Squirrels Night Hike – Exploring Our Village After Dark

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Description

Squirrels Night Hike – Exploring Our Village After Dark
Theme:
Discovering our village at night – sights, sounds, and special places.
Duration:
45–60 minutes (including stops)

Location:
Local village (walking loop including Post Box, Post Office, Pub, Play Park, Church, Stream, Pond, and Foot Bridge)

? Preparation
Adult ratio: Minimum 1 adult per 3–4 Squirrels
Equipment:
High-vis vests for all
Torches or glow sticks
Clipboards or small notebooks and pencils
First aid kit
Map of the route
Reflective markers or small lanterns for key stops (optional)

?‍♀️ Activity Outline
1. Gathering & Safety Brief (10 mins)
Meet at your starting point (e.g. Scout hut or village green).
Talk about night safety: walking together, staying visible, using torches properly.
Explain what you’ll be doing — a nighttime exploration of familiar places.
Hand out torches and maps if using them.
2. The Hike (30–40 mins total)
Route example (adjust for your village):
Post Box – Notice the bright red colour.

? What can we still see clearly at night? What can we hear?
Post Office – Closed now!

? When is it open? What do people use it for?
Pub – Watch lights, listen for sounds.

? What do we hear coming from inside?
Play Park – Shine torches around (don’t play).

? What’s different about it at night? Is it quiet or noisy?
Church – Look for stained glass, steeple, or clock face.

?️ Can we see the church lit up? What animals might live nearby?
Stream / River – Listen quietly.

? Can we hear the water? Can we see reflections?
Pond – Look for light on the water.

? What might live here? What sounds can we hear?
Foot Bridge – Cross safely and shine torches below.

? What can we see in the water? What does the bridge sound like when we walk across?
3. Reflection & Wind-Down (10 mins)

Back at your meeting point, gather in a circle.
Ask:
“What was your favourite place we saw?”
“What was the loudest sound? The quietest?”
“How was the village different at night?”
Finish with a short calm song or story.

? Learning Outcomes
Learn about local landmarks and what they’re used for.
Notice differences between daytime and nighttime environments.
Build confidence exploring safely after dark.
Develop listening and observation skills.

? Optional Extensions
Create a “Nighttime Village Map” the next week — Squirrels draw the places they remember.
Collect “sounds of the night” using a phone recorder to play back indoors.
End with hot chocolate and biscuits back at HQ!

Resources

? Resources & Equipment List – Squirrels Night Hike
Safety & Visibility
✅ High-visibility vests (one per child and adult)
✅ Small torches or head torches (one per child, plus spares)
✅ Glow sticks or reflective wristbands
✅ First aid kit
✅ Whistle (for leader)
✅ Mobile phone (for emergencies)
✅ Contact list for all participants
✅ Route map for leaders and assistants
Exploration & Observation
? Clipboards or small notepads for observation notes/drawings
✏️ Pencils (tie on string or use pencil grips for small hands)
? Sound activity sheets (optional – for noting sounds heard)
?️ Simplified map of the village (for leader to show locations)
? Portable recorder or smartphone (optional, to record night sounds)
Landmark Markers (Optional)
? Small LED lanterns or reflective cones to mark key stops
? Picture cards or icons (Post Box, Church, etc.) to help Squirrels identify each location
Clothing & Personal Items
? Warm, weather-appropriate clothing
? Comfortable, sturdy footwear
? Hats and gloves (if cold weather)
☔ Waterproof jackets (if rain is expected)
End-of-Hike Refreshments
☕ Hot chocolate or warm squash (in flasks)
? Biscuits or simple snacks
? Wipes or hand sanitiser
?️ Small rubbish bag for waste
Leader Resources
? Printed leader copy of activity outline and safety checklist
? Timetable or estimated timings for each stop
? Compass (optional, for interest)
? Camera or phone (for photos – with permission)

Instructions

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Squirrels Night Hike – Exploring Our Village After Dark

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