Ta Ellan Vannin cur failt errui
(Welcome to the Isle of Man)
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.
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 Venture Centre buildings are set in an area of woodland bordering rolling farm land. On the site there are many activities including; woodland bushcraft areas, archery, an assault course including monkey bars and rope swings over a (shallow) river, abseil platforms high up in the tress and a 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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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a.m. |
p.m. |
Eve |
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Monday |
Travel to Isle of Man via ferry or flight |
Intro to centre Fire drills |
Coastal walk |
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Tuesday |
Kayaking and Canoeing |
Gorge Walking |
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Wednesday |
Climbing |
High Ropes Course |
Wide game |
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Thursday |
Bushcraft Skills |
Campfires Cook own lunch |
Coasteering
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Archery |
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Friday |
Operation Phoenix Team Challenge Competition |
Depart for ferry or flight |
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a.m. |
p.m. |
Eve |
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|---|---|---|---|
|
Monday |
Travel to Isle of Man by ferry or flight |
Introduction to centre Fire drills |
Coastal walk |
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Tuesday |
Raft Building and Racing |
Kayaking and Canoeing |
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Wednesday |
Abseiling and Climbing |
Gorge Walking |
Wide game |
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Thursday |
Cook own lunch |
Assault Course |
Archery |
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Friday |
Operation Phoenix Team |
Depart for ferry or flight |
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.
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
By ferry from either Heysham or Liverpool.
For departures from other locations please contact us for a quote.
Prices include
* All prices are plus VAT
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Rates 2020* From Heysham 14.15 exHeysham on day of arrival arrive 12.15 Heysham on last day Lots of other ferry options available just ask for a quote |
Mon – Friday Including ferry Rate per child |
Friday – Monday Rate per child including ferry |
Monday - Wednesday |
Wednesday - Friday
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Before 19th April 2020 |
£245 plus VAT |
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19th April – 17th May 2020 |
POA |
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6th July - 17th July 2020 |
From £319 plus VAT |
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18th July – 11th October 2020 |
£245 plus VAT |
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15th uly - 11th October 2019 - 14th April 2020 |
£245 plu VAT |
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Rates 2020* From Liverpool 11.15 Seacat from Liverpool on day of arrival –17.15 arrive Liverpool on last day Lots of other ferry options available just ask for a quote |
Mon – Friday Including ferry Rate per child |
Friday – Monday Rate per child including ferry |
Monday - Wednesday |
Tuesday eve 19.45 ex liverpool - Friday 15.00 seacat to Liverpool
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|---|---|---|---|---|
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Any dates before 17th May 2020 |
£255 |
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POA |
| Tuesday 8th May - Friday 11th May 2019 | TBC | |||
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17th May – 6th July July 2020 |
£324 plus VAT |
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6th July - 24th July 2020 |
£335 plus VAT |
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24th July - 8th October 2020 No Liverpool ferries after this date Please see options from heysham |
£255 plus VAT |
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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
Tuesday 31st May – Thursday 2nd June £160 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
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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
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|---|---|---|---|---|
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Any dates before sats 14th May 2022 |
£290 plus VAT |
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POA |
| Tuesday 3rd May - Friday 6th May 2022 | £228.50 plus VAT | |||
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13th May - 22nd July 2022 |
£343 plus VAT |
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6th September - 8th October 2022 |
£260 plus VAT |
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£150 plus VAT |
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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 |
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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
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|---|---|---|---|---|
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Before 11th April 2022 |
£245 plus VAT |
£274 plus VAT |
£145 plus VAT |
£155 plus VAT |
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11th April – 14th May 2022 |
£255 plus VAT |
£286 plus VAT |
£145 plus VAT |
£155 plus VAT |
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14th May - 24th July 2022 |
£305 plus VAT |
£359 plus VAT |
N/A |
N/A |
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6th September – 8th October 2022 |
£255 plus VAT |
£286 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 |
Below are some Helpful documents to make planning your trip a more simple process
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 accessible 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.
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01624 814240
contact@adventure-centre.co.uk