Welcome to the Environmental Education Service based at Dare Valley Country Park.

All our professional and friendly education staff are CRB checked and have training in child protection, minibus driving and first aid. Some are also Forest School trained.  We offer a range of activities including fun, educational programmes for school and community groups, INSET training for staff and 'Discovery Day' weekend family events for the general public.

Great Summer Outdoor Fun!

Last week saw the conclusion of yet another highly successful Summer Adventure Camp in the great outdoors, when the Council’s Services for Young People’s Outdoor Education Team put away their tents for another year.

 The outdoor education programme forms an integral part of the Council’s newly created Services for Young People department, which is dedicated to ensuring young people in the County Borough are given the opportunities they are entitled to and deserve.

 As part of the Rhondda Cynon Taf Summer Holiday Programme for young people, the Team set up camp at the beginning of August in Dare Valley Country Park, Aberdare, and eagerly awaited the arrival of the first of 69 young people, aged between 11 and 16.  Over the course of each 3-day camp, they participated in a range of exciting and challenging activities, including; archery, canoeing, rock climbing, gorge scrambling and mountain biking.

 The evenings were also jam-packed with activities, as a specialist team held art and craft workshops at the Outdoor Centre, with team sports and games at the campsite.

 Councillor Eudine Hanagan, Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning, said: “The Summer Programmes on offer across Rhondda Cynon Taf give young people fantastic opportunities to have a fun-packed holiday. The Summer Camps have once again been very successful and I am delighted to hear that the young people have had a great time learning life skills and having fun in the great outdoors.”  

 The RCT Summer Adventure Camp has been taking place for the past 8 years, and Chris Roberts, Outdoor Education Development Worker, said “ This year has been one of the most successful yet, the weather was not always on our side but the staff and young people were not going to let a few rain drops spoil their fun.

“The Outdoor Team worked extremely hard as always to ensure all the young people had a memorable experience, and went home tired but happy – a big thanks for all their hard work and enthusiasm!”

 Key fun facts - The 10 days of Camp involved:

 360 rashers of bacon, 580 bread rolls, 17 loaves of bread, 8 boxes of cereal, 32 pints of milk, 270 carton drinks, 200 apples, bananas, oranges, 4 large tubs of drinking chocolate, 27 chicken breasts, gallons of curry sauce and much, much more!

 What the young people gained: new skills and abilities, new experiences, new friends, and a huge amount of FUN!

What The Outdoor Education Team gained: 5 pairs of boxer shorts, 11 socks, 1 Nike trainer, 1 bikini top, 1 rain jacket, 2 hats and a fluffy penguin.

 For further information about Outdoor Education provision for groups throughout the year, please contact Chris Roberts on 07799132150, or Kerry Rees on 01685 889213 / 07786523915