The Sir Peter Blake Marine Education and Recreation Centre (M.E.R.C) offers thrilling water-based and outdoor adventures, drawing hundreds of children to its holiday programmes each season. M.E.R.C creates a safe, engaging environment for learning and exploration. Through its partnership with Enrolmy, M.E.R.C has streamlined enrolments, improved communication, and reinforced its mission to deliver exceptional experiences.
Top Three Adventures Loved by All
Ever wondered what makes M.E.R.C a hit with participants of all ages? According to the team, the most popular activities are:
- Sailing – Navigating the open water is exhilarating and empowering.
- Kayaking – A hands-on way to explore the ocean’s wonders.
- Rocky Shore Expedition – An interactive dive into marine biodiversity.
These activities aren't just about fun—they’re about connecting participants to the marine world in meaningful ways.
Turning Fear into Confidence
For many children, water can be daunting. M.E.R.C understands this, and their tailored approach ensures every child feels safe and supported. By limiting group sizes to just 12 participants, instructors can provide individual attention.
This allows M.E.R.C to focused on “Challenging, developing, and growing young people”
Ensuring that kids can become confident both inside and outside of the water. At M.E.R.C kids are encouraged to support one another while instructors help them step outside their comfort zones. Showcasing that It’s not just about learning a skill—it’s about building resilience.
Leadership in Action
This approach allows M.E.R.C to foster leadership through both actions and learning, with the programmes aimed at "bringing out the leader in every participant.
In their holiday programmes, older kids return year after year, over this time they step up as leaders by assisting younger participants with tasks like fitting harnesses and helmets, all under the guidance of M.E.R.C’s expert instructors.
This approach allows M.E.R.C to teach kids “how to believe in themselves and believe in each other, and that their actions can make a real difference.”
The peer-to-peer mentorship allows M.E.R.C to create an environment where responsibility, teamwork, and confidence are fostered in young adventurers.
What Parents Want to Know
For guardians, safety is often the first concern, especially with marine-based activities. Questions about how their children will adapt socially also arise, as participants interact with peers from various schools and backgrounds. However, by the end of the day, most parents have just one question: “What did you do today?”—and their kids can’t wait to share their adventures.
As Yuin Foong the General Manager at M.E.R.C says, my “favourite part of my job is working with the kids and seeing the changes that we can make.”
Whether it’s building confidence in the water, making new friends, or learning leadership skills, the experiences at M.E.R.C stick with kids long after the day is over—and it’s pretty great for putting parents’ minds at ease too.
Safety First, Always
M.E.R.C is all about keeping things safe and fun, with a goal of zero incidents rated 3 or above on their Incident Severity Scale. Their "report, review, respond" process means every incident is carefully logged, discussed, and used as a learning opportunity. Daily team meetings and debriefs help fine-tune safety measures, making sure the environment stays safe and welcoming for everyone. It’s all about keeping kids and parents happy while making unforgettable memories.
M.E.R.C states, “We will be safe, it will be educational and it will be a really enjoyable time for young people”
The People Behind the Magic
A great programme needs great people, and at M.E.R.C, that’s a top priority. The team seeks passionate, experienced instructors who can connect with kids, prioritize safety, and share their love for the marine environment.
With regular training verified by Telarc’s adventure activity accreditation, M.E.R.C ensures every experience is delivered to the highest standard.
Enrolmy: A Game-Changing Partnership
Behind the scenes, Enrolmy has become a vital partner in helping M.E.R.C achieve its mission by simplifying enrolments and enhancing communication. The platform makes safety information easily accessible at the touch of a button. With crucial health and safety details readily available, M.E.R.C staff can quickly access important information, such as participants' swimming abilities for water-based activities, known allergies, or specific medical needs. This allows staff to tailor their approach to each participant, whether they need additional support in the water or precautionary measures during meals. By having up-to-date safety details at their fingertips, M.E.R.C staff can ensure all safety protocols are followed.
Enrolmy also facilitates real-time updates with their mobile application, enabling staff to stay informed about any changes in health status or emerging safety concerns, which is especially valuable in outdoor settings. This empowers staff to respond quickly and effectively, creating a safer environment for all participants while reducing the likelihood of accidents or overlooked risks.
Efficient Booking Tool
In addition to improving access to safety information, Enrolmy enhances communication by providing a streamlined way for staff to check in with parents regarding any health updates, dietary restrictions, or concerns about the day’s schedule. This ensures that no detail is overlooked, helping staff stay aligned and informed.
Enrolmy supports the seamless delivery of M.E.R.C’s popular programmes by offering easy-to-use online booking tools. These tools make it simpler to list activities and allow parents to quickly book spots, reducing the administrative workload and enabling staff to manage the day's schedule more efficiently. The result is less time spent on admin, allowing M.E.R.C to focus on delivering high-quality activities while maintaining the safety and satisfaction of all participants.
The team shared, “Enrolmy has been very understanding of our specific needs and has helped us achieve our mission.”
With our support at Enrolmy, M.E.R.C can continue delivering safe, impactful, and inspiring marine adventures for children of all confidence levels. We’re proud to partner with M.E.R.C as they work toward their mission of raising future leaders and creating unforgettable memories every step of the way.
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