Calderdale’s Premier
Outdoor Activity Centre
Mixenden Activity Centre (MAC) work with individuals and groups across Calderdale and beyond offering educational and personal programmes for young people and staff that are bespoke, affordable, and flexible.
MAC has been Calderdale Council’s premier outdoor education facility now for over 22 years, with over a century of combined experience.
MAC offer exciting programmes and projects that will encourage young people to embark on a path of lifelong learning using the outdoors as a medium to encourage new experiences, confidence and build an individual’s self-esteem.
Residential experiences and outdoor education have proved to be one of the most effective means of developing young people to reach their full potential and contribute fully within their communities. Residential and outdoor environments are both extremely powerful in providing an holistic ‘whole person’ development.
It is important that ‘A broad and balanced curriculum, with learning outside the classroom as a powerful element, supports higher achievement” Ofsted’s ‘Learning Outside The Classroom – How Far Should You Go’ report, October 2008.
MAC provides the opportunity for young people and adults, of all ages, to step out of their familiar environment with its routines, restrictions and responsibilities and gives them the space to stretch themselves in new ways within an atmosphere of support and acceptance.
Our residentials, outdoor learning environments and activities provide accompanying teachers and group leaders are
the link between familiar and unfamiliar surroundings, helping young people to settle into their new environment and broaden their horizons.
MAC’s qualified and experienced outdoor education instructors provide many opportunities to help young people experience new and exciting challenges which they can use effectively.
The majority of our activities take place outdoors and are appropriate to the age, experience and interests of each group. Activities range from rock climbing, mountain biking, canoeing and archery to environmental projects and creative art activities.
Courses are planned by the teachers or groups leaders and pupils, working in partnership with MAC staff to meet specific learning outcomes. Such outcomes will be agreed beforehand and the activities will be tailored to achieve these.
Courses on
offer at MAC
There are a variety of activities to choose from with associated qualifications:
• Indoor Climbing – National Indoor
Climbing Achievement Scheme
(NICAS) Levels 1-2
• Outdoor Climbing – Mixenden
Activity Centre (MAC) Levels 1-2
• Mountain Biking – MAC Levels 1-2-3
• Mountain Bike Maintenance MAC
Levels 1-2
• Motorbike Mechanic and Riding Skills
(MAC)
• Archery UK White – Red and Gold
Feather Awards
• Apple Mac Level 1-2
• Photography and Short Film Making
• National Navigation Award (NNAS)
• ASDAN – KEY SKILLS, COPE and
SHORT COURSES
• NOCN – Introduction to a training
course
• Numeracy and Literacy – (NOCN)
• British Canoe (BCU) Start -
Passport - Discovery - 1 Star - 2 Star -
3 Star
• Camp Craft - MAC
• Duke of Edinburgh Award
(Bronze – Silver – Gold)
• Bushcraft
• Health and Wellbeing Certificates i.e.
Drug and Alcohol
• First Aid St Johns / Ofqual approved
• Health and Safety Level 1/2 Food
Safety level 1/2
ENQUIRE ABOUT A PARTY BOOKING
For further information about booking a party contact us on 01422 245006 or email:
SCHOOL PROGRAMME
The individual agreed programme will assist young people to develop their full potential as individuals and as a member of society by:
• Developing skills that will help young
people make choices towards further
education or employment; tackling issues
around NEET.
• Deterring young people from becoming
involved in antisocial behaviour,drug-
taking and any other associated problems.
Programmes are designed to support young people through the development of informal education; gaining new experiences; working within a team and developing decision making skills.
Through the provision of meaningful activities, our programmes will raise the young people’s self esteem and enhance their key skills.
How Programmes are Delivered
The programme will be delivered over 3 days a week for 12 weeks. It will consist of a set of core modules,
including numeracy and literacy as well as bolt on modules which are negotiated by the individual participant. There is also the opportunity for a residential element of 2 days/1 night within the UK.
How Programmes are Built
Individuals will be identified and recommended for this programme through schools, SEN and other agencies who they believe young people would benefit from this dynamic programme. A taster session may also be set up to include activity sessions led by MAC staff to assess the individual needs of
Our aims
• Develop personal, social and
communication skills
(relationship building)
• Behaviour managment strategies
• Improve personal health and
appearance
• Enhance verbal communication
• Enable self-motivation
• Develop problem-solving capability
• Address numeracy and literacy needs
• Develop ICT skills through a portfolio
of achievement
the young person identified before commencing the programme. This will ensure that the programme is tailored to the needs of the individual and positive outcomes can be achieved.
