Active Outdoor Discovery

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Active Outdoor Discovery

Delivering outdoor and indoor workshops to primary schools since 2010 making geography N.B.

MAKING PRIMARY GEOGRAPHY INSPIRATIONAL

“A high-quality geography education should inspire in pupils a curiosity and fascination about the world and its people that will remain with them for the rest of their lives”. That’s the opening line of the National Curriculum for geography and that’s exactly what Active Outdoor Discovery activity sessions and workshops do! My name is Adrian Hall and I have

been delivering primary school geography activities and workshops to KS1 and KS2 groups in schools all over East Anglia since 2010. Sessions support the 2014 National Curriculum, content and focus can be tailored to be suitable for any year group and all equipment is supplied. TURN YOUR CHILDREN INTO EXPLORERS

As an Outdoor Activities Instructor (with an enhanced DBS check) I can introduce your children to the use of maps and compasses in fun, engaging outdoor sessions. You don’t need to go to the expense and logistical trouble of organizing an off-site visit for your children to experience orienteering, I can deliver fantastic “Map Skills” sessions loaded with activities such as making giant maps with ropes and handy tricks to measure distance which culminate in an orienteering session on your school site. Orienteering fulfills the KS2 National Curriculum PE requirement for an outdoor and adventurous activity. And if you really want to build on the “Explorer” theme why not include a “Camping Skills” session – learn what you would need to pack in your rucksack. And there are problem solving opportunities galore with camping equipment! BRINGING THE WORLD TO EAST ANGLIA’S PRIMARY SCHOOLS

As an expedition leader, I can captivate your children with tales of travel from the baking Namib Desert to lofty peaks of Andean volcanoes, from the steaming jungles of Borneo to the frozen tundra of the Arctic. I can bring these distant and remarkable places to life in a way that only someone who has experienced their wonders can. Your children will be full of questions, give them the opportunity to put them to someone who has been there. Have a look at the clothes and equipment you would take with you, climb inside an emergency shelter and imagine a blizzard howling outside!

03/06/2026

Just returned from Svalbard and a fantastic ski expedition from Ekmanfjord to the Norwegian Polar Research Station at Ny Alesund - the most northerly inhabited place on Earth. Lots of great new pictures and stories for the "Awesome Arctic" workshop. Combine that with "Map Skills and Mini-Orienteering" outdoor activity sessions into fantastic "Explorer Day" for your pupils.

Details at www.activeoutdoordiscovery.com

12/05/2026

Make maps fun! Learn real-life "Map Skills" from an Expedition Leader and try orienteering at your school

15/04/2026

MAKE GEOGRAPHY FUN - HAVE AN "EXPLORER DAY"!
BRING THE ARCTIC TO YOUR SCHOOL, TRY ORIENTEERING AND LEARN “MAP SKILLS” FROM AN EXPEDITION LEADER

18/03/2026

MAKE MAPS FUN - LEARN REAL LIFE “MAP SKILLS” FROM AN EXPEDITION LEADER AND TRY ORIENTEERING AT YOUR SCHOOL

Summer is a great time to make use of your school’s outdoor space and what better way to do that than to learn some real-life practical “Map Skills” from an Expedition Leader and use these new-found skills orienteering.

The use and interpretation of maps, which relates to so many curriculum topics, is a key life skill. Children love looking at maps - take the children and maps outdoors and the degree to which they engage with them increases even further.

You don't need to go the logistical trouble or financial expense of arranging an off-site visit for your children to experience the fun and learning opportunities of orienteering. As an Expedition Leader and Outdoor Activities Instructor (with an Enhanced DBS on the Update Scheme) who has been delivering "Map Skills" activity sessions to primary schools all over the country for sixteen years, I can introduce your children to maps, compasses and navigation in a fun and inspiring manner on your school site.

