Courses are tailor-made to suit particular needs and to ensure that the programmes fulfil the aims and objectives of the visiting groups. Our staff are experienced and assist visitors with the planning of their courses. A pre-course visit with visual aids can be arranged for the group. A welcome is extended especially to first-time users to view our facilities prior to any course.

Bendrigg welcomes groups from all parts of the British Isles. The aims of these groups are achieved by the wide variety of experiences included within each programme. Whilst being enjoyable, the activities reinforce team awareness. Everyone can experience personal achievement. Importance is given to sharing with others in the lodge and to co-operation in living and working together.

One special feature of the courses is the way we encourage small groups from different backgrounds and abilities to share the Lodge facilities at the same time. These courses promoting integration are not undertaken lightly, and are arranged after consultation with everyone concerned.

Our courses can be made as physically and intellectually stimulating as required, since the activities can be undertaken at any level. However, it is essential that whatever the nature of the programme, the disabilities and medical history of all course members be disclosed before the course commences.

All programmes are individually designed after consultation with the course organiser to enable us to deliver High Quality Outdoor Education courses. It's all too easy to see a visit to a residential centre as an isolated experience. However at Bendrigg we feel it is necessary to put this experience into the wider context of continuing education. In this way a course can be made an integral part of a longer programme of learning as part of a specific course or as 'training for life'. We therefore ask all visiting groups to think about the outcomes they are looking for from their time at Bendrigg, which may include one or more of the following:

1) Enjoyment: People of all ages and abilities enjoy participating in outdoor activities and adopt a positive attitude to challenge and adventure.

2) Confidence: People gain personal confidence and self-esteem through taking on challenges and achieving success.

3) Social Awareness: As people grow they develop self-awareness and social skills and gain an appreciation of the contribution and achievements of themselves and others.

4) Environmental Awareness: Our activities take place in the natural environment and we can increase understanding and the importance of conservation and sustainable development.

5) Activity Skills: People of all ages and abilities continue to acquire and develop a range of skills in outdoor activities and exploration.

6) Personal Qualities: Activities can provide opportunities to demonstrate increased initiative, self-reliance, responsibility, perseverance and commitment.

7) Key Skills: People of all ages and abilities can develop and extend their key skills including; communication, problem solving, leadership and teamwork.

8) Health & Fitness: People learn to appreciate the benefits of physical fitness and the lifelong value of participation in healthy leisure activities.

9) Increased Motivation & Appetite for Learning: People are displaying an increased motivation and appetite for learning that is contributing to raised levels of attainment in other aspects of their education.

10) Broadened Horizons: People of all ages and abilities are broadening their horizons and becoming open to a wider range of employment opportunities and life chances.

The above outcomes are explained in more detail in the full publication ‘High Quality Outdoor Education’ produced by the Outdoor Education Advisors’ Panel. You can download this document - just click the image below.

We can deliver these outcomes through participation and involvement in some of the following activities listed below: