The Real Outdoor Xperience Residential Centre Cirencester

The Real Outdoor Xperience Centre Cirencester has been established for 40 years and has a senior coaching team with over 100 years collective experience delivering a range of water sports experiences and qualifications as well as team building, archery and orienteering.

Many of the children that visit us through schools or youth groups come back with their family to enjoy our Pay and Play boat hire, water sports clubs, courses, birthday parties or family tipi experiences.

We use a combination of the following activity tools?

• Sailing
• Windsurfing
• Kayaking
• Canoeing
• Paddleboarding
• Raft-Building
• Tunnels
• Archery
• Snorkelling
• Team Challenges
• Environmental
• Orienteering
• Catapult building
• Residential Experiences

To achieve the following outcomes?

• Confidence
• Communication
• Creative Thinking
• Collaboration
• Commitment
• Contribution

Our accommodation options include:

• 3 log cabins with capacity for 33 in bunk beds
• 3 large Sioux Indian tipis with capacity for 10 in each on roll mats
• Large grass area for camping groups

We are able to arrange separate large tent accommodation for group leaders If required.

The Real Outdoor Xperience is in a quiet lake location in the Cotswold Water Park. The site is covered by 24 hour CCTV and emergency contact details of the Duty Manager is provided should you require it overnight.

Toilet and shower facilities are on-site adjacent to our accommodation, in our modern purpose built block. Key fob access is provided for changing facilities and our residential area for security.

We aim to tailor each experience to fulfill the needs and outcomes of the group which are identified during your initial enquiry and before booking.

We are able to work with you on a range of subject areas to tie the learning experience with us into the curriculum topics you are exploring in the classroom. We have also developed a range of water sports programmes that can be worked on in the classroom prior to your visit for Key Stages 1-3, exploring principles of science, geography and physical activity that relate to the activities, before applying the learning in reality through sailing, kayaking and canoeing.

These programmes have been created in conjunction with our experienced coaching team, senior education professionals and national governing bodies.

We also operate school Open Days and teacher workshops during the year to enable you to sample the activities available and provide assistance an expertise regarding visit planning, risk assessments and teacher inclusion.

Just some of our most popular packages:

Discovery Package – If you are looking for a package that encourages self discovery and personal success, we have created a series of taster activities for your young people to take part in. The learning is experiential and based on simple and safe techniques that encourage young people to take and make decisions in an unfamiliar environment. Qualified and experienced instructors will facilitate the learning through a plan, do and review approach to ensure they have fun whilst learning essential life-lessons in and around our 45 acre lake and woodland experience area.

Water Sports Experience – This package will enable young people to gain the benefits of physical activity through the exhilaration of watersports such as Kayaking, Windsurfing, Stand-Up Paddling, and Sailing. They will gain the skills and techniques to take on competitive challenges suited to their ability level, whilst building self-confidence and team working attributes. The learning is progressive and well resourced using our experienced, qualified instructors to coach and review their progress. If required we are able to adapt courses leading to nationally recognised qualifications.

Residential Packages – Take advantage of our lakeside location with bunk beds in rustic cabins, roll-mats in traditional tipis or overnight camping. We offer self-catering and fully catered packages to suit your needs and, with all activities on site, you are only a step away from the fun and challenges. We work with groups to develop personal qualities and co-operating over activities such as domestic chores wrapped around engaging and developmental activities throughout your stay. This is an excellent choice for leaders wanting positive changes in confidence, managing feelings, cultivating successful relationships and problem solving.

Re-Engage Package – Do you have individuals that struggle to fit within the traditional educational framework, or that regularly disrupt the learning experience of others? We have adapted programmes specifically developed to explore behaviour management, relationships, problem solving and communication, tailored to suit the individuals and engage them in fun yet challenging tasks that lead to positive outcomes through competition and discovery. An ideal investment for individuals qualifying for the Pupil Premium that can have a lasting positive impact both in and outside the classroom.

Situated between our 47 acre lake of crystal clear water and the banks of the River Churn, The Real Outdoor Xperience is an ideal and safe location for outdoor adventures, learning and environmental studies with changing rooms, classrooms and accommodation all on site.

Our passion for the outdoors and what it offers together with the high standards of our equipment, coaching and safety systems ensure your time here is fun, safe and challenging – A fantastic experience for both children and adults alike.

Our ambition is to make you and your children feel part of our family so that all involved leave us with great stories to tell and our past customer recognise and value the friendly atmosphere we create.

