School Residential Adventure

Ta Ellan Vannin cur failt errui

(Welcome to the Isle of Man)

Quality School Residentials on the Isle of Man

Unique Island Location- Spectacular and dramatic scenary

Wide range of quality outdoor activities delivered by professional, safe and fun staff

Small activity centre with programmes tailored to your needs

         Full activity programme from 9am to 8:30pm  

All programmes are subject to alteration due to circumstances outside of our control e.g. bad weather.

 

 

 

 

 

Where are we

The Venture Centre is based in rolling countryside in the North of the Isle of Man situated right in the middle of the Irish sea, easily accessible by ferry and plane from most areas of the U.K. We are situated in a quiet part of the Isle of Man, 5 minutes walk away from seculded beaches and have scenic clifftop walks 10 minutes away from our site.

The Centre

Accommodation

Our site is based in the converted farm buildings of Lewaigue Farm Camp and is split into 2 facilities, north and south camp. Each facility has its own games room, childrens and teachers rooms and can accommodate 70 people allowing larger group to have sole use of their own accommodation block. All of the bedrooms are en-suite and childrens room sizes range from six to twelve beds per room.

The Site and Activity Locations

The Venture Centre buildings are set in an area of woodland bordering rolling farm land. On site activities include woodland bushcraft areas, target archery, field archery,assault course including monkey bars and rope swings over a (shallow) river, abseil platforms high up in the treas, high ropes course and large zip line, all making use of the fantastic location.

Most of our watersports take place on our shallow sheltered lake, offering the perfect place to try kayaking, canoeing, dinghy sailing and raft building. For older groups we use various local coastal locations for sit on top sea kayaking and coasteering. All of our activity locations are within a 10 minute minibus journey of the centre meaning more time spent on activities and less time spent travelling to them.

We have been delivering courses to schools groups for over 30 years and in that time have run courses for over 40 000 young people. We provide the ideal location for all school visits making a balance between adventure experiences and educational value.

Click here to contact us for more details

Our aim

Our aim is to provide children with the experiences of a wide variety of activities. This not only gives them an insight into activities that they may wish to develop in the future but also gives them a variety of life experiences that help to build self confidence, communication and organisational skills.

We also realise the value of the shared residential experience in the development of young people helping them to develop independence and social skills which they can carry forward into future life and the transition into secondary school.

Whilst we encourage all children to do their best the small achievements of the quieter and less confident children are just as important to us as the achievements of the more able and more confident.

Our large range of activities gives your children a wide variety of developmental experiences, for example kayaking allows young people to work independently developing self confidence and a sense of personal achievement coupled with the physical skills of actually paddling their own kayak. Canoeing allows young people to work in small team of 2 -3 learning how to rely on each other and be part of a small team, how to deal with success and in some cases failure. Whilst through raft building and racing the children work as part of larger team and realise the results of their combined efforts. This ethos of personal development through outdoor adventure is carried through all our activities.

 

In addition to our courses for school groups we provide national governing body courses in Canoeing, kayaking, sailing, power boating and are approved by the , Royal Yachting Association RYA, BAPA. Adventuremark, Learning outside the Classroom, Tourism Isle of Man.

The centre managers Michael and Simon Read are actively involved in all aspects of the centres’ operations this means that we maintain a high level of flexibility and personal involvement so we can ensure your stay with us runs as smoothly as possible.

Safety and Accreditation

For each of our activities we have full risk assessment, operational procedures and learning objectives in place. All our staff are fully trained in the activities they deliver and undergo enhanced checks prior to starting employment with us. We are keen to ensure our courses fulfil the exact requirements for your group.

 

Free Familiarisation Visits for Teachers

For groups that have not visited us previously we offer familiarisation visits for group leaders including assistance with ferry and accommodation costs.

We will draw up a suggested activity programme based on the age of your students, length of visit and any prior experiences your group may have had. All programmes are subject to alteration due to extenuating circumstances

Click here to contact us for more details

Activity Programme

We pride ourselves on offering flexible programmes to suit your group. Activities can be chosen from our wide range and cultural visits can be arranged to areas of interest around the Island. Contact us to discuss your  requirements and we will work with you to create a programme to suit your group.

