Activities
Show/Hide
Archery
Children use bows appropriate to their size and strength whilst shooting at 120cm archery targets. Everyone taking part in archery sessions must always follow strict range discipline. As the session develops, the skills learnt through expert coaching are put to use in tournaments and fun based archery challenges.
Top
Show/Hide
Bouldering
A boulder field close to the activity centre provides a fantastic natural resource at our South Pennines centre. Together with their group leader, the children can scramble over the top of these boulders and then explore the many passageways beneath, squeezing through a few tight gaps on the way.
Show/Hide
Canoeing
Robinwood centres are BCU approved, using very sheltered shallow water, with the children no more than 10 metres from the bank at any time. The Canadian canoes are very stable and accommodate up to 3 children in each canoe. We have two qualified instructors on the water taking charge of the group, assisting with individual coaching tips throughout. For part of the session we often raft the canoes together in pairs, sometimes also putting a sail up to assist the paddle power provided by the group. Bouyancy aids, canoe helmets and other clothing appropriate to weather conditions are worn throughout.
Show/Hide
Caving
We now have specially designed indoor caving systems at both centres. They are constructed for
maximum realism and adventure, but also to introduce the activity at a level that is just right for the 8 to 11 year old age group. The tunnel system has emergency exits at frequent intervals. The children all wear caving helmets with a caving torch, to guide them through the tunnel network, but additional emergency lighting is available if needed. As with many of our activities the instructors use lots of creativity to capture the imagination of the group, with cave exploration and rescue themes included for the later part of caving sessions.
Show/Hide
Climbing and Abseiling
We have purpose built indoor climbing walls at both activity centres, creating the safest possible
environment for young people to be introduced to climbing and abseiling. Our instructors are highly skilled not only in the technical aspects of climbing, but also as motivators and confidence builders so that they can ensure every child leaves this session feeling proud of what they have achieved.
Show/Hide
Moorland Challenge / Treasure Hunt
Both of our activity centres are in magnificent hillside settings, with many picturesque walks and interesting features in the surrounding area. We always do a hill walk as the first activity session. It is a great introduction and gives the children an opportunity to get to know their group leader who will look after them throughout their three-day course.
Show/Hide
Low Ropes Course
Our low ropes courses are designed for maximum involvement of all children throughout and include a range of different elements to challenge each activity group. They include; a postman's walk, a multi-vine, a heebie-jeebie, a monkey crawl, a tension traverse, swinging tyres and a variety of other elements.
Show/Hide
Stream Walk
The children walk through a stream, in which the water is never more than knee deep and the route used is adapted according to weather conditions. There are small waterfalls on route, which can be negotiated under the watchful eye of two Robinwood instructors, with children roped on at all appropriate times. On the biggest waterfall a short zip wire adds to the excitement. Safety always comes first and therefore if weather conditions are particularly poor we would err on the side of caution, cancelling the stream walking and providing a suitable alternative.
Show/Hide
Night Line
With blindfold in place the children put one hand on our night line rope and then follow it wherever it goes. It goes to all sorts of interesting places! Discussion of the senses and developing communication and team work throughout the group can provide many educational benefits on this session. The surprises to be discovered on route ensure the session is also a lot of fun.
Show/Hide
Obstacle Course
Within a wooded area of the North Pennine Centre grounds we have constructed an obstacle course, which incorporates many different challenges for the group. We have tunnels to crawl through, walls and scramble netting to climb over, two rope bridges and various other obstacles for the group to overcome. The course blends into the woodland environment, making use of the natural resources available. In order to make their way round the group need to work together to overcome many of the obstacles they face.
Show/Hide
Orienteering
Bringing map reading to life and making it fun. We have many games and challenges that we build into our orienteering sessions, to help children develop their skills and awareness.
Show/Hide
Piranha Pool
This session involves different ‘crystal maze’ type challenges, going back and to across our “piranha pool”, without falling in. To achieve success the group must demonstrate skills in planning, communicating, evaluating and problem solving. We also ensure that the “piranhas”(?!) are unable to cause any injury should a child (or teacher) briefly join them in their pool.
Show/Hide
Problem Solving
We have many different problems for each activity group to overcome on our problem solving session. To find solutions will need brain power and physical skills, but most of all teamwork. We have problems for the whole activity group together and problems for smaller groups, which ensure that every child is involved. Our problem solving sessions always capture the imagination, with exciting themes developed by the instructor which tie all the problems together.
Show/Hide
Survival Challenge
Learning to survive in the outdoors. Another themed activity session, which includes learning about shelter building and other survival techniques. The group then put things into practice making a shelter of their own using the resources available.
Show/Hide
Raft Building
Another great activity for teamwork combined with watersports fun. We provide a range of items that could be used to make a raft, with various design options possible to challenge the group before they get out on the water. As with a number of our outdoor activities we can adapt sessions in response to weather conditions. We can help to ensure the raft is more stable and the children stay warm and dry, if the weather is poor (unless people really want to get wet!). Bouyancy aids and canoe helmets are essential kit for all watersports.
Show/Hide
Team Challenge
Most of our activity sessions take place with one activity group together with their group leader, but for team challenge we get a number of activity groups together one evening for various inter-group challenges. This is an opportunity for the whole school group to share experiences. Teachers, children, group leaders and course managers spend time together, taking part in stimulating and fun challenges.
Show/Hide
Trapeze
Climb up to stand on a platform at the top of a tree trunk, 5 metres above the ground, then leap off and catch a bar, which is dangling a short distance in front of you. That is the challenge that you face on our trapeze session, but you are of course roped on and therefore safe from falling throughout. We are pleased to say that thanks to the skill, patience, experience and all round personality of our instructors the vast majority of children manage to complete this challenge. Even when children do not leap from the platform at the top, we aim to ensure that everyone leaves the session with a sense of achievement and success at some level. The buzz of excitement created throughout makes this a very popular activity session.
Show/Hide
Zip Wire
A real thrill activity. The truly exhilarating zip wire at our North Pennines Centre is great for group
support and encouragement, individual confidence and achievement. There are two zip wires, in order to reduce waiting time and maximize group involvement, each around 50 metres in length. Children wear a helmet and a full body safety harness, as they do for the trapeze session. They are roped on from the moment they leave the ground, with rigorous safety standards carefully enforced by our instructors throughout.
A very professional company – you take a lot of the hassle out of organizing – I was impressed from the first phone call. A memorable visit for children & staff. Many thanks again.
Dallas Road Community Primary School, Lancaster
