68 SCHOOLS from across the country brought children and young people to YMCA Lakeside.
17 YOUTH GROUPS attended YMCA Lakeside on a residential experience with some coming from urban and deprived areas.
9 CORPORATE GROUPS attended YMCA Lakeside on a residential experience with some coming from urban and deprived areas.
At YMCA Lakeside, we provide young people with experiences that develop essential life skills for education and the workplace. From teamwork and communication during outdoor challenges to leadership and problem-solving in real-world situations, every activity is designed to help participants gain confidence and transferable skills they can apply in school, further education, or their careers.
Our outdoor education programs are crafted to build character and resilience. Facing new challenges in a supportive environment helps young people grow their self-belief, learn to persevere, and develop respect for themselves and others. Whether they’re scaling heights or navigating group dynamics, every experience fosters a sense of achievement and mutual understanding.
YMCA Lakeside encourages young people to see their potential and reach for new goals. By stepping outside their comfort zone and accomplishing things they never thought possible, they leave with a renewed sense of ambition and purpose. Our inspiring Lakeside surroundings and expert guidance empower young people to dream big and believe in their ability to succeed.
YMCA Lakeside uses experiential learning to teach young people skills they may not necessarily learn inside of schools.
Outdoor Education at YMCA Lakeside is an immersive and holistic approach to learning, with young people taking on new responsibilities, taking risks in a controlled environment and reflecting on all that they have learnt during their time at YMCA Lakeside.
In the months leading up to the residential L was very adamant that he didn’t want to go. It was only a week before you managed to encourage him to actually go, but in his words “he was going but wasn’t going to do all the activities he would just watch the others”. He did feel very anxious about going but the school had put him at ease and told him he wouldn’t have to do anything he didn’t want to.
Luke went on the residential and if I’m being honest I was expecting a phone call to go and get him. That never happened and on the day they were coming home we went along to pick him up. As he got off the bus his face was glowing with pride, the first words out of his mouth were “I could have stayed longer it was so much fun”. L went on to say how much enjoyment he had gotten from all the activities and he couldn’t believe he had actually done every single activity. He was so proud of himself. There wasn’t anything he didn’t have a go at.
This changed his attitude and mind set to the challenges he meets in everyday life and since then has never looked back. He has tried and done lots of things he wouldn’t of before and that’s all because going to Lakeside gave him the self-esteem and confidence he needed and as a family we couldn’t be more grateful to the school for the encouragement they gave L.
YMCA Lakeside is in the unique position to help young people develop the life-long skills and character traits that will allow them to reach greater academic success and, ultimately, to carve out strong career and work roles.
The skills young people develop at YMCA Lakeside are the same qualities that employers are crying out for; good communication, effective teamwork, proven leadership, problem solving, resilience and a positive ‘can do’ attitude to new challenges.
of young people felt that they had developed skills at YMCA Lakeside that would benefit them in future life
have improved their attitude towards learning
For young people knowing that they have the resources, capabilities and skills they need to function in the world is the spring board to setting and reaching their goals and aspirations. Confidence and self-esteem empowers young people to face whatever challenges they encounter.
improved their relationship with classmates.
improved their relationship with teachers.
feel more confident in themselves.
have learnt new things.
feel more indepentdant.
will think of others more after their Lakeside Experience
of young people felt more confident after their Lakeside Experience
of young people felt they are more able to work effectively in a team after their Lakeside Experience
felt their behaviour had improved as a result of their Lakeside experience
YMCA Lakeside teaches young people that they can succeed in some of the most challenging situations.Through real experiences we encourage them to work hard, demonstrate commitment and to aim high and set goals. A visit to Lakeside can trigger lasting changes in young people that can take them in new directions.
Many young people from deprived backgrounds arrive at YMCA Lakeside with a poor outlook on their future, lacking confidence, having low self esteem and poor social skills.
feel more independent after their Lakeside experience
of teachers and youth group leaders felt that their young people had a more positive attitude towards them
have better relationships with classmates and teachers at school
feel more motivated after their Lakeside experience
