Loch Ranza, on the Isle of Arran is PGL’s specialist Field Studies centre, catering for a wide range of courses. Ardrossan Harbour, is less than 1 hour by rail from Glasgow and the ferry crossing to Brodick takes approximately 55 minutes. Exciting outdoor activities are also available.
Raft Building
Raft Building
What is it?
The practice of raft building is probably one of the most well known team building activities, as the basis of the activity is put together a working raft and get it floating with everybody on board in the shortest time.
What does it involve?
Raft building usually involves teams being given lengths of wood, various ropes and plastic sealed barrels and then given only vague instructions before aiming to combine all the apparatus to make a working raft. There is often also the additional goal of getting the raft successfully floating on water with everyone aboard, and sometimes there is a physical goal to reach somewhere on the water itself.
Why do it and what are the benefits?
The most obvious benefit of raft building is the intense teamwork required to complete the activity, but it also improves practical thinking and the ability to combine the skills of the group together to achieve the best possible outcome.
What equipment do we need?
Raft building will generally be carried out under the organisation of an activity provider, so it's unlikely you will need to supply any equipment other than ensuring the students bring wet weather clothing/swimwear!
Who is it suitable for?
You should always exercise caution with younger children around water, especially if they are to go on it on a raft of their own creation! However, it's likely that the instructor will be experienced in judging if a craft is safe to be ridden, so in general, raft building could be suitable for all ages.
Costs?
Raft building should be a reasonably cheap activity to book for your students, but it often comes as part of a more expansive watersport package which will have higher costs!
Issues/Things to think about? (unsuitable for age groups, medical conditions etc)
You should make sure young children are well supervised around water, especially in a potentially high paced situation such as raft building.
How do we include?
Those with severe physical disabilities may not be able to participate fully - for example, if someone needs to use a wheelchair, they will not be able to climb upon a raft! However, you can include those with disadvantages in ways such as making them leaders of a group - they can direct the activity of everyone else!
Doing it abroad?
You'll be able to find raft building acitivities (or something similar) wherever there are open bodies of water! You should always check before the trip to make sure.
Main website:
http://www.ultimate-activitycompany.co.uk/raft-building/ has some great information, but always check out individual websites for specific venue and activity details.
Venues with this Activity
Situated in Central Scotland only 20 minutes from Glasgow, Auchengillan is the ideal choice for your group accommodation. We can host upto 128 indoors or why not camp in amongst our 120 acres of mixed woodlands and grounds.
Splash White Water Rafting are one of the UK’s largest expertoutdoor adventure activity providers, based in the scenic town of Aberfeldy
MOVING PEOPLE ON THEIR LEARNING JOURNEY USING THE OUTDOORS
Beyond Adventure is a specialist outdoor company, based in Aberfeldy, Scotland, providing tailor-made experiences of the wilderness environment. Our particular specialities are open canoeing and tailor made multi-activity residentials for groups in Scotland, Europe and North America.
Active Highs run outdoor activities in Scotland near Fort William, Fort Augustus, Inverness and Oban. Our activity centre is based on the shores of Loch Oich in the Great Glen and we also offer a mobile outdoor activity service near Oban and Inverness. We also offer the best guaranteed white water rafting in Scotland near Fort William.
A range of watersports are on offer including: sail sports, paddle sports, raft building, fishing, rowing and pedalos on the loch. Off the water we have archery, play parks, and a dry ski slope, great team building apparatus. Not forgetting stunning walks and mountain biking.
Our outdoor adventure activities include kayaking, sea kayaking, sailing, climbing, canoeing, expeditions, gorge walking, navigation, bushcraft skills and team building.
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!
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.
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.
Astbury Mere Country Park is the home of watersports in Congleton. Enjoy instructed sessions in sailing, canoeing, kayaking, windsurfing and raft building. Whether you are a child or an adult, a beginner or looking to improve your skills we have a course for you. For all instructed sessions advanced booking is essential
Waterside Lodge is a modern, purpose built two-story Activity Centre on the Marine Lake, in Southport, Merseyside. The building has all modern services installed and is accessible to disabled users. It is easily reached on Southport Marine Drive, adjacent to the pier and beach.
There are two kitchens, each equipped to commercial standards, for 100 people.
Home of the "Big Canyoning Adventure" and "Flying Fox" Zip line. Other activities include; Gorge walking, Canyoning, cliff jumping, rock climbing, abseiling, raft building, mountain/hill walks, zip lines and more.
Choose from 4 unique packages, which can be tailored to suit your school or educational institute to make the most of your day.
Enrich your curriculum with a wide range of courses from sailing to climbing.
UKSA has teamed up with YHA London Lee Valley to provide activities and courses at Fishers Green Sailing Club.
Enjoy the thrills and spills of getting wet with a brand new programme of exciting watersports activity days on the 180 acre Holyfield Lake, which is just a short train ride from London.
We’re a youth charity offering transformational opportunities
At UKSA, we’re focused on youth development, schools and groups, and professional training. In other words, we give people transformational opportunities for a better life, whether on or off the water.
The Seven Sisters Canoe Centre offers sessions in canoeing, kayaking and rafting for school groups, groups with special needs, families and businesses in the beautiful surroundings of the Seven Sisters Country Park. All groups are accompanied by a fully qualified British Canoe Union instructor.
We regret we are unable to hire out boats and equipment to individuals.
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.
School life can set the tone for the future of young people, both good and bad. ReachOut Creative Futures have had great success working with groups of young adults and children for whom it is not working as well as it could be. Awards, Workshops and Activity Programmes that develop self esteem, confidence and a positive approach are a crucial investment in future generations
Pinkery offers a residential experience that enhances understanding and enjoyment of Exmoor’s special qualities. Pinkery is Exmoor National Park Authority’s centre for Outdoor Education. It has been in operation since 1969 and offers a warm welcome and introduction to Exmoor National Park for all our visiting groups.
A friendly run activity centre, we are small enough to care but large enough and experienced enough to matter. A residential outdoor education programme can be an extremely powerful, meaningful and fun learning experience. We aim to provide an Outdoor Education experience that will be the highlight to any educational or youth programme.
Alternative Adventure specialise in organising activities using venues that are within easy reach of your location; hotel & conference centre grounds delivering teambuilding activities, school & youth centres delivering outdoor teambuilding activities, local parks delivering teambuilding & outdoor adventurous activities canoeing, earth ball, mountain biking, raft building, orienteer
Nestled deep in the heart of Snowdonia our location is unrivalled as a destination for adventure activities of all kinds. For almost 60 years Plas y Brenin has been running courses and holidays in outdoor activities, introducing newcomers to the outdoors, helping outdoor enthusiasts improve their outdoor skills and training outdoor instructors.
Set in the peaceful woodland of the South West corner of Scotland, Lockerbie Manor offers superb facilities and an unrivalled location for activity pursuit and adventure for schools and group visits fo all kinds.
Dumfries and Galloway is one of Scotland's best kept secrets with unspoiled, beautiful scenery and just across the border from England.
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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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