Anglo-Saxons meet the Vikings
The children step back in time to the 9th Century. The Vikings have travelled by longboat along the Great River Ouse. On the Danelaw/Wessex boundary, they find the Anglo-Saxon village at Chellington.
The activities start with an interactive session in the Ibbett Room where the group explores how we know what the local area around the Chellington Centre was like during the 9th Century. The children become either Vikings or Anglo-Saxons and make their own helmets based upon historical and archaeological evidence. The children choose their shield and can decorate to personalise it, based upon artefacts from the period.
Warrior training out in the field introduces the children to the cries, commands and team work required to succeed in battle. The children choose their foam weaponry to complete their preparations and practise their formations and strategy. Dressed and prepared, the children use drama to re-enact a battle down on the river meadow, based on the old English poem ‘The Battle of Maldon’. Will the Viking raiders be victorious? Or will the Anglo-Saxons protect Chellington?
Children take their helmets home! All other resources are provided by the centre for use on the day.
This programme will normally cost £100 for self-led, but this year we are able to offer it for free thanks to the funding we have been given to develop educational resources. 
Winding Rivers
Children can explore the physical geography of the local area and how this affects local people. They will develop an understanding of the characteristics of the river through practical fieldwork.
The activities start with a short session in the Ibbett Room to introduce them to the river and its affects on local people. Activities will focus on developing children’s field sketching and OS map skills. Children will visit the river and in groups explore the characteristics of river, including its flow and the material it carries, through simple practical fieldwork. This will involve them working together to use instruments to measure and record their observations.
This programme will normally cost £50 for all materials and is self-led, but this year we are able to offer it for free because of the funding we have been given to develop educational resources.
Up to an hour long briefing with our programme manager will help you deliver these as self-led programmes.
Harrold and Odell Country Park visit
Harrold-Odell – Country Park
Pond dipping platforms are available within the nature reserve. Groups can use trails around the park of up to 2.5km with bird hides and opportunities for children to take brass rubbings depicting local wildlife. The website provides more detail on activities available.
The visit and activities should be booked with the HOCP park rangers.
Local walks
There are a number of nice walks from the Chellington Centre:
Walk 1: Carlton Village & The Pipers - Directions (pdf)
Walk 2: Harrold-Odell Country Park - Directions (pdf)
Walk 3: Harrold-Odell Country Park & Odell - Directions (pdf)
Walk 4: Country Park & Odell (wet weather route) - Directions (pdf)
These activities are free and self-led.
Chellington Quiz
Children can work in teams to complete our quizzes. These will help them to explore the indoor and outdoor environments and orientate them for their stay at Chellington.
These activities are free and self-led.
Soft archery
Children can practise their archery skills with 6 sets available. Each set comes with 4 arrows and a bow along with an easy to follow set-up and instruction guide for leaders.
This activity costs £10 per set and is self-led.
Indoor and outdoor games
Children can play a range of indoor and outdoor games at the centre.
The games pack includes a rounders set, rugby balls, tag rugby set, badminton set, football, tug of war, team parachutes, giant Jenga, indoor board games and puzzles.
The games pack costs £20 and all are self-led.
There is also a giant connect 4, table football and table tennis, all free to use on site.
Movie and/or karaoke night
Children can watch movies or listen to music, have a karaoke night or watch the stars.
Media pack includes:
55" 4K LED Smart TV (Panasonic TX-55FX700B) fixed in Ibbett room (HDMI lead provided) for educational presentations, supported by a DVD player, projector (Samsung SP-M250) and Sony speakers, Yamaha keyboard, karaoke, white screen 7ft pull-up and portable trolley with locking wheels, power extension cable, one flip chart with A1 paper, telescope and tripod.
The media pack costs £30 and all activities are self-led.
Campfire
Children can gather around for a campfire in the evening on site. Campfire songs are available on request.
A bag of kindling and logs costs £20 (enough for one campfire) or you are welcome to bring your own. The activity is self-led.
Forest Skills
Children can practise a variety of forest skills including shelter building, fire lighting, wood craft, as well as learning about trees and wildlife surrounding the centre.
This programme is taught by experienced, fully insured tutors. Groups of 15 are best but we can arrange a day to split up groups between activities.
Half Day (about 2 hours) - £375
Full Day (2, 2 hour sessions) - £500
These prices include one tutor and all materials.
If a group is larger than 15 (up to a maximum of 30 participants), leaders will be expected to help and guide, and monitor behaviour.
Boot Camp
The sessions are designed to encourage leadership and team work, as well as improving fitness, strength and mental determination.
Each session will begin with a fun warm up and positive mantra for the day, followed by 20 minutes of bootcamp style games. Discipline, hard work and listening skills will need to be shown before practicing and taking on the assault course.
A certificate is awarded to participants showing outstanding Bravery, Achievement, Nobility, Determination, Inspiration, Team work and Strength skills!
This activity costs £375 for 2 hours and is led by a third party.
Raptor Encounters
Children can have a close-up experience with a skilled falconer and a selection of birds, usually including a Harris Hawk, Kestrel, Barn Owl, Little Owl and the incredible Eagle Owl. There will be an informative talk and the birds will fly indoors. The children may be allowed to handle the birds (at the discretion of the handler).
This activity costs £250 for 2 hours, for up to 20 per session.
Two 90 minute sessions (to run concurrently) can be booked if your group size is larger than 20, an extra charge applies. This activity is led by a third party.
Mobile Animal Farm
Children can get close to farm animals in a quiet and safe environment.
This is an award-winning, small, mobile animal farm with experience of animal assisted therapy. Every child will have lots of opportunities to get close up, feed and handle the animals.
This activity costs between £250 and £400 and is led by a third party.
