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.
Ropes and Ladders have something for all ages from 4 upwards.
The high level activities get many a heart racing! Adults and children (8yrs and over) alike can enjoy the excitement of the high activities with aerial challenges, leaps, giant swing and zip line with spectacular views of the adjacent lake and the mountains of Snowdonia.
Booking Centre - Trip oganiser for variously sized groups including schools to different attractions in the Snowdonia National Park. Free of charge!
Adventure Training North East will give you an adventure to remember in Northumberland, Yorkshire, the North Pennines, the Lake District, or even the Costa Blanca, Spain.
Ingleborough Hall is large Outdoor Education Centre situated in the North Yorkshire Dales.
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 Teesside, we've been supporting young people since 2000. In 2011 we became part of The Prince's Trust.
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.
Young people at the Southampton Centre can take part in the Fairbridge programme, an individually tailored personal development programme combining one-to-one support and group activities, as well as a range of Get into and Get Started courses.
The National White Water Centre is based on the River Tryweryn in the heart of Snowdonia. As a centre of excellence for paddlesport, we are known as the home of white water rafting and kayaking.
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.
Our activities take place in the fresh air in spectacular locations. It's all about giving young people fantastic real-world experiences - no fake climbing walls in sight!
Our outdoor activities and extreme sports include canoeing, kayaking, rock climbing, gorge walking, abseiling, raft building and more
We are the top provider of both adventure experiences and skills courses in the area.
Planetree Adventure is a planet conscious adventure company. We believe that exploring the planet helps you explore yourself. This can be done locally & globally, individually or in a group, in many different ways for an hour, a day a week a month or more...
Our qualified and experienced staff offer opportunities to take part in both water and land based activities. This is your chance to try kayaking, canoeing, sailing, raft building, gorge walking, bell boating, climbing, abseiling, walking, archery, mountain biking, grass sledging, canal trips, orienteering, residentials and camping
A spectacular limestone ravine carved out over thousands of years by waterflow, How Stean Gorge is the perfect location for outdoor activities like gorge walking, caving and rock climbing.
Abseiling; Gorge Scrambling; Hill Walking & Mountaineering; Ice Climbing; Kayaking - (Inland waters & rivers to grade 2 and sheltered tidal waters.); Mine Exploration; Open Canoeing - (Sheltered inland waters.); Orienteering; Paddle Surfing; Rock Climbing; Sea Level Traversing.
From the sublime beauty and complex colours and tones of the Lake District, to the stark wilderness of NW Scotland, our mountains have something for everyone.
We started off in 2005 with an overgrown field with lots of brambles, black thorn and docks… Back then we had a vision that we could support some of the most disadvantaged people through transforming the site into a vibrant and innovative demonstration of sustainable land use.
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.
At Mountain Monkeys we pride ourseleves on offering a wide range of quality and value for money activities to everyone. We have a vast range of activities to choose from that we can deliver across the Northwest or at one of our centres.
Bursting with indoor and outdoor adventure play, Snakes and Ladders is jam packed with fun! There's plenty for all ages including the massive 3 tier playframe with slides, tunnels, balls ponds and rope climbs, the huge dedicated zone for under 5s, water play, home corner, construction zone & more.
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.
Based at the picturesque, rural setting of Talkin Tarn. Located in Brampton, just off the A69 east of Carlisle, Cumbria. We offer a wide range of outdoor adventures for families, groups and individuals of all ages and abilities. So why not come and have a go.
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 15-year-old boy fell 60ft over the edge of a cliff whilst on a geography school trip, miraculously only suffering minor injuries.