Animals & Nature courses at Nordens Ark

We are convinced that everyone benefits from being out in nature and encountering animals. That this can improve quality of life is supported not just by our own experience but by scientific research. To promote this idea, we organise courses for all who are interested in animal and nature experiences.

Our Animal and Nature Courses are aimed primarily at those who would like to get out into nature but who feel they lack the necessary knowledge to take that first step. In 2016 and 2017 the courses were arranged with Postcode Lottery backing for personal assistants, attendants, daily activity and school staff, etc, as well as their clients and pupils. The idea was to make it easier for children and young people with disabilities to get into nature and have contact with animals. Now we’re doing more of the same but have broadening the target group, with the goal of making nature and animal encounters accessible to all.

Click here for more information about the project.

Courses

Do you work in a business in which knowledge about the effect of nature and animals on people can enrich your work? We can organise courses, both short, one-day courses and longer ones, for your working group.

What's included in the courses

Knowledge about green health, basic outdoor life and local ecological processes. Experiences with mainly domestic animals, but also encounters with wild species.

Multi-day courses include simple accommodation as well as all meals. Food is prepared outdoors by the participants, with Nordens Ark’s educators lending a hand.

Course certificate: Those taking part are set exercises consisting of animal and nature activities and share their experiences on social media. When you’ve completed the assignment, you’ll get a certificate from Nordens Ark.

Conditions

It is a condition of taking part in our courses that participants are prepared to be involved in our evaluation of the efficacy of the courses, both during the course and for a long-term assessment six and 12 months afterwards.

A typical basic course

A basic course is aimed at anyone interested in using animal and nature experiences in their work or privately. It’s a practical course which takes place mostly in the open air. The campsite in the Nordens Ark Ecopark is our base and we spend the nights in cabins or wind shelters/tents in the woods. We run through the basics of enjoying the outdoors and provide tips on proper clothing and other equipment.

The fire is the central point and is used for preparing food, for warmth and as a meeting point. You’ll of course be encountering Nordens Ark’s animals. We’ll mainly meet the domestic animals on the Farm, but also wild animals in the park. In the Ecopark we’ll get close to everyday nature by looking at the birds, plants and animals around us. We’ll also go through the scientific reasons why nature and animals have a positive influence on our health.

Advanced course with clients/participants/pupils etc

If you’re interested in returning to Nordens Ark after taking part in one or more of our courses, please email [email protected]. We’ll discuss options with you and plan something good together. For example, we could offer:

Daily activities with various themes such as: Nordens Ark’s Animals; Bison-Spotting; Hiking; Introduction to Kayaking; Wild Plants and Animals.
Two or more days staying overnight at the campsite. You’ll do a lot for yourselves, with Nordens Ark’s educators helping with the practical side and leading activities as arranged.

Terms and conditions

It is a requirement that course attendees agree to take part in an evaluation of the effect of the course activities. This applies both directly in connection with the course and six and 12 months after the course has finished, for a long-term evaluation.

Participants will be required to bring some personal equipment with them. For a list of items you should pack, click here.

Nordens Ark’s purchase and booking terms apply to the courses. Click here for details .

Nordens Ark reserves the right to cancel activities with 14 days’ notice in the event that there are not enough participants.