Welcome to Outer Active we are a team of dedicated outdoor activity professionals with over 25 years of experience in the outdoor pursuits industry. Outer Active offers a fresh and professional approach to clients, activities and expeditions
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
Ulley provides students the opportunity to develop new skills in a Safe and Fun environment. Students are encouraged to grow and progress in a time and space that suits their needs, with Learning and Progress at the heart of all the programmes.
Reach Beyond Adventure, based in The English Lake District, offers outdoor adventure activities, organisational and business development, team building, management training, bushcraft skills and challenge events for individuals, teams and organisations throughout the UK.
The Kepplewray Centre occupies a large Victorian mansion set in its own grounds situated in the south of the Lake District National Park. We provide accommodation for those wanting to enjoy the spectacular scenery on our doorstep and also offer an extensive range of outdoor activities led by our enthusiastic instructors.
Based in the heart of Derbyshire and the Peak District National Park, Focus Activities is an innovative provider of quality outdoor experiences. Our team of high qualified, experienced and motivated staff create both an extremely supportive and challenging arena to allow people to extend their boundaries, build relationships and discover new skills.
The Ultimate Activity Company provides adventure activities at over 54 locations across the UK. We have a fantastic reputation within the leisure industry and provide adventure activities to schools wanting affordable activity programs.
Discover the true potential of your team on a programme that strikes the perfect balance between adventurous challenge and inspirational learning opportunity.
Key Adventures designs bespoke team building events, corporate outdoor team challenges, adventure activities, teambuilding exercises, conference energisers and outdoor activity events for corporate groups, public sector, educational and other organisations.
We are a small outdoor pursuits company based in the Yorkshire Dales offering adventure activities. We specialise in youth development residentials, especially the week two residential for the Prince's Trust Team programme, but we also work with companies and individual clients, either for an 'experience', team building or skills training.
Learning outside the classroom; great experiences, self discovery, team work and team building, taking and managing risks, building self esteem and confidence, discovering hidden strengths and talents.
Key Adventures designs bespoke team building events, corporate outdoor team challenges, adventure activities, teambuilding exercises, conference energisers and outdoor activity events for corporate groups, public sector, educational and other organisations.
Our team consists of qualified, experienced staff who will ensure your booking runs smoothly from start to finish. We have a core management and delivery team and, as the single most defining aspect of any learning experience is your instructor, we pride ourselves on employing staff with high level qualifications and suitable experience.
Welcome to The Activities Team - the provider of Event Planning services as well as a variety of Youth Programs. Our professional experience, creative abilities, outsanding organizational skills and vast resources allow us to make an equally positive impact in both of these pursuits.
Rich Adventure is a family- based company based in South Derbyshire, delivering outdoor activities across the country to individuals, schools, clubs and corporate groups. From one day events to our nine-week mountain skills course, all our products are moldable to your specific needs. All our staff are Fully Qualified, First aid trained and have a CRB/DBS.
Oaklands is fully equipped for Rock Climbing, Canoeing, Kayaking, Gorge Walking, Mountain Walking, Camping, Abseiling, Sea Level Traversing, Mine Exploration, Orienteering, Problem Solving, Raft Building and Field Studies.
For over 20 years the Kingsway Centre has been providing adventurous, fun and engaging programmes. We not only offer Adventure, but a range of services from Field Studies, to Corporate Development.
Tirabad Outdoor Educational Centre is located in the village of Tirabad near Llangammarch Wells in the stunning mid-Wales countryside, just north of the Eppynt Moor and Sennybridge on the A40.
Longrigg is an educational study and adventure centre in Cumbria. Our aim is to provide rewarding outdoor experiences for young people and adults.
We offer a wide range of outdoor activities including Duke of Edinburgh and Mountain Training Leadership courses.
Your programme might include a variety of the following :
Hothersall Lodge is situated in a secluded and picturesque corner of the beautiful Ribble Valley. It occupies a secure 7 acre south facing site, which has its own canoe lake and gives a sheltered, sunny aspect to this lovely location. Residential stays are possible with 80 beds and a campsite available.
- Outdoor Learning Activities including Outdoor Pursuits and Environmental Field Studies
- Courses for primary schools, secondary schools and corporate groups
- CPD and Inset Courses for Teachers
- Residential courses for up to 72 people
- Day visits for up to 108 students at a time
An outdoor activity centre and campsite, with a dedicated Indoor Climbing Centre. We have climbing facilities for ages 3 year and upwards, dedicated kids’ clubs and sessions and run regular Bushcraft and adventure activities using our low ropes course and trails.
Our huge site has plenty of woodland and parkland for you to explore and play in.
Dramatic gorges and ancient woodland rising above the Somerset Levels
The Mendip Hills run east-west across Somerset from Frome to Brean Down. Inside they are hiding fascinating secrets such as underground caves and rivers, making the hills a popular centre for caving.
From the outside they reveal centuries of history from the pre-historic at Cheddar to the Iron-Age at Brent Knoll and a Victorian fort at Brean Down.
Caring for young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties
Wilderness experiences has been registered with Ofsted as a provider of education for children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) since 2001 as a mobile children's Home, based in Carlisle, Cumbria on the edge of the Lake District National Park and just south of the border with Scotland.
Venture Scotland UK runs an outdoor-based personal development programme for young people aged 16-30, who face complex and difficult problems.
We build the confidence and skills of young people and aim to empower each individual we work with to make positive and lasting changes in their lives.
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Featured Provider
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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