Real adventure. Real fun. Real education.
…in the real outdoors
Primary School
Secondary School
POST 16
– Welcome To-
real outdoor education
Welcome to the mountains, moorland, lakes, rivers, woodlands, caves, and the Jurassic Coastline of North Yorkshire – this is our classroom, it’s where students experience an outdoor education adventure so extraordinary, they discover capabilities they never knew they had, whilst learning how to respect and take care of our natural environment… creating life-long memories along the way.
Since 1940, we have been at the heart of real outdoor education in North East England. Our two outdoor education centres, Bewerley Park in the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and East Barnby on the Yorkshire Moors National Park coastline, offer a wide range of residential and day courses for primary and secondary school, through to higher education, youth and adult groups.
We are a team of qualified outdoor adventure and environmental conservation enthusiasts, fully licensed to deliver each activity that we offer, from rock climbing up cliffs and exploring underground caves, to tracing the journey of a river from its source to the sea in a canoe. Our outdoor centres are inspected by the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority, and we proudly hold a number of accreditations.
PERSONAL GROWTH
How does an outdoor education adventure help personal growth?
SOCIAL SKILLS
How does an outdoor education adventure help develop social skills?
ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS
How does an outdoor education adventure help improve environmental awareness?
– dales and moorland –
programme progression
We offer a progressive programme of adventure and outdoor education residential visits across key stages, designed to make the best use of our adventure activities in outstanding natural environments with meaningful links to the curriculum.  The progression of our programmes leads students in a journey of personal growth, building social skills, and environmental awareness from primary school through to the sixth form…and beyond.
PRIMARY SCHOOL
Explorer
Stepping into the unknown for the first time can be scary and exciting, all rolled into one! Our three-day Explorer programme introduces primary school pupils to the real outdoors, where they will have fun exploring North Yorkshire’s finest countryside and discover that they are braver and stronger than they realised – developing a ‘can-do’ attitude that will help them in all aspects of school life.Â
Ideal as a first residential experience we’ve designed this course for Year 3 and 4 pupils, but it’s equally suitable for older primary school year groups.
Adventurer
To have an adventure is to learn…and our Adventurer programme, designed for pupils in Year 5 and 6, is full of real outdoor adventure! Extending over five days there is plenty time for learning opportunities linked to the curriculum and getting to know a different side to pupils as they get to learn more about themselves, each other, and the natural world.Â
SECONDARY SCHOOL
Ice Breaker
With an emphasis on peer-to-peer relationship building, this five-day programme is designed to break the ice between Year 7s by putting them in situations where they will need to engage with each other, share decisions, and learn how to support each other. Â Learning these valuable social skills at the beginning of secondary school will reap benefits, when back in the classroom, for years to come.
Discoverer
Now that students have settled into secondary school, it’s time to step out their comfort zones and discover what they are capable of. Designed for students in Year 8 and 9, the three-day Discoverer programme encourages students to realise their abilities and resilience – building self-confidence and self-esteem.
Pathfinder
During Year 10 and 11, GCSE students begin their journey of choosing their path in the world.  Our five-day Pathfinder programme encourages students to assess risk, face fears, make decisions, and take action – a valuable mindset for plotting one’s path to follow dreams.
POST 16
Challanger
When the going gets tough, the tough get going! Students on our post-16 Challenger programme will learn to embrace challenges through perseverance, facing fears, and the encouragement and support of others. They will realise they have the tools to conquer any difficult task at hand.
Reviser
At a life stage loaded with stress, our three-day reviser programme focuses on post-16 students discovering the benefits of finding balance between studies and time to rejuvenate. In between revision sessions in our classroom facilities, students will spend time reaping the benefits of being in nature – rebuilding self-confidence and self-esteem – returning refreshed and ready to focus without distraction.
primary school programmes
Explorer
Stepping into the unknown for the first time can be scary and exciting, all rolled into one! Our three-day Explorer programme introduces primary school pupils to the real outdoors, where they will have fun exploring North Yorkshire’s finest countryside and discover that they are braver and stronger than they realised – developing a ‘can-do’ attitude that will help them in all aspects of school life.Â
Ideal as a first residential experience we’ve designed this course for Year 3 and 4 pupils, but it’s equally suitable for older primary school year groups.
Adventurer
To have an adventure is to learn…and our Adventurer programme, designed for pupils in Year 5 and 6, is if full of real outdoor adventure! Extending over five days there is plenty time for learning opportunities linked to the curriculum and getting to know a different side to pupils as they get to learn more about themselves, each other, and the natural world.Â
secondary school programmes
Ice Breaker
With an emphasis on peer-to-peer relationship building, this five-day programme is designed to break the ice between Year 7s by putting them in situations where they will need to engage with each other, share decisions, and learn how to support each other. Â Learning these valuable social skills at the beginning of secondary school will reap benefits, when back in the classroom, for years to come.
Discoverer
Now that students have settled into secondary school, it’s time to step out their comfort zones and discover what they are capable of. Designed for students in Year 8 and 9, the three-day Discoverer programme encourages students to realise their abilities and resilience – building self-confidence and self-esteem.
