Peak are proud to announce that its Underbank Activity Centre has been awarded the prestigious AHOEC Gold Standard by the Association of Heads of Outdoor Education Centres (AHOEC).
The centre is located in Sheffield close to the Peak District and offers individuals and school groups a range of adventurous outdoor water and land-based activities such as kayaking, canoeing, sailing, paddleboarding and bushcraft activities including fire and shelter building which help people to develop valuable and essential life skills.
To achieve the recognition, Underbank Activity Centre was rigorously assessed across several key areas including customer care, learning and development, facilities and transport, ethics, safety and management, environmental sustainability, and leadership and management.
During the evaluation process, staff demonstrated their expertise by conducting a session focused on school-based canoeing instruction. In their session, the team were seen to effectively introduce and achieve learning objectives while ensuring the safety for learners.
The centre ensures the safety of those taking part through comprehensive safety measures and Adventurous Activities Licensing Authority (AALA) standards.
The team also continue showed their commitment to the environment and sustainability through various initiatives, including recycling systems, a water bottle refilling station, a nature reserve, and educational programs on Leave No Trace principles.
Operations Manager James Andrew said: “This recognition highlights Peak’s commitment to excellence in outdoor learning and its dedication to providing high-quality programs for students and the public.
“We are thrilled to receive the AHOEC Gold Standard award, which recognizes our team’s commitment to providing exceptional outdoor learning experiences.”
