Essex Outdoors Harlow

What will students see and do?

One of many Essex Outdoors sites, Harlow Centre for Outdoor Learning is an oasis of urban adventure, offering lots of exciting outdoor learning activities and excitement. There are miles upon miles of tranquil inland waterways – the ideal environment to learn to canoe, kayak, stand-up paddleboard or even try your hand at coasteering, and the site even boasts ‘The Lock’, one of the largest indoor climbing walls in the South East.

Harlow Centre for Outdoor Learning offers primary and secondary school trips, in the form of a thrilling expedition or multi-activity day. The expedition takes students across the landscape by foot, bike, boat or canoe in an unforgettable outdoor experience that’ll inspire inquisitive minds – all under the watchful eye of a highly trained and qualified team.

Meanwhile, in a multi-activity day, students can enjoy up to four exciting pursuits from the selection of available activities, such as abseiling, bouldering and climbing, archery, all-terrain boarding, canoeing, kayaking, raft building, orienteering and map skills, off-road biking and first aid.

How does the trip link to the curriculum?

Whether hurtling around an obstacle course or mastering a bow and arrow, all of the programmes are professionally tailored to challenge and inspire participants to learn, develop new skills and build confidence in new and exciting ways.

Children will advance their problem-solving skills, teamwork and leadership styles, and develop effective communication skills as they work together in small groups to complete fun confidence-building activities. They’ll also develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of nature as they explore the land.

What’s more, with specific programmes like the first aid course, students will be equipped with practical life skills and employability skills for the future.

Subjects covered

Details of risk assessment

All activities are educational, safe and delivered by competent staff that have been trained in accordance with both Essex County Council and national governing body (NGB) guidelines, and have been subject to enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks before employment.

The centre has been inspected and approved by the Adventurous Activities Licensing Authority (AALA) and Essex Outdoors holds the Learning Outside the Classroom (LOTC) Quality Badge, ensuring the highest standards of safety and delivery in the industry.

Harlow Centre for Outdoor Learning is covered by Essex County Council’s third-party liability insurance, but any additional cover should be arranged by visiting schools and groups.

The centre includes entrance control systems and all visiting adults are required to wear visitor ID badges whilst on site. Many of the staff have been trained in specialist paediatric and outdoor first aid, and there will always be a duty first aider on hand throughout your visit to deal with any requirements, however, it’s recommended that you also have an appropriate level of first aid cover within your own staff team.

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