Southampton Explorers

Southampton Explorers is a branch of the NAGC (The National Association for Gifted Children). We have members from a wide area surrounding Southampton, from Ringwood in the west, Basingstoke in the north and Havant in the east. 

Explorers serves two main functions:

· Providing opportunities for able children and their families to get together at interesting events, designed to appeal to a very wide range of abilities and ages.  Able children get to meet others of similar ability, which can be very re-assuring for them.  Less able brothers and sisters are also most welcome.

· Providing opportunities for parents to compare notes with others in similar situations.  It's extraordinary how much of a relief it can be to find that there are other parents encountering the same difficulties!  Find out how others have coped, or simply let off steam to a sympathetic listener!

If Southampton Explorers' events are held too far from your home area, you may find one of the following local branches closer:

• West Sussex Explorers - link to their website
• Dorset Explorers - contact details from NAGC
• Wiltshire Explorers - contact details from NAGC

Or take a look at this map of England and Wales showing all Branches.

Click here to visit the National Association for Gifted Children website.

NAGC is the specialist charity that helps gifted and talented children and young people better understand their abilities.  NAGC has 40 years’ experience of supporting families to understand and cater for the intellectual, social and emotional needs of highly able children.  NAGC supports the whole child and the whole family – including siblings, parents, and grandparents.

Some of NAGC’s services are provided by head office, such as a national helpline (tel 0845 450 0221), activity resources, fact sheets, publications, a national Family Day and regional workshops.  There is also a network of local Explorers’ Clubs which are run by volunteer families.  They provide fun and challenging activities for the children and, very importantly, an opportunity to meet like-minded young people.  The clubs offer a sympathetic environment for parents/carers to meet other families that are likely to have similar experiences.  Some clubs offer a programme for parents.

NAGC does not require families to obtain ‘statements’ or ‘assessments’ to identify a bright child; we feel that parents/carers have a pretty good idea about the ability of their children. We are also very happy to welcome young people who are twice exceptional – they are bright and also have a barrier to learning, such as Aspergers or dyslexia.  At NAGC’s last Family Day 11% of the families attending had at least one child who was twice exceptional.