Sample Monday to Friday Year 5/6

 

a.m.

p.m.

Eve

Monday

Travel to Isle of Man by ferry or flight

Introduction to centre Fire drills

Assault course

Coastal walk

Tuesday

Raft Building and Racing 

Kayaking and Canoeing

Target Shooting

Wednesday

Abseiling and Climbing

Gorge Walking

Wide game

Thursday

Campcraft Skill Camp fires

Cook own lunch

Assault Course 

Archery 

Friday

Operation Phoenix Team
Challenge Competition

Depart for ferry or flight

 

 

Sample Monday to Friday Secondary School

 

a.m.

p.m.

Eve

Monday

Travel  to Isle of Man via ferry or flight

Intro to centre

Fire drills

Assault course

Coastal walk

Tuesday

Kayaking and Canoeing 

Gorge Walking 

Target Shooting

Wednesday

Abseiling

Climbing

High Ropes Course 

Wide game

Thursday

Bushcraft Skills 

Campfires

Cook own lunch

Coasteering 

 

Archery 

Friday

Operation Phoenix Team Challenge Competition

Depart for ferry or flight

   

 

Educational Outcomes

Our courses are aimed at Key Stage 2 and are ideal for years 5 and year 6 students to help prepare for the transition to senior school.

For each activity we have our own learning outcomes please click here to view these outcomes. If you feel these are not appropriate for your group or you  wish us to focus on different outcomes please contact us to discuss this.

The Booking Process

We aim to make the process as straight forward as possible. Most groups ask us to organise the ferry travel for their group we do this through local travel agent “Isle of Man Event Services Ltd”. This ensures that your holiday package is fully protected. However you are free to organise your own travel to the island if you prefer.

We ask groups to pay the ferry element of their visit as soon as possible to ensure the appropriate ferry tickets are reserved. We then ask for a deposit of £100 per person for the stay at the centre this is due 3 months before arrival with the balance due on arrival this makes it easy for us to make adjustments if numbers change.

We will issue VAT invoices for the deposits and balance amount.  Educational groups can normally reclaim the VAT element of their visit to avoid passing this cost on to the children.

Recommended kit lists and medical forms can be downloaded from the downloads page

Prices

By ferry from either Heysham or Liverpool.

For departures from other locations please contact us for a quote.

Prices include

  • Free places for group leaders in the ratio of 1 or every 8 full paying guests
  • Return ferry travel
  • All meals whilst at the centre
  • All on island transport
  • Full adventure programme
  • Accommodation
  • Familiarisation/inspection visits for first time visitor

* All prices are plus VAT

 

Prices 2021 from Heysham

From Heysham

 

Lots of other ferry options available just ask for a quote

From Heysham

Mon – Friday Including ferry Rate per child

14.15 exHeysham on day of arrival   arrive 12.15 Heysham on last day

From Heysham

Monday- Friday

14.15 exHeysham on day of arrival  19.45 ex Isle of Man on Friday

 

From Heysham

Monday

-

 Wednesday

From Heysham

Wednesday

-

Friday

 

Before 11th April 2021

£245 plus VAT

£274 plus VAT

£145 plus VAT

£155 plus VAT

11th April  – 14th May 2021

£255 plus VAT

£286 plus VAT

 

£145 plus VAT

£155 plus VAT

14th May - 24th July 2021

£319 plus VAT

£359 plus VAT

 

 

6th September  – 8th October 2021

£255 plus VAT

£286 plus VAT

£255 plus VAT

£145 plus VAT

£155 plus VAT

8th October 2021 - 9th April 2022

£245 plus VAT

£274 plus VAT

£145 plus VAT

£155 plus VAT

 

Prices 2022 from Liverpool

Rates 2022

Subject to confirmation of ferry schedule

From Liverpool

Monday 11.15 Seacat from Liverpool –  Friday 17.15 arrive Liverpool per child (age 15 years and under)

 

Friday – Monday

Rate per child including ferry

 

 

