Cumulus Outdoors provide outdoor adventure activities for school day trips with one or two activities of choice covering personal development, team building, resilience, self-belief and confidence all on the stunning Jurassic Coast
South West
Cumulus Outdoors Residential Centre, Cobbler’s Lane, Swanage, Dorset, BH19 2PX
MONTHS OPEN
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
DAYS OPEN
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
AGE GROUPs
8 to 10 years, 11 to 13 years, 14 to 16 years, College, University
Listed under: Adventure Activity Centre| Bushcraft| Caves & Caverns| Climbing Centres| Climbing, High Ropes & Zipwires| Cycling & Mountain Biking| Day Trip Destinations| Duke of Edinburgh Award| Educational Tours| Environmental Studies| Field Studies| Field Study Centres| Geography| Orienteering| Outdoor Education| Outdoor Pursuits| PE (Physical Education/Sport)| Personal Development-Mentoring| Safety Awareness| Science| Water Sports| Water Sports Centre| Wildlife and Nature Reserves|
What we offer on a school trip
Choose one or two adventure activities and build your dream adventure day out, our ‘Challenge by Choice’ ethos means you’ll only ever do something you’re comfortable with. Activities include Coasteering, Climbing & Abseiling, Bushcraft, Kayaking, Beach Safety, Ropes Course, SUPs, Raft Building, Mountain Biking, Orienteering and Tunnelling.
We also have Membership of the National Trust allowing visits to for example, Corfe Castle and Brownsea Island.
What makes us a great choice for educational groups
Cumulus Outdoors runs a broad range of school and youth activities, from residential stays and one-day activities to Duke of Edinburgh organised expeditions and activities. The carefully selected Cumulus Outdoors staff and instructors have many years of experience, they all have an enhanced DBS certificate and an outdoor first aid qualification and they hold all relevant national governing body activity qualifications to run the adventurous activities such as coasteering.
As well as adventurous activities for team building, leadership, confidence and personal development skills, we also offer field study input for both GCSE and A-Level Geography plus KS2 topics within Geography, History, Science and PE for all primary school pupils.
- Clear and concise communication throughout whole enquiry/booking process.
- Teachers are encouraged to attend site visits.
- Wide range of activities to choose from, including mackerel fishing and waterpark.
- Broad range of school and youth activities, from residential stays and one-day activities to Duke of Edinburgh organised expeditions and activities.
- Programmes can be tailored to suit requirements and budgets.
- We encourage and act on feedback to continually improve and innovate.
- Rigorous attention to detail before and during the programme.
- We hold the LOtC Quality Badge mark and also the AdventureMark certificate.
- We have the AALS Licence
- We have BAPA certification.
- We are Business Partners with the Jurassic Coast Trust and as such can offer sessions centered on the World Heritage Site.
- National Trust links at Studland, Corfe Castle and Brownsea Island
Accreditation and Awards
AALS License, Member of Institute of Outdoor Learning (IOL), Member of the National Coasteering Charter NCC, LOtC Quality Badge, AdventureMark.
All staff are Enhanced DBS checked and First Aid Qualification, plus all are fully qualified in their disciplines.
We also have BAPA certification.
What is typically included on our school trips
A programme based on the preferences of the particular group will be created.
An activity day will consist of 2 activities, morning and afternoon with three hours for each session, you can choose the activities to suit your students and to gain the objectives from the session. For example, coasteering for respecting the water and fun, ropes course for team building and self-confidence.
We would be happy to tailor the programme to the ages of the pupils, your expectations and your budget.
Group Sizes
Up to 40 for day activities, up to 130 for residentials.
Materials, Resources & Information Provided
We have a field study provider for GCSE and A-Level geography and a teacher to lead KS1 / KS2 primary topics in geography, science, PE and history.
We can also arrange for visits to National Trust attractions in the area – Corfe Castle, Studland Beach, Brownsea Island, and the RSPB Nature Reserve at Arne on the shores of Poole Harbour.
Plus the Etches Collection in Kimmeridge, the Tank Museum in Bovington and the Project Climbing Centre in Poole.
Photography, Filming & Audio Restrictions
Yes, groups are able to take photographs and there are no copyright restrictions.
Risk Assessments
All risk assessments are reviewed in preparation for the start of the residential season and at anytime during the season if an event necessitates it. All risk assessments and relevant policies are available to school staff via our website, Accommodation forms, kit lists, consent forms and dietary requirement forms are emailed directly to the school trip lead teacher or admin staff.
Education Officer Details
Sam Thompson Tel: 01929 422480 Mob: 07551 808888
Pricing
Half day price: £26.25+VATpp – One activity
Full day price: £38.50+VATpp – Two activities
One teacher per 10 included free in all cases
Clothing Requirements
We also provide a kit list specific to each trip and activities included.
First Aid
We do have first aid on site at all activity locations. All of our staff hold current and relevant first aid qualifications so there is no need for the school to specifically supply a qualified staff member.
Accessibility & Disabled Facilities
We are committed to inclusivity and accessibility to enable all students to participate. Due to the nature of some of our activities, some are not suitable for wheelchair users. We do encourage schools to contact us to discuss any requirements.
Opening Times
Office hours are Monday to Friday 9.00am – 5.00pm, plus telephone cover over weekends and social media responses when possible.
Activity days can take place any time during the year although May – October are the favoured months.
Testimonials
“I have had dealings with this company providing bushcraft and camping facilities for young people in Dorset. It is always a worry about the care that is given to children away from home, and this is one company with proper family values. You get a real sense that you can trust them as they respond at a very human level, whilst maintaining a totally professional approach. Bravo Cumulus, I’m impressed!”
“Fantastic day out climbing and coasteering for our scouts with the folk at Cumulus, Georgie, Sasha, Miles and Chris. Very well organised, experienced, and friendly staff! All in all highly recommended! Thank you”
John
“As a Scout leader, looking for a ‘wow’ activity on the summer camp, this is definitely something I was looking forward to trying. We were well looked after – explanations about what we were doing, what we should do and also what to expect the instructors to do and how we should communicate with them – were all covered by a team that obviously knew how to work together themselves.
The entire session was run safely (as the camp permit holder, being responsible from 20 other kids – I will look for issues that could happen – no matter how small or irrelevant) – I never felt out of control and that team always conveyed the air of reassurance to us and were mindful of the differing needs that any group of Kids might have.
The smiles on the faces of the Scouts were all there and plain to see, definitely will book again when we are in the area next.
Only issue was that I had to tell my other leaders that we couldn’t go back the following week :-)”. Russell
Other Information
We ask all schools who are interested in an activity day or residential to contact us to talk through any specific requirements or potential issues. Nothing is too difficult as long as we have the relevant information and time to plan. Call us and see!
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