As part of The Outward Bound Trust’s plans for future growth, a new partnership was recently formed with the National Trust to re-open and use Ogwen Cottage as one of the premier outdoor learning venues in Wales.
From September 2015 onwards, operating during school term times, The Outward Bound Trust will deliver weekly residential outdoor learning programmes at Ogwen Cottage for up to three groups of 12 students, plus four school staff members.
Ogwen Cottage is already well known in the outdoor industry as a superb location for groups to explore and appreciate the great outdoors. It was recently acquired by National Trust Wales who are keen to safeguard the future use of outdoor learning provision at Ogwen.
Natalie Harling, Head of Education Business Development at The Outward Bound Trust, comments: “Our aim for this centre is to work with young people who are in secondary school, university or college who will benefit from a programme which offers a high level of challenge. The venue is small enough to create an intimate and impactful learning environment and the stunning Snowdonia terrain will be an ideal outdoor classroom to which to embed key new skills.”
The centre is situated on the shores of Llyn Ogwen, nestled between Carneddau and Glyderau mountain ranges, and a mere stone’s throw from Cwm Idwal, Wales’ first National Nature Reserve. Its stunning wilderness location offers endless expedition opportunities for Outward Bound’s challenging and highly adventurous outdoor learning courses.
Photo credit: National Trust
As part of this new partnership National Trust Rangers will be actively participating in an element of each Outward Bound® experiential outdoor learning course from Ogwen Cottage to help young people have a clear understanding of the important work carried out by the National Trust in the surrounding landscape.
Trystan Edwards, National Trust General Manager for Snowdonia and LlÅ·n, said: “Ogwen Cottage has been the focal point for adventuring into these mountains for many years. We’re really looking forward to maintaining this tradition and working with The Outward Bound Trust to ensure that young people get to experience this stunning corner of Snowdonia.”
The Outward Bound Trust is the UK’s leading provider of bursary supported outdoor learning and aims to welcome thousands of young people in the years to come at this new centre. The Trust is able to provide financial assistance to students and schools for all residential educational programmes held at Ogwen Cottage, as well as from its other four inspiring and adventurous locations in Scotland, Wales and England.