Visiting Schools Program
- Introduction
- Programs
- Teacher Trainings
- Program Sites
- Land Sites Map/Q&A
- Safety
Three Generation Barge Program
Programs Introduction
Our environmental education programs provide an effective means of satisfying different curriculum requirements. From primary schemes of work and units of enquiry, to coursework for IB diploma, IGCSE or A level, as well as helping to fulfill CAS hours, The Three Generation Barge Program, has a variety of options to enrich your curriculum.
Activities are presented using:
- Field research
- Outdoor activities
- Learning games
- Team-building exercises
- Reflection time
- Community interaction
Trips can be delivered in English, Thai or a combination of the two. The Three Generation Barge Program offers schools barge and land based programs at:
- Primary level
- Middle level
- Senior level
For overseas students, an ‘experience Thailand’ program provides a mix of culture, traditions and environmental awareness.
All of our programs are tailor-made to fit with the work you are doing in the classroom. Our staff our skilled at working with your primary topic webs, IB fieldwork requirements or IGCSE coursework.
Three Generation Barge Program
Programs
We are familiar with meeting the needs of schools following PYP, British National Curriculum and other independent curriculum.
Are you studying …. Rivers? Pollution and human impact? Floods and drought? Food chains, habitats? Communities? History of Ayutthaya (link with Tudor Period)? History of Bangkok? Bridges?
The Barge Program can make a program for you!
With a high ratio of native speakers and competent second language user Thai staff - the perfect role models for Thai students - we can create small groups enabling every student a chance to speak and participate.
Click the headline to open and close the panels.
Barge River Programs
Barge programs take place upon our 20m floating classroom. Students live and sleep on the wooden teak barge. During the daytime, the barge travels along the Chao Phraya River between Bangkok and Ayutthaya depending on the trip type and length. Trips may last from one day to five days.
Days are spent discovering, investigating and exploring the different elements that comprise the Chao Phraya River and its adjacent communities. We may explore human impact on the river, the role of the river in establishing Ayutthaya and Bangkok or the issues affecting the sustainability of the communities we pass. We may test for water quality or consider the food-chains enabled by the river.
Programs are designed to meet the needs of your class with different programs and themes for primary, middle years and senior students.
Living and working as a community is an important part of a Barge trip. Students work together in barge crews to cook for each other, to clean the boat, to entertain each other and to make a record for others to read, about their visit.
Activities take place on board the Barge whilst the boat is moving and at sites along the river when the barge is moored and we explore the land. The barge program has a small fleet of canoes that can be used to explore the smaller canals.
Your Barge experience will be fully facilitated by our staff.
Primary 2 Day Program: River Detectives
| Day 1: River Detectives |
|---|
| 0830 Arrive and welcome, safety, facilities and ice breakers, snack |
| 0930 River observation connected to the theme of your trip |
| 1000 Debrief and sharing |
| 1015 Create a watershed activity, learning about the Chao Phraya River |
| 1100 Barge crews to prepare lunch and clean the boat |
| 1200 Lunch |
| 1300 Investigating food chains in the river |
| 1415 Activity to consider consequences of pollution on the river |
| 1515 Snack |
| 1530 Swimming and canoeing |
| 1630 Team building on land, free time |
| 1715 Barge crews to prepare for dinner |
| 1800 Dinner |
| 1900 Team building and environmental games |
| 2015 Shower time |
| 2100 Bedtime story, light out |
| Day 2: River Detectives |
|---|
| 0630 Wake up |
| 0700 Barge crews to prepare for breakfast |
| 0745 Breakfast |
| 0830 Fresh market investigation |
| 0930 Debrief and sharing of market experience and the issues it raises |
| 1000 Activity considering water as a limited resource |
| 1100 Bare crews to prepare for lunch |
| 1200 Lunch |
