The Avon Tyrrell Girls Can

“It is inspiring to see women taking on challenges and outdoor adventures and really embracing the outdoors.”

With so much focus today being on the way women look, it is no wonder really why many young girls feel as though they have to look, act and behave a certain way. ‘This Girl Can’ is a campaign that highlights how women see themselves in despite of the way they look - A bit of sweat, no makeup, old clothes, it doesn't matter.

As a youth charity, we want to support this campaign and actively promote how girls can choose more.

Outdoor adventure is challenging, it is different, but it is fun and it does open up new experiences, learning and opportunities.  

At Avon Tyrrell we teach young people (and adults) every day how to get the most out of their sessions with us, developing their life skills, boosting self-esteem, character and increasing confidence, we encourage people to try new things and believe in what they can do. 

The outdoors isn't just about being outside, there is so much you can get from it on a physical and emotional level.  It is a well-known fact girls (and boys) are vulnerable to judgement, many girls will actively choose to not participate in something for fear of further judgement. Yes, with outdoor activities you may get helmet hair, or you most likely will get water in your face, but girls can and do these activities in spite of this. 

You don’t have to go to the Gym, you don’t have to sweat through a circuits class or Bootcamp session, you don’t have to do Zumba or go swimming.  There are so many other ways to stay active in ways that you will enjoy. If you don’t enjoy it, don’t do it, but don’t not try it. 
Outdoor fitness is a crucial part of having an active lifestyle so go Climbing, go Kayaking, have a go at Archery or go out riding, being in the New Forest National Park, we are lucky to have so many options surrounding us, so make this year one to try something new and see just how much you can do. 

We are supporting this campaign to help young women see that there are so many more opportunities when they are not staring judgement in the face. These Girls Can.

Meet the Avon Tyrrell Activity Girls...

Tansi (22)

Best Tyrrell Activity: Climbing, High Ropes and kayaking

Hobbies/Interests: I love all kinds of sports, most of all snowboarding and climbing, which I thoroughly enjoy and wish to spend more time improving my skills on. Travelling and photography are my greatest passions. Wherever I go I try to experience and learn as much of the language, culture and about the people as possible. I like to bring forward my own ideas and use my joy to plan and organize.

Quote: “The outdoors and sports are like a physical and mental therapy to me and in combination they are just the perfect balance I need.”

Beca (18)

Best Tyrrell Activity: High Ropes and/or Climbing

Hobbies/Interests: Reading, climbing and listening to music.

Quote: "I love the outdoors because I find it’s great to go outside and relax as it’s full of adventure and never boring."

Natalie (32)

Best Tyrrell Activity: Kayaking & High Ropes

Hobbies/Interests: Kayaking – white water & sea, Canoeing, Climbing, Rowing, Reading, Films, Spending time with friends & family

Quote:"I love working and playing in the outdoors because it is an environment that offers the same challenges to everyone regardless of background, ability, age or gender. The questions of how you are going to get up that mountain/cliff/tree or across/down that body of water etc. are the universal to all, it is simply a matter of the right attitude and technique! My job enables me to teach people some of these outdoor skills & activity techniques but the right attitude comes entirely from them and I feel very privileged to work in an environment that rewards anyone with determination so richly." 

Please feel free to comment with your views :)

Banishing Boredom - Adventures with the Kids

What can we say? This half term has been a massive success at Avon Tyrrell. Banishing boredom with loads of outdoor adventure and activities for young people and their families.

Fundays were fully booked giving children the opportunity to let loose and enjoy being active outdoors, whilst also making new friends and becoming more open to new and exciting challenges.

Although not everyone wanted to abseil down the climbing tower, or take the leap of faith on the high ropes, it was important that everyone had the opportunity to challenge themselves and give something a try.

All in all it’s been a great week and we’ve had some pretty great adventures.

We have seen….

