HYMB – Herts Young Mariners Base

East England
7-16
Confidence Building, PE, Team Building,
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Full View

What will students see and do?

Located in the serene River Lee Country Park in Lee Valley (also known as Lea Valley), Herts Young Mariners Base (HYMB) offers engaging primary school trips and secondary school educational visits with an exciting range of outdoor learning opportunities.

The centre offers hands-on team-building games, and water activities that will boost students’ problem-solving skills, such as stand-up paddleboarding and dinghy sailing.

The site’s position on a London transport link makes it ideal for day trips from London, and those looking for school trip ideas and things to do in Hertfordshire will find an array of watersports and land-based activities on offer.

Children will have the chance to take part in caving and climbing experiences that will challenge them both physically and mentally. Pupils can test their hand-eye coordination by aiming for the bullseye on an archery target, or learn the difference between a canoe vs a kayak on a trip along the River Lee (also known as the River Lea).

HYMB is certified by the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority, as well as Adventuremark and Learning Outside the Classroom. The site is also a member of a number of professional bodies, including British Canoeing, the Royal Yachting Association and British Mountaineering Council, as well as the Duke of Edinburgh Award.

How does the trip link to the curriculum?

Herts Young Mariners Base offers schools the opportunity to enhance their National Curriculum syllabus with a package of tailored outdoor activities and the option for an exciting camping experience in the Lee Valley.

Students will have the chance to take up kayak paddles and hit the water or learn to steer a canoe boat with one of HYMB’s extensive watersports activities.

Educational trips to HYMB provide students with the tools to learn how to build their confidence and self-esteem while taking part in a range of fun team-building activities and exciting, hands-on games, such as raft-building and sailing. Orienteering courses are also available for students to practise their compass and map skills.

The base’s team of outdoor education experts can ensure that your trip to HYMB is customised to the needs of your students as well as your desired learning outcomes.

Whichever activities you choose, HYMB offers countless ways to enrich the curriculum in every school through its bespoke programmes.

Subjects covered

Confidence Building

Team Building

Teaching resources provided

Contact the centre to discuss the teaching resources on offer to schools.

Minimum and maximum group size

The base can accommodate up to 300 participants at any time. Call for details on booking for your group.

Details of risk assessment

Download the school trip risk assessment on the website.

PLANNING

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Facilities On-Site

HYMB can accommodate both small groups and large groups of up to 100 at their campsite in River Lee Country Park. Facilities on site include toilets and showers, which are open 24 hours a day.

To provide accommodation for school residential trips, Herts Young Mariners Base also works in partnership with the local youth hostel: YHA London Lee Valley. Conveniently located next to the base, the accommodation is divided over five buildings with 24 beds each.

Catered options are available, with the hostel able to provide hot meals and packed lunches.

HYMB provides changing and toilet facilities for adults, children and wheelchair users. A hot and cold drinks machine and a snack machine are available on site.

Opening Times

For pre-planned activities, the centre is open from 8am – 10pm.

Pricing

Camping costs £7.50 per person per night. Call for details on activity pricing.

Travel arrangements

By train: HYMB is located 150-200 metres away from Cheshunt railway station, which provides services to London Liverpool Street station, Stratford and the West End. Direct trains to the north serve Hertford, Ware, Harlow, Bishop’s Stortford, and Cambridge.

By road: The base is located 1.5 miles away from junction 25 on the M25. Free parking is available on site for all users, but this can get busy during peak hours. A busy level crossing is located just before the base, so HYMB advises that you allow an extra 15 minutes to cross. The level crossing has a height restriction of 4.25m.