| 1300 Introduction and student questions for community investigation |
| 1415 Activity to consider consequences of pollution on the river |
| 1515 Snack |
| 1530 Swimming and canoeing |
| 1330 Exploring community |
| 1445 Return to Barge, snack |
| 1500 Debrief and sharing from investigation |
| 1530 Captain’s coming game |
| 1545 Closing: group sharing of trip experiences |
| 1600 Group departs for school |
Middle Years 2 Day Program: Human Impact on the Chao Phraya
| Day 1: Human Impact |
|---|
| 0830 Arrive and welcome, safety, facilities and ice breakers, snack |
| 0930 River observation connected to the theme of your trip |
| 1000 Debrief and sharing |
| 1015 Role play activity considering human impact and pollution |
| 1100 Barge crews to prepare lunch and clean the boat |
| 1200 Lunch |
| 1300 Using macro invertebrates as bio-indicators |
| 1430 Snack |
| 1530 Swimming and canoeing |
| 1630 Team building on land, free time |
| 1715 Barge crews to prepare for dinner |
| 1800 Dinner |
| 1900 Team building and environmental games |
| 2015 Shower time |
| 2100 Bedtime story, light out |
| Day 2: Human Impact |
|---|
| 0630 Wake up |
| 0700 Shopping for breakfast in fresh market |
| 0815 Breakfast |
| 0900 environmental footprint activity |
| 1030 Intro to community investigation and specialist team question forming |
| 1100 Barge crews to prepare for lunch |
| 1200 Lunch |
| 1300 Exploring community and collecting data for land use map |
| 1500 Return to Barge, snack |
| 1515 Creating land use map, group presentations |
| 1550 Closing: group sharing of trip experiences |
| 1600 Group departs for school |
Senior 2 Day Program: Water Quality on the Chao Phraya
| Day 1: Water quality |
|---|
| 0830 Arrive and welcome, safety, facilities and ice breakers, snack |
| 0930 River observation and bank assessment |
| 1000 Debrief and sharing |
| 1015 Intro to water quality and 9 indicator testing |
| 1045 Test Site one |
| 1130 Barge crews to prepare lunch and clean the boat |
| 1230 Lunch |
| 1300 Water testing site 2 |
| 1400 Using macro invertebrates as bio-indicators of water quality |
| 1515 Snack |
| 1530 Swimming and canoeing |
| 1630 Team building on land, free time |
| 1715 Barge crews to prepare for dinner |
| 1800 Dinner |
| 1900 Sustainability game or mediation activity |
| 2015 Shower time |
| 2100 Bedtime story, light out |
| Day 2: Water quality |
|---|
| 0630 Wake up |
| 0700 Barge crews |
| 0745 Breakfast |
| 0830 Water testing site 3 |
| 0930 Conclusion and discussion on water testing results at each site |
| 1030 Snack |
| 1100 Water uses conflict game |
| 1130 Barge crews to prepare for lunch |
| 1230 Lunch |
| 1315 Land use development group activity |
| 1415 Snack |
| 1430 Closing |
| 1445 Depart for school |
Land Based Programs
In addition to the barge trips on the Chao Phraya River, Three Generation Barge Program leads students at land-based marine, forest, and cultural sites around the country.
The Program facilitates environmental education through games and activities, promoting independence and discovery of the natural world.
Again, programs can be tailored to fit your individual needs.
Contact us at for more information.
You may also like to view our Land Sites FAQ Map or read about our Program Sites.
In School and Community Programs
- School Outreach
-
We believe that learning and using English outside of the formal classroom creates a meaningful context for communications and so promotes learning and the confidence to become a more competent user of English.
If you are unable to take students out of the classroom, it is sometimes possible for our team to conduct activities around your school site. Using the same experiential teaching techniques that we use outdoors, we bring interactive, hands-on and fun activities, lessons and games to your school and classroom. Contact for more information.
English Through Environment
- Ideal for:
-
- Language units in International Schools
- Mini English programs in Thai Schools
- Summer camps
- Thai teachers of English
Barge
Enjoy 1-3 days living aboard the barge, using everyday English as you cook food together, shop in the market and clean the boat.
Explore the environment of the river and the island of Ko Kret using instructional songs, games and activities which promote speaking, listening, reading and writing.
