The Outdoor Learning Centre was officially opened in West Baldwin this week.

Three years ago the Ardwhallan Outdoor Centre closed its doors, but now the site is once again operational and in use by the island’s youngsters.

However the facility, near to Injebreck Reservoir, has undergone a significant transformation.

The Outdoor Learning Centre’s gives youngsters the chance to test their skills on a range of outdoor challenges, including a problem-solving field, orienteering, a bushcraft zone, and a newly refitted adventure course.

The activities are designed to promote personal and academic growth among participants. The centre, which emphasises back-to-basics learning, aims to help young people develop essential life skills and foster a connection with nature. The Isle of Man government say the opening is a ‘key part of the Department of Education, Sport and Culture’s (DESC) Youth Strategy that aims to ensure all young people on the island feel they belong, are meaningfully engaged and reach their full potential.’

All staffing costs and any renovation work done at the centre is funded by the DESC while the charitable Ardwhallan Jubilee Trust also supports the site, funding aspects such as equipment for activities and replacement gear.

The centre was officially reopened on Tuesday morning by Minister for Education Sport and Culture, Daphne Caine. 

She said: ‘The centre will enhance educational outcomes for young people by integrating hands-on learning with adventure and problem solving to equip them with important and lifelong skills.

‘I am delighted DESC can facilitate learning opportunities that connect children and young people with nature and I am certain students are going to have a really wild time here.’ The Outdoor Learning Centre’s Manager Greg Stalker said a significant amount of work had taken place to bring the facility back to life - with more projects planned at the site over the next year.

‘The brief was to make a space that is accessible and open to every child from the Isle of Man’, he said.

‘The layout of the centre is still quite similar, and it’s great to see young people using it again.

‘This is kind of phase one, creating these on-site activities, but there’s a middle section that is currently under re-development and we’re looking at several options there, potentially archery, climbing, caving and that kind of thing.

‘We’re doing some reports on how it’s going to cost and how we can pay for those things, but it’s the next phase of the build.

‘From a programme perspective, every school will be able to access the site from September.’

Plans to introduce paddle-boarding and mountain biking are currently being developed.

In the coming months, Year 5 pupils from all primary schools will take part in a newly developed Wilderness Education Programme (WEP) and will be able to enjoy a free session designed to showcase the centre’s various activities.

The WEP will be delivered in collaboration with Manx Wildlife Trust (MWT). Beth Penhallurick, education officer at MWT, said: ‘We are delighted to help develop a wildlife trail to help young people engage with native wildlife around this beautiful site.

‘Students will be encouraged to use their senses to explore nature in its fullness.

‘Teaming up with OLC on this innovative project will offer a deep nature connection experience to benefit children across the Isle of Man.’