Thorpe Woodlands Adventure Centre

East England
5-16
Communication Skills, Confidence Building, Geography, Leadership
, Problem Solving, Team Building
+2 more

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What will students see and do?

Fun-packed outdoor adventure activities await students at Thorpe Woodlands Adventure Centre. The purpose-built centre is located in the ancient woodland of Thetford Forest in Norfolk, and is ideal for a school trip looking to combine structured learning with an adventure-packed outdoor experience.

Trips can be a single activity day, but residential school trips for primary schools upwards are also available year-round.

Students can take part in a huge range of confidence-building activities, both on land and on water. The fun sessions aim to boost self-esteem and will challenge students in many ways, from the adrenaline-boosting high ropes course, zip wire and tree climbing, to water activities, including discovering how to build a raft, and a river trip aboard a kayak.

You can even go below ground for an authentic caving experience complete with realistic stalactites and stalagmites, plus cave paintings to give an idea of what cave art would have looked like in-situ on a cave wall.

There are plenty of teamwork options to choose from, too. More than 20 team-building activities test various abilities, including problem-solving skills, leadership styles, cooperation and effective communication skills, plus listening skills.

At the end of each of these team-building games, the small groups discuss what they could have done better before moving on to the next one.

The woodland setting is also perfect for a spot of shelter-building, when groups learn about what makes a good one before building their own. Likewise, learning how to build a raft develops construction skills as group members enjoy working together to build a construction that will keep them all from getting too wet!

The adventure centre is close to footpaths, the River Thet and cycle tracks.

How does the trip link to the curriculum?

As well as an emphasis on fun in a natural environment, there is a comprehensive range of learning objectives, to develop personal and social awareness.

Students will learn new skills including how to build self-esteem, and will learn how to get motivated and the importance of being positive.

Being part of a group will help them to understand appropriate behaviour and what makes a good relationship.

Subjects covered

Communication Skills

Confidence Building

Geography

Leadership

Problem Solving

Team Building

Teaching resources provided

There is an excellent range of resources for schools, with a worksheet for pre-, during and post-visit, plus lesson plans.

Minimum and maximum group size

There is a minimum of 10 people for an activity day. For larger groups, there is a 50-bed residential centre, and camping for up to 75 people.

Details of risk assessment

For details, see ‘Info for Group Leaders’ in the downloads section of the website.

PLANNING

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Facilities On-Site

There is a range of accommodation for residential stays that includes camping and woodland pods.

The 50-bed residential centre includes a kitchen, dining hall and meeting room.
Visits are fully catered, but there are self-catering options available.

The centre is suitable for people with disabilities and there is a state-of-the-art accessible shower room.

For campers there are three camping glades, outdoor sinks with hot water, a modern shower block and an outdoor classroom.