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School TripsPUSHING BOUNDARIES. OPENING MINDS
Mount CookTime to get back to the great outdoors"Mount Cook Adventure centre offers a distinctive approach which is of value to bothformal and non-formal education. We offer young people first hand experiences and cantherefore unlock a range of skills and understanding not always achieved in more formalsettings such as schools or colleges. Given the necessary arrangements over the last twoacademic years it is more important than ever to reconnect your young people withthemselves and their environment."Steve Turner - CEO
3.4.6.8.16..20.24.26.About usOur missionBenefits of residentialsOur activitiesEducational experiencesAccommodationCateringMaking a bookingContents
About usWe are an independent, not for profit, outdoor education centrebased on the outskirts of the Peak District. We have a small, friendlyteam dedicated to educating people of all ages and abilities aboutour natural environment and outdoor activities. How we can help youWe create bespoke trips to ensure that your pupils have anauthentic and memorable time with us in the outdoors. Weare dedicated to providing unique experiences which willbroaden the horizons of your pupils. Our activities will helpyoung people to discover new opportunities, expand theirappetite for learning, increase attainment, and equip themwith valuable social skills which will last a lifetime.We are based in Derbyshire, in the heart of the UK, which makesus easily and quickly accessible from most locations.Established in 2016, we have since welcomed over 30,000 individualsthrough our doors and continue to work with a variety of schools,groups, organisations and charities.
We hold the belief that the outdoors should be accessible to all, making it our mission to enablethat for as many people as possible. We are determined to reach individuals who face constantbarriers when it comes to outdoor education, and help them to experience the tremendousbenefits that it can bring. If you know of a group who would benefit from a trip to Mount Cook,let us know!4.Our Mission"the activities wereamazing, a once in alifetime experience forthe children" -Chernobyl Children'sLifeline, 2019
"Children cannot learn bytextbooks and computers alone.They need to experience the realworld for themselves if they areto truly understand their rolewithin it."
The positive impact of residential trips issignificantly greater for 'vulnerable' pupils.The sense of community and the memorability of experiences onresidentials helps boost a sense of belonging amongst participants. Of young people did more exercise than normalwhen on a trip. 80%99%Of teachers felt pupils were more confident intheir own abilities after a trip. Benefits of residentials6.We are proud advocates of the campaign for brilliant residentials. We know thatlearning can successfully extend beyond the classroom walls and into the greatoutdoors. When done effectively, learning outside of the classroom transfers into avariety of life skills, and changes in attitudes and behaviours.
Activities
We have two types of activity - onsite & offsite. Onsite activities are all based at the centre anddo not require any additional transportation, we have labelled these on the following activitypages to make it clear what is based at the centre, and what is in our local area.Offsite activities may incur a supplementary cost, and may also require transportation to their startingpoint. Your dedicated sales person will discuss these options with you to ensure that you have all theinformation you need prior to booking.Team Work & CohesionResilience & ConfidenceLearning a New SkillWe have an exciting and exhilarating range of activities for you to include in your residentialor day trip. At Mount Cook, we ensure that each of our activities is linked directly to one ofthe following outcomes:8.All of our activity sessionsare half day sessions. This isto make sure that there isplenty of opportunity forunderstanding anddevelopment within eachactivity.
