Historic Outdoor Education Centre Near Whitby Closes As Operations Move To Scout Camp

Generations of coastal outdoor learning at East Barnby will permanently relocate to Birch Hall Scout Camp following the discovery of severe electrical faults and mounting repair costs.

Outdoor educational experiences for children on the East Coast will permanently relocate to a nearby scout camp after a historic residential centre was deemed financially unviable.

The East Barnby facility has provided coastal, canoeing, mountain biking, and climbing experiences for generations of children over the past seventy years. However, operations at the site have remained suspended since December due to severe electrical, wiring, and installation concerns.

The sprawling site consists of twenty-four prefabricated World War Two buildings. Because the property is leasehold, local authority officials determined that investing significant capital to repair the ageing mechanical infrastructure would not provide any long-term asset benefit.

Repair and maintenance costs at the facility have consistently exceeded planned budgets, putting severe financial pressure on the wider outdoor learning service.

Councillor Annabel Wilkinson introduced the proposals during a recent meeting, explaining the scale of the challenge at the historic site:

"The site has been closed since December last year, due to electrical wiring and installation concerns. The East Barnby site comprises of 24 prefabricated World War Two buildings with accommodation facilities, and property surveys have indicated that the East Barnby site will require significant investment over the next three years to reopen and remain operational. This is on top of the repair and maintenance budget we allocate every year. This report does not propose ending outdoor learning on the East Coast. Instead, it recommends a new delivery model that maintains opportunities for our children and young people while a longer-term solution is developed."

Instead of funding costly repairs at East Barnby, operations will officially move to the Birch Hall Scout Camp. The alternative site has already hosted visitors on a trial basis since April and will continue to provide outdoor activities.

Councillor Wilkinson outlined how the transition between the two sites has been managed.

She said:

"To manage residential bookings initially customers were transferred to Bewerley Park Centre. However, this arrangement could not continue over the Eastern Summer period due to the existing bookings at Bewerley Park. And as a result, from April 26th this year, a virtual scout campsite has been used on a trial basis to deliver the outdoor learning service in the east. Residential provision for customers who confirm bookings up until the end of 2026. And staff at Birch Hall are able to provide a range of coastal, canoeing, mountain biking and climbing experiences. Birch Hall has been subject to an assessment by our North Yorkshire Council teams, confirming the site is compliant and suitable for residential delivery."

The change in venue will have an impact on the workforce, as current employment contracts for teaching, catering, and cleaning staff do not seamlessly align with the new delivery model at the scout camp.

Detailing the formal closure process and the implications for staff, Councillor Wilkinson added:

"A licence agreement was established to enable use of Birch Hall during this period. Current employment contracts for teaching staff, both teachers and tutors, and for the catering and cleaning staff, do not align with the proposed delivery model at the Birch Hall Scout Camp. And if the proposal were to go ahead today, a formal consultation process would be undertaken with the staff and unions in line with our council policy. Alternative options were considered. Sadly, East Barnby is no longer a viable site for continued investment due to the scale of capital required and leasehold constraints, and so this position requires the formal closure of the East Barnby delivery model and the termination of the lease."

The move guarantees that residential provision for customers who have confirmed bookings up until the end of 2026 will be honoured.

Councillor Wilkinson confirmed that the new arrangements secure the immediate future of outdoor learning on the East Coast.

She said:

"The Birch Hall model provides a lower risk financial viable interim solution, ensuring continuity of provision on the East Coast, while a longer-term delivery options are explored during the agreed business continuity period to July 2028. For many children and young people, outdoor learning offers a chance to try new experiences, build friendships, develop skills, and create memories that will stay with them for life. And we want to retain those wonderful memories for future generations. So to reiterate, these proposals seek to ensure that there is no disruption to outdoor learning opportunities for children and young people, while we consider options for the future delivery of the service on the East Coast."