Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is an ideal day out for groups and tours.
Outdoor
Outdoor
What is it?
The outdoors covers everything that isn’t contained with a building! You can do many things outdoors, from extreme sport to simple appreciation of the surroundings. The exact conditions of the outdoors vary hugely all over the planet from snow and ice to hot, arid desert to swamps, mountains, rivers and wildernesses, so the activities available will depend on the climate of the specified area.
What does it involve?
The varying nature of the outdoors means that it can involve almost anything! However, outdoor activities will always include some sort of interaction with the environment, whether it’s learning about nature and wildlife or travelling across challenging terrain.
Why do it and what are the benefits?
The increasingly technological society of today means it’s more important than ever to appreciate the outdoors, so spending time there and participating in activities should be an essential aspect of everybody’s lives and should definitely be included in a student’s education.
What equipment do we need?
You will need very different equipment depending on the activity you are participating in. For example, nature trails or hiking use very little equipment, whereas more complex activities such as abseiling will call for specific equipment – make sure to check ahead of time if you need to provide anything!
Who is it suitable for?
There will be an outdoors activity for people of absolutely any age and interest.
Costs?
Access to the outdoors is completely free, but the use of an activity provider will incur some costs; it will depend on the type of activity you do!
Issues/Things to think about? (unsuitable for age groups, medical conditions etc)
Any activity that takes you far away from medical assistance should be carried out with caution and extra safety measures, and younger students should always be supervised carefully when outdoors! Many activities need to be provided by AALS licensed providers.
How do we include?
This will again depend upon the specific activity, so check with the provider to see their specific set up and generally exercise common sense in regards to the activity and the needs of your student group. You must always try to include students unless you can evidence that their participation in any particular activity is dangerous to themselves or others. Often with straightforward reasonable adjustments students with a wide range of issues can take part in activities and this can provide life-enhancing opportunities for them. There are many excellent providers who will be used to including such students in activities so it is often a good idea to contact them to discuss this in advance.
Doing it abroad?
The outdoors varies greatly all over the world as the climate changes, so participating in activities outside will be a great idea wherever you are! Ensure, though, that the safety standards and recovery processes are in place to your satisfaction before you book the activity. You may find it difficult to get your money back from an overseas provider if you turn up and are not happy ot proceed but haven't made clear your requirements in advance.
Main websites:
Check out individual venue websites to see what sort of outdoor activities they have available!
Venues with this Activity
CAT is an education and visitor centre demonstrating practical solutions for sustainability. We cover all aspects of green living: environmental building, eco-sanitation, woodland management, renewable energy, energy efficiency and organic growing.
The Stratford-upon-Avon Canal is a canal in the south Midlands of England. The canal, which was built between 1793 and 1816, runs for 25.5 miles in total, and consists of two sections.
The Stratford-upon-Avon Canal runs from Birmingham's suburbia to Shakespeare's Stratford in 25.5 picturesque miles.
The canal is usually considered as a northern and a southern section.
As well as two working farm visitor centres (Sandwell Park Farm and Forge Mill Farm) there are nature areas, an aerial assault course (managed separately), an adventure playground, an RSPB Visitor Centre, woodland, meadows, farmland.
Newly restored to its former glory, historic Leasowes Park was designed by the poet William Shenstone beginning in 1743 and continuing until his death in 1763.
A wonderful place for kids to let off steam and enjoy the outdoors. Follow the streams, dodge the waterfall and find Foo Dog and the Big Buddha hidden in our arboretum and wild garden.
Known all over the world for the fascinating and astonishingly accurate model village in the Inn's garden. The inn also has children's play areas.
The Model Village is a one-ninth scale replica of the heart of the beautiful Cotswold village of Bourton-on-the-Water, containing all the buildings from the Old Water Mill (now the Car Museum) down to the Old New Inn and the ford.
Active Spirit, based near Aviemore in the centre of the Cairngorms National Park in the Scottish Highlands, provides a friendly and relaxed opportunity for you to explore a wide range of Outdoor Activities in spectacular surroundings.
Speyside Trust Badaguish Centre is a place where you can explore and develop new and exciting skills in safety, amidst the superb forest and mountain scenery of the Cairngorms National Park in the Scottish Highlands. It is committed to Access for All and to programmes and facilities which offer equal opportunities in an integrated setting.
Herbridian Pursuits established in 1989 is based in Oban on the north coast of Scotland. They offer a wide range of sea and mountain adventure.
We have been providing exhilarating outdoor activities, residential activity holidays and activity courses for nearly 30 years. We have an exciting range of outdoor activities: Kayaking, Coasteering, Sailing, Gorge Walking, Canadian Canoeing, Climbing, Abseiling and more.
Boots N Paddles offer adventurous days out & weekends, adventure holidays and activities throughout Scotland, all year round. As a fully mobile outdoor activity provider we can bring the activities to a location near you.
EBO specialise in outdoor pursuits, extreme sports, military adventure training, team building and outdoor instructor training courses. Outdoor activities are available in Cornwall, Devon, Wales, and Scotland.
Our philosophy is simple enough... beautiful locations, fabulous walking, companionship, and time to discover a deeper self-awareness en route. The remote landscapes of Scotland offer peace, beauty and relaxation; we offer journeys through these stunning landscapes, with the additional benefit of time for personal reflection and self-discovery.
Thee Visitor Centres and Country Parks provide a great place to enjoy ‘wonderful water, walks and wildlife’ all year round in the ancestral homelands of the Clan Semple at the gateway to Scotland’s largest Regional Park.
Highest Go Ape in the country at 360 metres above sea level.
It’s so high you can see all the way to Scotland. Enjoy a Tree Top Adventure with us in our beautiful forest, riding zip slides through skies, over water and in England’s only true mountain forest. We’re sure you’ll love the spectacular views of the Lake District.
The Council has had an outdoor education service on Arran for nearly 50 years. The development of the service over that time has ensured that it has its own unique atmosphere and ethos - one that all who attend can learn to value regardless of age and background. Most cherish the experience and atmosphere of the centre and for many it lives with them for the rest of their lives.
Have a go at the ancient sport of archery. Go afloat in a kayak or an open canoe. Join one of our coastal scrambles along the Chain Walk, or sample abseiling from our purpose-built tower. Head off to explore the East Neuk on our mountain bikes, or have a peaceful game of putting, while the kids enjoy our bouncy castle.
Fordell Firs is one of the three National Scout Activity Centres situated throughout Scotland, the other two are Lochgoilhead and Meggernie. The centre covers 48 acres, consisting of camping areas, woods, rocky outcrops and a few cliffs.
Smethwick's 100-acre, Green Flag award winning community park which is managed through a Community Trust - with its mix of open meadow and nine-hole golf course - has some of the region's most beautiful woodland, offering nature walks, trails and free parking. Only three miles from the centre of Birmingham, it really is the perfect retreat.
Rock UK Frontier Centre is a 120 acre rural venue in a beautiful location at Irthlingborough, Northamptonshire, yet only 90 minutes drive from London and Birmingham. It has 9 separate self-contained accommodations sleeping up to 234 people.
Activities include Tri Golf fun course, adventure playground, the visitor centre where you can pick up trail maps for the circular walk and sculpture trail, plus plenty of open space to ramble and explore.
Specialising in Duke of Edinburgh's Award, outdoor activities, sports leadership training, schools enrichment provision and residential opportunities, we have a proven record of achieving positive outcomes when engaging with children, young people and adults.
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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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Schoolboy Falls From 60ft Cliff on School Trip
A 15-year-old boy fell 60ft over the edge of a cliff whilst on a geography school trip, miraculously only suffering minor injuries.