This five day course offers a unique look at conservation efforts and animal care in a new collaboration with Dartmoor Zoological Society.

Participants will start the week at Slapton Ley Field Centre, exploring the range of habitats in our National Nature Reserve, canoeing on the stunning Slapton Ley, and getting hands-on with vital conservation work.

The second half of the course offers a rare behind-the-scenes stay at Dartmoor Zoo, with expert-led workshops including on animal training, handling, and conservation. Participants will get up close and personal with the zoo’s animals, from reptiles to big cats, before setting up camp right in its centre. On the final morning, students will learn about zoo management and take part in an enterprise challenge.

Participation in this course may be used to complete the residential requirement for Duke of Edinburgh Gold and/or the John Muir Conservation Award.

Our residentials also give you the chance to develop a range of transferable skills. These types of skills help across many areas of life and are particularly good for including in job or education applications.

Transferable skills that are likely to be covered in this residential:

– Communicating with others
– Working as a team
– Managing your time
– Taking the lead
– Keeping focused
– Problem solving
– Decision making

This course is open to young people aged 16-25. When you book, it is essential that you enter the age and attendees name in the Order Notes at the checkout. If the attendee is under 18, the booking must be made by a parent/guardian.

If these course dates do not suit you, we run similar courses at many of our other centres.