Within the Cotswold Water Park, we are able to advise on local nature walks and link you up with our partners The Cotswold Forest School and Go By Cycle to provide additional activities within a mile of centre.

We are able to serve groups of up to 200 for day experiences dependent on requirements and have cabin accommodation for 33 with a large field area that is popular for more rustic camping experiences and our ever-popular Sioux Indian Tipis which can be used as accommodation or as a unique teaching space. Maximum capacity for residential stays including our cabins and tipis is approximately 60.

We are happy for schools and children to take their own photos and videos of their experience. Please check with the Duty Manager on the day for any safeguarding issues.

We encourage all leaders to do a site visit prior to your booking and ask that you call to arrange this. We are able to assist you with completing your own risk assessments or are able to share our own that you can use if you prefer.

We comply with all statutory health and safety requirements, including fire safety and we conduct fire drills twice yearly.

The Real Outdoor Xperience is part of the Prospects Services Group, an education, employment and training organization that works closely with schools and education providers across the country on a range of consultancy and fulfillment requirements.

Our Group Bookings Manager, Simon Holloway, is a former teacher and youth worker and is responsible for ensuring our programmes meet your needs and achieve your required outcomes

We offer a range of residential packages starting from just £150 per person for an all inclusive 2 night, 4 activity stay. Supervising Adults are usually included at no additional charge and can be included in group activities provided the maximum group size of 10 is not exceeded.

Catering per adult is £20 per day for breakfast, lunch and two course evening meal.

Please contact us for our full range of residential packages or to discuss your individual group needs.

All staff at The Real Outdoor Xperience are first aid qualified.

We receommend that residential groups have a qualified first aider with them for overnight cover. A fully stocked first aid box is provided in the residential area.

Residential area with dining area and commercial kitchen.

Dedicated residential area with separate relaxing lounge equipped with a range of board games, books and TV with videos.

2 large teaching rooms for up to 30 children

Souvenirs area available from our reception during the visit from £1 to £5

We have heated changing rooms and showers on site.

Our residential packages include full catering, however we are able to offer a self-catering option using our fully-fitted kitchen, subjected to appropriate food hygiene qualifications being held.

We have several picnic benches overlooking the lake which you are welcome to use with your own packed lunches.

Our changing rooms, including showers and ground floor rooms are fully accessible and we are able to offer activities specifically suited to a range of disabilities.

Two of our cabins are wheel chair accessible.

The children gained confidence in areas that were not possible in the classroom. I have visibly seen the difference in many of them becoming more happier, confident and more social. – Bourton-on-the-Water Primary School

South Cerney Outdoor have proved to be an invaluable partner organisation and we have students working across the world who hold the training and support they received here in the highest esteem. – Ali Park, Hartpury College

All of our group have been fitted in different ways… Some have improved in confidence, team play and communication. All their life skills? have been tested and developed – Brimshem school

…on behalf of the Year 5 teachers and children thank you and your team for a wonderful three days spent at the centre. Despite the awful weather, the children enjoyed themselves immensely and have been telling me all about their visit. We look forward to visiting next year – Elmbridge Junior School

Just a quick thank you? for yet another fabulous visit to South Cerney. Everyone had so much fun and got a great deal out of it. Ellie, our leader, was wonderful! Thank you for everything – especially the dinosaur – they loved it! As a reminder of my conversation with Matt – joking aside, I would like the same days for the equivalent weeks – give or take, until I retire in 2019 please!! Birdlip Primary School

Please extend our thanks and gratitude again to Max and Harry; they were both equally fantastic and handled the excitable girls very well. We were most impressed with the centre and the dragon boat race was so much fun and ticked so many boxes of team building / resilience / competition / leadership skills that we will most definitely consider approaching the centre again, for future staff and student events. Royal Wootton Bassett College

Great for a residential stay with groups. The staff are all friendly and are well qualified… My daughter went for a trial day and now is an active member of the kayaking club.

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g1231795-d4859596-Reviews-South_Cerney_Outdoor-South_Cerney_Cotswolds_England.html

The Real Outdoor Xperience Residential Centre Cirencester is located approximately half a mile from the main Swindon to Cheltenham A419, with excellent local public transport stopping directly outside our main gates. We have on-site parking for mini-buses and ample space for aoach drop off and collection.

Each of our 3 cabins can accommodate up to 11 on bunks with a dedicated changing and toilet facility on site.

Each of our 3 tipis can accommodate up to 10 (12 for younger children) on roll mats with sleeping bags. These have proved a very popular part of the experience.