12 February 2021
 
 

 YHA offers half-term help with free kids' Activity Pack              

Wondering what to do with the kids this half term? The youth hostelling charity YHA (England & Wales) has the answer.

Drawing on its 90 years of experience delivering unforgettable school trips, YHA has developed a free downloadable activity pack which is designed to keep primary school-age kids off their screens and occupied this half term.

It's the perfect antidote to homeschool-stressed parents looking for inspiration this half term. Out go the tablets, phones and laptops and, instead, in come wellies, creativity and a sense of adventure.

Available to download at LiveMoreYHA, the 40-page, A5 booklet is brimming with activities kids can do independently or with the family. Activities include star gazing, scavenger hunts, bird picnics, ice art, snow lanterns and even advice on how to climb trees safely.

And once you've finished all that, there is a list of 90 more different ideas of things to do - from watching the sunset to finding shapes in the clouds.

Originally developed by YHA for schools to support them with ‘non screen' homeschooling days, the Activity Pack is designed to get kids outdoors, connected with nature and get their creativity flowing. Thousands have already been delivered to schools throughout the country.

Anita Kerwin-Nye, Director of Strategy & Engagement at YHA (England & Wales) and a parent of young children herself, said: "Digital learning has been really important during lockdown - and rightly so. But there's nothing like connecting to nature, or looking up at the stars or a little bit of glue and colouring to put a smile on our face. We hope this activity pack provides a few fun moments and a welcome break from home schooling and digital devices for children and their families during half-term."

The pandemic has taken its toll on school children, with 200,000 children at primary school alone missing out on a residential with YHA at one of its 150+ youth hostels in England and Wales. For many children a school residential trip is their only opportunity to connect with nature and discover the outdoors. YHA's entire network is currently closed and, since March 2020 the government has advised against any domestic trips (residential and non-residential) for children under 18, organised by educational settings.

Download your free pack athttps://livemore.yha.org.uk/education/activity-pack

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 All images below  are available to download as hi-res Jpegs from https://we.tl/t-q5Py4C3Hvm
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Editors

YHA (England & Wales) is a leading youth charity with 90-year history of making travel and adventure accessible to all, especially young people.

Established in 1930, YHA's charitable objective remains as relevant in 2020 as it was in 1930 - ‘To help all, especially young people of limited means, to a greater knowledge, love and care of the countryside, and appreciation of the cultural values of towns and cities, particularly by providing youth hostels or other simple accommodation for them in their travels, and thus to promote their health, recreation and education.'

As part of YHA's 90^thanniversary celebrations the charity has launched the Project90 fundraising appeal. Details of Project90 can be found atgetinvolved.yha.org.uk/fundraising/appeals/project90/

YHA's charitable purpose is at the forefront of its new 10-year strategy-Adventure. For the first time and a lifetime. Our 10-year strategy for connecting people and places.Itcan be viewed and downloaded atyha.org.uk/about-yha/yha-strategy-2020

Operating more than 150 locations throughout England and Wales, YHA offers a unique range of affordable accommodation including youth hostels, camping and cabins in rural, coastal and city locations.

Many of YHA's sites are in stunning heritage properties: including a medieval castle (YHA St Briavels Castle); an Elizabethan manor house (YHA Wilderhope Manor); a Victorian mock gothic mansion (YHA Castleton Losehill Hall) and a medieval friary (YHA Beverley Friary).

Through its social enterprise model, revenue from YHA's hostel accommodation is directed towards its social purpose. 

YHA prides itself on providing affordable, contemporary accommodation and a life-enriching, social experience which differs from a hotel stay.

Since 2010 more than £40million has been invested in YHA's existing network of accommodation as well as the acquisition of new hostels. YHA's most recent hostel acquisitions include YHA Newcastle Central (November 2019) and YHA Liverpool Central (November 2019).

Through access to travel, heritage, culture, outdoors and nature, YHA aims to improve outcomes related to health, wellbeing and life chances for young people and families, particularly those with challenging lives.

YHA's partnerships are extensive and involve organisations and charities working at virtually every potential touchpoint in young people's lives from schools and colleges, Movement to Work, The Duke of Edinburgh Award, Family Holiday Association and School Journey Association, amongst many others.

YHA is a leading provider of residential school trips, withmore than 80 Learning Outside the Classroom (LOtC) accredited sites — more than any other provider. Committed to quality outdoor education, YHA champions the national #BrilliantResidentials campaign.

YHAdelivers measurable impact, nurturing young people's personal and social development through education, upskilling and work readiness schemes.

In 2019 - 2020

• 1,049,522people stayed with YHA and408,027guests were aged under 26
• Over150,000young people accessed an affordable residential learning experience through their school or group
• 4,875 young people and families with challenging livesreceived free or supported breaks
• 1,040 young people volunteeredwith YHA

In the current coronavirus crisis, YHA is repurposing a number of hostels to support the national fight against the disease. For example, YHA Bath, Manchester, Oxford, Bristol, Brighton and Cardiff have all been licensed to local councils temporarily to support the most vulnerable.

To see the difference that YHA makes to the lives of young people and their families, visit YHA'sYouTubechannel.

Further information about YHA can be found atyha.org.uk

Follow YHA onFacebook,Instagram,LinkedIn, andTwitter.

For press enquiries, please contact:

Anna Melton

In the Works PR

Tel: 07837 108559 / 01246 386480

Email: anna@intheworkspr.co.uk