Ranger in a Bag at Cannock Chase

Hire your own resource filled backpack

Give your class the opportunity to become rangers for the day with our easy-to-use, self-contained Ranger in a Bag. 

Our bags support you to deliver learning about forests at your own pace with experiential activities, scenarios and role play. Packed with practical tasks, they are curriculum linked and flexible to fit a range of learning outcomes.

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This video was created in partnership with Shy Guys Studios

Each bag contains:

  • equipment, games and resources
  • activity sheets and instructions
  • health and safety guidance
  • plenary activities

We recommend half a day to get the most out of this activity. If you’re planning a full day visit, you can add a second bag, or use our free learning resources.

Ranger in a Bag is suitable for children aged 4 – 11, with enough resources for 35 children. The hire charge is  £35 +VAT per bag or £50 +VAT for two bags.

Available year round, book by emailing jacqui.blackford@forestryengland.uk

Free pre-visit sessions with a member of Forestry England staff (when available) can help you plan your visit, go through the backpacks and look around the site.

Ranger in a Bag themes

Trainee forester

Links — Science, Maths

Pop on your hard hats and hi-vis vests and explore what it takes to be a trainee forester. Discover how to calculate the age and height of a tree and discuss why cutting down a tree isn’t always a bad thing.   

Trainee woodland artist

Links — Art and Design, Maths

Discover how artists are inspired by nature. Your class will take part in a series of activities that explore the natural shapes, textures and colours found in nature. Then they will create their very own pieces of artwork from natural materials found in the forest. What will your class’s art exhibition include? 

Trainee wellbeing champion

Links — PSHE, PE

Life can be challenging at times. This pack helps young children to explore different techniques that will help them to feel relaxed and calm. Providing them with their very own toolkit to deal with everyday worries. Have a go at some woodland stretches that boosts physical and mental wellbeing, take a forest walk and carry out a grounding exercise to help you feel calm. 

Trainee ecologist - woodland minibeasts

Links — Science, Maths

Why is it important to survey forest habitats and monitor animal species? Discover the answers by becoming trainee ecologists for the day. Using the equipment provided carry out a minibeast survey and record your findings, create a forest food chain and find out why Forestry England’s favourite microhabitat is decaying wood. 

Trainee ecologist - pond dipping

Links — Science, Maths

As a trainee ecologist you are challenged to find out if your pond is a good freshwater habitat for wildlife. Have a go at carrying out a habitat survey and discover what creatures live in and near your pond. 

We also offer three other easy-to-use, self-contained activity bags

Our amazing animals bags give a selection of clues and evidence left behind by forest animals and birds, as well as a mini beast search in the forest habitat which will inspire the detectives and naturalists within your group.

Our shelter building bag is a great team activity. Children work together to construct sturdy shelters forest materials. Test the structure using the ‘rain test’.

Using our orienteering bag you can follow a range of courses from beginner to more advanced.