Package Description: Use your balance and agility to navigate obstacles at 3m and 7m high before taking on Ireland’s longest zipline with stunning views of our beautiful 80-acre woodland and lakes. Minimum height 1.3m.

Duration: 90-120 mins

Price: €20 per student

Package Description: Choose from Pedal Boats, Kayaks or Canoes for a water-based activity on our picturesque lakes and take on a range of land-based team challenges to build group rapport. Change of clothes/footwear required.

Duration: 2 hours

Price: €20 per student

Package Description: Apply problem-solving skills, teamwork and leadership skills to build a giant working catapult using ropes, poles and group communication.

*please note maximum is 60 students per day

Estimated Duration:  2 hours

Price: €20 per student

Package Description: The ultimate challenge combo – build a group dynamic with a series of Archery target games and a variety of fun, exciting team challenges (physical and mental problem-solving).

Duration: 2 hours

Price: €15 per student

Package Description: A habitat study of the diverse plant and animal life in our woodland ecosystem using a selection of sampling techniques and methods.

Junior Certificate Ecology:
Students will investigate a study site examining organisms including woodland invertebrates and general flora and fauna. A range of techniques and equipment are used (e.g. square and point quadrats, line transect, light-intensity meters, classification keys, sweep nets, pooters and Cryptozoic traps) to observe, examine and record data collected.

The physical and behavioural adaptations of the ecosystem will be explored to aid understanding along with briefly considering the impact of invasive species. An ecology work booklet is provided for each student to record observations and notes to take back to the classroom for further analysis.

Leaving Certificate Ecology:
Students will investigate a study site examining organisms including woodland invertebrates, small mammals and general flora and fauna. A range of sampling techniques and equipment are used (e.g. square and point quadrats, line transect, pooter, mammal trap, classification keys etc.).

The physical and behavioural adaptations of the ecosystem will be explored along with the effect of biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) factors on plant growth along with briefly considering the impact of invasive species. A variety of environmental factors will be recorded (light, temperature, relative humidity, soil pH, slope angle) to aid further analysis and understanding. An ecology work booklet is provided for each student to record observations and notes to take back to the classroom for further analysis.

Curriculum Areas:

• Science, Ecology, Geography (Geoecology)
• Physical Education

Skills Used:
Questioning, Observing, Analysis, Classification, Investigation, Recording, Communication, Selection of Sampling Techniques, Teamwork.

Estimated Duration: 2 – 2.5 hours

Price: €15 pp

Package Description: Using our geological samples collection and bedrock geology maps, students will learn about the important geological periods in Castlecomer’s past. Students will learn about rock types, minerals and the rock cycle. A curriculum-linked classroom session, paired with a session at our outdoor archery range to make the perfect group day out.

Curriculum Areas:

• Geography (Patterns and Processes in Physical Environment, Geographical Skills)
• Physical education

Skills Used: Questioning, Classification, Communication, Teamwork, Map Reading and Interpretation.

Estimated Duration: 120 minutes

Price: €15 pp

Package Description: Using our geological samples collection and bedrock geology maps, students will learn about the important geological periods in Castlecomer’s past. Students will learn about rock types, minerals and the rock cycle. A curriculum-linked classroom session, paired with an outdoor set of physical team-building challenges to make the perfect group day out.

Curriculum Areas:

• Geography (Patterns and Processes in Physical Environment, Geographical Skills)
• Physical Education

Skills Used: Questioning, Classification, Communication, Teamwork, Map Reading and Interpretation.

Estimated Duration: 120 minutes

Price: €20 pp

Package Description: Students learn about the development, organisational structure, employment and management of Castlecomer Discovery Park as a Social-Community Enterprise. This is achieved with two components to the day – an interactive context-setting lecture and a guided ‘walk and talk’ through the Park.

Targeted towards the LCVP link modules, this may also be of interest to Business and Tourism students. Specifically for LCVP, the day addresses the following learning outcomes in the Link Modules:

Link Module 1: Preparation for World of Work: Employment in local area, Economic resources in local area, Potential for tourism in local area
Link Module 2: Enterprise Education: Visit to community enterprise, Use of IT by a business

Curriculum Areas:
SECONDARY

• Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (investigate local business and community enterprises),
• Business Studies
• Physical Education

Skills Learned:
Teamwork, Communication, Coordination, Marketing

Estimated Duration: 2 hours

Price: €15 pp. Can add on adventure activities also.

Package Description: A new programme developed specially for transition years that melds local history, palaeontology, and the important Carboniferous fossils discovered at Castlecomer in the 19^th century. Handle real fossils and visit the ‘prehistoric’ section of our museum with a knowledgeable guide. Session can form the basis of a Transition Module. Enjoy it in a package with Ireland’s longest zipline for an unforgettable day.

Curriculum Areas/Aims:

1. Education for maturity with the emphasis on personal development including social awareness and increased social competence.
2. The promotion of general, technical and academic skills with an emphasis on interdisciplinary and self-directed learning.
3. Education through experience of adult and working life as a basis for personal development and maturity.

Teaching Methods & Approaches:

Activity-based learning; Integration of appropriate areas of learning; Team teaching approaches; Group work: discussion, debate, interview, role play; Study visits and field trips

Estimated Duration: 120 minutes

Price: €25 pp

Package Description: Orienteering is available as an add-on activity to any of the above packages for just €3 per student.

Three permanent orienteering trails are set up in the woodland to complement the range of recreational activities here at the park. Orienteering sessions are self-guided and require school staff to supervise groups.

These courses vary in the distance; 1.6km Short, 2.4 km Medium and 3km Long. Each course has a number of codes secured to wooden posts throughout the 80 acres of woodland.

The trails can be done at ease or for those that want a challenge can be completed by competing for time. This provides the opportunity for participants to return and do a longer and more advanced trail in pairs, or as a team.

Estimated Duration: 1-2 hours depending on ability.

Price: €3 per student

Package Description: Our interactive multimedia exhibition charts the formation of coal through various environmental conditions over 300 million years ago. Students will see the processes that have shaped the Earth through time and discover geology, prehistoric flora and fauna and see amphibian fossils in our fossil room. Students will also hear about the Wandesforde Estate and related historical and industrial heritage. You can even crawl through our mini-mining tunnel to experience the working conditions and methods of a coal miner.

Curriculum Areas:
PRIMARY

• Social, Environmental and Scientific Education (Geography, Science, History)
• Discover Primary Science and Maths (Living Things, Natural Environments, Energy and Forces)

SECONDARY

• Geography (Patterns and Processes in Physical Environment, Patterns and Processes in Economic Activity, Global Interdependence, Culture and Identity)
• Biology
• History

Skills Used: Observation, Listening, Interpretation, Communication.

Estimated Duration: 60 minutes

Price: €4 per student