PARENT PORTAL
Welcome to Mendip's Parent and Guardian Portal. If your child is due to come and visit Mendip Activity Centre for a School Residential, this page is for you.
School residentials are often the most exciting part of a school year. They offer young people invaluable, life-changing opportunities in safe, exciting environments, often learning new skills and stepping outside of comfort zones. We think that all young people should have the opportunity to explore, be challenged and to grow.
Mendip Activity Centre have been working with schools for forty years. From caterers to instructors to customer service team, our team are the best in the industry. In our experience, we know that this can be an apprehensive time for adults and children alike. It might be the longest time your child has gone away from home and they may be anxious about certain elements. We hope that this portal proves useful and we look forward to welcoming your child to Mendip soon.
THE BENEFITS OF OUTDOOR EDUCATION
Getting outdoors and active is crucial for young people. Outdoor learning provides opportunities and experiences that cannot be achieved in any other educational context.
“Learning outside the classroom contributed significantly to raising standards and improving pupils’ personal, social and emotional development” (Ofsted)
Outdoor education allows young people to;
Expand comfort zones and build resilience: Outdoor adventure allows young people to expand their comfort zone, build resilience, and grow confidence.
Look after their wellbeing and mental health: We care deeply about the wellbeing of all young people who come to visit us and promote a positive attitude towards mental health.
Develop environmental awareness: Spending time outdoors allows for a better understanding, knowledge and connection with nature.
Create stronger relationships: Students build and develop better relationships and communities with their peers and their teachers.
Engage with learning outside the classroom: Learning outside the classroom can assist in curriculum-focused activities, independent learning, team working, creativity and important life skills.
CLEAN & COSY ACCOMMODATION
Your children will have exclusive use of their accommodation during their stay. We provide everything except bedding- you'll need to provide a sleeping bag and pillow.
Your child will either be staying in our indoor accommodation in bunk-bed style bedding, or in one of our canvas tented villages, Basecamp.
PEACE OF MIND WITH MENDIP
We've been delivering life changing outdoor education residentials since 1987. We are the largest and most reputable outdoor activity provider in the South West.
We are proud to be accredited with the Adventure Activities Industry Advisory Committee (AAIAC), Learning Outside the Classroom (LOTC), the Institute for Outdoor Learning (IOL) and the Duke of Edinburgh Award (DofE).
All our instructors are fully qualified with specific outdoor adventure qualifications, first aid and safeguarding. All our team undertake regular training and we care deeply about the wellbeing of our team and all our clients.
We care passionately about the environment and green issues and are doing everything we can to make a difference through our actions and education.
ACTION-PACKED WEEK
We'll plan an action-packed week where outdoor learning, development and growth are key.
All of our programmes are developed in conjunction with schools to create an fully-packed timetable with our most popular activities.
Every programme varies slightly but is likely to feature a range of activities from Rock Sports, Water Sports, Land Sports and Target Sports.
All our activities are safe and fun, first and foremost. Where possible, we'll add an education twist and allow students to grow and develop.
Outdoor adventure allows students to step out of their comfort zones, try adrenaline-fuelled activities and build personal confidence.
Team building initiative exercises will focus on team and leadership development. Target sports, orienteering and bushcraft are great for concentration, developing new skills and gaining environmental awareness.
CATERING
Our menus are locally sourced and packed with all the energy needed for the adventure ahead. Everything is prepared on site in our fully-equipped commercial catering kitchen to ensure your students have well balanced and freshly cooked food all week.
We are able to cater for all dietary needs and requirements. When you sign up to the trip, the school will ask you to let us know any specific dietary requirements or allergies that your child might have.
KIT LIST
Residential items
- Sleeping bag & pillow
- Wash kit including toothbrush, toothpaste, soap
- Towel for showers
- Nightwear
- Lots of underwear & socks
Suggested clothes
- Old trousers- two pairs (jeans are not appropriate)
- Shorts
- Tshirts (plenty)
- Long-sleeve tops (plenty)
- Warm jumpers/fleeces (layers are best)
- Warm coat
- Waterproof top and waterproof trousers
- Woolly hat & gloves
- Wellies or walking boots
- Closed toe shoes (two pairs, one to get wet)
Other
- Old towel for activities
- Reusable water bottle (1 litre)
- Torch
- Sun protection (suncream, hat, sunglasses)
- Book to read
- Pencil and paper
Top tips!
Large plastic bags are great for putting in dirty/wet clothes
Bring a large bag with most of your clothes in and please bring a small rucksack/backpack to take your waterproofs, packed lunch etc between activity sites.
Name everything!
Please do not bring: any jewellery, electronic items, expensive items, your favourite clothing or shoes. Mendip cannot take responsibility for the loss, theft or damage of any personal property. We would always recommend leaving jewellery and valuables at home.
MERCHANDISE: We do provide the opportunity to buy some small merchandise items. Where possible, please provide your children with a prepaid card. If they do not have one, please provide them with small items of change.
FAQS
