Outdoor adventure provider, Acorn Adventure, works by the philosophy that Christian socialist Margaret McMillan once said: “The best classroom and richest cupboard is roofed only by the sky”.
Through adventure camps and activities in the outdoors such as rock climbing and archery, as well as water-based activities, including paddle boarding, kayaking and canoeing, Acorn looks to enhance pupils’ personal development in terms of skills such as confidence, resilience and team work.
Acorn provides trips for both Primary and Secondary school groups. For Primary schools there are four options, two set in the UK and two in France, whilst for Secondary schools there are ten adventure holiday options going as far as India.
School Travel Organiser takes a closer look…
Adventure camps for Primary schools
Schools can choose between visits to the Brecon Beacons National Park in Wales, the Wyre Forest in the West Midlands, and Ardres or Hauteville-sur-Mer, which are both in northern France.
The newly launched Tipi Adventure-Safari in the Wyre Forest is a woodland based activity programme specifically designed for Key Stage 2 students. Pupils are encouraged to develop their teambuilding skills and confidence whilst taking part in activities such as climbing, orienteering and cycling. Evening activities include Woodland Craft Making and Tipi’s Got Talent by the campfire.
The programme also includes full-day entry to the West Midlands Safari Park, a short walk away from the camp.
Alternatively, there is a choice of 17 activities on offer as part of the Brecon Beacons Adventure programme, from abseiling to canoeing, raft building to high ropes.
Brecon Beacons Adventure provides a choice of accommodation too. Schools can choose to stay in Acorn’s camping pods on the shores of Llangorse Lake, or camp traditionally in its 17 acre campsite.
Meanwhile the Opal Coast Adventure, which takes place in the northern French town of Ardres and the Normandy Adventure in Normandy provide similar outdoor activities, this time combined with the opportunity to take in a new culture and experience French life by visiting local markets and nearby towns.
Acorn Adventure offers adventure camps in the Brecon Beacons for both Primary and Secondary school students. Credit: Visit Britain/Britain on View.
Adventure camps for Secondary schools
As well as the Brecon Beacons, Opal Coast and Normandy adventures, which are suitable for all school-aged children, those from Key Stage 3 upwards can visit additional Acorn Adventure locations in France, Spain, Italy and India.
The Mediterranean Adventure, which is based in Costa Brava in north east Spain, makes the most of the Mediterranean waters by filling the programme with a range of water sports, such as sailing and stand up paddleboarding.
As part of the six-day excursion a day trip to Barcelona and a visit to the waterpark, Waterworld, are included. Visits to close-by towns Lloret de Mar and Tossa de Mar are also possible.
Schools can also choose to visit the Gran Paradiso National Park in Italy as part of Acorn’s six-night Alpine Adventure. Students will be able to white water raft down the Dora Baltea River, located next to the camp, rock climb at a site 2,000m above sea level with views of Mont Blanc, or try high ropes at Acorn’s course.
Acorn Adventure now also offers the opportunity for Secondary schools to visit India in its Himalayan Adventure. This ten-day visit, which provides the option of camping or staying in dorms, combines culture with adventure with time to explore Delhi’s markets, a day trip to the Taj Mahal, trekking and rafting in Rishikesh – a holy city on the banks of the river Ganges, time at a local village school and temple visits.
For more information call 01384-398870, e-mail info@acornadventure.co.uk or visit www.acornadventure.co.uk.
