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This year, Young Bristol organised NABGC's 58th annual Canoe Test!
Through the bank holiday weekend, young people from Young Bristol and those associated with the National Association of Boys and Girls Clubs took part in The Canoe Test 2024. The challenge took place over four days, with participants paddling down the River Wye.
Young people completed this challenging event, with some achieving up to 100 miles of canoeing! The event taught all participants some life-changing skills in addition to canoeing, such as preparing their own food and setting up their own tents to camp in, which they can continue to use on future adventures.
The four days of canoeing down the River Wye was all under the expert guidance of Young Bristol's Commercial Activities team, ably supported by a number of volunteers, all giving up their bank holiday weekend to to ensure all young people participating in this years Canoe Test had an amazing experience!
Thank you to everyone who helped to make this years Canoe Test a truly unforgettable event full of learning, laughter and friendship-building!
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On Thursday 26th June, Young Bristol were delighted to host our annual Golf Day & Dinner. We invited 60 golfers to the Tall Pines Golf Club, all competing to win the trophy on the 18-hole course.
Our Golf Day & Dinner was better than ever this year, with 15 teams taking part in our annual Golf Day & Dinner at the Tall Pines Golf Club, where the event saw teams put their golfing abilities to the test, competing to win a range of amazing prizes!
Guests began their day with a bacon roll, hot drinks and a goody bag, which were filled with Young Bristol branded golf balls, ball markers, score cards, water to keep our golfers hydrated throughout the day, and some other amazing gifts donated by our Title Sponsors, Burges Salmon!
Many of our teams arrived early, excited to kick off the day around the course with a putting competition! Teams also took the opportunity to network with their competitors whilst waiting for their tee time.
Are you looking to take part in exciting activities this month? Young Bristol have a range of activities, events and opportunities for young people and the wider community! Find out below what's on in your local area this month!
Holiday Clubs
During the Summer, we have a number of Holiday Activities and opportunities on offer for all young people to enjoy, with a focus on those in receipt of free school meals. Each session, all young people will receive a free hot, healthy meal!
When: Monday 28th July - Friday 29th August
Where: Various Community Youth Clubs
For: Ages 8-19
Outdoor Activities
Our Outdoor Activity Programme will be running half day, full day and multi day Holiday Clubs across the Summer! Take part in our offer of up to 16 water and land based activities! Places are limited and need to be booked in advance. Click here to secure your place!
When: Wednesday 23rd July - Friday 29th August
Where: Pooles Wharf Outdoor Activity Centre
For: Ages 8-16
Drawing Competition
Young people will create a masterpiece no bigger than an A4 piece of paper - make sure to be creative, there is no theme for this competition.
When: Monday 7th July - Friday 25th July
For: Ages 8-19
How to enter: email jbt@youngbristol.com
Also this month...
Community Youth Clubs - For 8 – 19 year olds and are located in many areas across Bristol, open up to 5 nights per week. Each Club offers a safe and inclusive environment, staffed by caring, trained adults. Click here to find out more.
Outdoor Employment Programme - Our free programme for young people aged 16-25 helps to develop new skills and gain nationally recognised qualifications in a variety of outdoor activities. Click here to find out more.
Youth Club on Wheels - Our mobile youth service works with young people aged 8-19 in hard-to-reach areas of the city and rural areas where there is currently no youth provision. Click here to find out more.
Young Bristol's Pooles Wharf Outdoor Activity Centre is celebrating its 25th anniversary this week, marking a quarter-century of providing life-changing outdoor experiences to thousands of young people across Bristol's iconic harbour.
Since opening on July 4, 2000, the award-winning centre has grown to become one of Bristol's premier providers of adventure activities, offering 16 water and land-based activities that support young people's physical and mental wellbeing through free and low-cost outdoor experiences.
Our Outdoor Activity Centre celebrates its 25th anniversary this week, supporting thousands of young people into the outdoors experiencing Bristol’s iconic harbour.
This week Young Bristol's Pooles Wharf Outdoor Activity Centre celebrates 25 years as one of Bristol’s premier providers of adventurous activities!
