Site selection and assessment
Identifying suitable locations Finding appropriate muddy outdoor spaces near madrasah:
Ideal site characteristics
- Muddy ditches: Natural or farm drainage ditches with safe mud depth
- Open fields: Grassy areas with muddy sections after rain
- Farm access: Local farms willing to allow supervised group activities
- Walking distance: Ideally 15-30 minutes walk from madrasah
- Safety features: Free from hazards like deep water, sharp objects, or unstable banks
Safety assessment requirements
- Pre-event inspection: Adults visiting site to identify hazards
- Mud depth testing: Ensuring no unexpectedly deep sections
- Entry/exit planning: Safe ways to enter and exit muddy areas
- Emergency access: Routes for help to reach if needed
- Weather monitoring: Checking conditions haven’t created dangerous situations
Securing permissions
- Landowner consent: Written permission from farm or park owners
- Insurance verification: Ensuring madrasah insurance covers off-site activities
- Local authority notification: Informing if required for group activities
- Liability understanding: Clear agreement about responsibilities and risks
Volunteer coordination and roles
Recruiting parent and teacher volunteers
Successful event requires adequate adult supervision:
Essential volunteer roles
- Lead coordinator: Overall responsibility, route knowledge, decision-making authority
- Group leaders: Supervising sections of students (4-6 students per adult)
- Safety officer: Monitoring hazards, first aid responsibility, emergency contact
- Activity coordinators: Managing specific games and challenges
- Logistics support: Setting up reflection area, managing refreshments
Volunteer preparation
- Site familiarisation: All volunteers visiting site before event
- Role clarity: Clear understanding of specific responsibilities
- Emergency procedures: Everyone knowing what to do if problems arise
- Equipment provision: Volunteers having necessary supplies (first aid, phone, torch)
- Appropriate dress: Old clothes and waterproof footwear for mud involvement
Student and parental communication
Advance parental consent
Parents must understand and approve activity:
- Detailed description: Full explanation of mud immersion and outdoor reflection
- Safety measures: Information about supervision, site safety, emergency procedures
- Clothing guidance: Specific instructions about appropriate dress and spare items
- Return state: Warning that students will return home extremely muddy
- Educational value: Explanation of refugee empathy and Islamic teaching connections
Student preparation without spoiling surprise
- General guidance: Instructions to wear old clothes under madrasah uniform
- Equipment list: Spare shoes, plastic bags for muddy items, water bottles
- No details: Maintaining surprise about actual mud activities
- Standard arrival: Students attend madrasah session as normal before revelation
For detailed guidance on site safety and volunteer management, see the Event Planning and Health & Safety sections of the organiser guide.