Wildlife club

[Lilaclion]

Hi, I hope you don't mind, I just wanted to float an idea past some other mums (and dads)and see what you thought.

I'm a Ranger and I've been considering starting an after school wildlife club for school age kids. We'd meet once a week and would do activities based on what is happening seasonally with the local wildlife. For example, in the spring we could go pond dipping, summer would be a good time for insect surveys and through the winter could stay indoors and create bush craft things or dissect owl pellets, that kind of thing.

I was thinking of an hour and half once a week during term time, giving them a drink and a biscuit and having several helpers with me for the sessions.

I just wanted to see what other mums thought, if there was a market for this and what would be a reasonable amount to charge for 1 1/2hrs after school?

Any thoughts gratefully received.

My son would have loved that sort of thing when he was younger!

From a parent point of view - key questions would be:-

Where it was held?

Staff / pupil ratio?

Cost?

Commitment i.e would you have to pay for a block of say 10 sessions up front or would it be a pay as you go?

Other issues you would need to conside would be the dread Health & Safety, Risk Assessment and making sure that all your helpers were CRB checked.

I wish you well with your new wildlife venture - I am sure you will have a bunch of budding David Attenburgh's / Ray Mears raring to go!

I think it's a fab idea

I looked into something similar for my dc's when they were at primary - the local wildlife trust did run them but they were at different reserves all over the area at weekends and it just wasn't feasible logistically. RSPB do similar but the nearest reserve is much too far away for us. You say you're a Ranger - is this for a wildlife organisation?

It may be best to base at a local hall/scout hut near a park/wildlife area maybe as the weather won't always be kind?

Florapup makes lots of good comments about setting up - I think you will need a lot of helpers for this sort of thing though.

Good luck!

Thanks for the feedback.

I work in a Country park with a visitor centre, so all activities would be held there and within the park grounds.

I think there is a legal requirement on the helper/child ratio, so we would obviously adhere to that plus any other requirements, first aid etc.

The wildlife watch groups were what inspired me to create the club, we don't have a local group, so I thought it would be good to do something similar.

The bit I'm really not sure on is what would be a fair price to charge? I have nothing similar to compare it with, any ideas?

Your venture souds brill, Lilaclion. I'm out of touch with prices though (have secondary age dc's). My gut instinct is at least £5 per session, free taster session and/or discounted if book say a term in advance?

Nearest thing I can think of (not in subject matter, but terms of being staff-intensive and needing equipment) is arts & craft sessions.

What do wildlife watch groups charge? I suppose that's nearest direct comparision

I think it's a great idea.

Its a fab idea and you'll have lots of interest. On price - if you're doing it for the kids to learn and have fun rather than as a moneymaker, then can you charge nothing or the absolute minimum? That way you keep it inclusive and don't price anyone out... If there are costs you have to cover and you can't get funding for, then fair enough to pass some on to the participants, but I think if you charge as much as £5, a lot of kids who would get a lot out of going along, just won't join up.

Its a fab idea and you'll have lots of interest. On price - if you're doing it for the kids to learn and have fun rather than as a moneymaker, then can you charge nothing or the absolute minimum? That way you keep it inclusive and don't price anyone out... If there are costs you have to cover and you can't get funding for, then fair enough to pass some on to the participants, but I think if you charge as much as £5, a lot of kids who would get a lot out of going along, just won't join up.