A 'Day at the Dump' - Family Education Day

Based on a former landfill site, Carymoor is a great place to explore themes such as materials, human impact and changing environments, sustainability and the 3 Rs (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle). Discover how this site was used to dispose of waste for over 50 years, the impact of this on the local environment and how things have changed since the landfill closed in 2020. Plus find out how small actions can make a big difference for our planet if we all put the 3Rs into action!

 The first half of your visit involves an eye-opening, interactive tour of the site, taking in:

·         Waste Tunnel: Can you imagine what it’s like to tunnel through 40 years’ worth of waste?! Get up close to the rubbish thrown away in the past and find out why the 3 Rs are so important.

·         Weighbridge and waste Transfer Station: See where your rubbish goes after it is collected from your home and find out what happens next on its journey to the Energy Recovery Facility at Avonmouth.

·         Large-scale composting facility: Find out how garden waste is recycled with the help of some teeny-tiny creatures.

·         Capped landfill: discover how the landfill has been transformed into a nature reserve and see how much wildlife you can spot!

For the second half of your day we will be getting crafty with old plastic bread bags to make fabulous kites to take home!  Then (time allowing) we reinforce learning with some fun games linked to each of the 3Rs.

National Curriculum Links:

KS2 Science: Year 4 Living things and their habitats: recognise that environments can change and that this can sometimes pose dangers to living things. (site tour)

KS2 Design and Technology: Make:select from and use a wider range of tools and equipment to perform practical tasks [for example, cutting, shaping, joining and finishing], accurately; select from and use a wider range of materials and components, including construction materials, textiles and ingredients, according to their functional properties and aesthetic qualities (making plastic bag kites)

KS2 PSHE (non-statutory): Community and responsibility: Caring for the Environment. (All activities)

Useful Information

The day starts at 10am with a welcome, housekeeping and refreshments. Please arrive from 9.45am.   Activities are planned throughout the day which we encourage everyone to take part in - adults and children.  The day finishes at 2.30pm. Our experienced education officer will be there to guide you through activities, which are aimed at children aged between 7-11 years, but fun for grown-ups and siblings too!

Tickets are £12 per person, with under 2's going free.  Please book a ticket for everyone attending so we know the total number of people coming. 

*We will do our best to adapt our planned activities to suit the needs of the individuals in the group so it is important you let us know in advance of any additional needs your child(ren) or you may have, including any mobility issues. 

 *Children remain the responsibility of their adults at all times, who must supervise them throughout the day.  Carymoor is a former landfill site and there are areas which are out of bounds. Our nature reserve also has areas of open water and other hazards.  

* First Aid responsibility rests with accompanying adults, although all our team are trained in outdoor first aid and will be happy to help as necessary.

* The actual activities provided on the day by our staff may differ from what is planned. For example we may decide that the age, abilities or behaviour of the group mean that certain activities would not be appropriate. If this is the case we will provide alternatives. 

Activity Information

Our event runs from 10am to 2.30pm. 

Please bring lunch, snacks and a refillable water bottle.  We will supply hot drinks for adults.

You are very welcome to take part in our Waste Free lunch challenge which we do with schools.  

 

About Us

Carymoor is an environmental charity providing inspiring education to primary schools groups, supporting adults with learning difficulties and running rural craft courses for adults.  We do all this from our nature reserve and eco buildings.

Our aim is to encourage as many people as possible from all walks of life to enjoy the great outdoors.

 

Accessibility

Our buildings are fully accessible and most of the reserve is level.

On-site we have 2 all-terrain wheelchairs (bookable in advance) to help those less able guests to get around the site.  

We also have two accessible toilets (please bring your own hoist if required).

 

Ticket Information

Tickets are priced at £12 per person.  Under 2's are free but still require a ticket.

We require 30 people to attend in order to make this event financially viable.  If we do not reach this number the event may be cancelled and we will refund your money (less booking fees - approx 36p per ticket).

Please book a wheelchair ticket to reserve an all-terrain moblity scooter.

There will be a maximum of 35 people.

Cancellation and Non-attendance

If you are unable to make the event for whatever reason, please phone us on 01963 350143 or email: administrator@carymoor.org.uk to let us know, so we aren't waiting for you to arrive. 

Cancellations within 2 weeks of the event will be non-refundable.  Refunds for cancellations before this time are subject to your place being filled.

If we do not get enough bookings to cover the cost of the day, the event will be cancelled and your money will be refunded - less the bookings fees which we get charged (approx 36p).

 

Useful Information

We will provide refreshments when you arrive but please bring a packed lunch for your family which you can eat in our centre building or outside in the reserve.

The event will run whatever the weather, so please come prepared for whatever the British weather may throw at us. Please dress for the weather conditions expected on the day e.g. warm, water-proof clothing and sturdy, enclosed footwear like wellies or old trainers. We do have a few spare sets of welly boots if needed. We also recommend wearing long trousers rather than shorts or skirts, as there is a chance of picking up ticks on site, due to the deer that roam here. It is also a good idea for everyone to bring a spare pair of shoes to wear indoors and on your return journey, to keep your vehicles free of Carymoor mud!