A one-hour “Map Skills and Mini-Orienteering” session includes the following elements:
● Looking at Ordnance Survey maps to see what the colours and symbols mean;
● Constructing a huge map from climbing ropes on the playground to look at compass directions [KS1];
● Getting out compasses, seeing how to set a simple bearing and finding out how to find the North Star [KS2];
● Measuring distance by counting paces;
● A mini-orienteering challenge - using a simple especially drawn map of the school drawn map of the school, children use their new skills to search for hidden flags.

All equipment is supplied and sessions can be tailored to be suitable for any age group. Maximum group size for outdoor sessions is 30 children – one session per class. Standard session duration is sixty minutes but sessions can easily be shortened to fit more classes into the day.

N.B. Orienteering fulfils the KS2 National Curriculum PE requirement for an "Outdoor and Adventurous Activity"!

Pricing
In East Anglia, the cost of workshops is £68.00 per hour (minimum booking two hours). An additional one hour is charged to cover production of a map and laying out a course. A 30p per mile travel charge is levied for the return journey from my Norwich base.
Outside of East Anglia, an all-inclusive day rate of £680.00 is charged which includes any number and combination of sessions in normal school hours.

Contact details
To enquire about availability, make a booking or simply ask a question:
Office: 01603 626920
Mobile: 07979 203835
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.activeoutdoordiscovery.com

13/01/2026

BRING THE ARTCIC TO YOUR SCHOOL WITH A VISIT FROM A EXPLORER!

Drawing on my own experiences of visiting Svalbard (I'm currently preparing for my sixteenth visit), East and West Greenland, Arctic Canada and Alaska at different times of year over a period of many years, I can give your pupils an insight into what the Arctic is really like.

What animals might you see in the Arctic?

What is the environment like there?

How do people live in the Arctic and how do they travel?

How is the Arctic changing?

What would you take with you if you were visiting the Arctic? I bring along an expedition pack of clothes and equipment for the children to see.

Give your children the chance to put their questions to someone who has visited this amazing (and rapidly changing) part of our world many times.

Want to do some exploring of your own? Combine an indoor session on the Arctic with outdoor "Map Skills and Mini-Orienteering" outdoor activity sessions learning simple real-life navigation skills.

A one-hour outdoor session includes the following elements:

● Looking at what information we can get from Ordnance Survey maps – what the colours and symbols mean, the map’s grid, contours and the concept of scale;

● Making a huge map from climbing rope on the playground with children acting as locations to look at compass directions [KS1] or getting some compasses out and learning how to set a simple bearing and finding out how to locate north without a compass [KS2];

● Seeing how we can measure distance by counting paces and use this as a giant ruler;

● Taking part in a mini-orienteering challenge – using a specially drawn map of the school, the children use their new skills to find as many hidden flags as they can!

Sessions duration can be adjusted to fit more sessions into a day and all equipment is supplied. Content is tailored to be age-appropriate for any year group and supports the National Curriculum.

Group size limit – thirty children.

In East Anglia, charges are £68.00 per hour (minimum booking two hours) plus one additional hour for outdoor sessions to cover drawing a map and laying out a course for mini-orienteering. Outside of East Anglia an all-inclusive day rate of £680.00 is charged.

To enquire about availability, make a booking or simply ask a question:

E-mail:
[email protected]

Telephone:
Office: 01603 626920
Mobile: 07979 203835

24/11/2025

FESTIVE FUN - LEARN REAL MAP SKILLS WITH A REINDEER HUNT

04/11/2025

GET OUTSIDE FOR FESTIVE FUN WITH "MAP SKILLS" - HAVE A REINDEER HUNT!

The build-up to Christmas is an exciting time! Give your pupils a festive outdoor treat (and the opportunity to learn real life map skills) with a hunt for the missing Rudolph the Reindeer at your school.

As an Outdoor Activities Instructor and Expedition Leader (with an enhanced DBS check and DBS Update Scheme membership) who has been delivering sessions in primary schools nationwide since 2010, I can introduce your children to the use of maps, compasses, and navigation in fun, engaging outdoor activity sessions.

