Old Days Old Ways – Living in th

Old Days Old Ways – Living in the Bush

Australian History Educational Information

Day Excursions, Overnight Trips & School Camps in the Blue Mountains NSW Australia.

School Excursions - Megalong Bush Farm is an ideal school group venue handy to Sydney and the regional schools of NSW and throughout Australia. Educational packages are available for all ages and stages:

School Study Camps
Excursions

INTRODUCTION: LIVING IN THE BUSH –Old Days Old Ways

Megalong has the bush, the pioneer hut, complete with early gold panning, to the squatters, “troopers”, and other items of the era. These exemplify the quintessential history class.

Students on day trips, or those camping / staying here for longer excursions become immersed in the difficulties pioneers had from 1797 through the gold rush era to the late 19^th century. There was no electricity, no reticulated water, no convenient corner shop. There were bushrangers, droughts, famines and lots of hard work.

Stringybark Gully Bush Camp

Miners Tents

Bark Hut

The experienced guides and educational facilitators of Megalong Bush Wilderness Farm understand what the student needs to do, explain to students what they have to do, why they are doing and experiencing it, and provide what you need to fulfill the Syllabus Outcome.

COGS related Integrated Learning Packages are offered, with particular attention to the year 5-6 curriculum on Gold, Australiana, Environment and Aboriginal Culture.

You can also tap into a wide range of Australian educational and history activities that can complement the basic school curriculum across all years.

School groups staying overnight or for longer camps have the use of excellent purpose-built on-site accommodation facilities.

MEGALONG VALLEY HERITAGE FARM RURAL & ENVIRONMENT STUDIES CENTRE DISCOVERY LEARNING An educational and working display centre specializing in taking the visitor on a journey from past to present based on the history of the agricultural community in the Megalong Valley from 1800 to1950; covering the various utilization and impact on a typical agricultural community The Megalong Valley Heritage Farm is designed to cater to a very wide range of groups from pre-school children, through primary, secondary students, English Language students and groups with disabilities. Visits can range from 1/2 day activities through to 3 day courses and can encompass a structured educational programme or simply within an entertainment format. Facilities include an overnight dormitory and an early settlers bush campsite. Unique bush buildings and structures are part of the experience on a Megalong Bush Farm excursion.


	Troopers on horseback

Stringybark Ridge Bush Camp

The Stringybark Ridge Bush Camp combines pioneer-style huts and slab buildings with an opportunity of analysis of living in the bush and its habitats. It provides a great rural setting for social activities with your school group.

Students learn Heritage bush skills, orientation, animal tracking and plant identification. It is a fun activity together with a serious aspect to Living in the Bush.

Stringybark Ridge Bush Camp can cater for up to 150 people in the camp site and 35 students + 2 teachers in Lodge.

For further information on Megalong Heritage & Environmental Discovery camp and customised programs, contact us on 47 878 188

General Information

· Experienced, informative tour guides are provided for groups of approximately 30 students.

· Although Megalong Bush Wilderness Farm does have a first-aid station located in the reception area, it is advisable for teachers to also bring their own first-aid kit

· Please find attached the 'Venue and Safety Information for School Excursions' required by the NSW Department of Education and Training. Venue Safety and Assessment Sheet

· MVF has easy wheelchair access to each area.

· Worksheets for our tours are available at www.megalong.cc

All students will need:

· a name tag - sticky labels are also fine). This will make it much easier for our tour guides to use the students' names:

· a hat & sunscreen

· sensible walking shoes. (must be enclosed - no thongs or sandals)

· comfortable clothing (School uniform is sufficient, jumper & warm clothing in the winter months)

· a water bottle (there are taps to re-fill water bottles)

· something to eat for morning tea & lunch

· you will be visiting a working farm with animals, lucerne, straw, hay etc and you need to be aware that some people may have an allergic reaction to some of the animals or plants in the area so students and staff may need access to their medication (for asthmatics and others with sensitive skin or allergic conditions)

· insect repellent in summer months

· some pocket money is optional. Lunches need to bought with the students

· Souvenirs are available at Reception for as little as $1.00.

· clipboard and pencil if students are required to use worksheets on their visit.

At MVF our school excursion programs have been designed for each stage of primary students in line with current curriculum requirements. Our programmes are designed to help students meet outcomes from the Human Society and its Environment (NSW Bos 1998) and Science and Technology (NSW BoS 2006) strands as follows:

General information on Megalong Valley Farm School Excursions including 'Venue and Safety information' can be found at the end of this page.

Programmes need to be booked in advance as there are limited places. A copy of our brochure will show you what units of work are best suited for a visit to Megalong Valley Farm. A list of currently available programmes is set out below. If these programmes don't quite meet your needs call us on 02 4878 188 to discuss your special needs.

Why choose us for your excursion?
Teachers are impressed by our: efficient organisation full, well structured program beautiful, well maintained environment appropriate programs designed to cater to current curriculum knowledgeable and friendly guides and staff opportunities for active learning ( encouragingstudents to observe with all of their senses and ask questions) provision of work sheets if required.
Children love: seeing and touching our farm and native animals hands-on activities engaging, educational farm shows.
Infants and Primary School Programs for Early Stage 1 and Stage 1 Programs for Stage 2 Programs for Stage 3 High School Special Interest tours The Story of Two Valleys Geological aspect of the Valley The structure of the Aboriginal Society The European Factor- Environment under challenge. Environmental Examination of what is reversible and what is irreversible A clash of cultures Some programs offered include: Our Families– Stage 1 Local Environments – Stage 2 Products and Services – Stage 1 Farm Animal Day – Stage 1 Gold Discovery – Stage 3 Australian Rural Heritage (Then and Now) – Stage 2/3 Colonial Re-enactment – Stage 2 Communities – Stage 2 Waltzing Matilda –Understanding the meaning