Activities and facilities at Essex Outdoors Bradwell

Archery Aim for gold on our outdoor and indoor archery ranges. With its unique mix of fun and competition, archery is a popular activity with all ages and abilities, helping to build confidence and improve coordination skills. Sessions are tailored to meet the experience of the group and can offer the opportunity for further progression …
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Boat trips   Say hello to Sammy the seal! Discover the enchanting river Blackwater by taking a boat trip from the quay at West Mersea or Bradwell. These excursions allow groups to experience the natural wonders of the estuary from the water. We ensure plenty of interesting things to see and mini-activities to keep their …
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Bridge building Can you work as a team to build a bridge across the water? Using the kit provided and skills taught in the session you’ll become budding bridge engineers. Succeed and your team will stay dry, but if you fail to work well together and you may get wet and muddy! The session will …
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Bushcraft Marshmallows at the ready! Depending on the centre we offer either coastal or woodland-based versions. These exciting and informative sessions are very flexible and can incorporate; fire lighting using fire steels and natural materials shelter building and knot work camp craft including basic knife and axe work. You can also combine a longer session …
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Canoeing Test out our fleet of traditional Canadian canoes. Our instructors will guide you through all the basic strokes allowing plenty of time to practice your skills. You'll then be able to explore the local waterways and get up close and personal with some fascinating wildlife! Essex provides the ideal environment to take your first …
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Coastal discovery Blending the best of environmental education and forest school principals with fun activities. Find about the fascinating seashore life of the Blackwater estuary. Sessions can include learning about tides, beaches and marshes finding and identifying coastal plants and sea creatures creating beach art The world really is your oyster on this activity! Recommended …
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Crabbing Head for the jetty at West Mersea our out into the creek at Bradwell on a boat. You'll need to use steady hands to see who can catch the biggest or most crustaceans in their bucket, whilst feeding the local crab population. You may even be lucky enough to spot Sammy the seal out …
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Dinghy sailing It’s all-aboard our Dufour Drakkar boats which combine speed and excitement with stability and capacity. This modern hybrid craft has great upwind performance and an asymmetric spinnaker for exhilarating downwind sailing. Crews can assist with hoisting and trimming sails, helming the boat and learning the basics of sailing. Each boat holds up to …
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First aid Our highly interactive introductory First aid lessons for young people are based on British Heart Foundation guidelines. Sessions include plenty to keep the mind and body active and the group will learn everything they need to know to be confident in a basic first aid situation. Areas covered include incident management how to …
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High ropes Each of our centres’ high ropes courses offer a variety of challenging and exciting elements designed to push your comfort zone to see what you can really achieve. Walk the catwalk, take on the Leap of Faith or work alongside your friends to get to the top of the Jacobs Ladder or All …
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Off road biking Enjoy the ride. Our centres are perfectly situated to cater for all levels of off-road biking. Each site presents plenty of challenges, from obstacle courses to build your skills through to gentle woodland trails and more technical routes. And our proximity to some of the best single-track in the country allows us …
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Orienteering and map skills This activity teaches the important life skill of map-reading. Our instructors will guide groups through a series of mini-exercises to introduce; points of the compass and orientating a map interpreting symbols features using scale and pacing Participants then head off to complete courses and challenges of increasing difficulty around our beautiful …
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Power kites Learn the ropes then take to the skies with one of our powerful aerofoil kites. An exhilarating experience which teaches participants about wind speed and direction. It also promotes communication and cooperation as well as improving confidence. Learning outcomes Click below to find out which learning outcomes this activity promotes. Confidence Although young …
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Powerboating Whether it's riding the waves on one of our Rigid Inflatable Boats (RIBs) or gaining a nationally recognised qualification on one of our RYA Powerboat courses, Essex Outdoors has the powerboating experience for you! An activity can fill a whole morning or afternoon for up to 20 people. We take our boat out into …
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Raft building Build your own river going vessel from a selection of tested items such as barrels, ropes wooden planks. You'll learn some useful knot work and traditional techniques to construct your craft. An ideal session for enhancing team building skills, communication, planning and resource management. Available during summer months only. Learning outcomes Click below …
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Team challenge and problem solving From mental puzzles through to team challenges, we'll test your ability to work together, communicate and think fast. Spider's web, mazes, blindfold trails and sheep pens are just some of the tools used to test your problem solving skills. The activities not only offer the opportunity for groups to go …
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