Monday

-

 Wednesday

 

 

Tuesday eve 19.45 ex Liverpool

-

Friday 15.00 seacat to Liverpool

 

         
         

Any dates before sats 14th May 2022

£290 plus VAT

 

 

POA
Tuesday 3rd May - Friday 6th May 2022 £228.50 plus VAT      

13th May - 22nd  July 2022

£343 plus VAT

 

 

 

6th  September  - 8th October 2022

£260 plus VAT

 

£150 plus VAT

 

No Liverpool ferries after this date

Please see options from heysham

We can run a visit for any combination of dates subject to availability just give us a call on 01624 814240 or click here for a quote

 

 

 

Prices 2021 for Isle of Man Schools

Please contact us on 814240 to discuss the best experience for your group.

We confirm that all deposits and payments from Isle of Man school groups for dates when schools are confirmed as being closed have been refunded.  Bookings for school groups for further dates in 2020 will be invoiced at the start of the visit to ensure maximum financial security for parents.

Any dates October 2020 – March 2021

All Monday – Friday visits £220 *

All Monday – Tuesday or Thursday – Friday visits £99 *

Any 2 night 3 day visit eg Monday – Wednesday or Wednesday – Friday £150*

Monday 12th April - Friday 14th May 2021

Monday - Friday £285

Tuesday 4th May - Friday 7th May £220* Full

Wednesday 5th May - Friday 7th May £150 *Full

2 day 1 night visit  £105 *

All subject to availability

Monday 17th May - Friday 23rd July 2021

Monday 17th - Friday 21st May £335* Maximum 30 children

Monday 24th - Friday 28th May £335* Full

Monday 14th - Friday 18th June 2021 £335*

Monday 21st Jun - Friday 25th June £335*

Monday - Friday £335 *

Tuesday 6th - Friday 9th July max 55 £260

Monday 12th July - Friday 16th July £335 max 30

Monday 12th July - wednesday 14th July £ 165 plus VAT per child

2 day 1 night stay peak season £150 plus VAT

Monday - Wednesday or Wednesday - Friday peak season £185 plus VAt

September 13th - 8th October 2021

Monday 13th - Friday 17th September max 25 £250 plus VAT

Monday 20th - Friday 24th September Max 60 £250 plus VAT per child

Monday 27th Sept- Friday 1st October  Full

Monday 4th October - Friday 8th October Max 50 £250 plus VAT per child

Monday - Friday  £250 plus VAT per child

Monday - Wednesday £165 plus VAT per child

Wednesday - Friday £165 plus VAT per child

Overnight stay a.m. Day 1 - p.m. day 2 £120 plus VAT per child

Special Offers

Tuesday 1st June - Thursday 3rd June 2021 £150*

All prices are per child plus VAT and include pick up and return to school

Deduct £5 per person if the group do not require picking up and transporting to the centre

Day visits during school hours

Jan, Feb, March, April, September,October November , December 2021  £19.50 plus VAT does not include pick up or lunch

May , June, July 2021  £25 plus VAT does not include pick up or lunch.

 

Sample Activity List Year 6 Monday - Friday Peak Season

Abseiling and Climbing

Archery

Field Archery

Assault course

Air Rifle shooting

Kayaking

Canoeing

Padddle Boarding

Raft Building and Racing

Coastal walk

High ropes course

Tree climb

Operation Phoenix Team Challenge Competition

Wide game

Gorge walking or coasteering subject to tides and weather

Crate stacking Challenge

Fire lighting/bushcraft

Nightline

Problem solving

 

Prices 2022 Isle of Man groups

Please contact us on 814240 to discuss the best experience for your group.

