A NEW website aims to educate children and adults alike about the UK’s waterways.
The Explorers programme provides a range of free material for primary school-aged children, parents and teachers.
Funded by the People’s Postcode Lottery, it will encourage children to connect with nature and enjoy the physical and mental well-being benefits of outdoor learning, while building vital skills that contribute to nature’s recovery.
Developed in-house by the trust, the new Explorers website provides teachers, families and group leaders with access to a wealth of free, curriculum-linked resources designed to inspire children’s curiosity about canals, rivers, and the natural world. With interactive tools and opportunities to book in-person educational visits, the website acts as a hub for engaging with the Explorers learning programme both online and face to face.
Annette Simpson, learning & skills team manager at Canal & River Trust, said: “We are pleased to improve our Explorers website, which provides teachers and group leaders with valuable resources to inspire children about the wonders of our waterways. We want children to learn more about the environment and to experience the physical and mental benefits that being in nature can bring.”
Highlights of the Explorers site include:
• Free learning resources: teachers can download themed learning bundles that cover subjects such as history, geography, art, and science – all at no cost.
• Water safety for all ages: the site provides essential safety guidance to be given to toddlers through to teenagers, ensuring that young people stay safe near water.
• Challenge Badge for Girlguiding and Scouting groups: children can work towards earning their own canal and river badge by completing fun, waterway-related activities, which can be signed off by group leaders.
• Educational visits: teachers and group leaders can request free visits to one of the trust’s educational sites, where Explorers volunteers lead hands-on learning experiences by the water.
• Games and interactive tools: designed to enhance classroom learning or provide fun at home, the site offers a range of educational games to engage children in topics related to the environment, history and waterways.
To find out more about the Explorers, visit: www.canalrivertrust.org.uk/explorers