• Pizza covered faces
• Bags of marshmallows toasted
• Lots of warm hot chocolate
• Family Events
• Many packed lunches consumed
• Challenges faced
• Targets hit
• Shelters built
• First aid dummies resuscitated
• Trails Explored
• Towers climbed
• Games played
• Teamwork
• Bike Tracks cycled
• Excitement
• Fun in the rain
• Fun in the sun
• Balloons given out
• Adventure courses taken on
• Great feedback
• New bookings made

A Day Out with the Kids

Our NEW range of Family Events planned for 2015 kicked off with our Exploration Trail being a huge success. We understand that keeping your kids entertained during the holidays can become costly, so our family events are ideal to get your kids doing something active for a few hours. Families spent the day discovering new things around the site and searching for clues before finishing the trail with hot drinks and marshmallows around the campfire. They had a blast with the kids exploring the site. Feedback has been extremely positive and as something different they all had a great time and are looking forward to more opportunities with us over the next few months.

If we are being honest, our open sessions could have done better regarding attendance but everyone that did join in had a fantastic time and it just means more opportunities for new people to give Avon Tyrrell a try in the future.

As well as some pretty awesome Fundays and family activities, we have also had in Prince’s Trust Groups from Brighton and Hove staying in the Lodges doing developmental learning in an outdoor environment. They have come a long way in the 4 days they have been with us, exactly what they hoped to achieve and we are here to provide so thumbs up to them and the team leading them for all of their hard work.

Avon Tyrrell is perfect no matter what the weather, so even if the British weather plays its normal tricks and starts raining seconds after beaming sunshine, activities will still run. Give us a try! We’re confident that we have something to offer all age groups.

Follow us on Facebook too and stay updated with events and offers for special days out with kids, plus you can share ideas easily with us and your friends. 

Book Fundays, Events, Open Sessions and more online here.

There may not be Wi-Fi in the forest, but you will find a better connection.

Being online today means being able to connect with the world 24 hours a day and with a whole world out there to explore, many believe that they can do it virtually by experiencing what others do. But does that compare to being able to explore and experience these things yourselves with real hands on experience?

We’re saying no, and it doesn’t have to be one or the other, you can actively do both in equal measure to ensure you are experiencing these things yourself and then you yourself can share them with the world.

Instead of taking virtual tours,  reading someone else’s blogs about travel and watching someone else’s adventure on YouTube, create your own! Come to Avon Tyrrell and try it first-hand. In the New Year you probably made resolutions to be more active, get your kids more active and try different and exciting things. Well, now’s your chance. “There may not be Wi-Fi in the forest, but we promise you will find a better connection.”

‘Let’s create a better internet together’.

With Internet Awareness Day taking place on Tuesday 10th Feb and with coordination across the UK by the UK Safer Internet Centre, hundreds of organizations will get involved to promote safe and responsible use of digital technology for children and young people.

Whilst Avon Tyrrell is an outdoor activity centre, last year we ran a number of Surf and Turf Camps aimed at giving young people the opportunities to experience technology, yet combining it with the outdoors, to show that these two things can interlink to develop creativity online and showcase how the outdoors can interact with different online platforms in new and exciting ways.

Online safety today is just as important as being safe when you are outdoors and today children are just as vulnerable when they log on to their computer. By offering opportunities and highlighting positive uses of technology, and exploring the roles we play in helping to create a better and safer online community, we are doing our bit to ensure we are actively involved with different elements influencing the lives of young people. A better internet is ultimately up to us all, and as a young person’s charity, it is our duty to ensure they are aware of the issues when uploading their content online.

Keeping your kids safe online

• Restrict access to all over 18 sites
• Restrict access to social media networks and chatrooms
• Put time restrictions on online usage
• Limit internet access for homework
• Check internet history after use
• Talk to them about the dangers online

Get them off their computers, get them outdoors and get them reconnecting with nature and experiencing the wilderness. With fields, forests, parks, beaches, outdoor centres and even gardens, it is important to help improve fitness, mental alertness and general wellbeing.

Encouraging your child to go outdoors with their friends by not giving them access to social media and not giving them unlimited access to the internet will also help protect them and give them better experiences and help develop life skills and better awareness of life.

Check out Google Maps to see virtually what Avon Tyrrell has to offer or even better, come to the centre and choose to check it out yourself!

Avon Tyrrell