Gower Society Youth

We run monthly activities for 4-16 year olds around the Gower Lordship. These activities aim to introduce new ways for children to explore and engage with the Gower countryside. All activities are free, funded by The Gower Society, and based at a different location each month. They range from river dipping and butterfly hunts to woodland adventures and pirate days.

The list of Gower Society Youth activities below is updated regularly so please check for changes. All activities will also be published in the Gower Society programme and on the Gower Society web site. http://www.gowersociety.org.uk

We have started a Gower Society Youth Facebook page. It is a members only page so to see photos of the activities and what is going on so find us on Facebook and like our page. Gower Society Youth has also started an older section for 11+ called Gower Adventurers These sessions will involve children being left with a leader. The aim is then to teach the young people skills to help them become better explorers and discerning users of the countryside.

Contact Nature Days if you would like to become a member of GSY's Gower Adventurers.

View: Latest Activities, Past Activities

Gower Show - 07/08/2011 (Archived)

The Gower Society Youth will be present at the Gower Show.
There will colouring and craft activities.
The show has something for the whole family. Dog shows, horse jumping, and many stalls. If you enjoy the countryside, or are looking for a really great day out, you will enjoy The Gower Show – it is a day not to be missed.
Gate Prices: Adult £8 Seniors/Child £4

Directions:
Follow the A4118 through Parkmill and on past the turn off for Oxwich. Parking is well sign posted and the show ground is on the left inside the Penrice Estate grounds. The Gower Society tent is usually beside the horticultural show tent and opposite the main ring.
Penrice Estate. Grid Ref: 497 887

Treasure Hunt - 23/07/2011 (Archived)

I have created a map of Oxwich NNR and so you can test out your navigation skills, and my map to see if you can follow a treasure trail. Scattered around the Nature Reserve will be a number of clues to a set of questions . Can you find the answers by locating the points on the reserve? There will be three levels; easy, medium and hard depending on how far around the reserve you want to walk. The longest walk will take a good hour or more so bring rations and water if it is hot. Start times will be staggered so arrive any time from 12.30pm – 2pm to start the treasure trail.

Directions:
Follow the A4118 South Gower Road until the turning sign posted to Oxwich. Follow the road down the hill and across the marsh until you come to the car park on the left. Park in the car park – there is a charge.
I will be located on the far eastern corner of the car park which leads into the sand dunes just behind the beach from 12.30 until 2pm to start.
Oxwich NNR. Grid Ref: 501 896

Gower Society Youth inaugural camp - 25/06/2011 (Archived)

For the first time we are undertaking an overnight activity, a camp at Parc le Breos scout camp running from 12pm on Saturday 25th June until 12pm on Sunday 26th June. This event requires booking in advance so please contact me for a kit list, you will need to bring your own tents, and parents will have to stay.
During Saturday and Sunday there will be the opportunity to have a go at lighting fires by friction – rubbing two sticks together, campfire cooking, den building, pioneering and compass trails. After a campfire feast we will sing campfire songs and tell stories. In the evening we will go for a night hike to the top of Cefn Bryn were we will do some star gazing and owl calling.
On Sunday morning after a cooked breakfast there will be further opportunity to undertake activities before leaving at 12pm. If you do not wish to camp then you are very welcome to join us on Saturday afternoon for the activities from 2pm until late. We will be camping in the field which sides onto the car park so come on into the camp when you arrive.

Directions:
Follow the signs to Parc le Breos Trekking centre at Parkmill. Pass the car park for the heritage centre and follow the potholed road for ¾ of a km. On your left is the car park opposite some large pine tree and a gate. We will cross the road and go through the gate and camp in the valley, Green Cwm. Meet in the field which sides onto the car park at 12pm.
Parc le Breos. Grid Ref: 538896

May Day festival - 30/04/2011 (Archived)

The Reynoldston village green will be transformed into a May Day fair. There will be maypole dancing, Morris dancing, crowning of the May queen. Make your own May queen crowns. Bring a picnic and a picnic blanket and we will have a May day picnic on the Lower Green, if wet it will be in Reynoldston village hall. There will be stalls as well as well as games and story telling. I am hoping that it will be a fun event for the children and adults alike. If anyone would like to help with this event please contact Dawn.