A "Reindeer Hunt" is a special festive-themed "Map Skills and Mini-Orienteering" outdoor activity session during which your pupils will learn about interpreting information from maps, direction, distance and scale (ticking off a few geographical National Curriculum items in the process!) whilst looking for the missing Rudolph.

A one-hour "Reindeer Hunt" session would include the following elements:

- Looking at some Ordnance Survey maps to see what information they can give us to help find Rudolph. This will include looking at different colours on the map, the concept of scale, map symbols and contours amongst others. The map we'll look at includes the area where the UK's only herd of reindeer lives!
- We need to find out which direction Rudolph has headed off in. KS1 groups construct a huge rope map of "Reindeer Island" on the playground to look at compass directions; KS2 groups will get compasses out, find out how to set a simple bearing and learn how to find the North Star.
- We need to work out how far Rudolph has travelled. We can measure distance by counting "Reindeer Steps".
- A mini-orienteering challenge - using a simple, purpose drawn map of your school's outdoor space, your pupils will use their new navigation skills to search for the missing reindeer.

All equipment is supplied, and session content is tailored to be age-appropriate for any group.

Maximum group size - thirty children.

Standard session duration is sixty minutes but sessions easily be shortened to fit more classes into the day.

N.B. Orienteering fulfils the KS2 National Curriculum PE requirement for an "Outdoor and Adventurous Activity"!

WHAT ABOUT SOME POLAR BEARS AS WELL!

As someone who has travelled numerous times to different parts of the High Arctic (and seen a lot of polar bears!) I can engage your children with tales of this amazing part of our planet which has an extra resonance at this time of year.

P.S. MAP SKILLS AREN'T JUST FOR CHRISTMAS!

The "Reindeer Hunt" is a special festive-themed version of the "Map Skills and Mini-Orienteering" session which is delivered year round (and can easily be adapted with other themes).

PRICING

In East Anglia, the cost of outdoor activity sessions and indoor workshops is £68.00 per hour (minimum booking two hours). One additional hour is chargeable for outdoor sessions incorporating mini-orienteering to cover drawing a map and laying out a course. A 30p per mile travel charge is also levied on the return journey from my Norwich base.

Outside of East Anglia, a fully inclusive "day rate" of £680.00 is charged.

CONTACT DETAILS

To enquire about availability, make a booking or simply ask a question:
Office: 01603 626920
Mobile: 07979 203835
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: activeoutdoordiscovery.com

22/09/2025

MAKE MAPS FUN! LEARN REAL-LIFE “MAP SKILLS” FROM AN EXPEDITION LEADER AND TRY ORIENTEERING AT YOUR SCHOOL

Autumn is a great time to make use of your school’s outdoor space and what better way to do that than to learn some real-life practical “Map Skills” from an Expedition Leader and use these new-found skills orienteering.

The use and interpretation of maps, which relates to so many curriculum topics, is a key life skill. Children love looking at maps - take the children and maps outdoors and the degree to which they engage with them increases even further.

You don't need to go the logistical trouble or financial expense of arranging an off-site visit for your children to experience the fun and learning opportunities of orienteering. As an Expedition Leader and Outdoor Activities Instructor (with an Enhanced DBS Clearance) who has been delivering "Map Skills" activity sessions to primary schools all over the country for fifteen years, I can introduce your children to maps, compasses and navigation in a fun and inspiring manner on your school site.

A one-hour “Map Skills and Mini-Orienteering” session includes the following elements:

● Looking at Ordnance Survey maps to see what the colours and symbols mean;
● Constructing a huge map from climbing ropes on the playground to look at compass directions [KS1];
● Getting out compasses, seeing how to set a simple bearing and finding out how to find the North Star [KS2];
● Measuring distance by counting paces;
● A mini-orienteering challenge - using a simple especially drawn map of the school drawn map of the school, children use their new skills to search for hidden flags.