Pooles Wharf has grown to become a place which fosters a spirit of exploration and camaraderie for Bristol’s youth, providing life-changing outdoor experiences to thousands of young people across Bristol's harbour.
From a coal yard to community hub, over the years the centre has developed numerous programmes and opportunities for schools and colleges, to corporates, families and youth groups - making a difference to even more people across the city.
Take a look back at Pooles Wharf Outdoor Activity Centre's history; from our launch in 2000 to the centre today.
On Saturday 21st June, we were pleased to see Nick and Tom sign up to 'Chase The Sun North' to raise money for Young Bristol!
Chase the Sun North is a cycling challenge that saw participants cycle 200 miles from East to West, starting at sunrise in Whitley Bay, and finishing at sunset in Ayr, Scotland! The coast to coast cycle is full of stunning vistas, wilderness, heaths, rivers, lochs, castles and beaches.
It has been amazing to see Nick and Tom prepare for their second 'Chase the Sun' cycle whilst fundraising to support young people across Bristol. Thank you Nick and Tom for taking part in the 'Chase The Sun North' in aid of Young Bristol this month! Support their fundraising page here.
If you are interested in taking part in a third party fundraising event for Young Bristol, click here and learn how you can help fundraise for us!
On Saturday 21st June, we were pleased to see Amber Chubb sign up to the Morzine-Avoriaz Ultra Trail to raise money for Young Bristol!
The Morzine - Alvoriaz Ultra Trail is located in the French Alps and is home to an extensive network of incredible slopes. The race saw participants run 100km and climb 5,726 meters in elevation whilst discovering beautiful landscapes and breathtaking views over the Portes du Soleil.
"I chose Young Bristol because many young people face challenges like poverty and limited access to resources - factors often beyond their control. Having been fortunate to have strong support and opportunities, I want to give back and help young people build confidence and resilience, knowing how much youth shapes our future."
"It was an amazing challenge, lots of highs and lots of lows, and all for a great cause!"
It has been amazing to see Amber prepare for her first ever Ultra Marathon whilst fundraising to support young people across Bristol. Thank you Amber for taking part in the Morzine-Avoriaz Ultra Trail in aid of Young Bristol this month! Support her fundraising page here.
If you are interested in taking part in a third party fundraising event for Young Bristol, click here and learn how you can help fundraise for us!
This month, we were excited to invite 8 young people from across our Community Youth Club network to join us at the NABGC Essex Adventure Weekend!
We were pleased to see young people from Avon Youth Club, BS14 Youth Club, The Grove @ Bedminster Down and Youth Club on Wheels Oatlands Avenue take part in a jam-packed weekend full of activities at Thriftwood Scout Camp Site, from Friday 20th June - Sunday 22nd June 2025!
Across the weekend, young people were involved with a number of sports activities, including axe throwing, archery, rifle shooting, Jacob's ladder, postmans mate, kayaking, raft-building, cresta run and bush craft. Our young people were also involved in a variety of other group activities including tug of war, assault courses and smores making. During each activity across the weekend, we saw our group meet new people from across the country, try new opportunities and build friendships for life!
"I had loads of fun. Thank you lots for the weekend, it was a great experience and I would really recommend it."
Thank you NABGC and Essex Boys and Girls Clubs for arranging an amazing weekend, giving young people the opportunity to try new things and learn life skills!
We are pleased to announce that booking for our Summer Outdoor Activities are now live!
Join Young Bristol and Pooles Wharf Outdoor Activity Centre and experience the thrill of the great outdoors! With a range of activities on offer, from paddling Bristol's Harbourside to climbing through an underground adventure, there is something for everyone to enjoy! Book your adventure sessions here!
3 Day Wet, Wild and Wicked - £130pp
This is an intensive programme of back to back activities. From navigating through caves to mastering paddleboarding, rock climbing, archery, kayaking, bushcraft, and orienteering challenges, experience a wide range of adventures and activities. Find out more information and book your Wet, Wild and Wicked session here!
