Gareth Haldenby is the lead instructor and is based in the Yorkshire area. Having over ten years experience in outdoor education, Gareth will ensure you have an outstanding experience, tailoring delivery to meet personal aspirations.
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
Yorkshire Dales Guides provides a range of caving, climbing and walking activities. Instructors are fully qualified and lead instructor Dave Gallvian holds a Mountain Rescue Casualty Care Certificate as well as holding an up to date First Aid Certificate.
Situated in a stunning location in the beautiful Peak District National Park, White Hall Outdoor Education Centre has given thousands of young people wonderful, memorable experiences since it opened in 1951 as Britain's first local education authority outdoor centre.
Based at the foot of the Black Mountains on the banks of the beautiful river Wye, we are on the doorstep of the Brecon Beacons National Park and close to the famous town of Hay-on-Wye providing visitors with a wide range of activities from jumping off waterfalls to browsing the bookshops.
Established in 1990, Black Rock Outdoors Ltd specialises in outdoor activities in Somerset. These include a High Ropes Course, Archery, Kayaking and Caving. Our sessions are a great way to experience something new or to progress and develop skills.
Real Adventure is a unique outdoor company based in the Lake District. We provide a wide variety of high quality adventure courses tailored for individual clients at no extra charge. At Real Adventure we provide expert innovative learning that combines adventure and education in a positive and creative environment.
Marrick Priory is a historic 12th century medieval building that was developed in the 1970s into an Outdoor Education and Residential Centre. It is situated in Swaledale in the heart of the beautiful Yorkshire Dales National Park and welcomes groups of visitors from all over the world.
The centre is in easy reach of the River Wye, the Brecon Beacons and limestone areas to the south containing some of the most extensive cave systems in Britain and both natural and quarried climbing areas.
This local environment provides an area of outstanding natural beauty, and means we are able to offer courses of an adventurous and challenging nature.
Unforgettable adventures ideal for upper primary, secondary and further education groups
Longtown has a superb, scenic rural setting right at the foot of the Black Mountains, and the Centre is set in sixteen acres of traditional farmland which slope down to the river Monnow.
Evolution Outdoors Ltd has provided top quality adventurous outdoor activities since 2007.
Based in the Peak District, Evolution Outdoors is a young and exciting outdoors company run by an unusual mix of people with backgrounds ranging from ex-soldiers to chemistry graduates, all with a wealth of outdoors and leadership experience.
We can cater for groups up to 100 onsite and we are fully operation throughout the year.
Usually most schools work with us to select either a half or a full day with activities from our multi-activity, then we can ensure a jam packed day for the kids that will leave them with a big smile on their faces! We can also run a host of other great activities on and off site!
Woodlands is located in the village of Glasbury on Wye, in the Welsh County of Powys. The listed, Regency building is set in ten acres of grounds overlooking the River Wye and the Black Mountains, within easy reach of the Brecon Beacons National Park and the limestone area to the south. Our courses make full use of this outstanding and spectacular area of natural beauty.
Paul is an active mountaineer, walking, mountain biking and climbing whenever possible. For over fifteen years now he has been involved in Outdoor Education, delivering a wide range of experiences and challenges for schools, as well as many other organisations and groups, of all ages, ability and backgrounds.
Outdoor pursuits is one of the fastest growth areas in the leisure industry. Thousands of people take to the great outdoors in England, which has countryside ideal for every type of outdoor pursuit, from climbing to caving, and kayaking to mountain biking.
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 in Greater Manchester, we became part of The Prince's Trust in 2011.
Welcome to Urban Adventure Base. We believe that life in Tower Hamlets should be much more than just computer games, school and TV. We’re here to offer young people in the borough a whole range of activities and excursions that are stimulating, exciting and, above all else, fun.
Welcome to Carlton Lodge Outdoor Centre! We specialise in adventure, learning and discovery for children and young people, right in the heart of glorious North Yorkshire. We're passionate about what we do here at Carlton Lodge - using the outdoors to help children and young people discover the power of their own potential.
Paddle a canoe gently along a meandering river; explore underground caverns; climb crags and cliffs; abseil down a waterfall; shoot the rapids in a kayak; watch wildlife or study Wales' rich heritage on foot, by bike, kayak or canoe.
World Horizons exists on behalf of places and people not yet prayed for, churches not yet planted and cross-cultural workers not yet sent.
Woodlands Outdoor Education Centre is located in the Wye valley on the edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park and the Black Mountains. The Centre offers a high standard of accommodation and is set within 10 acres of grounds which are developed for a range of activities. Th
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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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