Bowles is not a run-of-the-mill outdoor centre – we provide high quality outdoor education. This is achieved through extremely passionate, well-qualified staff, amazing facilities, home cooked food and an ethos of learning through experience.
Extremely experienced, motivated and well-qualified staff
The role that your instructors play in the quality of your visit is crucial. This is why the Bowles instructional team are some of the best you will come across. All our staff are passionate about the outdoors, highly qualified and are not only experienced in teaching sports but are very personally active within outdoor sports. Many of our staff hold high level qualifications that are above and beyond the minimum requirements that other centres offer. We also employ a number of qualified teachers within our team and all staff take part in regular training and CPD events.
Home from home
At Bowles, we understand it’s not just the activities that make your residential experience. Bowles provides three home cooked meals a day with free fruit available. We have a dormitory/chalet block that can hold up to 124 people. In addition, our Lodge building can hold up to 46 people depending on the arrangements of the beds (2-4 bed in each room), with the added bonus of en-suite shower rooms. We have our own woodlands which the residents can use, plus various indoor games rooms and two all-weather play areas along with a beautiful rock amphitheatre.
8.5 hours of adventurous activities each day
A normal Bowles day starts at 9.15am and runs to 9pm. There is a 1 hour lunch break and a 2 hour dinner break (which includes some free time and the option of a free swim in our pool). The rest of the time the young people will be taking part in activities such as skiing, kayaking, climbing, ropes courses and teambuilding. Most of our activities are floodlit and can still be done in the evenings when the days are shorter.
On your arrival day we will start your activities as soon as possible (depending on whether you arrive at 9.30 am or 11am), this means the young people will get some high quality sessions almost straight away, providing amazing value for money.
Amazing activities and equipment
Bowles is extremely lucky to own its own sandstone cliff (300+ climbing routes), two dry ski slopes, an indoor heated swimming pool, various ropes courses, purpose-built team building activities, an archery range and an orienteering course. We also have use of a private lake and access to local rivers. Our equipment is some of the best around and well-maintained to high standards. We are proud to have a fleet of Jackson kayaks designed specifically for children (regarded as some of the best boats money can buy). Our team building equipment is more than just a rope and a plank of wood; we have our own forest with swamp crossings, numerous team challenges and problem solving tasks.
Every industry accreditation for safety
Bowles is fully-licensed by AALA and we hold the Gold standard from AHOEC. In addition, we have been awarded the Adventure Mark Certificate and the Learning Outside the Classroom quality badge. Bowles has an excellent safety record and rest assured that safety is our number one priority.
Peace of mind for parents
Be reassured by our highly-qualified, experienced and mature instructors and our comprehensive safety management system.
A word of warning – you may experience real changes in your children. Don’t tell them, but they have to make their beds and clean up after themselves – children have even been known to come home and clear the table!