About

The Stoller Campus at YMCA Lakeside, Newby Bridge

You’ll find Lakeside nestled in 100 acres of private woodland along the southwestern shore of Lake Windermere. Your young captains and crew will head straight onto the water with our private lakeside access; legs and minds will be stretched as they head for the craggy tops and ancient woodlands that surround us.

For more than 90 years we’ve welcomed over a million young people through our doors. They leave Lakeside better equipped to deal with life’s challenges. We turn mini-barriers into uplifting, inspiring and empowering learning.

Activities

We offer nearly 50 land and water-based activities that make the most of the natural resources on our doorstep. Our adventures range from kayaking to fell walking, and archery to caving, so there’s something for everyone to enjoy. They are mixed with games, exploring the countryside, simply taking in the nature around us and stories around the campfire. Our emphasis is on developing skills to deal with life, from building resilience to taking on challenges and communicating well. We’re an activity provider plus.

Archery at YMCA Lakeside

Facilities

Stoller Campus is a £7million state of the art building that opened in 2020. It has over 250 beds. It features en-suite shared rooms, drying rooms and a counter served restaurant catering for the full range of dietary requirements. Facilities highlights include:

  • Communal Wi-Fi
  • Power sockets
  • Ensuite bedrooms
  • Bedding provided (with kids learning the art of making their own beds!)
  • Visiting leaders’ room with communal fridge, microwave and tea and coffee making facilities
  • 6 group rooms
  • Basketball court and field located directly outside the building
  • Shop

Counter served restaurant

With panoramic views of Lake Windermere, the dining room is the heart of the building. Enjoy home cooked, freshly prepared meals daily, with a choice of hot or cold breakfast, and two hot choices for lunch and dinner, with dessert for lunch and dinner! With advanced notice, our catering team will meet all dietary requirements.

Bedroom at Stoller Campus YMCA Lakeside

Who we work with

We work with schools, colleges, youth groups and parents and carers booking day camps, whether they are local families, or staying in The Lake District. Children of eight years/KS2 or older will get the most from our activities but will happily tailor our offer for younger children. Many of our activities can be adapted for groups with special needs and disabilities. Speak to a member of our team to find out more.

Child on ropes at day camp

Safety

Safety is to Lakeside – from food allergen compliance to outdoor safety. Parents and teachers naturally want their children to have adventures and experience what the world has to offer, but are equally concerned that their children don’t come to harm. Careful risk management allows us to provide thrilling adventures without undue risk. We’re fully accredited by The Adventure Activity Licensing Authority (AALA), Adventure Mark (AAIAC) British Activity Provider Association (BAPA) and Learning Outside the Classroom (LOtC) ensuring the highest possible level of expertise and leadership in risk management and safety at all times.

Our instructor team all hold relevant outdoor certification gained through long experience and rigorous assessment by National Governing Bodies. Key staff have further qualifications making them technical experts in their specialist field. We leave nothing to chance. We put all our instructors through our own induction and training programme to ensure they really are the best they can be. Added to that, all of our instructors are first aid trained and DBS checked. Our catering team are fully trained to ensure that everyone can enjoy their meals with the confidence that all food allergen advice and legal requirements are taken care of. If you have any particular concerns, please get in touch.

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Latest News & Events

Children canoeing activity on Lake Windermere

YMCA Lakeside – outdoor instructors all set for a new season

A new intake of instructors, at one of Europe’s largest outdoor activity centres, Lakeside, Windermere, is being put through their paces ahead of the season starting.

Otters return to Lakeside for the winter

Otters return to Lakeside for the winter

If you need something to warm your heart on a cold winter morning, then what better than this glimpse of otters playing near Lakeside.

The Remembrance Poppy

Do you know how the YMCA has shaped all of our lives?

With more than 58 million members in over 120 countries worldwide, the YMCA is the world’s largest youth movement. But few people know just how much the YMCA has shaped our history.

Ground Breaking Work At YMCA National Centre Lakeside

Ground Breaking Work At YMCA National Centre Lakeside

Seven years of hopes, dreams and hard work have reached fruition as the big build on the new Schools facility gets underway at YMCA Lakeside in Newby Bridge.