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Outdoor Activity Provision for Groups
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The RCT Outdoor Education Department is based in the new Outdoor Activity Centre in Dare Valley Country Park. This purpose built Centre was funded by the National Lottery, and officially opened in July 2008 by HRH The Earl of Wessex, Prince Edward.

opening_prince_edwardThe Centre holds a comprehensive range of outdoor equipment and resources as well as a classroom, showers and toilet facilities for groups using the provision.

The Outdoor Education Team work with a wide variety of community based organisations, schools, RCT E3+ Programme, Youth Clubs and projects both from across the County and further afield.

The Outdoor Education provision aims to develop the personal and social skills of every young person by providing high quality outdoor learning experiences that are inspirational, educational and enjoyable.

Canoes1Activities can be undertaken which link in with current requirements of the GCSE syllabus, Key Skills curriculum, and the Welsh Baccalaureate. Accreditation can be provided if required through the Open College Network, the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, as well as through links with National Governing Bodies such as the Mountain Leader Training Board, British Canoe Union, etc.

Our Outdoor Education Team, headed by Chris Roberts - Outdoor Education Development Worker - have many years experience of working with young people in the outdoors, and can assess the needs of each group before developing an outdoor learning programme around their requirements and abilities, including school Transition courses, and the creation of sustainable personal development plans.

TeamworkProgrammes can include:
  • Teambuilding activities
  • Kayaking and Canoeing
  • Raft Building
  • Gorge Walking and Traversing
  • Rock Climbing and Abseiling
  • Hill Walking
  • Archery
  • Shelter Building, Survival Skills
  • Navigation Training
  • Cycling
  • Expedition Training
  • Summer Residential Adventure Camps
field-shot-2Provision can range in duration from a couple of hours long 'Taster' session to longer-term development programmes. Residential activity provision and summer camps are arranged on a regular basis, in the Country Park as well as in the surrounding countryside.

The cost of outdoor sessions are negotiable, depending upon the activity requirements, numbers of young people, and duration of provision.

For further information and to arrange activities, please contact

Chris Roberts
Outdoor Education Development Worker
Outdoor Activity Centre
Dare Valley Country Park
Trecynon
Aberdare
CF44 7RG

Tel: O1685 889216Mobile: 07799132150

Or email Mae'r cyfeiriad ebost yn cael ei warchod rhag spam bots, rhaid i chi alluogi Javascript i'w weld.

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Summer Camp 2010

Great Summer Outdoor Fun!

Last week saw the conclusion of yet another highly successful Summer Adventure Camp in the great outdoors, when the Council’s Services for Young People’s Outdoor Education Team put away their tents for another year.

The outdoor education programme forms an integral part of the Council’s newly created Services for Young People department, which is dedicated to ensuring young people in the County Borough are given the opportunities they are entitled to and deserve.

As part of the Rhondda Cynon Taf Summer Holiday Programme for young people, the Team set up camp at the beginning of August in Dare Valley Country Park, Aberdare, and eagerly awaited the arrival of the first of 69 young people, aged between 11 and 16.  Over the course of each 3-day camp, they participated in a range of exciting and challenging activities, including; archery, canoeing, rock climbing, gorge scrambling and mountain biking.

The evenings were also jam-packed with activities, as a specialist team held art and craft workshops at the Outdoor Centre, with team sports and games at the campsite.

Councillor Eudine Hanagan, Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning, said: “The Summer Programmes on offer across Rhondda Cynon Taf give young people fantastic opportunities to have a fun-packed holiday. The Summer Camps have once again been very successful and I am delighted to hear that the young people have had a great time learning life skills and having fun in the great outdoors.â€

The RCT Summer Adventure Camp has been taking place for the past 8 years, and Chris Roberts, Outdoor Education Development Worker, said “ This year has been one of the most successful yet, the weather was not always on our side but the staff and young people were not going to let a few rain drops spoil their fun.

“The Outdoor Team worked extremely hard as always to ensure all the young people had a memorable experience, and went home tired but happy – a big thanks for all their hard work and enthusiasm!â€

Key fun facts - The 10 days of Camp involved:

360 rashers of bacon, 580 bread rolls, 17 loaves of bread, 8 boxes of cereal, 32 pints of milk, 270 carton drinks, 200 apples, bananas, oranges, 4 large tubs of drinking chocolate, 27 chicken breasts, gallons of curry sauce and much, much more!

What the young people gained: new skills and abilities, new experiences, new friends, and a huge amount of FUN!

What The Outdoor Education Team gained: 5 pairs of boxer shorts, 11 socks, 1 Nike trainer, 1 bikini top, 1 rain jacket, 2 hats and a fluffy penguin.

For further information about Outdoor Education provision for groups throughout the year, please contact Chris Roberts on 07799132150, or Kerry Rees on 01685 889213 / 07786523915

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