Thames Young Mariners, Outdoor education center in Ham, England
Thames Young Mariners is an outdoor education center occupying about 25 acres of land with a 10-acre lagoon connected to the River Thames through a dedicated lock. The facility offers activities including kayaking, sailing, archery, climbing, mountain biking, and orienteering, with adaptations available for disabled groups.
The site began as farmland owned by the Earl of Dysart in the 1800s before shifting to gravel extraction in the following century. This industrial use eventually gave way to the current water-based landscape designed for educational activities.
Young people come here to learn water skills and outdoor techniques through certified programs recognized by sailing and kayaking organizations. You will see groups practicing navigation, teamwork, and self-reliance in a working educational setting.
Visiting usually requires arranging a group booking or joining an organized program, as the center primarily operates structured educational activities. Planning outdoor activities here means bringing appropriate clothing and footwear, as conditions vary significantly with seasons and weather.
The center features Buffalo Creek, a specialized Teepee village where groups practice wilderness skills and maintain supervised campfires. This setup offers a different nature experience compared to the water sports and outdoor activities elsewhere on the property.
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