A pioneering scheme based in the tiny village of Delaware is transforming the lives of hundreds of children in South East Cornwall by using activities such as climbing, orienteering and canoeing to help improve their English, Maths and ICT skills and raise their self esteem. The Delaware Adventure Zone for Learning (DAZL) Study Support Centre is part of the successful Government's Playing for Success initiative which links sports organisations such as football, cricket and rugby clubs with schools to provide motivational and educational activity courses for children. Originally run as a pilot project in September 2004 with children from primary schools linked with Callington College, DAZL proved so successful Centre Manager Pat Brunskill, a former primary headteacher, was invited to submit a bid to the DfES to become a permanent Centre. The bid was successful and now Pat and Outdoor Education Instructor colleagues Gerard Hurles and Pete Gadd are working with Year 5 and Year 6 children from the 11 feeder primary schools and Year 7 pupils from Callington College. Each school is invited to select up to 10 pupils who spend three hours a week at the Centre over an eight week course. The enthusiastic and committed team provide a range of outdoor activities, including archery, orienteering, climbing, canoeing, kayaking, moorland walking, problem solving and team building and environmental work. All activities are linked to Literacy, Numeracy and ICT and are used to motivate the youngsters and to raise their confidence and self esteem. Pat Brunskill said: 'The educational targets are mixed with the sports so the children do not realise they are learning. 'Whether it is working out their archery scores, measuring their partner's heartbeat while climbing, or writing poems about a walk on the moors, the activities are designed to improve their academic skills while having fun.' At the end of the eight week programme the youngsters take part in a special presentation evening when they talk about their experiences in front of an audience of parents and teachers from their schools. 'The difference in the children is absolutely incredible,' said Pat. 'You can see them grown in confidence over the eight weeks and they can't wait to tell their parents what they have been doing. The only problem is none of them want to stop coming.' One highly successful event was a three day course for students involved in the Young Sports Leaders Award scheme. Gerard Horles said: 'The group spent three days orienteering and it poured with rain, yet when we asked them what they thought the only thing they said was they wished it had lasted longer.' Pat and the team are now waiting for news of a planning application to construct a new building at the back of the Outdoor Centre. They are also organising 'Paddling for Success' — a sponsored event involving up to 40 youngsters from Harrowbarrow, Callington Junior School, Stoke Climsland School and Callington College who will attempt to paddle 15km from the Tamar Bridge to Calstock on March 17 to raise money for more equipment. And adults can take part in an Everest base camp challenge to raise money for the centre. For more information call 01822 834814.