School Trips · Green Classes

Green trip to Malmedy & the German-Speaking Ardennes

In the far east of Belgium, where the Ardennes roll towards the German border and the local language is German rather than French or Dutch, Malmedy offers primary groups a rich and varied residential trip — one that blends genuine adventure with some of the most moving history on Belgian soil.

Belgium 4 days / 3 nights P5–P6 (ages 10–11)
Duration
4 days / 3 nights
Group size
15 to 50 pupils
Ages
P5–P6 (ages 10–11)
Season
Mar – Nov

Malmedy & the German-Speaking Ardennes with your class

The adventure side is front and centre: at the Forestia park, children take to the trees on high-rope courses and zip down a thrilling deathride, before rail-biking through the countryside. History runs quietly alongside the fun, and lands all the harder for it. A visit to the Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery gives children an early, age-appropriate, and lasting encounter with the Second World War. The medieval castle of Reinhardstein and a descent into the historic Mine of Recht add further layers, connecting the region's landscape to the people who lived, worked, and fought there.

On the Move holds ABELIO safety certification and operates to L'Office quality assurance standards — every trip is managed by a dedicated project manager with 24/7 emergency support.

Green class in Malmedy and the German-speaking Ardennes

Trip highlights

01 Treetop high ropes and the zip-line deathride

An exhilarating full day at the Forestia adventure park — age-appropriate high-rope courses and a thrilling zip-line, perfectly suited to P5–P6

02 Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery

A moving visit to one of the most accessible and age-appropriate introductions to the Second World War available for primary pupils — thousands of soldiers who died in the winter fighting of 1944–45

03 Rail biking and the Mine of Recht

Rail biking through the Ardennes countryside and descending into the historic Mine of Recht — two very different ways of exploring the same remarkable landscape

Curriculum links

History WWII, the Battle of the Bulge, the Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery — memory and sacrifice
Geography & Heritage the Ardennes, Belgium's German-speaking Community, Reinhardstein Castle, the Mine of Recht
Physical Education high ropes, zip-line, rail biking
Personal & Social Development teamwork, resilience, group living

Practical information

TransportBy coach from Belgium — short transfer
AccommodationResidential accommodation suited to primary groups, with full board throughout
  • Activities include Forestia adventure park, Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery, Reinhardstein Castle, rail biking, and the Mine of Recht
  • All outdoor activities led by qualified instructors; cemetery visit is age-appropriately framed by teachers
  • Local currency is Euro (€); small amount of spending money optional

A day by day

1
Day 1
Travel, Cemetery & First Activities — Morning travel. Stop at the Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery for a sensitively guided first encounter with Belgium's wartime history. High-rope course and zip-line at the Forestia park. Settle into accommodation. Folk dancing and games in the evening.
2
Day 2
Outdoor Activities (rotating groups) — Full day of rotating outdoor activities: chocolate workshop, zip-line, and river game for each group in turn. Barbecue and teacher-led activities in the evening.
3
Day 3
Reinhardstein Castle & Rail Biking — Morning: guided visit to the medieval castle of Reinhardstein, perched dramatically above the valley. Afternoon: rail biking along a former railway line through the Ardennes countryside. Dinner and dance party in the evening.
4
Day 4
Mine of Recht & Departure — Morning: descent into the historic Mine of Recht — an underground discovery experience connecting the region's industrial and social history. Journey home.

✏️ This is an example timetable — we can adapt the destination, programme, duration and budget to suit your group.

Students come home with…

  • Their first real understanding of the Second World War — felt rather than read
  • New confidence from a week of outdoor challenges
  • A feel for Belgium's German-speaking east and its distinct character
  • Strong friendships forged across four shared days
  • The particular pride of having done something genuinely adventurous

In pictures

Green Classes - your questions

We have programmes from P1 (age 6) upwards. Bokrijk (1 night) suits P1–P2 first residentials; Massembre and Lichtaart suit P3–P5; Malmedy and Bouillon are best for P5 upwards and secondary groups.

Yes. We use vetted countryside centres and residential schools with full board, warm shared rooms and indoor spaces for evening activities and poor weather.

A nurse consultation is available on every residential trip; for shorter stays we have 24/7 emergency medical support.

Return travel, full-board accommodation, all guided activities, specialist guides, insurance and your On the Move coordinator.

A green trip to Malmedy & the German-Speaking Ardennes?

Tell us your group and dates - we'll build the programme around you.

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