School tours in the great outdoors

IT’S probably fair to suggest that some of our fondest memories about school days is the annual school tour. The excitement of planning an adventure away from the classroom and away from the boring norm was special. The options were more limited in those days, especially when compared to the range of activities available today. But herein also lies a clue for getting the most from your school tour.

It doesn’t have to be some 5-Star retreat, neither does it have to cost a lot of money. Depending on the age profile, a memorable school tour can consist of nothing more than an enjoyable day-trip to the nearest town. It’s what you do when you get there and how you plan it that determines the enjoyment levels - not necessarily the venue.

The most fundamental difference today is the wide range of activity-based options and there’s no better county than Kerry in this regard. Activity and exercise has never been more important to the school curriculum which is due to our more sedentary lifestyles. That’s why it’s a good idea to explore the ‘activity’ option for a school tour.

Incorporating an activity option can also help take the edge off hyperactive children which makes it a more orderly day for mentors! There are loads of outdoor activity centres in places like Killarney, Tralee, Dingle, Kenmare and elsewhere around the county offering fun activities like mud surfing, orientating, mountain biking, kayaking, water activity and sports. It’s just a matter of knowing what fits your class best.

Of course choosing activity based events need not always be so structured or organised. You can just as easily instruct children to bring a packed lunch and discover some of our beautiful natural amenities. Killarney National Park and Tralee Town Park are two obvious locations where kids can enjoy the best nature has to offer. There’s also Glanageenty Wood, situated between Tralee and Castleisland. This is an absolute gem for outdoor activity with some lovely walks. With children, the intensity of a walk needs proper consideration and planning, but there’s still many lovely areas in Glanageenty to explore.

You can also arrange a lovely beach walk along one of our many beautiful beaches – some of the best in Ireland in fact. There’s also some amazing animal farms and pet centres out there which will introduce kids to animals and aspects of the natural world they might otherwise not see. It’s all about activating the fun side of a trip and with proper planning, you’ll ensure children retain lifelong memories as their reward.