We believe that learning and using English outside of the formal classroom creates a meaningful context for communications and so promotes learning and the confidence to become a more competent user of English.
With a high ratio of native speakers and competent second language user Thai staff – the perfect role models for Thai students – we can create small groups enabling every student a chance to speak and participate.
Land
Khao Yai
- Explore Thailand’s oldest National Park for 2-3 days, visit waterfalls and hike through the forest trails.
- Discover the tracks and signs of the grassland.
- Investigate what lives in the streams.
Investigate the community of Bang Phe, help to clean fishing nets, consider the root of pollution in the area and interview tourists on Ko Samet. In the evenings, play games to learn about sea turtles or enjoy a campfire.
Three Generation Barge Program
Teacher Training
- For Thai teachers (ERIC groups, etc.)
- Teaching English through the environment.
- For Thai teachers (Thai Schools of Excellence, etc.)
- Experimental education outside of the classroom.
- For teachers new to Thailand
- An introduction to Thai culture and history along the Chao Phraya.
- Teacher Introduction Trips
- For schools interested in finding out more about our programs.
Three Generation Barge Program
Program Sites
- Within easy reach from Bangkok, Bang Pu offers the opportunity to learn about mangrove forest ecosystems and to help with restoration work.
- Students can learn about the special adaptations of mangrove flora and fauna.
- Bang Phu offers a haven for wildlife such as birds and mudskippers which the students can help to identify.
- Groups can test and analyse the Ph and temperature of the soil and water.
- Students can learn about renewable energy first hand through the presence of coastal wind turbines.
- Primary programs consider the relationship between people and mountains or different forms of agriculture.
- Students may visit different hilltribe groups to understand how closely these communities live with the land.
- Middle school trips may explore the issues associated with tourism and pressures on the land.
- Senior groups may carry out water testing and a study of the riparian zone, hike to communities and teach in a local school.
- Most Chiang Mai trips allow students to explore the culture of the former Lanna Kingdom.
- This National Park has small geysers and hot springs, allowing students to find out about thermal energy in the area.
- The easy trails make this a non-strenuous site to explore habitats and adaptation.
- Why has Karnchanaburi risen to fame? What has made people settle here? What impact is tourism having on the area?
- This area has many possibilities: Learning about the World War sites, The early Khmer civilization and the pre history communities of 4,000 years ago.
- The beautiful national parks and stunning limestone caves make it a good study site for natural study.
- The farmland with vineyards and orchards allows land use to be compared with Bangkok.
- This trip allows students to study the famous places in Thai literature: Wat Pa Lelai Worawihan and Wat Kae.
- History concerning King Naresuan can be explored at Don Chedhi and the Banhan Tower.
- At the buffalo village, students can experience planting rice and the role of the buffalo and learn about the importance of rice farming.
- Ranong offers the chance to explore many aspects of the marine ecosystem: estuary, river, rocky shore, sandy beach, sea grass, coral reef and mangroves.
- It is an ideal site for academic fieldwork.
- Many groups have contributed to the rebuilding of a boardwalk following the Tsunami, as part of their community service hours.
- Ban Chiang is a world famous archaeological site with well preserved artifacts revealing evidence of a civilization dating back nearly 5000 years.
- We look at what prompted people to settle in this place, and hunt for evidence of their food and lifestyle.
- Students work together in a mock-up archaeological dig to experience some of the excitement and frustrations of an archaeologist.
- This is the perfect introduction to visiting the real dig site and to interpreting the artifacts that have been recovered.
- Students try making and painting pots for themselves to understand the processes that have been taking place for thousands of years.
- Trips take place between Bangkok and Ayutthaya.
- Students live aboard the floating classroom investiating sites and communities along the river.
- Explore factors determining the location of settlements.
- Learn about the First Kingdom of Siam: Architecture, Archeology, Politics, Economic and Beliefs.
- Investigate present day villages in the Ancient Kingdom area.
- Identify and interpret the outside influences and evidence through artifacts in Sukhothai - Si Satchanalai.
