Parents Information
About Hudnall Park
Hudnall Park Outdoor Centre is a Hertfordshire County Council activity and
environmental education centre. Situated in the village of Little Gaddesden,
Berkhamsted and set in 90 acres of private meadow and woodland, the
Centre is dedicated to the delivery of educational and developmental visits.
Hudnall Park has been open for over 40 years, during which time
thousands of children have passed through its gates. The centre has
over that time built up a long tradition of providing a high quality and
safe educational experience to its visitors.
Our activities provide children with the opportunity to engage with the National
Curriculum subjects, apply their knowledge through outdoor practical
investigations, work together, have fun and gain a variety of skills and self
confidence.
Our team of experienced qualified staff plan your stay to ensure your children
achieve the outcomes required, be that educational, personal development,
group cohesion and enjoyment.
Accommodation is provided in centrally heated bedrooms which have been
newly enhanced. Teachers/group leaders are accommodated in their own
shared rooms, interspersed amongst the children’s bedrooms.
The Centre offers accommodation in the main Centre house and also the
Lodge house.
Both houses offer new modern bathrooms with separate hot power showers
or wet rooms.
We have a fully equipped classroom and comfortable lounge and dining
areas. We provide a fully catered menu of homemade food.
Breakfast and evening meals are provided in our dining room and a
packed lunch is provided for groups to enjoy at lunch time. Children
are also provided with a hot chocolate drink before bed time and an
afternoon snack. Our catering staff have a long experience in providing
for hungry and active children including those with special dietary
requirements.
Activities
The selection of which Activities are included on your child’s activity
programmes will be made by the teacher / group leader organising the trip.
The activity sessions are designed to allow progression and allow success for
all abilities. Activities are age appropriate and fully risk assessed and taught
by fully trained staff.
Telephone
In our experience for some children talking to people at home can lead to
home sickness that other wise may not have been a problem.
The Centre telephone has an active call divert to the Outdoor Connexions
office which is open between 8.30 and 19.00 during the summer term and
17.00 at any other time, after this time it is advised that visiting groups should
have a mobile phone by which parents and the school can contact them.
Please note that reception for some networks is poor.
Please see page 5 for a list of emergency telephone numbers.
Please direct any general enquiries to the school or group leader.
.
Visitors
Visits to the centre prior to your child’s visit must be arranged through the
school. Unregistered visitors will not be admitted.
Lost Property Policy
We will only keep any lost items for one week following your visit; thereafter
they will be disposed of. It helps greatly in reuniting people with their property
if it can be marked with both the child’s name and the school’s name.
Luggage
A soft collapsible bag is the best thing for your child’s luggage.
Please label all bags with the child’s name and the name of the school.
Please see the suggested Kit List below for things to bring.
Kit List for Residential Stays:
What to wear: No new or expensive clothes please. In summer, protection
against nettles and long wet grass is strongly recommended.
Boots:
Stout boots or shoes suitable for walking on uneven (and
sometimes muddy) ground should be worn. For courses which include work in
the river or pond it is essential to have wellingtons.
Ordinary shoes: for buildings and outside paths.
In dry weather an old pair of trainers is quite adequate for the site in wet
weather these need to be supplemented with boots or wellies that will keep
the water out. Pumps, shoes or anything with a heel or any foot wear that you
would feel precious about not getting dirty should not be brought.
Indoor shoes: (plimsolls are a good idea) or slippers for use in the buildings.
Thick socks to make the boots comfortable.
Changes of underwear & spare socks.
Waterproof coat, cagoule or anorak with hood.
Warm gloves, scarf & hat if in cold season.
Sunhat & sun lotion (appropriate to season).
Trousers for rough outdoor use, and spare pairs.
Warm tops such as jumpers or sweatshirts.
T-shirts
Pair of Marigold gloves (essential for mammal trapping & river/pond
activities).
Sleeping bag (we provide blankets).
Pillow case and bed sheet.
We will provide. However, if your child has allergies to feathers, duck down
or certain washing detergents it is advisable to bring your own.
Wash kit & hairbrush
Towel
Nightwear and other personal overnight items.
Shoulder bag or rucksack for field equipment and lunch.
Drinks bottle & Lunch box
Writing equipment: to include a soft pencil (better in rain) & eraser.
Old plastic bag (or similar item to sit on in damp places).
Torch
Padlock and key to lock under-bed storage
Please ensure that all items are marked with your child’s name.
Cold weather
Multiple layers are more effective than 1 thick layer – A good combination is
some form of base layer (vest , thermal top) A mid layer (t shirt, polo shirt ,
sweat shirt , or equivalent) , and a top layer (such as fleece or jumper)
Additional layers can be added or removed according to temperature.
Wet weather
A good waterproof coat is essential and waterproof trousers are
recommended.
Modern synthetic fibres are warm, light and dry quickly, wool is warm but can
be difficult to get dry, cotton and denim are cold and heavy when wet.
Hot weather
A good hat and sun screen should not be overlooked.
It is as important to dress for comfort in hot weather as it is for cold, A light
long sleeved top to protect from sunburn is advised.
If you are not sure what to bring and want a general idea of temperatures the
met office under their climate section on their web site publish average, high
and low daily temperatures and other average weather conditions for each
month of the year.