Requires TransportOffsite ActivityTeam ChallengesThese small challenges are an ideal way to bring a groupof people together with each activity requiring leadership,planning, coordination and communication.Archery & Archery TagThis activity combines the traditional skills of archery withthe fun team game of archery tag. Archery tag is a new andexciting combat game using specialist safety equipment. Low Ropes & Mini ZipDesigned to encourage problem solving, teamwork, balanceand communication. Our new purpose-built low ropes coursewith mini zip is a great activity for building up confidence.A strong teamwork environment can help to foster stronger relationships, and motivateindividuals to work cohesively and support one another through challenging situations.Teamwork & CohesionAge Recommendation6+6+10+
10.Land Karts & Onsite OrienteeringRaft building is a superb team building activity! Groupsare required to work as a team to input design ideas,form a plan and create a buoyant raft using a selectionof materials which include: rope, wooden planks andpolythene barrels.Game of TribesRaft BuildingGroups use a selection of resources to design andcreate their own Land Kart. Once complete, the Kartmust successfully transport a member of the teamaround a set course. This activity is combined withnavigating around an onsite course. A map based challenge where teams will have tonavigate to points (where they will complete tasks) inorder to complete the overall challenge. It may soundsimple but don't be fooled, there are hidden levels tothis challenge!6+6+6+
By developing resilience, individuals can benefit from improved learning, increased wellbeing and the ability to face set backs with confidence and determination.Resilience & Self-ConfidenceHigh RopesZip Wire & Initiative ExercisesMount Cook provides an impressive 12 metre tall High Ropescourse which includes 5 different elements: The Leap of Faith,Crate Stack, High All Abroad, Jacob's Ladder and GladiatorChallenge. The High Ropes is one of our most popular onsiteactivities as it provides a fun, unique experience forindividuals of all ages!Our Rooftop Rider Zip Wire starts 15 metres off the groundon the roof of the Centre and finishes on the far side ofSteeplehouse Quarry! Guests can expect to reach speeds ofup to 40 mph. Initiative exercises will bring participantstogether to solve challenging problems requiring co-operation and communication.Requires TransportOffsite Activity10+10+Age Recommendation
CavingRock ClimbingIndoor Climbing & Problem Solving12.Scale the mountainous walls of our Centre on our indoorclimbing wall. Learn climbing techniques, how to belay andtie knots. Move on to our problem solving activity with afocus on the physical problem solving and coordinationwithin teams.Derbyshire and the Peak District offers a wide range ofcaving opportunities for people of all ages and abilities.Delivered by our experienced AALA licensed partnercompany, Acclimbatize, your group will be taken on anunderground experience rarely replicated anywhere else. You will be taught by our highly trained instructors howto put on a harness, tie climbing knots and abseil down arock face safely. Black Rocks climbing area, a 10 minutewalk from the centre, is a playground for lovers of rock climbing and bouldering!6+6+6+
Our expert instructors will teach your group how tosuccessfully shoot a modern recurve bow from up to 10metres away. We mix this with brain games, whichchallenge your pupils problem solving skills. Thiscombination provides a balance of fun and technique.Our knowledgeable instructors will teach your group theessential skills to survive in the wilderness, whilst keepingthe protection of the environment in mind. Groups willexperience and develop skills such as fire lighting, campfiregadgetry, plant identification, natural cordage and how tobuild a shelter.Your residential is a fantastic opportunity to try new things! From hitting targets to lightingfires, we have plenty of different ways for your pupils to develop their skill set.Learn a new skillArchery & Brain GamesBush CraftRequires TransportOffsite Activity6+6+Age Recommendation
Orienteering at Black RockGem Panning, Fossil Hunting &Rocket BuildingCanoeing14.Canoeing is a perfect way to enhance confidence onthe water in a safe and controlled environment. Weuse open top canoes that can seat up to four pupils,encouraging group based learning as well asimproving individual skills.Our orienteering sessions are a brilliant introduction topractical map reading and compass skills. For schoolgroups, these sessions are an opportunity for children toexperience the freedom of exploration out of sight ofleaders in a controlled environment.We have an onsite quarry which is a Site of SpecialScientific Interest, filled with fossils! Combine a fossil huntwith panning for gems in our onsite trough to learn about avariety of different geological elements. Finish the sessionwith a rocket building challenge!10+6+6+
Requires TransportOffsite ActivityA series of mini problem solving challenges, with a cognitivefocus, where teams will attempt to get the highest possiblescore. Sit by the campfire whilst learning and developing skillssuch as fire-lighting and campfire gadgetry.Keep your students entertained until dusk with our evening activities! All evening activitysessions last from 1900 - 2100. Evening activities The Mount Cook ChallengeCampfire & Bush Craft6+6+Age Recommendation
Head out with one of our instructors following footpathsfrom our centre to learn and explore the local area in theevening. These challenges bring people together requiringleadership, planning, coordination and communication. Guided Offsite WalkTeam ChallengesIf you want to include a excursion, a day trip, or something different in your school trip,please let us know and we can factor this into your itinerary. 14.6+6+
