N2W Canoe Expedition: 6 days, 8 canoeists, 150 miles
A team of 8 canoeists have succeeded in their quest to paddle more than 150 miles across England’s waterways from Northampton to Wales in February to promote the work of Longtown Outdoor Education Centre and to raise awareness and funds for the Northampton Hope Centre.
The expedition aims to demonstrate the good work that the outdoor centre, based on the Welsh borders, does with young people from across the country whilst also raising awareness of the plight of homeless people in Northamptonshire.
The team includes 3 canoeists who originally hail from Northamptonshire. Recently appointed Operations Manager Lee Cave from Rushden, Trainee Instructor Tom Sharpe from Kingsthorpe and Friend of Longtown Laurianne Mackenzie (nee Ansell), from Cogenhoe.
The quest saw the team paddling on the Grand Union Canal, River Avon, River Severn and Severn Estuary to reach their goal in Wales.
The charity which is set to benefit from the adventure is Northampton Hope Centre, acharity that supports homeless and disadvantaged people in Northampton.
To make a donation on-line please go to the Just Giving website
Alternatively to make a donation by cheque please contact us.
Winter Adventures at Longtown
Exciting adventures at Longtown happen all year round, to see some skiing action in the latest snow click the video link below:
Longtown OEC Skiing Adventure (new window)
Walking Group Leader courses at Longtown
If you fancy learning how to lead others in the hills and wild areas of southern Britain (including the Peak District, Brecon Beacons and Dartmoor) then this is the course for you. This intensive 3 day course covers many aspects of navigation, mountaincraft, campcraft and leadership based in the comfortable accommodation of the centre on the edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park.
The next training course runs on 14 - 17 April 2010. Cost £210
The next assessment course runs on 14 - 17 April 2010. Cost £210
The centre is now running a bursary scheme to assist D of E leaders with the expense of their training course fees. Contact us for more information.
Full information about the award including the registration requirements (a pre-requisite for attending training) can be found on the Mountain Leader Training England (mlte) website
350 children take part in the 3rd Northamptonshire primary Schools Orienteering Event on 13th November 2009
For a full report go to the events page
Longtown OEC is featured in a prestigious national magazine for all school leaders
The article on teamwork in the NAHT bi-monthly 'Leadership Focus' magazine was entitled "A World of Extremes" and included a profile of each of the 4 members of the centre's management team and some lovely photos of the centre and its activities. It has certainly given the centre a high profile on a national stage.
You can download your own copy of the article below:
Longtown OEC gets top marks for educational visits
The centre has shown itself to be at the top of the class for educational visits by being awarded a Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge.
The Quality Badge scheme combines for the first time learning and safety into one easily recognisable badge for all organisations providing learning outside the classroom experiences.
Head of Centre, Mike Fawcett, said “Being awarded the Quality Badge is a real coup for all the staff here as it shows that we offer young people the type of high quality learning experiences they really benefit from. We're thrilled to get official recognition for our efforts and we look forward to welcoming even more children and young people to our residential outdoor education centre.”
The Quality Badge was developed as part of the Learning Outside the Classroom Manifesto, a national initiative to ensure young people are given more opportunities to have these experiences as part of the curriculum.
The Quality Badge scheme is part of the Government’s £4.5m Out and About package which, along with the badges, provides guidance and information for teachers on how to plan and organise high quality activities.
The badge is designed to make it easier for teachers to identify providers of quality educational visits. Organisations will display the badge as a signal to schools that their venue has met required standards, so teachers do not need to carry out their own risk or quality assessments.