Our Activities

Watersports

Watersports activities are held at Cleavel Point, our private spit of land on the south side of Poole Harbour; the 3^rd largest natural harbour in the world. Wildlife flocks to the harbour all year round, including the local seal ‘Ron’ whom you may be lucky enough to meet, while out in our Big Canoes! From Cleavel Point we have direct views of Green Island, a designated SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest), Furzy Island and the largest of the harbour, Brownsea Island. 

From Cleavel Point we offer:

• Raft Building 
• Big Canoeing
• Kayaking 
• Canadian Canoeing 
• Pioneering and Team Tasks with a sea view!
  

Burnbake High & Low Ropes Course

Burnbake high and low ropes course offers young people the chance to face their fears, with the help of their friends and our highly qualified instructors. The course has multiple elements at various heights, making it easily adaptable to each groups abilities and bravery! It is situated within Rempstone Heath, a newly designated National Nature Reserve (NNR), which can be accessed from the centre by a lovely walk across fields and down country lanes. Our wide range of elements allows for a full days adventure and our 'Challenge by Choice' ethos ensures everyone goes away successful.

Burnbake high and low ropes course includes:

• High seesaw
• Artificial climbing wall
• All-aboard
• Gladiator rings
• Leap of faith

Plus lots more!

Climbing and Coastal Walk

Our Coastal Exploration day starts at Durlston Country Park and takes the group along the top of the towering Swanage cliffs and along the Jurassic Coast, on the South West Coast Path. Upon reaching Dancing Ledge, it's time for the young people to put their helmets and harnesses on.

Dancing Ledge is a fantastic venue with options for a range of different abseils and climbs, which vary in difficulty and style. Students and staff alike can test their strength, balance and nerve as they pull and climb on fossils millions of years old, only a stones throw from the sea. This is always a highlight of anyone's visit.

Archery, Air Rifle Shooting and Catapult Challenge

Archery, Air Rifle Shooting and our Catapult Challenge are a brilliant trio of activities based at the Brenscombe Outdoor Centre site. All three activities are instructed by our team who will do their best to have your students hitting the bulls eye. 

The Catapult Challenge is a great team activity in which a group of students are given everything required to make a large firing catapult. Our trusty instructors are there to offer a helping hand and to teach the students the knots required to build a sturdy catapult. When successful the group are rewarded with firing their very own catapult.

Bushcraft

Our bushcraft activity is hosted in the Brenscombe woods just behind the centre, on the flanks of the Purbeck Ridge. The woods are filled with wild garlic, bluebells, snowdrops and many more plants and trees that our instructors can point out on a woodland walk.



Your students will have the opportunity to create fires, without the need for matches or lighters and learn how to safely manage them. Groups will also build shelters and learn how to use the forest sustainably with an ethos of Leave No Trace.

Team & Problem-Solving Tasks

Team Tasks and Problem-Solving activities are a staple of any activity week; bringing students together, developing fundamental interpersonal skills and creating bonds to last a lifetime. We have endless tasks and challenges to offer. Whether you are looking to build your group's confidence at the start of the week, develop their team working skills and understanding or see what they have learnt by the end of the week, we can tailor the tasks to suit.

Project T.E.A.M ('Together Everyone Achieves More') is our fast-paced problem-solving challenge in which groups collect points by completing mini-challenges spread across the centre. Competing to see which team has worked together best. These tasks are great for engaging the whole of a group as each requires different skills and abilities, allowing all participants to contribute to their teams success.

Orienteering and Night Walk

Brenscombe is perfectly located to explore the Purbeck Ridge, with stunning views over Corfe Castle, Poole Harbour and Swanage Bay. As part of a guided Night Walk or out on our 35-point Orienteering course, participants are always in awe of the view! 

We offer Orienteering session which take place entirely around our site or venturing off site, into the surrounding fields and onto the ridge. Either option is led by our expert instructors who will patiently teach your group to interoperate a map and utilise a compass. Supporting them to successfully reach as many point as they can. 

Our Night Walk routes comprise of no road crossings, no vehicle use and the best views of Corfe Castle. It’s a great way to burn off the last of your group’s energy, before setting into our cosy accommodation.