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An excellent adventure

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High poles course

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Blackwell Court offers a huge range of activities.

Anyone who regularly drives past Blackwell Court will have noticed the almost permanent array of tents in the grounds during the summer months, as Scouts, Guides and schoolchildren enjoy a few days in the great outdoors.

But even most local residents are largely unaware of the scale of the operation, which sees Blackwell Adventure offer a vast range of exciting activities and opportunities to people of all ages and abilities.

The centre is keen to encourage more local people to take advantage of the facilities, most of which are available not just to youngsters and organised groups but to adults and families as well.

It’s not possible to offer activities to individuals, but pre-booked groups of eight to 12 people are welcome, and the centre is already popular for adventure birthday parties.

With the venue independently owned by the Birmingham Scout Association, Blackwell Adventure works under the Charities Act as a non-profit organisation.

From Monday to Friday it is used by schools and colleges, who usually spend a couple of days on a residential basis.

On this particular Friday there are 200 children on site from four different schools; the second batch this week. At weekends the Scouts and Guides take over – 500 are due tonight.

“Between May and September, it just doesn’t stop – it’s like one big adventure camp!” says Paul Barlow, Campsite and Facilities manager.

“We might have 1,000 young people here in one weekend, from across the UK and in fact the world – we’re even expecting a group of Guides from Bermuda this year.”

As well as schools and Scouting groups, the centre is regularly used by children’s sports clubs, church groups, Army and Air Force cadets and Boys’ and Girls’ Brigades. Local clubs from badminton to rugby can also hire the facilities by the hour, while corporate clients enjoy the team-building opportunities.

“Our main ethos is to get young people out into the countryside,” says Paul, who lives on site and describes his role not as a job but a vocation.

With this in mind, Blackwell Adventure welcomes people of all abilities, including disabilities – pupils from Chadsgrove Special School in Bromsgrove are regular visitors, and a group of completely blind children are due this summer.

“We might have to adapt the activities slightly for them, but they can have a go at most things,” adds Paul.

“We also work with Birmingham City Council to bring inner city children here, which gets youngsters from various ethnic backgrounds and religions all working together.”

He says the staff always aim to achieve three outcomes: fun, adventure and excitement, within a safe learning environment.

For example, with the climbing activities, youngsters will learn how to control the safety ropes for their friends (supervised by instructors) so that they are involved at all stages.

The indoor climbing wall and outdoor high poles course (pictured above) are just some of the facilities at Blackwell Adventure, which also boasts a multi-purpose sports hall, a go-karting track, a heated swimming pool and even a 3G swing.

Other activities include zip wires – two high ones that give participants a 35mph flight across the open fields, plus a mini one at the end of the Tree Trail – grass sledging, archery and orienteering, while nearby Pikes Pool (also part of Blackwell Adventure) is used for kayaking, canoeing and rafting.

There’s also an on-site classroom, where school groups might do a few hours of maths before being rewarded with fun activities.

The centre’s 104 acres encompass several fields used for camping, complete with modern shower and toilet blocks. While some groups bring their own tents, there are also two permanent “tented villages” for those who don’t have their own equipment.

Then there’s the historic Manor House itself, which accommodates one group at a time – the lovely old building (built in 1860) has a games room, dining room, dormitory bedrooms and modern bathrooms. 

Residential visitors can choose either self-catering or catered packages for their stay. Guides and Scouts often cook on campfires, but the centre has a fully fitted outdoor kitchen and dining room with two chefs to provide food (including any special dietary requirements).

There are 10 permanent staff, split into three departments (Customer Services, Activities, and Campsite and Facilities) plus about 10 seasonal staff who work between May and October, many of them returning year after year.

Instructor numbers are also boosted by gap year students from across the world – currently there are two from New Zealand, four from Australia and one from South Africa.

All staff are fully trained in safety procedures and first aid as well as being CRB-checked. The centre has been assessed and approved by the Adventure Activities Licensing Service (AALS), part of the Health & Safety Executive, and staff undergo regular external assessment as well as in-house training.

Gareth Roberts, the centre’s Chief Executive, describes Blackwell Adventure as a “hidden gem”, only 12 miles from Birmingham city centre but in the heart of the Worcestershire countryside.

“We’ve been owned by Birmingham Scout Association for more than 40 years, and in that time we’ve gone from being solely for Scouts to become a multi-faceted activity centre.

“We see ourselves as part of the local community, and are very keen to have a good relationship with our neighbours and encourage them to use our facilities.” 

“Blackwell Adventure is not about profit – we have an ethical dimension that comes from our Scouting heritage.

“We are deeply committed to the development of all young people, building their confidence for the future and in particular giving disadvantaged youngsters an exciting, adventurous experience.”

Blackwell Adventure, Blackwell Court, Agmore Road, Blackwell, Bromsgrove B60 1PX
Tel: 0121 445 1285
https://www.blackwelladventure.co.uk

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