- Develop observation and investigation skills.
- Live and learn together as a community.
- Explore the former capital of Siam and investigate the role Ayutthaya played in the trade routes of the past.
- Consider "evidence" and interpret the artifacts that you see.
- Make bricks in the traditional way and consider the role of the Chao Phraya in making Ayutthaya an amazing capital.
- Primary Programs may consider habitats, simple plant adaptations and the role of the forest.
- Middle school students start to consider bio-diversity and issues of park management.
- Senior students carry out fieldwork data collection.
- Chantaburi offers the opportunity to learn about mangrove forest and to help with restoration work.
- Students discuss issues of sustainability and over fishing through games, after visiting a fishing community.
- Khao Kitchikut National Park offers the chance for rainforest walks and forest activities.
- The excellent maritime museum provides the opportunity to consider the role Chantaburi has played in the history of Thailand.
- There is also a seawater aquarium in Chantaburi.
- The small National Park of Khao Chamao gives the opportunity for students to walk in the forest and carry out forest games and activities.
- Community investigations can take place at Ban Phe, as students interview the fishing community and the souvenir makers.
- There is the opportunity to study seawater fish at the aquarium, or to take a trail through a fruit farm.
- Many trips include craft work using natural materials.
- Many groups combine this trip with a visit to Ko Manai or Sattahip to consider turtle conservation.
- Well-known as a tourist destination, the site allows students to consider the impact of tourism and other human activity on the environment.
- Through guided activities, students explore rainforests, rubber plantations, fishing communities, local craft enterprises, rocky shore, limestone caves and mangroves.
- Students can enjoy time on the beautiful sandy beaches and the opportunity for shopping.
Bang Pu (1 day Primary, Middle)
Chiang Mai (3-5 days Primary, Middle, Senior)
Jaesorn - may combine with Chiang Mai (2-3 days Primary, overseas)
Kanchanaburi (2-5 days. Primary, Middle)
Suphanburi (2-3 days Primary, Middle)
Ranong (3-6 days Senior)
Ban Chiang (2-3 days Primary)
Chao Phraya River (1-5 Days, Primary, Middle, Senior)
'Exploring the Chao Phraya River'
Sukhothai (4 days, Primary, Middle)
'Discovering the First Kingdom of Siam'
Sukhothai Itinerary
Ayutthaya (1-5 days, Primary, Middle)
Khao Yai (2-5 days Primary, Middle, Senior)
Chantaburi (3- 5 days Primary, Middle)
Rayong (2-5 days Primary, Middle)
Krabi (3-5 days Primary, Middle, Overseas)
Three Generation Barge Program
Land Sites Map/Q&A
Click on the map markers or place names for Q & A information.
Best viewed using a modern browser. Q & A downloads are also available below.
| North |
North East |
Central |
East |
South |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chiang Mai Trip | Ban Chiang Trip | Kanchanaburi | Rayong | Ranong |
| Jaesorn Trip | Ayutthaya | Chantaburi Trip | Krabi | |
| Suphanburi | ||||
| Khao Yai |
Three Generation Barge Program
Program Safety
For our Land & Coastal Marine Field Studies Program, we try to keep the maximum number at not more than 35 - 40 students, and 3 - 4 accompanying adults.
The utmost care and attention is given to matters of our participants' health and safety at all times. All of Three Generation Barge Program staff are trained in Basic First Aid/CPR and Water Safety. Staff undergo refresher courses each year. At all times PC-MEBP staff have at their disposal a complete medical first aid kit and mobile phone.
Since much of our program is on or near water, students are asked to state their swimming competence and are required to wear life jackets at specified times.
Parents are asked to help their children fill out our "medical form" that provides our staff with up to date medical conditions of each person on the trip in case of the need for this information. Evacuation routes, qualified doctors and hospitals have been identified and contacted for each of the program sites.
Risk assessments are available for all sites on request.
The barge and captain are registered with the Harbour Department.
Insurance
All participating students and teachers are covered by our group insurance policy.
