Climbing

Climbing

What is it? 

Climbing originated as a practical activity used to move up steep terrain, but it has developed into a multifaceted pastime over the years. It's now practiced as a sport, a recreational activity, for exercise and as an explorational tool, with many people taking holidays to visit naturally good climbing areas outdoors. 

What does it involve?

At a base level, climbing consists of using either apparatus or your own body to ascend something otherwise inaccessible. The methods of climbing can vary, and often depend on the type of material one is climbing on, such as ice, nets, ropes, boulders, mountains, trees and buildings!

Why do it and what are the benefits?

Climbing involves a lot of movement, so is great for exercising the entire body! It also improves physical coordination and a whole host of mental attributes such as determination, spatial awareness and concentration.

What equipment do we need?

Trying out climbing generally involve travelling to a specialist venue or hiring an instructor to take a group out into the real world, so it's rare that you will need to provide equipment! However, you should always check with the provider beforehand, and its a good idea to make sure your students are wearing appropriate clothing for the weather and the activity.

Who is it suitable for?

The development of indoor climbing walls can allow young children the opportunity to have a go at climbing in a more suitably controlled environment than outdoors, but in general, all ages should be able to have a go at climbing!

Costs?

Taster climbing lessons shouldn't be too much per person, with a decent price generally between £10-20. Full day experiences or a course of lessons will vary a lot more, so check out the venues around you thoroughly. 

Issues/Things to think about? (unsuitable for age groups, medical conditions etc)

Indoor climbing ranges are reasonably safe with good supervision and medical assistance on hand, but going climbing outdoors could be riskier if you may suddenly need help with a student's medical needs - bear the needs of your group in mind when deciding what kind of experience to take them on!

How do we include?

There is a rising culture for disability within climbing, and many establishments now have assistance for those with physical and learning difficulties to help them have a go at climbing. Including everyone should be reasonably easy if you can find a venue that can help you! 

Doing it abroad?

Mountainous countries will have more natural climbing areas than the UK - an outdoors foreign climbing experience will be exciting for interested students!

Main website:

http://www.ukclimbing.com is the main source of information for UK climbing, but be sure to check out individual venue websites for their specifics. 

Venues with this Activity

Set amidst a superbly rugged and unspoilt natural coastal environment, Uist Outdoor Centre offers unique locations, facilities and instruction for individuals, corporate, education and leisure groups seeking unforgettable outdoor experiences.

Adventure Aberdeen is a 'not for profit' Aberdeen City Council service. We provide an essential and vibrant outdoor service to education, social care and community establishments across Aberdeen city. As part of a continued effort to provide a top quality service at unbeatable value, Adventure Aberdeen also works with private and corporate groups. 

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 Dundee, we became part of The Prince's Trust in 2011.

We work with young people from across Dundee city.

North Outdoor Interventions is an independent provider of outdoor recreation, workshops, outdoor education and training. With a vast experience of working in partnership with children’s and adult services.

Northern Ireland's National Outdoor Centre

Tollymore National Outdoor Centre offers a range of one day and weekend courses in rock climbing skills, learning to lead and multi pitch climbing, Canadian canoeing, kayaking and sea kayaking, mountain biking, orienteering and coasteering.

Northern Ireland’s first indoor Ski and Adventure Centre, We Are Vertigo, is based at Newtownbreda Industrial Estate. 

The centre offers exciting experiences for people of all ages and abilities to try out or brush up on their skiing skills as well as experience extreme fun.

Set in the heart of the beautiful Peak District, our outdoor activity centre provides a wide range of outdoor challenges and experiences such as bushcraft, orienteering, climbing, camping  and navigation skills as well as kayaking, canoeing, trekking and mountaineering

There are 45 acres of grounds packed with activities so everything is just a short walk away. 

As well as recently constructed accommodation, dining room and indoor activity zone, there are more than 20 activities all situated on site. Marchants is also the only centre to have the awesome new Powerfan freefall activity!
 

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.

Close to the shore of Lake Windermere in the heart of the Lake District National Park, Great Tower Scout Activity Centre is an ideal base for exploring this famous area. Set in 250 acres, the centre offers both sizeable woodland to explore as well as natural rocky crags for climbing.

The centre is perfect for outdoor education – offering instructed activities such as kayaking, climbing, archery and rafting.

Barnstondale is a truly inclusive adventure and activity centre. With outdoor pursuits, team building, sports and excitement to be had, you can create your own adventure at Barnstondale.

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.

Established in 1980 Britain’s most experienced summer holiday operator for children and teenagers aged 3-17 years. With a host of exciting and adventurous activities to choose from.

Avon Tyrrell Outdoor Activity Centre is located in 65 acres of land in the heart of the New Forest, offering outdoor education through an extensive range of adventure and field study activities.

Devon Adventure Holidays for individuals, families and groups.  Comfortable accommodation on the edge of Dartmoor National Park, with choice of over 20 different adventure activities suitable for all ages. Located in SW England, one of Britain's top destinations, you can easily reach both North and South Coasts of Devon.

Rock UK Whithaugh Park Adventure Centre is nestled away in the beautiful landscape of the Scottish Borders. We share our 110 acre slice of Scottish countryside with red squirrels, deer and a wide variety of other wildlife.

We really are big enough to cope and small enough to care. Our aim is quite simply to offer the very best experience to all our customers.

The North School is not only a place of academic studies, we also have lots of other activities going on such as our Outdoor and Environment Centre, the School Farm, Youth Centre and Climbing Wall.
 

Abernethy Barcaple is in a secluded setting in the rolling hills of Dumfries and Galloway. The centre is less than 2 hours from Glasgow, Carlisle and Ayr and is ideally sited for easy access to the 

Craigower Lodge is situated in the Highland village of Newtonmorewithin the magnificent Cairngorms National Park. It is the perfect year round location for all outdoor activities including mountain, water and snow sports.

We are please to announce that we have recently become and RYA Onboard Centre. This means that it has been specially selected by the RYA as a centre that is exceptional at delivering safe, fun and professional children’s sailing and windsurfing sessions.

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