CHALLENGE ACADEMY

#upforthechallenge

BAGGERIDGE ADVENTURE

Baggeridge Adventure is an exceptional activity venue and it provides an exclusive and safe environment for everyone. Our affordable adventure packages are suitable for all ages and abilities.

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Adventurers can traverse through the high and low ropes courses, take a leap of faith down the PowerFan Descender and swing through the trees along the Zip Wire – above all, a high-level adventure guaranteed to get the adrenaline pumping!

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NETS ADVENTURE

We have combined ‘high ropes’ obstacles with safety nets to create an aerial playground, different to anything else out there. No need to put harnesses on and perfect if you want to build your confidence.

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OBSTACLES + BOULDERING

Brand new last year – our obstacle course and bouldering wall will test anyone and we love it! Leave it to us to make sure that the challenge is suitable for you when you embark on your journeY. The obstacle course is included in the Adventure Pass for ‘Weekend Warriors’ who visit and will always be included in our weekday programmes for organisations.

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CHALLENGE KIT

Our Challenge Kit is ideally suited to support the positive development of people and teams of any age and ability. Our range of products and services are all tried and tested with a focus on developing team values and personal qualities.

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BAGS OF CHARACTER

A ‘Bag of Character’ is a sturdy weatherproof holdall full of ideas and equipment required for loads of warm-ups, team challenge, reviews and session planning. Everything has a focus on meeting a wide range of team and personal development outcomes at every level.

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MOBILE BIG RIG

Portable obstacle, fitness and team challenge equipment. A complete solution for you to deliver meaningful challenge and team development anywhere. Our Rig fits into a box trailer and can be assembled quickly and used to achieve a variety of outcomes.

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WOODLAND CHALLENGE

We want to get our customers active and explore the amazing environment surrounding our centre. What better way to do this than introduce a few challenges along the way. We have set out our own trails where teams move from point to point and undertake different problem solving tasks.

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FOREST SKILLS

Our activities are very interactive, relaxing and informative and we have a dedicated space onsite to deliver our courses. We seek to encourage, motivate, engage and inspire through positive outdoor experiences. It’s not just about the skills, it’s about the environment – active outdoor learning for everyone.

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BAGGERIDGE adventure

CHALLENGE KIT

OUR PROGRAMMES

WE ARE HERE FOR THE COMMUNITY

As a Community Interest Company (CIC), we’re passionate about providing affordable and accessible outdoor learning opportunities for our community and all of our profits are used to develop our site and continually improve the range of activities we have on offer. We passionately believe in the power of the active environment to reboot, challenge, educate and empower so that people can find their purpose, focus mindset and unlock potential.

CHOOSE YOUR CHALLENGE

A specialist in delivering outdoor activities, Challenge Academy offers adventure programmes for all ages and abilities. But we are much more than this – our amazing team understand that moving beyond the comfort zone is different for everyone and it must be carefully managed if it is going to be a positive experience. We offer a range of adventure experiences, learning opportunities, training and resources to meet the differing needs of everyone. We guarantee fun, learning, inclusion and affordability.

BAGGERIDGE ADVENTURE

Multi-Activity site in the heart of the Black Country with loads of exciting challenges for all ages and abilities from 4 years up to very very old. We are a Community Interest Company so all profits ensure that we are able to sustain and improve. Open all year-round to the general public and organisations.

challenge kit

learning and development

Challenge Academy is led by experienced teachers, facilitators and ex-military instructors. All of our courses and programmes are appropriate to a range of desired outcomes. Most importantly we have worked hard to get our courses accredited with recognised and credible national training and awarding bodies.

MEET THE TEAM

We have the knowledge, skills, experience and attitudes required to make an impact. All of our staff, permanent and part time, are passionate about active outdoor learning and its’ far reaching benefits for lifelong learning.

Mel Ellis – Managing Director

Mel is a qualified PE teacher and retired RAF Squadron Leader (Physical Education Branch) who specialised as a Parachute Jump Instructor during his 16 year Service career. Key military roles have included leading the RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team, managing the leadership and physical fitness programmes of officer cadets at RAF College Cranwell, and commanding the RAF Parachute Training School After leaving the RAF Mel then spent 10 years directing operations at Closer to the Edge Ltd – he is now at Challenge Academy, having a more ‘hands on’ involvement to develop the wide range of services and products. Mel is an Accredited Practitioner for the Institute of Outdoor Learning.

Greg Brookes-Clayton – Educational Director

Greg is a qualified teacher with significant experience in the field of Special Educational Needs (SEN). Prior to joining Challenge Academy, Greg completed his teaching career as Head of Pupil Referral Unit in Derby City. Over the past few years Greg has developed an exceptional offer for the Education Sector, fine-tuned his own facilitation skills and worked tirelessly to have his training CPD approved and nationally accredited by Ofqual. He is now responsible for the Learning and Development within Challenge Academy CIC and is busy extending the offer to Education, Criminal Justice, Welfare to Work, Care, and Health sectors. Greg is a qualified trainer for Mental Health First Aid.

