About Us
At Active Learning Centres, if you engage in conversation with any of our team members, they will convey to you our organisation’s founding purpose — to create a new standard in outdoor learning. This vision prompted us to acquire three outdoor centres, all of which had closed in the past years and were previously in a state of disrepair. Our overarching goal is to elevate standards, thriving amidst the challenges posed by the pandemic and its profound impact on our sector.
Through strategic investments, we’ve transformed these centres into truly exceptional spaces, poised to cater to the needs of future generations of educators and learners. This trio of centres now seamlessly connects diverse environments — woodlands, coastlines, and mountains — guiding students through a progressive learning journey aimed at fostering essential skills and character development.
Cuffley
The first addition to our portfolio was our Cuffley centre, acquired just before the onset of the pandemic. Nestled in Hertfordshire, Cuffley spans approximately 100 acres of woodland, conveniently close to London. This expansive landscape ensures that each group enjoys its exclusive camp space, fostering a genuine connection with the natural surroundings. The centre offers teachers the choice between a Pod Village or camping in bell tents, enabling groups to disperse harmoniously among the trees.
This thoughtful arrangement preserves the woodland’s allure and prevents the sense of overcrowding. Our staff, chosen with care for their adeptness in engaging with students, affords accompanying teachers the opportunity to observe the learning process while relishing the outdoor experience.
The Towers
Our second acquisition was The Towers, situated near Capel Curig in the heart of Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park. This centre specializes in customised mountain adventures, meticulously designed to enhance the overall experience for both group leaders and students. Following an extensive redevelopment, The Towers now stands as a beacon of superior quality, offering accommodation and cuisine that diverges from the standard activity centre fare.
With a modern aesthetic, state-of-the-art facilities, and tasteful furnishings, The Towers sets itself apart. For added convenience, there’s even a cozy ‘Teachers Snug,’ providing a retreat for moments when you need to catch up on emails or unwind in comfort after a day spent in the great outdoors.
Sealyham
Lastly, Sealyham, set to welcome its inaugural groups in Summer 2024, serves as an ideal hub for engaging in high-energy activities along the breathtaking Pembrokeshire coast. Similar to our other centres, Sealyham has undergone reconstruction to offer adaptable accommodations with an exclusive ambiance.
At the core of our brand’s foundation across all three centres is a deep commitment to the significance of outdoor learning and its inherent value for young individuals.
“We are an organisation that has been created by teachers, for teachers, so that students can get the very best outdoor learning experience. We are truly dedicated to helping young people develop essential skills and character, and to promote wellbeing through outdoor learning.”
Why choose us?
ALC was established with the goal of revolutionising outdoor education. Our objective is to meticulously create and provide unmatched learning opportunities to every school that joins us.
We ensure that your time with us is maximised to make the most of the activities on offer. Our Multi-Activity trips ensure a remarkable and truly unique experience for your students.
ALC isn’t your average activity provider, we create itineraries tailored to your groups needs and objectives. Based on the type of tip you want, we will work with you to ensure your stay with us meets your desired outcomes.
Discover how we incorporate essential skills, character building and wellbeing into our courses.
Catering at ALC
At ALC, we take great care in the food we provide to our guests, from its source to the plate – and beyond! Lead by Head of Catering Simon Caple, we have an initiative to serve fresh, healthy, high-quality food. This mean farm assured meat, Red Tractor sausages, MSC fish and free range eggs. This also involved evaluating our carbon footprint and changing our deliveries to local suppliers to reduce impact. On top of this, we have implemented a system where our food and oil waste is sent off to be made into biofuels.
FAQs
What is an ALC outdoor learning centre?
An ALC centre is specifically designed to facilitate outdoor education and activity programmes, carefully crafted and skillfully delivered to create high quality learning outcomes.
An ALC allows a learner to develop knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviours through direct engagement with outdoor environments, and which provides the learner with a range of personal, educational and social benefits.
With a focus on environmental awareness and staying active, we design outdoor education and adventurous activity courses that foster in students and other learners the capacity to think critically about their place in the world and how they might be able to positively shape themselves, their communities and the ecosystems they inhabit.
What do you do at an ALC outdoor learning centre?
At an ALC outdoor learning centre, you can engage in a wide range of exciting and educational activities designed to make the most of the natural environment. Some of the key experiences include:
- Outdoor Activities: Enjoy thrilling activities such as mountain climbing, coasteering, navigating high ropes courses, and many more adventurous pursuits.
- Exploring Nature: Immerse yourself in diverse environments, from woodlands and coastal areas to mountainous regions, gaining a deeper appreciation for nature.
- Developing Activity Skills: Enhance your proficiency in various outdoor skills such as climbing, canoeing, hillwalking, bushcraft, and coasteering through hands-on practice and expert guidance.
- Building Essential Skills: Strengthen essential life skills including communication, problem solving, creativity, teamwork, leadership, resilience, and goal-setting through structured activities and challenges.
- Hands-On Learning: Participate in practical, experiential learning opportunities, such as geography fieldwork, to reinforce academic concepts and foster a deeper understanding of the natural world.
Overall, our ALC outdoor learning centres provide a comprehensive and dynamic environment where you can grow personally and academically while having fun and exploring the great outdoors.
Whether you have a question or want to make a booking, we’re always ready to help.
Unit 15, Eyston Way, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 1TR