Outdoor education can have a profound effect on wellbeing and I feel strongly that every young person should grow up with these practical skills.
I visited a fantastic example of a centre nurturing a love for the great outdoors in Longridge recently and was interested to hear how staff are diversifying what they offer.
Hothersall Lodge, operated by Lancashire County Council, welcomes thousands of children, young people and adults every year.
Derek Queenan, Head of Lancashire Outdoor Education, and Becki Saint-Humphries, Deputy Head of Outdoor Education, showed me around the seven-acre site, which has an archery range, canoeing lake, sports courts and climbing wall among its facilities.
The 86-bed centre, open all year round, caters for schools, uniformed organisations, adults on company away days and can even be booked for meetings and family holidays, though staff say the site is a hidden gem.
I’d been there before as a Brownie volunteer, but it was interesting to hear how staff are seeing children from the “COVID generation” coming through with skills gaps, which the centre can address.
Use of tech means capabilities are changing for many children, so places like Hothersall Lodge are really important to help develop team-building, practical and communication skills.
For me, this all links in with the current conversation around social media bans for children. I think it’s really important that we continue to invest in alternatives if we start putting in restrictions on technology.
Hothersall Lodge is a great example of somewhere that offers opportunities to have a go at new sports and spend time with others, and I’m really grateful of the chance to pay the centre a visit.
"Use of tech means capabilities are changing for many children, so places like Hothersall Lodge are really important to help develop team-building, practical and communication skills."
