ROCK LEA is Peak Activities Ltd's long-established friendly meeting point, informal home-from-home & UK operational base. It is situated in the heart of the charming, unspoiled village of Hathersage located in the very accessible Peak District National Park.
Caving / Potholing
Caving / Potholing
What is it?
Caving (also known as potholing) is the practice of adventuring into caves to explore what's inside! Not to be confused with the scientific study of caves called "speleology", caving is wholly recreational in purpose and comes from the desire to investigate that which is hidden from sight.
What does it involve?
The general practice of caving can vary from light exploration in big, easily navigated cave systems to more extreme aspects such as cave diving. Some caving needs a lot of safety equipment as it can involve navigating fairly treacherous areas and steep and narrow inclines, but the general purpose of caving is exploration and fun.
Why do it and what are the benefits?
Caving will be greatly educational in understanding the formation and history of the earth and the environment, and learning about the chemicals and reactions involved in formations such as stalagmites and stalactites can be fascinating. The extensive and slow-forming history of caves will increase a students respect for nature and its immense power over time, and can incite a sense of adventure and desire for new discoveries and things to learn.
What equipment do we need?
In general, you'll be with an activity provider when venturing into a cave, so it's unlikely you will need to supply any equipment! If needed, the organisers should supply safety apparatus, but check ahead beforehand for advice and to see if you need to advise the students on how to dress.
Who is it suitable for?
As the levels of caving can be adjusted for ages and abilities, it should be suitable for everyone. Providers will know what sort of caves are suitable for different groups, so as long as you consult with them it should be a good fir for everyone.
Costs?
The type of caving experience you decide upon will alter the costs of your trip greatly - a simple tour of an open cave system will cost a lot less than guidance than a trickier and more specialist cave experience.
Issues/Things to think about? (unsuitable for age groups, medical conditions etc)
Younger children should be well supervised in cave systems and you should be confident that they can obey all safety instructions.
How do we include?
Some of the more popular and open cave systems will be set up for disabled access, but the nature of caving means that they are generally hard to reach! Check with the provider if your group has someone with a disability that you are concerned about to get some advice on what would be suitable for them.
Doing it abroad?
Some of the most impressive cave formations can be found abroad - it would be worth a visit for the spectacle alone!
Main website:
http://www.trycaving.org.uk has some great general information, but always check individual provider websites for their own exact details.
Venues with this Activity
A Trewern Course advances academic, personal and social education. Working in teams, students are presented with challenges relevant to all levels of education, the application of which is not easily demonstrated in the classroom.
The 4 acre site has many activities including a climbing tower, ropes courses, zip line, archery hall and many problem solving games. Our watersports take place in the sea, up the Taf estuary 10 minutes drive away and on local rivers.
Clearwell Caves are natural caves, extensively mined for iron ore to make some of Britain's most complex and oldest mine workings. The mine dates back well over 4,000 years, when early miners dug for ochre pigments to make paints. Iron ore miners later created a warren of underground passageways, by connecting the huge caverns.
Prince's Trust centres currently offer the Fairbridge programme, which is an individually tailored personal development programme combining one-to-one support and group activities.
Originally Fairbridge Tyne and Wear, we've been working with young people across the region for over 20 years.
The Towers in partnership with its user groups promotes quality residential experiences and the opportunity to access the outdoors in a safe and sociable manner providing life long learning skills through endeavour and personal achie
Our core mission is re-engaging vulnerable, disaffected young people with education, skills, knowledge and learning. Everything we do supports this important work of helping to turn hopes into reality for those whose lives have been too interesting for education to be a priority. We are very proud of our work in this area.
You have come to the right place if you are looking for a fun, safe adventure!!!! In the beautiful Wye Valley.
An Outdoor Activity Centre, based in Beeley, in the heart of the Peak District National Park and the beautiful Derbyshire countryside, providing group accommodation and outdoor adventure activities for young people of all abilities.
Adventure Training Ltd is your gateway to a truly unique outdoor experience. We offer this experience to all, from youth groups to schools, even tailored individual programs.
We are proud to have inspired hundreds of young people into life long careers in the outdoors. Our alumni include Matt Heliker, an internationally respected climber. Others now work for schools, military, emergency services, Environment Agency and charities and continue to be ambassadors for the Mendip ethos!
Charterhouse offers groups sole use of the centre and can accommodate up to 63 people. It boasts a large dining hall with a modern kitchen, a visitors lounge and boot room, along with ample outdoor space and a designated camp fire area.
Our instructing business began life more than 20 years ago as Andy Sparrow Caving Services, becoming Caving Services Ltd in 2008. Andy Sparrow remains an active instructor. He is well known as an expert on caving, has made several caving related TV appearances
Started in 1996, Aardvark Endeavours are an outdoor pursuits and training provider based near Cheddar, Somerset. As well as our regular staff with specialist skills we use a lot of freelance instructors who are experts in their fields. This means we can bring to you the right person for the job with both the experience and knowledge so you get the best possible day.
Prince's Trust centres currently offer the Fairbridge programme, which is an individually tailored personal development programme combining one-to-one support and group activities.
We work with young people across Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire as well as Bath and North East Somerset.
Total Adventure Ltd, based on the shores of Windermere offers a wide range of instructional led outdoor activities as well as bespoke outdoor events tailored to your own specific requirements. With over 40 years of outdoor experience all our staff are fully qualified, friendly and experienced.
Our Ullswater centre, set in the heart of the Lake District National Park and on the shores of the lake, has easy access to Helvellyn, the surrounding fells, crags, ghylls and waterfalls. It is one of the original homes of rock climbing as a sport and boasts a wide variety of locations for any level of climbing.
There is lots to look at whilst you are here: We have plenty of adults courses and children's outdoor activities on offer.
Longsleddale Outdoor Pursuits Centre is a voluntary outdoors centre based just North of Kendal in the Lake District. It was formed 40 years ago to provide free or cheap access to the outdoors for the underprivileged youth of Bolton / Manchester.
There is lots to look at whilst you are here: We have plenty of adults courses and children's outdoor activities on offer.
Keswick Adventure Centre has been established in order to provide excellent, affordable outdoor adventure activities for all visitors to our stunning Lake District National Park. We operate in and around the beautiful Borrowdale and Newlands valleys and utilise the fantastic Via Ferrata Xtreme at Honister Slate Mine.
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The Bushcraft Company offer residential school trips with a difference, taking students into the wild and giving them real back-to-nature experiences they will never forget.
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