Prices based on 09.15 pick up from school on day 1 - 14.30 deaprt Venture Centre on last day

Price for residential visits includes pickup from school and return to school

Any dates October 2021 – March 2022

All Monday – Friday visits £225 plus VAT

All Monday – Tuesday or Thursday – Friday visits £99 plus VAT

Any 2 night 3 day visit eg Monday – Wednesday or Wednesday – Friday £150* plus VAT per child

 

Monday 12th April - Friday 14th May 2022

 

Monday - Friday £290 plus VAT per child

Tuesday 3rd May – Friday 6th May 2022 £225 plus VAT per child

 

Peak season Monday 17th May - Friday 23rd July 2022

Monday – Friday £340 plus VAT per child

Monday 30th May - Tuesday 31st May £110 plus VAT per child

 

September 12th - 7th October 2022

Monday- Friday £250 plus VAT

October 10th 2022 – 1st March 2023

Monday – Friday visit £225  plus VAT per child (max 30 students)

Any 2 day 1 night visit £99 plus VAT per child (max 30 students)

Any 3 day 2 night visit £145 plus VAT per child (max 30 students)

All prices are per child plus VAT and include pick up and return to school

Deduct £5 per person if the group do not require picking up and transporting to the centre

 

Day visits during school hours 2022

Jan, Feb, March, April, September, October, November , December 2022  £19.50 plus VAT does not include pick up or lunch

May , June, July 2022  £25 plus VAT does not include pick up or lunch.

Sample Activity List Year 6 Monday - Friday Peak Season

Abseiling and Climbing

Archery

Field Archery

Assault course

Air Rifle shooting

Kayaking

 

Canoeing

Padddle Boarding

 

Raft Building and Racing

 

Coastal walk

 

High ropes course

 

Tree climb

 

Operation Phoenix Team Challenge Competition

 

Wide game

 

Gorge walking or coasteering subject to tides and weather

 

Crate stacking Challenge

 

Fire lighting/bushcraft

 

Nightline

 

Problem solving

 


 

Below are some helpful documents to make planning your trip a more simple process

Recomended Kit List

Kit List

                              

 

Got these

Need to get

Packed

Notes

Essential Items

 

 

 

 

Sleeping Bag (Pillow and pillow case provided)

 

 

 

 

Waterproof Top

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Several pairs of trousers (Not Jeans)

 

 

 

 

Warm Sweaters

 

 

 

 

Shirts

 

 

 

 

Underwear

 

 

 

 

Shorts

 

 

 

 

Socks

 

 

 

 

Training Shoes or Boots for walking

 

 

 

 

Extra pair of old trainers or other substantial footwear  for water based activities.

(These will get very wet!!!)

 

 

 

 

Swimming Kit

 

 

 

 

Washing kit and large towel

 

 

 

 

Night attire

 

 

 

 

Hat and Gloves dependant on time of year

 

 

 

 

Torch (head torch is best) dependant on time of year

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Useful Items

 

 

 

 

Small rucksack / Day bag for carrying spare clothes waterproofs etc

 

 

 

 

Wellies (Depending on time of year)

 

 

 

 

Small drinks bottle to carry water to activity locations

(These can be purchased at the tuck shop for £3 each)

 

 

 

 

Plastic bags for dirty kit, boots etc.

 

 

 

 

Sun Block (dependant on time of year)

 

 

 

 

Insect repellent (depending on time of year)

 

 

 

 

 

It is a good idea to use this as a kit list as a check list when your child packs their own bag.

Please ensure all items are clearly marked with the child’s name.

Clothes should be suitable for tumble-drying.

We normally keep lost property for 1 month before disposing of it.

Please DO NOT bring any electronic equipment

 

Parents Information

TheVenture centre

 

Parents Information Pack

Introduction to the Venture Centre

Thank you for considering our centre as a venue for your child’s activity holiday.  Our, family run, centre has been in operation since 1982 and in that time has run courses for thousands of young people from both on and off the Island.  Our activity programmes are tried and tested and ideally suited to young people who want to do something different and more challenging.

About the Venture Centre

The Venture Centre was in it’s earlier years part of a very large farm and in converting it into sleeping and eating accommodation we have tried to preserve its real character.  The centre's office and shop used to be the dairy.  The dormitories, former milking parlours, provide sleeping accommodation in bunk beds. There are toilets and wash basins adjacent. Group leaders’ accommodation is in separate  rooms.  An additional block contains showers.  The heavily timbered dining area and open plan kitchen was the ground floor of the grinding mill while the upper floor became the recreational room.