Direction:
Follow the B4271 over Cefn Bryn down the hill into Reynoldston. If you are feeling energetic park at the top of Cefn Bryn in the car park and walk down to the village. There is car parking outside and behind the village hall – carry on past the King Arthur Hotel through narrowing in road. Take the next right and follow the road past the church. Please do not park in the fire station. There is also parking along the road to fairy hill on the upper green. You can walk down to the lower green along St George’s Terrace beside the post office.

Star party - 11/03/2011 (Archived)

Open Evening with Telescopes
The Swansea Astronomical Society are running an open evening with telescopes. They will still run the show if it rains, with indoor attractions, Re:- Telescopes, Laptops, Presentations, Displays etc. All welcome.
This event is open to the public. Drop in between 6.30 – 9pm.

Spring stroll. Through Ilston valley. - 19/03/2011 (Archived)

Walk through the beautiful woods of Ilston valley and look and listen out for signs of spring. Spot the spring flowers, smell the wild garlic and listen to the bird song. We will be walking from the Gower Inn car park to Ilston church and back. This valley is the prettiest on Gower especially in springtime and also gets wet and muddy, so wear wellies!

Directions: Take A118, South Gower road to Parkmill. Just as you enter the village turn right into the Gower Inn car park. Park at the back of the car park, we will meet by the stream.
Grid Ref: 551 891

Star party - 11/02/2011 (Archived)

Star-gazers are praying for clear skies on Friday February 11 as the National Botanic Garden of Wales gets ready to host another Star Party.

The Swansea Astronomical Society are back at the Garden for another evening of extra-terrestrial entertainment with fingers crossed for a stunning display of heavenly bodies.

But there will be plenty to do whatever the weather with a variety of indoor and outdoor activities: in the Marquee there is a telescope clinic, with help and advice being offered to beginners and/or anyone interested in taking up star gazing.

Feel free to bring your own telescopes if you need help and/or advice.

Meanwhile, in the Theatre, there will be a presentation of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing and Society experts will be examining Astro myths.

The Star Party runs from 6.30pm until 9pm and entry is £3 with under-16s free. Refreshments – including the Garden’s fabulous home-made cawl – are available.

For more information, call us on 01558 667147.

Gower Society Youth 10th anniversary craft party - 20/11/2010 (Archived)

Meet Dawn at 2pm for our annual Christmas craft event at in Penmaen hall. This year it has been 10 years since Angela M. Brunt took the first GSY activity in April 2000. Celebrate the GSY’s achievements by looking at all the old photos of events and testing your knowledge on our GSY quiz. Can you tell a bush cricket from a grasshopper? Or a fossil coral from a fossil snail? Also there will be the usual material to make cards, crackers, Christmas decorations and mobiles. Mulled wine and mince pies will complete the festive atmosphere.

Directions:
Follow the A4118 past Parkmill. Car park on the left at the top of the hill. Penmaen Hall is through the gate which says “Private no parking”.
Grid Ref: 525 884

World bog day - 25/07/2010 (Archived)

Crymlyn Bog Family Fun Day Inter-national Bog Day with activities & walks.
There will be guided tours and fun activities like pond-dipping for all the family. Entry is FREE. And the centre will be open for you to explore as well as the whole reserve.

Directions:
Turn left off Fabian Way (A483) into Port Tennant (Wern Terrace) by the Hooker Dyers pub • At the top of Wern Terrace turn right onto Dinam Road • Drive past the entrance to Tir John tip • The Crymlyn reserve centre and car park is 800 metres further on, on the right hand side.

Wild Food Foray - 18/09/2010 (Archived)

At 2pm Dawn Thomas of Nature Days will meet you in Parc le Breos through the kissing gate where we will search in the surrounding woods for edible food including Blackberries, Burdock, nettles and fungi. We will take our bounty to the fire and cook up a feast of foraged food. Once full we will play some games such as a mushroom hunt and scavenger hunt.

Directions:
Parc le Breos
Follow the A 4118 South Gower Road until the turning for the Heritage centre at Parkmill. Do not turn into the heritage centre car park but follow a small pot-holed single track road sign posted to Parc le Breos trekking centre. Six hundred meters down this track on the left is a car park. Park here, cross the track and enter Parc le Breos.