This is an outdoors, practical, messy sort of group which meets every week to work either in the BTCV or school gardens. In 2008/09 we will work on:
- The garden we started from scratch with outside agency, British Trust for Conservation Volunteers. This is not far from school and started off as a weed strewn patch of nothing much. You will be learning to build seating, paths and raised beds; select and plant fruit bushes; learn about wildlife and how to encourage it; make habitat boxes for hedgehogs, bumblebees and birds.
- A first aid course which is certificated.
- How to use different tools.
- Designing an area of the school garden and making it happen - seating, mosaic, planting?
This is a real stress busting activity, completely different to the classroom - just fresh air, new practical skills and fun!
The hours you do on this project count towards a 'V' certificate - useful evidence of volunteering and learning new skills. If you are thinking of a career in environmental education, horticulture, garden design, countryside ranger, forestry commission, project officer for the RSPB, wildlife trusts etc, the more environmental related volunteering you have before and during university, the increased impact your CV has when competing for jobs.
One of last year's Huntington volunteers enjoyed it so much, he has gone to college to study horticulture which he had never considered before.
Give it a go!
If you are considering this option then please look at the 'V' section of the website
Co-ordinator Mrs. C. Hughes
When Wednesday afternoons
Where Sleeper Path or School Garden
How Long Termly