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.
Progressive climbing 'cub course' starts at age 8: the courses focus on safety competence, equipment, basic indoor climbing skills, centre etiquette and above all having fun!
Schools using Wolf Mountain
It is now common practice for schools to actively encourage experiential learning to promote healthy lifestyles and positive attitudes.
Prince's Trust centres currently offer the Fairbeidge programme, which is an individually tailored personal development programme combining one-to-one support and group activities.
Originally Fairbridge West Midlands, we've been supporting young people since 2000. In 2011 we became part of The Prince's Trust.
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A specialist in outdoor activities, Pro Active Adventure has been delivering high quality outdoor adventure holidays since 2000. We are recognised leaders in Outdoor Education, Activity Holidays, Adrenaline Adventure Activities and MIAS mountain bike instructor courses.
The Caldecotte Xperience offers a variety of exciting adventure activities and learning experiences for young people and adults, from 8 to 80. Activities include: sailing, canoeing, kayaking, windsurfing, rowing, climbing, high ropes, caving, archery, fencing, bushcraft and many exciting team building activities.
Welcome to Tower Wood Outdoor Education Centre which is set in 12 magnificent acres of lawns and woodland, extending from the beautiful Edwardian house down to the eastern shore of Windermere. The site looks across the Lake to the high fells of the Lake District and has an enviable and easily accessible position.
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.
Programmes aim to enrich the curriculum and help learners reach their potential through positive engagement with the education process, increasing confidence, group awareness, healthy activity and fun.
Morfa Bay Adventure pride themselves on a professional, high quality service using only the best in outdoor equipment, within a safe and manageable environment under the guidance of experienced and well trained instructors.
Pooles Wharf, Hotwells Road, Bristol. Opened July 2000 to provide water sports and activities for young people, provides accessible facilities to include disabled young people. Sailing, Canoeing, Caving, Abseiling, and Mountain biking.
Plas Pencelli is large outdoor centre located on the edge of the Brecon Beacons in South Wales.
Sweeping cliff top views, beautiful sandy beaches and pine-fringed grounds surround the centre, located in a region boasting wildlife sanctuaries, famous fossils and the biggest skies in the country
Perfectly positioned within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and on a stretch of coastline designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest
Thurston is a large Victorian country house offering excellent, quality group accommodation. Set in its own large grounds in the heart of the Lake District National Park and overlooking Coniston Water. It has stunning views of the surrounding fells with immediate access to mountains, forests, lakes and rivers. Making it an ideal lakeland base.
The Prince's Trust Kennington Centres currently offers the Fairbridge programme. This is an individually tailored personal development programme for young people aged 13-25, combining one-to-one support and group activities.
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 De Cymru, we became part of The Prince's Trust in 2011.
We are a residential outdoor education centre on the shore of Coniston Water in the Lake District.
We are open all year round offering a wide range of exciting outdoor adventure activities based around the Gower peninsular. We offer a flexible programme for people visiting, staying or living in the area. Courses are available from one to five days or weekend packages.
Stone tools and remains of animals found in the caves by archaeologists provide evidence for a fascinating story of life during the last Ice Age between 50,000 and 10,000 years ago. Great idea for family days out in Nottinghamshire.
Located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in North Wales, Colomendy is the perfect environment for 7-11 year olds to explore the great outdoors
Breath-taking adventure park nestled in woodlands with a giant zipwire, climbing tower and an abundance of ropes courses
On-site watersports including canoeing, kayaking and raft-building
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Specialist Environmental Field Study centre for Geography, Biology and Environmental Science, with dedicated and passionate tutors
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Our original Kingswood centre, where guests instantly feel at home
Particularly suited for younger students where all activities are close to the main buildings
Somerset Adventures are pleased to offer a range of outdoor activities suitable for schools and youth groups, led by a fully qualified and insured instructor. You may be looking to enrich the curriculum with a series of activity days, or you may be looking for a longer term addition to your PE timetable or an after school club.
Based in the heart of Exeter on Exeter’s historic canal & quayside, the Centre offers an unrivalled purpose built outdoor activity and training centre in one of the most picturesque areas Devon’s County City. The Centre & staff have an unswerving commitment to ensure all aspects of your visit meet the highest standards of safety and enjoyment, in turn, providing the very best possible l
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.
A viral video shows a black girl being assaulted by a white woman in a corridor.
Police in Iceland are investigating after a British schoolgirl was slapped and chased by a tour guide in a hotel corridor.
The schoolgirl, 13, who attended Harris Girls’ Academy, was assaulted whilst on a school trip to Iceland to see the Northern Lights. The incident occurred at Hotel Örk, Hveragerdi on 13th October.