The Stubbington Study Centre Trip

I have long understood the power of Outdoor Education: Done well, it can provide a platform from which both children and adults can grow. Experiences gained can have far reaching effects, and provide memories that can last a lifetime. Therefore its importance should never be underestimated. This is why I believe that residential trips such as the Stubbington Study Centre offered at Shirley Warren are a MUST experience that every child should have access to.

I had the pleasure of spending sometime there this summer passed with children that then were Y5. When I arrived, the main sound that filled the air was that of excited children running about, some with clipboards some without obviously engaged in different challenges that had been set. From a well-organised schedule the children get to participate in a variety of different activities throughout the week ranging from: studying pond life; setting mammal hotels which, if successful, enable the children to take a closer look at nature; beach combing; shelter building to name but a few! All designed to facilitate learning, teamwork and fun. One of the activities I particularly enjoyed watching was the ‘Earthquake Challenge’ getting the children to negotiate, lead their team, share ideas, help individual team members, then self-evaluate their efforts as a team at the end of each stage before they could move on to the next stage, which for me was wonderful to witness.

There was adequate free time when the children could play, make new friends or strengthen existing friendships from shared experiences. Surprise visitors added an extra element of excitement for the children, the outdoor experience is a great leveler; try the plank walk! To top it all off the final evening I witnessed the ‘S’ Factor, Stubbington’s own singing competition which the children had been practicing for all week- so captivating were the performances it was difficult to maintain dry eyes, 'amazing' is the only word suitable to describe such an event.

There was evidence a common thread ran through the whole experience for the children whilst at the centre, Teamwork, Respect and Responsibility. The whole experience created at the Centre is all skilfully managed with appropriate boundaries maintained not only by the centre staff but also by the dedicated teaching staff at Shirley Warren who give up valuable time with their family and friends to help facilitate such a wonderful experience for the children must not go unmentioned. May I personally applaud such dedication on behalf of the Governors at Shirley Warren.

I look forward to visiting the next generation of adventures at the Stubbington Study Centre this coming year.

                                                                      Ged Hayes-Gerrard                                                                                                                                    (thecyclingbear)