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September Newsletter

What's Happening this month?

Apologies from us this month for not producing a newsletter for a few months but its been super busy setting up the "Community Harbour"

 

Sidmouth Community Harbour, "A safe Port from the Storms of Life"

Now open for bookings!!

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What is it?

The Harbour is a safe Port in the storm of life where families, individuals, fathers & sons, Mothers and daughters, Grandparents & grandchildren, Mums, Dads, Groups etc can come and relax, decompress and re-connect with the great outdoors and natures.

 

We have been working on 1:1 sessions with individuals with complex learning difficulties and disabilities.

 

outdooradventures@aquilapm.co.uk

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I’m not a flashy, dramatic, “extreme adventure” sort of person. I am just me. Relaxed, Chilled and confident in what I do.
I’m a believer in steady progress, thoughtful leadership, and making sure everyone feels welcome and supported.

Our team is trained and qualified in all things adventures, dbs, 1st aid and safeguarded. so always safe with us.

My approach is simple:
People first. Outdoors second. Ego never. And fun always.

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Our vision is for The Community Harbour to be a place where all children and adults find a safe port in the natural world. We believe every individual deserves the opportunity to drop anchor in nature and experience the restorative benefits of the great outdoors.

We are extremely fortunate to have permanent access to beautiful safe site—a sanctuary where we work alongside local people & families. Together, we provide a steady ground for people of all ages and backgrounds to navigate new experiences and reconnect with the environment.

At our site, we offer a safe harbour for everyone to engage in educational discovery, bonding activities, and vital conservation work, ensuring our community remains rooted and resilient.

 

We have 2 hrs sessions AM & PM

We have half day sessions AM & PM.

And we have all day sessions.

 

Sessions will include, fire lighting, knife skills, shelter building, open fire cooking from marshmallows to a main meal. Team tasks, The great marble run, bridge building, Sedan chair. Nest box & bug hotel building, orienteering & map reading and so much more

 

Off site we offer, indoor and outdoor climbing, Mountain biking, Hill walking and paddle sports.

 

If you can think of an activity we can make it happen.

                                       We have partnered up with

                                                  Aquila Programme Management:

 

So a bit about us:

 

A little about the Team

For more than three decades, the outdoors has been our classroom, our playground and our passion. Between us, our team brings over 100 years of experience across mountains, cliffs, rivers, coastlines and wild spaces — teaching, guiding and supporting people as they discover what they’re truly capable of.

We’ve worked with children, young people and adults of every ability, including those with disabilities, special needs and SEN. Adventure should never be exclusive. It should be accessible, empowering and full of possibility for everyone.​

Our instructors have spent a lifetime developing skills across:

· Climbing — from first steps on rock to confidence at height

· Coasteering — exploring rugged coastlines, movement, resilience and trust

· Paddle sports — kayaking, SUP and water confidence for all ages

· Survival skills — bushcraft, navigation, problem‑solving and self‑reliance

· Team building — communication, leadership and shared challenge

· Mountain biking – a mix of physical, mental and practical benefits.

· Mountain & Hill walking-explore the beauty of the high peaks and open moors.​

But skills are only part of what we do. The real magic happens in the moments between:

The child who realizes they can climb higher than they thought. The adult who rediscovers confidence after years of doubt. The group that arrives as strangers and leaves as a team. The quiet spark of pride when someone overcomes a fear they’ve carried for years.

These are the moments that stay with us for ever.

Our mission is simple: To inspire confidence, connection and a lifelong love of the outdoors. If we pass on even a spark of inspiration, then we’ve done what we set out to do.

So come and join us and our team at the Community Harbour for some great onsite & offsite experiences that will stay in your memory for years to come. We are here to help, to teach and above all to keep you safe and have fun!

If you’d met me years ago, you would’ve found someone wandering across Dartmoor, stopping every five minutes to look at a contour line and mutter something like, “Oh, that’s interesting…”

What began as personal curiosity turned into a passion for helping others build the same confidence and joy I found outside. Scouting gave me the platform, and young people gave me the purpose.

Through camps, hikes, expeditions, late-night planning sessions, and more risk assessments than most people would willingly admit to writing… I found what I’m good at:

· Keeping people safe.

· Making the outdoors accessible.

· Helping young people realize they’re capable of more than they think.

· Bringing calm, clarity, and a bit of humour to even the muddiest situations.​

There’s a moment I love — a very specific kind of moment.

It’s when a young person looks at a map or a rock or whatever the challenge may be, looks at the horizon, then looks at me and quietly asks,

“Do you really think I can do this?”

And every single time, the answer is yes.

Not because the task is easy — sometimes it isn’t.

Not because the weather is perfect — sometimes it absolutely isn’t.

But because they can do it. They just don’t know it yet.

Watching them take those first steps, watching doubt turn slowly into determination, and seeing them finish something they once thought impossible…

That’s why I do this. For the joy in their eyes!​

I'm not a flashy, dramatic, “extreme adventure” sort of person. I am just me. Relaxed, Chilled and confident in what I do.

I’m a believer in steady progress, thoughtful leadership, and making sure everyone feels welcome and supported.

Our team is trained and qualified in all things adventurous, dbs, 1st aid and safeguarded. so always safe with us.

My approach is simple:

People first. Outdoors second. Ego never. And fun always

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