Hampshire Outdoor Activities Service

A service provided in order to safely and effectively utilise the power of the Outdoors as a medium for learning and leisure.

Our aim is to promote:

• Outdoor Education and Lifelong Learning opportunities for the young people of Hampshire, both in and out of school hours.
• Development Training opportunities for the wider work based community in Hampshire.
• Outdoor Recreation Adventure facilities for all the residents of Hampshire.

Every person in the United Kingdom should have the opportunity to take part in adventurous outdoor activities’, (Hunt Report, 1989)

‘(Outdoor Education) is not an end in itself, to be learned for its own sake – rather we see it as a vehicle to assist the development of the capacity to learn’
(David Leat, University of Newcastle, 1999)

‘It is counter-productive to focus on keeping children away from every risk ... our task as adults is to contribute towards children’s development as they become competent adults ... Children need to learn about safety and about handling risks...’
(Jennie Lindon, The Guardian, 2000)

The service is made up of four long established and highly regarded outdoor centres.

• Calshot Activities Centre
• Hampshire Mountain Centre
• Tile Barn Outdoor and Camping Centre
• The Beaulieu Development Centre

The Service works closely with the Hampshire Education Authority and other local and national organisations to further its aim of providing high quality outdoor opportunities to all Hampshire residents. Whatever your requirements – educational, commercial or recreational – the Hampshire Outdoor Centre can provide for your needs.

Further information about the Hampshire Outdoor Service
Outdoor Activities Officer, Recreation and Heritage
Hamsphire County Council, Mottisfont Court, High Street Winchester, SO23 8ZF
tel 01962 845015.