Case study: A residential to remember with YHA

Since mid-September 2024, Youth Hostels Association activity teams have delivered Generation Green, ‘Connecting to nature’ residentials to over 2,000 young people from over 50 schools across ten hostels. The programme builds on the success of the first Generation Green programme, alongside a YHA-led ‘Access Unlimited’ coalition of not-for-profit organisations delivering residentials for young people in protected landscapes.

Generation Green 2 aims to give over 25,000 learners aged seven to 18, from disadvantaged areas in England, the opportunity to connect with nature through residential trips and visits to England’s protected landscapes. The project is funded by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra).

Park Primary School in Colne sent 30 students from KS2 to YHA Langdale in the Lake District to take part in a fully funded ‘Connecting to nature’ residential package. Here they stayed at a Victorian mansion with lots of space for large groups and views down to Lake Windermere. The hostel is located in the historic High Close Estate, which offers access to the 16 acres of National Trust arboretum, the secluded Low Wood and Loughrigg Fell for outdoor exploration. 

Pupils had a great time building campfires, going on guided nature walks, discovering minibeasts, shelter building, going on a night walk, experimenting with environmental art and creating their own insects. 

For deputy headteacher, Jack Thompson, getting the children out of the classroom and into nature has been invaluable.

He said: “I think the benefits for learning outside the classroom for our children are amazing. Our school is situated in the middle of a town, so there’s not much opportunity to play outside or see the countryside, so the children have thrived. 

“Some children are not suited to a classroom environment so being outside in the woodland has been great for them. They’ve all been asking to come back and asking if I can book another trip of this nature.” 

Resilience building was an important part of the experience. One student in the class explained: “I’ve had some challenging moments, like, I haven’t really built a den properly before and I did that in the woods and during stepping stones, I nearly fell in and one of my classmates fell in, so that was quite challenging.” 

Days on this programme are filled with exploring new environments, such as finding minibeasts, before sidewinding towards the sounds, leaves, trees or into a mushroom hunt if the time of year is right. 

Learners are encouraged to use and embrace natural resources. They could make Andy Goldsworthy-inspired environmental art, have a go at fire lighting using tinder and kindling provided by nature, or build a shelter by using all-natural material. Evenings are spent around the campfire, toasting marshmallows, telling stories and singing songs. 

To ensure students make the most of activities and keep tummies from grumbling, YHA offers group catering. Full board includes breakfasts, the convenience of packed lunches, and ‘hearty’ evening meals.

“My favourite activity was probably going on a walk because on the way we saw loads of good views and then we managed to paddle in the lake. We then went on stepping stones and explored a big cave.” 

Park Primary School pupil.

If your school would like to experience den building, night walks and exploring the great outdoors you can take part in one of YHA’s ‘Connecting to nature’ residentials. The package is designed to encourage school groups to embrace the natural environment and combine nature-based activities with ways to develop mindfulness skills in the great outdoors.