All equipment is supplied and sessions can be tailored to be suitable for any age group. Maximum group size for outdoor sessions is 30 children – one session per class. Standard session duration is sixty minutes but sessions can easily be shortened to fit more classes into the day.

N.B. Orienteering fulfils the KS2 National Curriculum PE requirement for an "Outdoor and Adventurous Activity"!

Pricing
In East Anglia, the cost of workshops is £68.00 per hour (minimum booking two hours). An additional one hour is charged to cover production of a map and laying out a course. A 30p per mile travel charge is levied for the return journey from my Norwich base.
Outside of East Anglia, an all-inclusive day rate of £680.00 is charged which includes any number and combination of sessions in normal school hours.

Contact details
To enquire about availability, make a booking or simply ask a question:
Office: 01603 626920
Mobile: 07979 203835
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.activeoutdoordiscovery.com

08/09/2025

GIVE GEOGRAPHY THE “WOW FACTOR” - HAVE AN "EXPLORER DAY"!

BRING THE ARCTIC TO YOUR SCHOOL AND LEARN “MAP SKILLS” FROM AN EXPEDITION LEADER

Learn "Map Skills" from an Expedition Leader, find out about travelling to Svalbard, Greenland and Arctic Canada, and use your new skills in a mini-orienteering challenge on your school site.
For an inspiring, active, outdoor experience which delivers practical, real-life navigation skills have an "Explorer Day"!

Drawing on my own experiences on Svalbard, East and West Greenland, Arctic Canada and Alaska find out what it's like to travel to the Arctic, the people and animals you'd meet there, modes of transport, the environment (and how it's changing), and what you'd take with you. Give your pupils the opportunity to put their questions, face to face, to someone who has been to different parts of this mazing region many times in different seasons. There is no maximum group size for this element, as many classes as you can fit into a hall can take part.

Having heard about an exciting part of the world, give your children, one class at a time, the chance to try their hand at exploration with an outdoor “Map Skills and Mini-Orienteering” activity session! The use and interpretation of maps, which relates to so many curriculum topics, is a key life skill. Children love looking at maps - take the children and maps outdoors and the degree to which they engage with them increases even further.

You don't need to go the logistical trouble or financial expense of arranging an off-site visit for your children to experience the fun and learning opportunities of orienteering. As an Expedition Leader and Outdoor Activities Instructor (with an Enhanced DBS Clearance) who has been delivering "Map Skills" activity sessions to primary schools all over the country for twelve years, I can introduce your children to maps, compasses and navigation in a fun and inspiring manner on your school site.

A one-hour “Map Skills and Mini-Orienteering” session includes the following elements:
● Looking at Ordnance Survey maps to see what the colours and symbols mean;
● Constructing a huge map from climbing ropes on the playground to look at compass directions [KS1];
● Getting out compasses, seeing how to set a simple bearing and finding out how to locate north without a compass [KS2];
● Measuring distance by counting paces;
● A mini-orienteering challenge - using a simple especially drawn map of the school drawn map of the school, children use their new skills to search for hidden flags.

All equipment is supplied and sessions can be tailored to be suitable for any age group. Maximum group size for outdoor sessions is 30 children. Standard session duration is sixty minutes but sessions can easily be shortened to fit more classes into the day.

N.B. Orienteering fulfils the KS2 National Curriculum PE requirement for an "Outdoor and Adventurous Activity"!
Pricing

In East Anglia, the cost of workshops is £68.00 per hour (minimum booking two hours). An additional one hour is charged to cover production of a map and laying out a course. A 30p per mile travel charge is levied for the return journey from my Norwich base.

Outside of East Anglia, an all-inclusive day rate of £680.00 is charged which includes any number and combination of sessions in normal school hours.

Contact details
To enquire about availability, make a booking or simply ask a question:
Office: 01603 626920
Mobile: 07979 203835
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.activeoutdoordiscovery.com

Address

Norwich
NR22AW

Telephone

+447979203835

Website

http://www.activeoutdoordiscovery.com/

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