Initial introductory sessions with the young person will determine the type of activities that will be undertaken.
These sessions will give the young person an opportunity to discuss the expectations for completing the programme and to reach an agreement on their behaviour and attendance.
Staff continuity is also an integral part of the programme, which will help in the building of relationships and bonds that will facilitate and maintain attendance, standards and the moral of each participant. MAC is committed to ensuring that young people feel safe and can get the best out of the programme.
Accreditation
Each of the programmes we offer leads to nationally accredited qualifications, for example:
• Work towards NOCN – Short courses/ Key Skills PSD
• NICAS level 1-2
• St John’s Young Lifesaver Award
• Outdoor Education National Accreditations in Mountain Biking, Canoeing and
Navigation
MAC’s in house accreditations include: Mountain Biking and Motor Cycling, Maintenance and Riding Skills; Orienteering: Bushcraft, as well as partner organisation’s accreditation in Health, Drug and Self Awareness.
Specifically, the TEAM project will directly contribute to all the Five Outcomes and Calderdale’s Young People Plan, being listened to and heard, be healthy, get the knowledge and skills needed for life, meet with other young people from different backgrounds, easily get in touch with the services they need and to be brought up in a safe and caring place.
What we ask from you
• School /SEN will support all the young
people on the programme to develop
• A specified member of school staff / SEN
will be the SPOC (single point of contact).
• School / SEN will supply pack lunches (or
expenses) to those young people on free
school meals
• Regular meetings with School / SEN will
be set up to discuss the young persons
progress and monitor quality of provision
to look at exit strategies
12 week programme additional information and costings
Staffing at the centre include Qualified Teachers, Senior Youth Workers and Nationally Qualified Instructors all with first aid and enhanced CRB’s. All activities are fully risk assessed and are monitored by Calderdale Councils Health and Safety through the ‘Evolve’ System. Prices are based per individual.
Additional costs and specialist programmes will need to be negotiated prior to booking and any further costs communicated prior to commencing. This may include specific skills to engage young people or include residential costs and additional learning materials. Attendance details of each student will be communicated to school on a regular basis.
Individual reviews will be in week 10; this will include the individual, centre staff and organisation staff which will then form the basis of extending the programme to continue with individual development or including work experience (age dependant) or to include exit strategy to re-engage them back into a education provision.
The following programme provides an example of one of our exciting experiences. We can tailor thepackage to suit your needs.
Programmes will include a choice of the following activities (site dependant):
Canoeing, Climbing/Abseiling, Mountain Biking, Archery, Team Building, Orienteering, Camp Craft, Bush Craft, Environmental Work,
Hill and Mountain Walking, Caving and Gorge Walking.
Example RESIDENTIAL programme
DAY 1
—
12pm Arrival on site – discussions,
inductions and lunch
1pm Activities
4pm Allocate rooms, settle in
5pm Evening meal
7pm Evening activities
DAY 2
—
8am Breakfast
9am Activities
12pm Lunch
1pm Activities
4pm Free time
Evening activity/evening meal,
may include disco and BBQ with
presentations.
DAY 3
—
8am Breakfast
9am Activities
12pm Lunch
1pm Depart
All programmes are flexible and will be negotiated at the time of booking.
SPECIAL OFFERS
ARCHERY
£120
2 1/2 hour archery session for up to 8 adult or young people with a qualified instructor and all equipment provided.
Ring for details and booking 01422 245006
CANOEING
£120
2 1/2 hour have a go fun session for up to 8 adults or Young people with qualified staff in our own resi. All equipment provided
Ring for details and booking 01422 245006
MOUNTAIN BIKING
£120
2 1/2 hour activity session for up to 8 adults or young people. With qualified staff and equipment included.
On site with skills and access to our single track or a guided ride in the local area.
Ring for details and booking 01422 245006
BEST VALUE
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Mixenden Activity Centre, Clough Lane, Halifax,
West Yorkshire, HX2 8SH
Tel: 01422 245006
Email: MAC.activities@calderdale.gov.uk
©2015 Mixenden Activity Centre.
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