Summer DofE Gold Residentials
Make the most of the summer months and spend a memorable week at Cumulus Outdoors for your DofE Gold Residential. Enjoy a week full of action-packed activities, make new friends and push yourself out of your comfort zone while exploring the beautiful Jurassic Coast!
DofE Summer Gold Residentials
Make the most of the Summer months with DofE Gold Residential on the world famous Jurassic Coast in Dorset. Embark on a fun-filled journey and immerse yourself in the genuine spirit of adventure! During our Summer Residentials, you’ll spend 5 days trying out 15 different activities!
Activities
During your DofE Gold Residential Week we’ll deliver an exciting activity programme enabling you to get outdoors and make the most of the sunshine.
We offer a wide range of water and land based activities at scenic locations around Dorset, including high and low ropes courses, kayaking & raft building, SUP & Jumbo SUP, coasteering, climbing, tag archery and air rifles , Waterpark & MudRun, mega slip & slide and tunnelling! In addition, we run themed evening activities focussing on team building, socialising and leadership.
Please note the activity programme may be subject to change due to operational issues and/or weather and sea state conditions.
ESSENTIALS
-
Months
May, July, August 2026 -
Times
12 midday Monday - 3pm Friday -
Ages
16 - 24 -
Price
£399.00
Activity Programme
Day
Residential Centre
Tented Village
Monday
Midday: Arrival
PM: Team Games
Evening: Tag Archery
Arrival: Midday
PM: Team Games
Evening: Bushcraft & Camp Fire
Tuesday
AM: Climbing
PM: Coasteering
Evening: Tunnelling
AM: Climbing
PM: Coasteering
Evening: Quiz Night
Wednesday
AM: Waterpark
PM: Mud Trail & Corfe Castle Visit
Evening: Crabbing/Town & Beach Visit
AM: Waterpark
PM: Mud Trail & Corfe Castle Visit
Evening: Tag Archery
Thursday
AM: Kayaking
PM: SUP & Giant SUPs
Evening: Silent Disco
AM: SUPS & Giant SUPs
PM: Kayaking & Raft Racing
Evening: Silent Disco
Friday
Please note the activity programme may change due to weather conditions
AM: Target Sports & High Ropes
PM: De-brief & depart
AM: High Ropes & Target Sports
PM: De-brief & depart
Accommodation
When staying at Cumulus Outdoors for your DofE Summer Gold Residential, you will stay either at our Residential Centre in Swanage, or at one of our Tented Villages. We run both types of Residentials throughout the Summer, and you’ll be able to choose which one to stay at depending on dates and availability.
Accessibility
Payment by instalment is available, please contact us to discuss options before booking online.
If you have any individual requirements or extra needs to enable you to take part in these residentials, then please contact us so that we can look at how we can make them fully accessible for you
Cumulus Outdoors Residential Centre
If you choose to stay at our Residential Centre in Swanage, you’ll sleep in one of our en-suite dormitories. The purpose-built centre has plenty of facilities for you to enjoy, including outdoor space to relax and socialise, dining room and common room with pool tables, table tennis, TV, WiFi and table football.
Cumulus Outdoors Residential Centre is a short 10 minutes away from the beach and Swanage town centre and offers beautiful views of the bay, making it the perfect blend of nature and convenience!
Tented Villages
If you’ve chosen to go for our Tented Village, expect a unique experience ahead of you! Our private campsites offer breathtaking views of Poole Harbour and the beautiful Dorset countryside. Even though you’ll be surrounded by nature, our tented villages are fully equipped with a camp kitchen, washing facilities, modern showers and clean toilets.
Our Tented Villages also offer great space to socialise and unwind after a long day out. For example, all sites have a communal Nordic Tipis with a cosy fire pit for central briefings, meal times and story-telling in the evenings.
Food
Food is included in the residential price, and the DofE Gold Residential Week in Summer is fully catered. Throughout your stay at both our Tented Villages and Residential Centre, you will enjoy delicious meals freshly cooked by our chefs according to your dietary requirements. Please note both the residential centre and the tented villages are nut free sites, so please do not bring any snacks with you which contain nuts, thank you.
Preparation & Essential Information
- Download the kit list and preparation checklist (below) for useful information. These will provide all the info you need to prepare for the week and will ensure you have great time!
- Assessor Details: Gemma Edwards, Senior Instructor, E: admin@cumulusoutdoors.com, T: 01929422480
- Remember to complete your aims, objectives and dates on the residential section of your Gold Award account before you arrive, so that we can submit your sign-off report smoothly.
Travel Details for Arrival:
- Public Transport. The nearest railway station is Wareham. Arrive here in time to catch the number 40 bus to Swanage @ 1114hrs. This will get you to Swanage by 1155hrs and we will collect you from Swanage bus station around midday. In the Summer there are alternative bus services from Wareham Station if the number 40 is full, the number 30/35 bus and the X54 which leave from the same stop. Please let us know if you are on the later bus.
- Parents can drop you off directly at The Residential Centre CORC between 1130 and 1200.
- If you are driving, you can leave your car in the Residential Centre car park.
Travel Details for Departure:
- The week will finish at 1500hrs on the Friday after your debrief. We can drop you at Wareham Railway Station for your return journey, do not book a return train journey before the 1529hrs London train.
- Or you can be collected from the Residential Centre from 1500hrs.
Please let us know your travel details for both the Monday and the Friday as soon as you have finalised them, thank you. They are essential for our planning of participant pick up and drop-offs
Oh, and don’t forget a packed lunch for your first day!
SUMMER DOFE GOLD RESIDENTIALS DATES 2026
Residential Type
Dates
Places Available
Price (inc. VAT)
South Coast Summer Adventure Week (Tented Village)
20th–24th July
27th July – 31st July
3rd–7th August
25
34
40
£399.00
South Coast Summer Adventure Week (Residential Centre)
25th – 29th May
10th – 14th August
17th – 21st August
24th–28th August
4
28
34
51
£399.00
Get in touch
Get in touch with us to find out more about Summer DofE Gold Residentials!
DofE Residentials FAQs
How can I check availability?
The availability for each DofE week offered is displayed on the table on the DofE Gold Residential page. Availability is also shown on the booking platform when you click through to book. You can also contact us on 01929 422480.
Do I have to take part in all activities to complete the residential?
According to the DofE participant criteria, everyone is required to take part in all activities to their best of their abilities. But remember, you are not judged on your ability but your approach to the whole week.
How long does it take for reports to be issued?
We endeavour to submit the sign-off reports directly to the EDofE website within 3 weeks of the successful completion of the course.
Can I bring my own activity equipment?
We supply all specific kit and equipment which has been subject to our safety checks. It is not necessary for you to bring any activity equipment with you. However, if you have a specific requirement, please contact us to discuss.
Can I pay in instalments?
Yes, you can pay in instalments. We hope to enable as many young people as possible to take part. Please contact us for further details.
What time does the course start and finish?
The week starts at 12 noon on the first day and finish at 3pm on the last day.
Is there free time?
There is some free time where you have the chance to walk into Swanage town. This is organised with set times to return. We ask that you are responsible during this time. (A walk into the town centre only applies to courses at our Residential Centre).
Can I come with a friend?
The DofE allows you to attend a residential where the majority of participants are unknown to you. Cumulus allows groups of up to 4 friends to book the same gold residential so that everyone meets all of the requirements of the residential section.