YMCA Lakeside

What will students see and do?

Located in the heart of the Lake District National Park, YMCA Lakeside offers your group access to one of the most stunning natural playgrounds in the UK.

With half a mile of shoreline along Lake Windermere, 100 acres of private woodland, and nearby crags and fells, this outdoor classroom is the perfect environment for learning and growth. Supported by expert staff, your group will thrive, gaining new skills, confidence, and a connection to nature.

As a leading centre of excellence in outdoor learning and one of Europe’s largest outdoor centres, YMCA Lakeside provides an unparalleled experience for groups of all kinds.

Since the 1920s, over a million young people have left Lakeside more resilient, confident, and better prepared for life’s challenges. Here, small barriers become opportunities for inspiring, empowering, and unforgettable learning.

From its prime location, YMCA Lakeside offers around 50 land- and water-based activities, including kayaking, sailing, fell walking, ghyll-scrambling, and tackling the high ropes course or rock climbing on local crags.

Between these adventures, there’s ample time for reflection and personal growth. Whatever your group’s needs are, the dedicated booking team will work with you to design a programme tailored to your goals.

Winter residentials

For those planning a winter residential, there are even more advantages, offering a unique and budget-friendly way to inspire your students:

Stretch your school budget further – From November to March, enjoy reduced rates that make it easy to enrich your students’ learning without breaking the bank.

Unique learning opportunities – Winter provides a chance to explore astronomy, wildlife, and the changing weather while developing resilience in a colder, darker season. Picture torchlit nature walks and stargazing around a campfire beneath some of the darkest skies in the UK.

Start the year or term on a high – A winter residential helps students build crucial soft skills, settle anxieties, and set a positive tone for the months ahead. It’s a fantastic way to foster resilience, problem-solving, and communication, helping students adjust to new responsibilities and become more independent in school.

How does the trip link to the curriculum?

At YMCA Lakeside, students engage in activities that develop a wide range of skills essential for cross-curricular learning. With the centre’s stunning natural setting, subjects like science, plant biology, geography, and English literature come to life, offering unique opportunities to apply classroom knowledge in real-world environments.

Here are some of the key soft skills your students will gain:

Teamwork and collaboration – working independently, in pairs, and in small groups to achieve shared goals

Building connections – sharing new, meaningful experiences with peers in a safe and supportive environment

Embracing challenges – developing a positive mindset towards learning, adventure, and overcoming obstacles

Self-awareness and empathy – recognising personal strengths and limitations, valuing others’ contributions, and fostering mutual respect

Respect and tolerance – learning to treat others with kindness, tolerance, and understanding

Impact and responsibility – understanding how personal actions affect others and developing responsibility for the safety and well-being of self and peers

Leadership and organisation – taking on leadership roles, planning, and organising activities while ensuring group safety

Transferable achievement – recognising how success at Lakeside can translate to success at home and in school

Healthy competition – understanding how competition can motivate high performance and personal growth

Health and well-being – boosting physical fitness and mental well-being through outdoor activities that promote a healthy lifestyle

Subjects covered

Details of risk assessment

From food allergen compliance to outdoor safety, risk assessment is part of the YMCA Lakeside’s DNA.

They’re fully accredited by The Adventure Activity Licensing Authority (AALA), Adventure Mark (AAIAC) British Activity Provider Association (BAPA) and Learning Outside the Classroom (LOtC), ensuring the highest possible level of expertise and leadership in risk management and safety at all times.

All centre staff are also DBS checked. Risk assessments are available on request when booking.

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