Carlton Adventure goes from strength to strength

The Council’s Adult and Community-Based Services Committee has agreed to take a new 10-year lease on Carlton Adventure at Carlton-in-Cleveland in the North Yorkshire National Park when the Council’s existing lease on the premises ends next March.

Carlton Adventure was founded in 1932 by William Wilson Clark as Carlton Camp, originally for the use of the children of West Hartlepool, and since 2011 the Council has been the sole leaseholder responsible for its management.

It provides a range of high quality residential and non-residential activities for schools and other community groups primarily from across Hartlepool, the Tees Valley and North Yorkshire.

Activities on offer include climbing, canoeing, high ropes, forest schools, night line, orienteering and team-based challenges. The centre holds a range of quality standards from the Adventurous Activities Licensing Authority, the Association of Heads of Outdoor Education Centres, Learning Outside the Classroom and Adventure Mark.

Since 2019 a lot of work has been done to enhance the quality of the services to better meet the needs of new and existing customers.

The centre’s improved, broader offer – including residential outdoor education for schools, colleges and community groups, curriculum-based day visits for educational establishments and bespoke day visits for other community groups, self-catering accommodation, a campsite for group bookings, team-building days, birthday parties and school holiday provision – puts it in a very positive position in relation to its competitors.

A cornerstone of its success is the strong partnership-working between the Council and the Carlton Trustees and the excellent support of The Friends of Carlton Camp, who continue to help maintain and improve facilities on the site.

In recent years the centre has seen an increased number of repeat visits, with over 11,000 customers anticipated for 2023/24 – up more than a quarter on 2019/20.

Hartlepool Borough Councillors, Carlton Adventure staff, the Carlton Trustees and members of The Friends of Carlton Camp pictured at a recent open day at Carlton Adventure

Councillor Bob Buchan, Chair of the Council’s Adult and Community-Based Services Committee, said: “Carlton Adventure now offers consistently high quality residential and other experiences, whilst also broadening its reach and appeal to a wide range of organisations.

“There is a wealth of evidence to suggest that beyond being a ‘rite of passage’ for young people, outdoor residential learning can be a major contributor to good health and greater wellbeing for our children.

“It is known to play a huge role in improving young people’s personal resilience, independence, team building and communication skills, self-confidence and academic performance – all of which has never been more vital in the wake of the Covid lockdowns.

“Continuing our excellent partnership with the Carlton Trustees and The Friends of Carlton Camp, we look forward to welcoming many more children and young people to Carlton Adventure for exciting and life-enhancing adventures.”      

Andrew Rees, Chair of the Carlton Trustees, said: “The Trustees and The Friends of Carlton Camp are delighted that Hartlepool Council have renewed the lease for Carlton Adventure. This will ensure the provision of excellent, residential outdoor education for the children of Hartlepool and the Teesside area for the coming years.”