Pathfinder
During Year 10 and 11, GCSE students begin their journey of choosing their path in the world.  Our five-day Pathfinder programme encourages students to assess risk, face fears, make decisions, and take action – a valuable mindset for plotting one’s path to follow dreams.
post 16 programmes
Challenger
When the going gets tough, the tough get going! Students on our post-16 Challenger programme will learn to embrace challenges through perseverance, facing fears, and the encouragement and support of others. They will realise they have the tools to conquer any difficult task at hand.
Reviser
At a life stage loaded with stress, our three-day reviser programme focuses on post-16 students discovering the benefits of finding balance between studies and time to rejuvenate. In between revision sessions in our classroom facilities, students will spend time reaping the benefits of being in nature – rebuilding self-confidence and self-esteem – returning refreshed and ready to focus without distraction.
– LEARNING OUTCOMES –
the benefits
There is so much more to quality outdoor education than a fun day out.
PERSONAL GROWTH
How does an outdoor education adventure help personal growth?
SOCIAL SKILLS
How does an outdoor education adventure help develop social skills?
ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS
How does an outdoor education adventure help improve environmental awareness?
– FAQ’s –
answers to common questions
Will my child be able to take their mobile phone?
A big part of the learning experience is about being away from home, sometimes for the first time. We recommend children be allowed to settle in and benefit from the experience without the distraction of a mobile phone. That way, you can look forward to hearing all the stories when they get home!
Ultimately, the decision of use of mobile phones is up to the visiting school. We do not advise that mobile phones are taken out on activity as they can be easily damaged/dropped in water.
There are no payphones at our centres.
Will my child be supervised at all times?
Yes, but…there are times when it is judged appropriate for remote supervision, for example during an orienteering session when skills are built up in order for students to map read independently. School staff are responsible for supervision outside of activity sessions. We believe strongly in encouraging young people to become more responsible for themselves and our systems will encourage this.
What happens if the weather is bad?
Each day the programme of activities is looked at and the weather conditions affecting that environment are taken in to account. A collaborative decision between our instructors and school staff is made based on the groups’ ability and environmental conditions.
DOES MY CHILD NEED ANY OF THEIR OWN SPECIAL EQUIPMENT?
Definitely not! All specialist equipment is provided. The best clothing to pack is old clothes and ability to layer up with jumpers/fleeces/hoodies – stuff that doesn’t matter if it gets wet or muddy!
SHOULD MY CHILD BRING POCKET MONEY?
The decision to bringing pocket money is up to the visiting school. Our tuck shops carry a small range of sweets and drinks.
MY CHILD IS A FUSSY EATER / HAS SPECIAL DIETARY REQUIREMENTS
No one leaves the dining room hungry. Our kitchen staff are well accustomed to catering for special diets required by medical concerns, culture and religion. We request that any concerns over dietary requirements be raised through the school as soon as possible in the booking process.
For fussy eaters, our experience is that children are more likely to try new things that they wouldn’t normally eat at home. If however, you child will not eat the choices available, we will provide some alternatives to ensure they are properly fuelled up and ready for adventure.
– Activities –
real outdoor activities
– Our People –
meet our coastal and inland teams
Whether its rock climbing, paddling down a river, or descending into caves, our team of outdoor teachers and tutors know the great North Yorkshire outdoors, inside out. Together with many years’ experience, and qualifications in all the activities they deliver, our teachers and tutors know how to bring out the very best of real outdoor education adventure for students from primary school to post 16, and beyond.
East Barnby
coastal TEAM
Bewerley Park
Inland TEAM
Educational Visits
TEAM
what’s up
Upcoming courses
Day 1: 13 July 2024 | 09:00am - 17:00pm One-day Practical and written assessment with a British Cycling accredited provider. The assessment is to be booked once you’ve had enough time to hone the skills and knowledge you have obtained on your training day. The maximum time to complete your award is 18months. You will be assessed on topics such as planning and delivery of rides, leading techniques for effective group management, map reading and navigation, management of accidents and emergencies, equipment set-up, trailside repairs and core mountain bike techniques.To attend the training course you must: Have completed the 2 day Level 2 Training Course.Have logged additional experience In order for your award to be accredited you are required to: hold British Cycling Membership of Ride level or above.attend and evidence a two-day outdoor First Aid courseundergo and evidence safeguarding training appropriate to the country they are leading in. These can occur after your course, but your award will only be provided on receipt and acceptance of these. Day 1: 29 June 2024 | 09:00am - 17:00pm Day 2: 30 June 2024 | 09:00am - 17:00pm The Level 2 Mountain Bike Leadership Award is the entry point for experienced mountain bikers wanting to use their experience to safely guide others on off-road terrain. The course covers topics such as planning and delivery of rides, leading techniques for effective group management, map reading and navigation, management of accidents and emergencies, equipment set-up, trailside repairs and core mountain bike techniques.To register for the course:The minimum age to attend a course is 18 years old and you must have mountain biking experience in various terrains and weather conditions. An appropriate level of physical fitness for a day’s riding is essential to be competent in the techniques and skills required to safely negotiate the typical trail features, generally comparable to red-graded purpose-built trails.
Latest Past Events
Level 2 MTB Leadership Assessment
East Barnby Outdoor Education Centre
Level 2 MTB Leadership Training
East Barnby Outdoor Education Centre
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