock. A great activity for the group to help and encourage each other, as well as learn basic rock climbing techniques.

Caving

Wearing caving suits and lamps, the groups are lead into a small natural cave, following small passageways and exploring little caverns, often seeing strange rock features such as stalactites and stalagmites, and if they are lucky, they may see tiny sleeping bats hanging from the roof of the cave.

Map walk

The group are dropped out in the local countryside, and are given a map to follow. This map leads them to a location where they have to find another map, which in turn leads them to another location and another map. This continues until the final map leads them back to the minibus! Great for developing map reading skills and initiative.

Problem solving

A series of challenges are set up around the centre grounds and the pupils work in their groups to complete the tasks. This requires lots of communication, initiative and cooperation from all involved.

Evening activities

A number of evening activities are available, such as:-

orienteering
ropes course
predator/prey
swimming (at a local leisure pool)
social evening (eg, disco)
night Walk

Diaries

Many pupils also keep a diary of their time at Bryntysilio, and this provides a valuable opportunity for them to reflect upon the day’s activities, and it gives pupils something to take home with them at the end of the week. These Brynty Diaries also contain puzzles, activity pages and interesting facts.

Equipment provided by Bryntysilio

When groups arrive, everyone is issued with the following equipment;-

wellies
waterproof top
waterproof trousers
a fleece
a rucksack

Equipment you should bring with you

Personal Items:

wash bag
night clothes
evening clothes for around the centre
indoor trainers or slippers
underwear for each day
plenty of socks
A plastic bag to take home wet or dirty clothes

Clothes for Activities:

several sweat shirts, jumpers, or fleeces
3 or more t-shirts
several pairs of tracksuit bottoms
several pairs of thick skiing or hiking socks
a wool or fleece hat
warm gloves
an old pair of trainers
swimming costume
during winter – extra warm tops and extra trousers

Useful Extras:

plasters
camera
torch