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

Crafty picture creations - 21/11/2009 (Archived)

Come to Penmaen Hall at 2pm to make some crafty creations. You can make some Christmas gifts such as picture frames decorated with shells and clay. Start early on your Christmas cards or just let your creative juices run wild with my full array of craft materials and natural treasures. Get into the festive spirit with mulled wine and mince pies.

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”.

Bog day - 10/10/2009 (Archived)

Meet at the Crymlyn Bog visitors centre at 2pm. Visit this amazing but hidden CCW Nature Reserve. Come and meet the bog plants and see how they live in such a harsh habitat. Explore the pond by pond dipping and have a look at the weirdest field in the Gower Lordship. Some great industrial history to be seen and amazing wildlife to spot.

Directions: Travel eastwards along Fabian Way (A483), straight through crossroads (traffic lights) with Park and Ride junction.

After about 100 metres (immediately after BMW service garage) turn left into Port Tennant (Wern Terrace), by Hooker Dyers pub. At the top of Wern Terrace (T junction), turn right onto Dinam Road past new houses. Drive past entrance to Tir John tip, and the Crymlyn reserve centre and car park is on your right about ½ mile further on.

Orienteering - 19/09/2009 (Archived)

Meet Dawn of Nature Days at 2pm by the picnic tables where she will give you an orienteering map and compass. Your aim is to find all the markers and come back to the beginning. A certificate will be given for each completed map. There will be a range of difficulties depending on experience and age starting from a toddler string course and ending in a map and compass course.

Directions: Park in the car park for Whiteford beach in Llanmadoc.
Follow the B4271 (North Gower road) to Llanrhidian then follow the signs to Cheriton and Llanmadoc. Once through Llanmadoc the road splits, keep right towards Cwm Ivy and turn off right into the car park for Whiteford sands. Car park costs £1.
Walk down the road and through the gate, down the hill and then right through another gate to the edge of the pine woods.

Gower Show - 02/08/2009 (Archived)

Sunday 2nd August 9am – 6pm
On the South Gower Road past the turning to Oxwich.

Come and visit our stall at the Gower show. There will be a picture quiz, see how many of the different Gower Society Youth activities you recognise. Have a go at weaving a dream-catcher.

Beach Boyard ultimate challenge! - 03/06/2017 (Archived)

Saturday June 3rd 2pm
Park in the car park on Oystermouth Road opposite Sketty Lane.

On the beach at Swansea bay we will recreate the television game show Fort Boyard, minus the fort! Each competitor must undertake a number of team challenges. They consist of teamwork challenges, head-to-head games, ‘winner stays on’ games and team games which all require different tactics. The team with the most points will win the gold!
For those of you less familiar with CBBC then the challenges are similar to those in the Crystal maze. Bring a towel and some spare clothes as you may get wet!

Knights adventure - 20/06/2009 (Archived)

Saturday 20th June 2pm
Follow the A4118 past Parkmill. Car park on the left at the top of the hill. We will meet past the gate down to Penmaen burrows.

Spend the afternoon as a knight. Decorate a shield or make some armour, practise for the joust, strike targets and collecting rings. Help build a catapult and see if you can defend your team from the other team as they attack the site of Penmaen Old Castle.

Moth and owl evening - 23/05/2009 (Archived)

Saturday 23rd May 6pm
Follow the road to Caswell park in the back of the car park opposite the beach there is a charge.

We will examine some moths I trapped the night before and identify the amazing patterns and diversity. Then we will see what we can catch with our own trapping. Once we have let our moths fly free, we will head into the woods looking and listening for owls. Using whistles and calls we will try to get the owls to reply to us and see what species we can hear. If time we could play a game of tracker and hunter in the dark. Bring a hot drink and a snack and warm clothes, we will aim to be finished by 9.00 pm at the latest.

Fossil Hunting - 17/03/2018 (Archived)

Saturday March 17th 12.00 pm
Park on the side of the road down to Rotherslade Bay or if you feeling energetic park in Langland Bay and walk around on the coast path.

Meet Dawn Thomas of Nature Days a little earlier than usual to catch the low tide, at the top of the steps down to the beach at Rotherslade. Learn how fossils are made and then explore the rocks looking for real fossils. We will take rubbings of any we find and identify how old they are. You will then be able to make your own fossil out of plaster of Paris to take home.

Environmental arts and crafts - 21/03/2009 (Archived)

2pm follow the boardwalk over the dunes onto the beach. Meet on the beach to the left of the path.

We are very lucky to have Ada Garten a local artist to help us create some transient art using the flotsam and jetsam we gather on the beach. Come and indulge your artistic side and see what you can make from what is thrown away.

Gargoyles, graves and stained glass - 21/02/2009 (Archived)

2pm at St Mary’s Church Rhossili. Visit one of Gower’s wonderful churches. Take part in a hunt for the oldest grave, the remains of the original church, the hidden sun dial and many more great features. Then we will venture inside to look at the beautiful stained glass windows. Then create your own stained glass to take home as a memento.