Gold D of E Residentials

Complete your award and meet like-minded people in the heart of the New Forest

The New Forest Outdoor Centre, surrounded by woodland in the heart of the New Forest is hosting an unmissable DofE Gold Residential.

Designed for anyone who loves the woodland environment, we are offering a multi activity residential to immerse yourself in the woods and woodland activities. Carve a spoon, throw an axe, explore the New Forest by bike, learn some bushcraft skills as well as team tasks, high ropes and raft building challenges.

A DofE Gold
Residential Activity Schedule

Afternoon

Arrival
Introduction to the site

Ice breakers

Delegation of jobs and purchase weeks food

Evening

BBQ

Fundamentals of fire lighting (bushcraft)

Introduction to knife skills

Morning

Mountain Bike day in the New Forest

Morning route planning session

Afternoon

MTB day continued

Evening

Bushcraft – Whittling

Spoon carving

Morning/Afternoon

Ranged sport day:

Archery

Axe throwing

Air rifle shooting

Evening

Bushcraft – Arrow making

 

Morning

Team tasks

Challenge course

Afternoon

High and Low Ropes

Camp set up for evening bivi (optional)

Evening

Tarp set ups

Camp craft 

 

Morning

Fire lighting challenge

Raft Building race

Afternoon

Course review

Feedback & farewells

 

Corporate challenges
Team Challenges
Practical problem solving and physical tasks designed for people to solve together.
Air rifle shooting at The New Forest Outdoor Centre
Target Sports
Challenges of personal skill, aiming, shooting, chucking and loosing
High ropes at The New Forest Outdoor Centre
High Ropes
A series of personal and paired challenges up high
Adult raft building at The New Forest Outdoor Centre
Raft Building
The challenge with consequences, will you sink or float!
Mountain Biking in the New Forest
Mountain Biking
Explore the gravel paths and country lanes of the New Forest
campfire
Campfire & Evening Social
Adult bushcraft cooking
Adult bushcraft experiences at The New Forest Outdoor Centre
Bushcraft
Bushcraft and outdoor living skills is a theme that runs throughout the week

You’re not on expedition anymore!

Staying overnight with us provides the opportunity to really unwind, soak up the tranquil atmosphere and hopefully spot a few stars. A night around the campfire or wood burner provides the perfect opportunity to reconnect away from screens and distractions.

There are 10 simple shepherd huts around the Carpenters Barn each sleeping up to 4 people in bunk beds. With extensive woodland available we can also offer a rustic campsite or simpler still, cook your dinner on a fire and spend the night in a hammock or under a bivi tarp.

The sleeping arrangements will be split by gender and ages of participants, all bedding is provided so no need to pack a sleeping bag!

 

Creating the community

Upon settling into your home for the week, meeting your instructors and the rest of the group the first task you will have to accomplish is creating a shopping list for your meal plan. As a team you will create this list with support from your instructors, there will also be opportunities to ‘top up’ on items during the week to ensure you have everything you need for hearty meals each day.

The meals will be cooked up as a group each night, this is an integral part of the community building that we want to see amongst your team. There is a role for everyone whether that be cooking or clearing up and we expect all to get involved!

You will arrange your own breakfast and packed lunches each day allowing for all dietary requirements and favourite foods.

All dietary requirements must be discussed with the group when creating your meal plan, all food costs are included in the overall cost so no extra cash is needed.

 

Your safety is our prioriy

Our instructors are experienced, trained and appropriately qualified for the activities they deliver and are able to balance safety with fun.

The site is private and located on an also private estate so there will be no general public access.

During your residential the instructors will be available to support you at any time and a Duty Instructor will be on call each night. Senior staff will be in the office between 9am-5pm

All specialist and personal protective equipment (PPE) will be provided for activities.

I had a great time doing my gold DofE residential here over the summer. The leaders were enthusiastic and we got to do loads of fun activities like raft building and mountain biking, I enjoyed my stay and would defo go again!

I Smith DofE
New Forest Outdoor Centre
New Forest Outdoor Centre
New Forest Outdoor Centre
New Forest Outdoor Centre
FAQs

Frequently asked questions

  • Please see the attached kit list for a full list. Mainly, lots of clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty or wet, a good pair of closed toe shoes for activities and some shoes to wear in the water.

  • We advise that each participant arranges transport directly to and from The New Forest. If you would like to drive yourself then we have a suitable sized car park to leave your car for the week. The closest train station is Lyndhurst and taxis can be booked from there to the centre.

  • The residential will start at 12:00/13:00 on Monday and will be finished by 13:00/14:00 on Friday.

  • Yes. We are fully insured to run all of our activities and have £10 million public liability cover.

  • The activities will still go ahead however we will pick the safest and most appropriate activity for the conditions each day.

  • All activity staff are experienced and have at least the minimum national governing body award qualifications for the activities which they deliver and are first aid qualified. All staff at The New Forest Outdoor Centre are DBS checked.

  • The DofE residentials are completely alcohol free. We will not tolerate any alcohol consumption during the week, and you will be asked to leave if you are found drinking.

  • Following rules set by the DofE award scheme you are able to come on the residential with one other person that you know.

  • Your assessor report will be filled in within a week after you leave and will be completed by your instructor from the week. It will then be sent to DofE, and they then send it to your local assessor, so please contact them first as they have to assign it to your account.

Reserve your place with a 50% deposit

Questions? Feel free to email or give us a call on 023 8028 4401.

Our Sister Centres

Looking for slightly different scenery?

We have the pleasure of running two other outdoor centres offering DofE Gold Residentials. Both have the same ethos of immersive activities, allowing you as a participant time to grow confidence and skills. All three of our centres have unique activities and landscapes to enjoy.

Big canoe
Brenscombe Outdoor Centre

Brenscombe Outdoor Centre has an unrivalled position situated on the edge of the Purbeck Heath National Nature Reserve. With access to Poole Harbour for canoeing, the Jurassic Coast Sea cliffs for climbing and the stunning Purbeck Hills in between it is an outdoor lover’s paradise.

New Forest Outdoor Centre

Our Portland site is based on the northern edge of the island and looks straight over the harbour, made famous by its use in the 2012 Olympics as the sailing venue. The quick access to the Jurassic Coast path and subsequently the cliffs allow for fantastic Rock Climbing, Abseiling and Coasteering not to mention all of the Watersports on the doorstep.

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