Wednesday 23rd July - Friday 25th July
Tuesday 29th July - Thursday 31st July
Monday 4th August - Wednesday 6th August
Tuesday 12th August - Thursday 14th August
Paddlepower Development Course - £85pp
Two days of back to back activities, embarking on a development course, tailored for young adventurers who are eager to advance their canoeing and kayaking skills. Previous attendance to a Half Day Kayaking session is recommended to make the most of this opportunity. Find out more information and book your Paddle Power Development Course here!
Wednesday 20th August - Thursday 21st August
Full Day Wet and Wicked - £45pp
Spend the day with us learning about the basic paddling techniques and enjoy playing fun, confidence-building games that encourage balance, agility and teamwork. You will continue to work with your team mates to build a raft and paddle your team to victory. Find out more information and book your Wet and Wicked session here!
Friday 1st August
Thursday 7th August
Friday 29th August
Full Day Wet and Wild - £45pp
Channel your inner Robin Hood as you learn archery skills and embrace the art of bushcraft, alongside cooking over an open fire. Then experience the aquatic thrills with kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding across Bristol's iconic Harbour. Find out more information and book your Wet and Wild session here!
Monday 11th August
Tuesday 19th August
Wednesday 27th August
Half Day Kayaking - £20pp
A perfect session for beginners, and those with a little experience. Spend the session learning about the basic paddling techniques and take part in fun, confidence-building games that encourage balance, agility and teamwork. Find out more information and book your Half Day Kayaking sessionhere!
Thursday 24th July
Tuesday 29th July
Wednesday 6th August
Wednesday 13th August
Friday 15th August
Friday 22nd August
Tuesday 26th August
Half Day Paddleboarding - £20pp
A perfect session for beginners, and those with a little experience. Spend the session with us learning about the basic paddling techniques and enjoy playing fun, confidence-building games that encourage balance, agility and teamwork. Find out more information and book your Half Day Paddleboaring session here!
Join Young Bristol's FREE Summer Holiday Clubs! We are open to all young people aged 8-19 across our Community Youth Clubs. From sports activities to creative workshops, we have something for everyone to enjoy! A free hot, healthy meal will be provided to all young people.
Our Summer Holiday Activities across our Community Youth Clubs are kindly funded by the Holiday Activity Fund, supported by Bristol City Council, The Department of Education and Your Holiday Hub.
We are pleased to share a confirmed list of dates for our sessions throughout the Summer. All other delivery will continue as normal in addition to these sessions:
Ashton Vale Club for Young People
Monday 28th July, 5:30pm-8:30pm (Ages 12-19)
Tuesday 29th July, 5:30pm-8:30pm (Ages 8-11)
Monday 4th August, 5:30pm-8:30pm (Ages 12-19)
Tuesday 5th August, 5:30pm-8:30pm (Ages 8-11)
Monday 11th August, 5:30pm-8:30pm (Ages 12-19)
Tuesday 12th August, 5:30pm-8:30pm (Ages 8-11)
Monday 18th August, 5:30pm-8:30pm (Ages 12-19)
Tuesday 19th August, 5:30pm - 8:30pm (Ages 8-11)
Tuesday 26th August, 5:30pm -8:30pm (Ages 8-11)
Please note: we will be closed for the bank holiday on Monday 25th August,all other sessions will continue as normal.
Address: Ashton Vale Club for Young People, Silbury Road, BS3 2QE
Avon Youth Club
Monday 28th July, 10:00am-3:00pm (Ages 8+)
Tuesday 29th July, 12:15pm-3:00pm (Ages 8+)
Wednesday 30th July, 10:00am-3:00pm (Ages 8+)
Thursday 31st July, 10:00am-2:00pm (Ages 8+)
Monday 4th August, 10:00am-3:00pm (Ages 8+)
Tuesday 5th August, 10:00am-2:00pm (Ages 8+)
Wednesday 6th August, 10:00am-2:00pm (Ages 8+)
Thursday 7th August, 10:00am-2:00pm (Ages 8+)
Please note: no additional sessions will be running throughout the Summer, the club will reopen on 1st September 2025