Browse through our FAQs below or get in touch with the Notts Outdoors team if you want to chat through any queries you may have.
What clothing is needed for a residential visit?
At our St Michael’s and Hagg Farm Centres all waterproofs, footwear and rucksacks are provided. When camping at Perlethorpe, The Mill Adventure Base and Camp Redwood you will need a sleeping bag and mat. You can download a kit list from the centre page which identifies clothing and equipment that will be required to pack for your child.
What type of food will be provided?
Notts Outdoors aim to provide all children with a healthy, balanced and high-energy diet during the course of their stay. Vegetarian options are available and we ask that you inform us of any special dietary requirements at the time of booking. Special dietary requirements can be catered for, but we must be notified prior to arrival.
Is Notts Outdoors only for Nottinghamshire schools and groups?
Although the majority of visits are from Nottinghamshire groups, we have a number of schools from other parts of the country. Our residential centres in Derbyshire are frequently used by family, walking and cycling groups as a base for their adventures.
What if my child requires medication whilst on their stay?
It will be the responsibility of the visit leader to ensure that any medication is administered. Each Notts Outdoors centre will prior to the visit request any information relevant to medical conditions to ensure we are aware of your child’s needs. Notts Outdoors staff in contact with visiting groups all have First Aid qualifications to treat minor injuries and work to strict guidelines in case of an emergency. In coordination with visiting staff we will ensure that you are contacted in the event of any real concern.
What if I have students with specific needs?
We aim to make the visits to our centres inclusive for young people. As soon as you can please make contact with the relevant centre prior to your trip and we will strive to adapt the programme to ensure it is appropriate for the individual and the overall group.
What if I have students with specific dietary needs?
If you have any students in your party who have specific dietary needs, please ensure that the medical and dietary forms are filled in. Our centres are very flexible to the needs of your students based on dietary, religious or ethical grounds but we will struggle to cope with general dislikes.
How many staff and instructors do I have?
This is dependent on the activity and centre that you are visiting. For our adventurous activities at Hagg farm Centre and the Mill Adventure Base then we work to a 1:12 ratio for many of the activities. At our Environmental Education Centres we work with one of staff to one class size with the suitable ratios of accompanying staff dependent on year group.
Can my child bring a mobile phone?
Notts Outdoors promotes wherever possible a Digital Detox philosophy when visiting our centres and generally with the packed programmes we offer there is not much time for their use. If phones are brought on a visit, it is advisable that group leaders take responsibility for them and give them out at pre-determined periods.
Do you provide risk assessments for the activities?
There is a comprehensive set of risk assessments which can be accessed via the documents tab on each centre page. To support your visit there is a Codes of Practice aimed at ensuring the highest possible safety standards for individuals participating and working at the centres.
Are all of your staff DBS checked?
All our staff working with your young people will have an up to date Enhanced check within the framework of the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) scheme. A DBS is no guarantee of the suitability of an individual to work with young or vulnerable people. Therefore, as part of Nottinghamshire County Council’s recruitment process we ensure that we receive two references for our staff, a comprehensive training and induction programme is followed and regular supervision is in place.
