EXCITING adventures ­— from kayaking to archery ­— await university and college students to help them develop outside the "classroom".

The Anderton Centre, which provides outdoor residential activities for young people has become a part of the University of Bolton Group to help students develop outside the classroom.

The centre, based at Lower Rivington Reservoir, has been providing schoolchildren with residential activities for 20 years.

And the university will invest to help the charity to buy new equipment, carry out maintenance and refurbish rooms.

Although part of the University Group ­— which includes Bolton College and Bolton UTC ­—The Anderton Centre will remain a separate legal entity and a registered charity.

It will also retain its name, Lancashire Outdoor Activities Initiative, and its identity.

Bill Dawson, Executive Director of Special Projects and Director of the University’s Institute of Management, who has been appointed as chairman of the centre’s trustees, said: "We see this as a major benefit for the centre itself and for students and staff across the University of Bolton Group.

"The Anderton Centre is located in a magnificent setting and we believe it will help to boost the student experience for our learners.

"Colleagues will also be able to take part in a number of exciting outdoor pursuits as part of their development to help team-building.

"The centre will greatly benefit from having strong links with the University Group, while retaining its independence."

The Anderton Centre uses adventure and problem-solving activities to build confidence, increase self-esteem, develop teamwork and independence.

Students from Bolton College recently took part in a series of enrichment activities at the centre.

They learnt the importance of team work and built up their confidence by undertaking a range of activities, including archery, camping, kayaking, paddle boarding, canoeing, problem solving, orienteering, and a climbing wall.

Bolton College student Ash Farkoosh said: “The experience was amazing. The activities were challenging but fun and we were able to mix with other students and make new friends.

“It really builds confidence and I can’t wait to go again.”

Bill Webster, Principal of Bolton College, said: “This presents a wonderful opportunity for the college to help ensure that our students can have the opportunity to experience these activities and enrich the time they spend here.”

Professor George E Holmes, President and Vice Chancellor of the University of Bolton, said: “We are delighted that The Anderton Centre has joined the University Group alongside Bolton College, UTC Bolton and our strategic partnership with Alliance Learning.

“It is a fantastic facility that provides amazing experiences for people, especially young people, in a beautiful part of the countryside on the West Pennine Moors.”

Photographs:

AndertonCentre1: (From left) Bolton College students Natalie Jenickova, Nathan Perry, Ash Farkoosh, Faizaan Alli, Oliver Deborde and Alex Dekarski, ready to dive into the activities.

AndertonCentre3: Zara Aleem, who is studying Sports Level 3, takes aim at archery.

AndertonCentre4: Humza Jama tries his hand at kayaking.

Other pix show students taking part in various activities.