Sam Jackson – Operations Manager

Sam has a degree in Sports Science and is an experienced facilities manager, having managed large leisure facilities in the Middle East for 5 years. As a qualified Level 2 Cricket Coach and a Level 3 Personal Trainer Sam is well equipped for working at Challenge Academy, where he is tasked with managing the operational aspects of our facility and developing our health and fitness offer. He is very passionate about outdoor experiential learning and his role incorporates his love of working with people and managing a talented team. Sam is a highly qualified and experienced outdoor instructor, proud to lead and develop a highly motivated team.

Chris Smith – Senior Facilitator

Chris, a retired teacher of 30 years, is a qualified ropes instructor who acts as both an integral part of the adventure hub team and specialises in taking our mobile equipment into schools, youth organisations and corporate settings. He has 24 years experience as Head of PE at The Kingswinford School, meaning he is well-equipped to deliver outdoor activity with the aim of developing participant’s soft skills. With an emphasis on fun, he believes outdoor activity can bring about instant rewards and ‘light bulb moments’ for individuals, groups and instructors, where everyone involved can achieve and learn something about themselves.

Sharan Shukla – Office Manager

Sharan has a degree in Public Relations and over 15 years’ experience in Marketing and Events, spanning across a variety of industry sectors including leisure, retail and education. Sharan is passionate about providing a high level of customer service and ensures all enquiries are answered in a timely fashion. She is passionate about the outdoors and rarely spends a day inside

Annabele Lyth – Lead Instructor

Bels is a fully qualified high ropes instructor and outdoor specialist, having arrived after a year of travel and study in Europe. She studied German at Stuttgart University and is also a fluent Bulgarian speaker, she has also worked as an au pair. Bels is responsible for keeping up morale amongst the team with nonsensical chatter, mostly about films and nothing.

Josh Hawkes – Lead Instructor

Josh arrived in Summer 2022, having completed 2 arduous tours of duty as an outdoor practitioner at other outdoor adventure centres. He has also travelled extensively in the USA mainly as a football coach. He is a fully qualified high ropes instructor and is responsible for delivering our community courses. His hobbies and interests include kayaking, paddle-boarding and football and football.

Lesley McNaney – Lead Instructor/Marketing

Lesley is a fully qualified graphic designer but she also has extensive experience as an outdoor instructor. Lesley is responsible for the design needs and social media for Challenge Academy; she also supports the team with marketing and takes the lead on all of the family programmes and camps that CA delivers. Her main interests are bushcraft and survival, design work and spelling tests.

The instructors are amazing and so encouraging when you have those occasional ‘I can’t do this’ moments! There are lots of them which means their organisation is second to none, safety is paramount and all this for a fantastically great value price! I didn’t know this place existed but I’ll be spreading the word, Thank you Challenge Academy!

Claire Parker

Staff were first class, very patient and helpful. Safety is no1 priority but this doesn’t detract from the fun. Totally recommend this for something that the whole family can do together – it’s great for the kids to see Mommy and Daddy more scared than they are! Well done guys!

Simon J

Thank you to all the staff for a brilliant fun educational day! It gave our pupils with less confidence a chance to shine and our pupils with confidence an extra challenge. The teamwork involved has encouraged our pupils to support each other not only during physical activities but also during class lessons. We will definitely be returning during the summer as one of our invaluable ‘Sports Experience’ programmes

Rough Hay Primary School

Fabulous set up with really great staff - they ensure that everyone feels safe and are very encouraging whilst allowing them to take the independence to complete challenges - very impressed

Samantha Shuttleworth

We hosted an event here with our students from Student Living Derby Halls of Residence. It was a brilliant afternoon, such fun and all the students had such an amazing time. Can't rate the staff highly enough, very supportive and encouraging. Great activity for groups!

Derby University SU

WOW we had the BEST time ever today with girls. staff were the nicest friendliest people we have met & were all amazing with the kids which made the whole experience a fabulous one. I would 100% reccomend challenge academy. Fantastic for kids confidence & co ordination & their fitness! such a brilliant couple of hours & most certainly worth every penny ! Thanks for a great morning we will be back again very soon.

Lisa Timmins

PLEASE GET IN TOUCH

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Baggeridge Country Park, Gospel End Rd, Sedgley DY3 4HB.

You will find us just below the park tea shop. Park your vehicle, pay for parking and walk down the track.

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01902 671072

Office Hours Mon-Fri 0900 - 1600

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team@challengeacademy.co.uk

CHALLENGE ACADEMY CIC

Striving to ensure that challenge and 'active outdoor learning' opportunities are available, inclusive and accessible

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