EducationalDays
We make history fun, engaging and informative with our neweducational packages. Using interactive and hands-on outdooractivities, costumes, reconstructed artefacts and local historicfeatures, we provide a unique educational experience which willinspire both pupils and teachers!"The [Roman] Invaders trip to Mount Cook wasmarvellous. The activities were perfect for bringing theRoman history curriculum to life. Each activity had Romancontext and back story and the leaders all had pertinentfacts to add detail and knowledge to the children'sexperiences. The children came away buzzing aboutRomans and Roman life - an experience they will longremember."Bringing your classroom to life16.A.Dugdale, Headteacher - Middleton Primary School
Experience life as a Prehistoric Tribesman and learn how to make a fire usingtraditional methods. Protect yourself from the elements and build awaterproof shelter using natural materials. Have a go at cave painting andlearn how a tribesman hunted for food using a bow and arrow! Finally, help tobuild a Celtic roundhouse and learn how prehistoric people manufacturedtools and weapons.Prehistoric Britain700,000 BCExperience life in Roman times and meet a real life Roman soldier! Dress up inRoman armour and invade our Celtic Roundhouse. Shoot a Roman style bowand arrow, and learn more about Roman roads by building a cart to transportheavy items. Finally, discover and handle artefacts from the period with anarchaeological dig.Roman Invader43 AD
The VikingsImmerse yourself in the exciting time of Viking Britain! Chat with a VikingTrader and discover what life would have been like over 1,300 years ago.Uncover primitive tools, coins and pottery from the period with anarchaeological dig. Learn to build a fire using traditional methods andgather round for magical tales of the Norse Gods, myths of monsters andvoyages around the world.700 AD18.Tell me and I'll forget.Teach me and I'll remember.Involve me and I'll learn. Benjamin Franklin
Accommodation
Our total capacity across all of our centre rooms and glamping pods is 180beds, so there's plenty of room for small groups and big groups alike! We havethree types of accommodation available:Standard roomsAfter a day of fresh air and activities, a good night's sleep is very important!Our standard rooms have two comfy bunks, sleeping 4 people, complete withcomplimentary bedding and an en-suite bathroom. 20.
Looking for something different for your next residential? Our glamping pods are a cosy and fun accommodation alternative. We have tenglamping pods in total, sleeping up to 40 people. Each pod sleeps 4 guests with aUSB charging point, heater and an en-suite toilet and cold water washbasin.Additional showers are located on the ground floor of the centre. Glamping podsAll the bedrooms and glamping pods lock via key card. Generally, groups have onekey per room, and teachers will have a master key that can unlock all their rooms.
Accessible roomsWe have two wheelchair accessible bedrooms located on the ground floor of our centre,which offer a double bed, with an additional single for a carer, plenty of unobstructedfloor space and a private en-suite wet room. We also have hoists available on request. For more information on our accessibility, please see our website www.mountcook.ukwhere you can take a virtual tour and find out more information on our activities. Youcan also call one of our team members to discuss your requirements on 01629 823 70222.Ensuring that our centre is accessible is very important to us.
Catering
BreakfastCooked & continental breakfast with juice, tea & coffee.LunchA selection of sandwiches, variety of crisps, fruit, slice of flapjack.DinnerSpaghetti bolognaise with garlic bread and side salads,apple crumble with custard or cream / fresh fruit.A full board catering package is included as standard within all of our residential trips. Weprovide a range of nutritious, substantial meals to keep your pupils powered through theiradventurous activities. We can also provide catering as part of a day trip to Mount Cook. We can cater for any dietary requirement, but it is important that we are notified in advanceto make sure we can provide suitable options. Dietary information will be requested by yourBooking Coordinator and all information must be supplied well before your arrival. 24.
Making a booking
We can hold your dates for a maximum of 2 weeks without a deposit. When you are ready to confirm your booking, please let us know and we will send you abooking form and a deposit invoice.You will then be introduced to your Coordinator who will be your point of contact goingforwards. They will help you plan the perfect adventurous itinerary, collect all of your groupinformation and will help with any further enquiries up until your arrival. Enquire about availability for your groupConfirm dates with one of our Sales teamPlace your dates on holdWhen you are ready to progress with a booking, these would be the next steps:If you would like to make a booking, or simply talk through some of the information inthis brochure with one of our friendly team members, we would love to hear from you!After you have picked your dates26.01629 823 702 explore@mountcook.uk Let's discuss your perfect trip
@mountcookcentre@mountcookadventure@MountCookCentreMount Cook Adventure Centre,Porter LaneMiddleton - by -WirksworthMatlockDE4 4LS01629 823 702explore@mountcook.ukwww.mountcook.ukPushing BoundariesOpening MindsMaking a difference to peoples lives through directexperience with the outdoors