Councillor Rory Green, Councillor John Semens, Councillor Christopher Adegoke, Councillor Dawn Justice and Councillor Janette Barlow with children from Haddon Primary School and the Notts Outdoors mascot, Bracken the hedgehog, celebrating the 40th anniversary of Notts Outdoors at the St Michaels centre. Councillor Rory Green, Councillor Simon Wright, Councillor John Semens, Councillor Christopher Adegoke, Councillor Dawn Justice and Councillor Janette Barlow with staff members Pom Bhogal, Gary Richards and Neil Maltby at the Hagg Farm centre. Bespoke wooden benches at the Hagg Farm centre, hand made by Neil Maltby, Site Manager.

A Nottinghamshire educational service which provides outdoor learning opportunities for young people is celebrating its landmark 40th anniversary.

Notts Outdoors was launched by Nottinghamshire County Council in 1985 to improve the lives of thousands of children and teenagers by encouraging them to enjoy the great outdoors.

The pioneering programme has since gone from strength to strength and has hosted around 60,000 pupils on its bespoke residential trips which are designed to build confidence, independence and resilience.

Two of its residential centres – St Michael’s Environmental Education Centre in Hathersage and Hagg Farm Outdoor Education Centre, near Bamford – are in the heart of the stunning Peak District National Park in Derbyshire.

A special celebration event to mark the anniversary took place at St Michael’s earlier this autumn when a group of county councillors met with Year 5 pupils from Haddon Primary School who were beginning a four-night residential stay at the centre.

The councillors were also given a tour of the facilities at Hagg Farm during their visit to Derbyshire.

Councillor Rory Green, Cabinet Member for Children and Families, said: “It was great to see the sites in action, buzzing with energy from the young people who had been taking part in a range of outdoor activities.

“As well as the formal learning and activities they take part in, residential visits give young people a vital opportunity to unplug.

“Having experienced growing up both with and without smart phones, I know how important it is to get outdoors, learn, have fun and build genuine connections

“It was a privilege to have this opportunity to get a deeper insight into the work our outdoor learning team is delivering to improve the lives of so many in Nottinghamshire.

“I would like to thank Pom Bhogal, our Head of Young People’s Service, for his child-focused leadership of the service, Gary Richards, Service Manager for Notts Outdoors, for making us to feel so welcome and giving us a great understanding the service, and all the Notts Outdoors staff who have such a passion to connect with the children and young people. Lastly, a shoutout to Neil Maltby, Site Manager at Hagg Farm, for his creativity and expertise regarding woodwork, what a bloke!”

As well as boasting facilities in neighbouring Derbyshire, Notts Outdoors also has facilities in its home county.

They include a wilderness experience camp, Camp Redwood, near Clumber Park; three environmental education day centres, Bestwood, Perlethorpe, and Sherwood, and an activity day and residential centre at The Mill Adventure Base, Sutton in Ashfield.

Each site offers accessible and affordable opportunities for young people with immersive learning opportunities, aiming to make learning fun and inclusive.

Notts Outdoors boasts qualified and experienced staff and facilities tailored to school and youth groups.

The service also operated a family and community-focused programme of events, including holiday clubs, Peak District breaks and the Adventures activity facility, featuring high ropes courses and water-based activities.

ENDS