It caters mainly to young people and offers programmes
which support National Curriculum requirements in Outdoor
Education, field studies to support GCSE and A level courses and
outdoor activities including sailing, canoeing and
orienteering.
The Fairplay Outdoor Education Centre is based on two sites.
Fairplay House
Fairplay House is a large, 1930's country house with
two adjacent classroom facilities and located in Wickham Bishops in
Essex.
The administration area is also based at Fairplay House.
The house will accommodate up to 60 young people in dormitory-type
facilities and is set in extensive, immaculately landscaped
gardens.
Within the gardens themselves are located an artificial climbing
wall, an outdoor swimming pool, an obstacle course, an orienteering
course, an archery range and volleyball courts. The climbing wall
is of a unique construction having been built to resemble as
closely as possible a natural outcrop of rock. It was, in fact, one
of the first artificial climbing walls of this type to be built in
Britain and has proved very popular with users of the centre. To
enhance this facility, Fairplay has recently had funding agreed for
a prototype 'underground experience' which will mimic conditions
faced by cavers pursuing their sport and a high ropes course.
The Barge Haybay
The Barge Haybay is a converted Thames barge moored in the
Heybridge Basin, Maldon, Essex. Although afloat on the tidal
estuary, the barge is now used solely as static accommodation and
teaching space. It provides access to sailing activities on the
estuary and to shorelife studies. The barge provides accommodation
for up to 32 people in 4 bedded cabin-type accommodation and has a
fully equipped galley and teaching/recreational space.
Other Fairplay activities
Fairplay also rents a launching point for canoeing and kayaking
expeditions in the river Chelmer and buys time from the local
sailing club for use of its lake and facilities.
The centre leases a fleet of 4 minibuses to enable easy
transportation of groups between locations.
All activities at Fairplay are run and supervised by highly
skilled, trained and committed staff and it has an exemplary safety
record. Where appropriate, staff are accredited to a high level by
the national governing bodies of the activity they are offering (eg
BUC, RYA).
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