Several outbuildings and a massive Dutch barn complete the list of buildings.

Drying facilities (spinners and tumble dryers) are conveniently located so that wet kit can be dried immediately after wet activities.  The glen to the north side contains the centre's purpose built assault course.  Archery and orienteering take place on fields next to the centre.

If you wish to have a look around our centre prior to your child’s visit just phone us on 814240 to arrange a suitable time and date.

 

Our staff organise a morning, afternoon and evening activity session for your group.  The centre staff are responsible for the supervision of the children during activity sessions.  Outside activity sessions responsibility for supervision is with the visiting teachers.

 

Bed times will be at the discretion of the visiting groups however we expect lights out and quiet by 10.30 p.m. Your group’s programme will be taken from the following list of activities:-

 

Orienteering, archery, air rifle shooting, assault course, coastal walk,  abseiling, climbing,  canoeing, crate stacking, kayaking, coastal walk, high ropes course, sailing, stand up paddle boards, raft building, team building exercises, wide game, aerial runway and orienteering, ropes course, bushcraft skills, gorge walking, coasteering.  Final programme will be agreed with your group leaders prior to the visit.

 

Our aim is maximum participation in each activity by all young persons with encouragement and help in a sympathetic manner from our instructors.

 

All programmes are subject to suitable weather and other safety considerations.

We reserve the right to alter activity programmes where we consider this to be necessary.

 

Check out our website www.venturecentre.im

 

 

 

 

 

Safety

Safety is our main priority.  Throughout all our activity programmes we adhere to strict safety guidelines.  The centre is annually inspected by the British Activity Providers Association and The Royal Yachting Association Learning Outside the Classroom, Adventuremark   In addition we have our own operating procedures and risk assessments which are available for inspection.

We are approved by the Isle of Man Department of Education.

All introductory paddlesports  activities take place on The Mooragh Park Lake a fully enclosed 12-acre seawater lake.  The maximum depth of the lake is 1.5 metres and it is not possible to be more than 70 metres from the bank.

We allow non-swimmers to participate in water based activities if they are water confident.

Group leaders are responsible for the supervision of any non participants and for their group outside activity sessions.

As safety is our main priority where we consider that a young person may be causing a danger to themselves or others their parents or guardians will be contacted to collect them at their own expense.

All our instructional staff undergo a police check DBS check and a full induction/familiarisation course.

Fire drills take place before the first night at the centre where this is considered practical.

 

A qualified 1st Aider is on call on site whenever persons are resident at the centre. Instructors carry first aid kits when off site.

Risk Assessments

Risk assessments are produced for all our activity sessions. These are available by request.

Telephone

Under no circumstances should young persons bring mobile phones to the centre.

If it is urgent and you wish to speak to member of staff about your child you can ring at meal times (5.30 p.m.- 6.30 p.m.) and a member of staff may be available to speak to you.

We politely request that parents do not just turn up at the centre to speak to their children.

Meals

Breakfast              A cooked breakfast e.g. cereals, sausage and baked beans, toast and jam/marmalade

                                Tea, coffee or squash.

Lunch                    Sandwiches with a choice of filling, a piece of fruit, biscuits and a drink of squash. Children may also cook their own lunch on a camp fire.

Evening meal       A substantial evening meal ( e.g fish chips peas, pasta bolognaise, barb que ,  baked potatoes and assorted toppings, chicken curry and rice)

 

Please let us know on the medical form of any food your child is unable to eat or any other dietary requirements.

Vegetarian options are available with prior notice.

National Curriculum

All courses cover the requirements of the National Curriculum with regard to outdoor and adventurous activities.

Medical Information

Personal and medical information of all visitors must be made available to Venture Centre staff.  Our attention should be drawn to any potential problems in advance of the visit.  If your child has any unusual requirements please let your group leaders know and phone us at The Venture Centre.

Valuables

These should not be brought to the centre.   We recommend a maximum of £2 per day for pocket money and suggest that group leaders take charge of pocket money.  There is a tuck shop on site selling sweets, drinks and small souvenirs.