Activities

A vertical climbing wall with 4 automatic belays which allow climbers to climb and descend independently 4 at a time.

An angled climbing wall with peer-to-peer belaying to enable climbers with a wide spectrum of abilities to access the sport of climbing.

A 115 meter zip wire running from the top of our climbing wall across the Braeside grounds and pond.

A vertical abseil wall from the top of our climbing wall. Participants learn how to lower themselves safely to the ground.

Two participants working together to build a tower of crates against the clock while the rest of the team support from the ground in various roles, from passing crates to belaying.

An individual challenge to climb up a single pole to the 10-meter high platform, where you leap out to hit the target of a hanging buoy.

Four climbers work together to help each other up the six rungs of the ladder which get further apart the higher they climb. All other participants in the group help with belaying.

One at a time, climbers attempt to climb to the top on a single pole and onto a 50 x 50 cm platform. Once complete, they wait and help up to another 3 participants before a challenge will be set. All other participants in the group will be belaying for the climbers and encouraging their peers.

A pairs challenge where two climbers start at opposite sides of the course. The aim is to complete the three levels of bridges, crossing in the middle of each bridge as they pass each other.

We have a range of different outside and inside activities for groups to take part in, all activities are designed to test the groups teamwork and critical thinking.

Our low ropes course consists of 7 elements and can be run in different ways to test the group, focusing on teamwork or individual challenges.

A low-level traversing wall hidden away in the cellar of Braeside makes for a fun indoor alternative to our outside climbing wall.

A rope trail though our steep woodland, heading under and over obstacles and up and down the steep banks. Blind folds can be added to really test the groups communication and teamwork.

Testing your balance along a raised line. Can be an individual challenge or working as a team.

A full days walking with a morning focusing on map & compass work and the afternoon looking at the historic ‘Oliver’s Castle’ and ‘Mother Anthony’s Well’.

A full day themed around nature. A walk though Devizes to Drews pond nature reserve where pupils will participate in a stream study session involving pond dipping and velocity data collecting. A picnic lunch and an afternoon of natural art and crafts.

A practical morning, learning about the importance of a balanced diet and what safety concerns there are around food. We take groups to our local market, where they will need to buy ingredients, as a team, for lunch from the local merchants, taking in the consideration what they have learnt in the morning.  Lunch is then prepared and eaten back at Braeside and scored.

Take a trip down to Caen Hill Locks. A scenic, historic walk. Maps and activity sheets can be provided.

Caen Hill Locks | Places to visit | Canal & River Trust (canalrivertrust.org.uk)

A talk on the locks and how they work and what they are used for, by a Kennet and Avon canal volunteer lock keeper.

Walk to the top of Caen Hill locks and see what you can catch and identify in the Kennet and Avon Canal.

A visit to The Admiral floating museum, situated at lock 44 on Caen Hill Locks, with a Kennet and Avon canal volunteer lock keeper to guide you around.

Fact finding mission. Find out about our local town and the history in it by navigated your group through the historic area of Devizes.

Teaching groups the principles of fire lighting in a safe environment. Groups will build and maintain a fire and toast their own bread dough twists or marshmallows.

Groups are given a tarp and ropes and must work as a team to build a structure that can protect them from unpredictable English weather.

Using a natural resource, we teach groups how use willow to create a natural fencing that can be seen and used around our site.

Teaching groups the principles of fire lighting in a safe environment. Groups will build and maintain a fire. They will then cook their lunch for the day.

Learning about the importance of compasses in navigation and how they are used to navigate around our site.

Teaching a group, the basic principles of maps and how to use them to locate markers around our site.

Using a more modern approach to navigation, an explanation into how GPS devices work, the importance of them and how they are used. The devices are then used to find specific locations around Braeside grounds.

Can you identify the image? Multiple zoomed in photos of our site are used, working together as a group to try and locate the location and what the image might be of.

A map-based activity. To collect your answer, use chalk to take a rubbing of a wooden engraved plaque.

A ropes trail though our steep woodland heading under and over obstacles and up and down the steep banks, working together to navigate through the trees in the dark.

Look for evidence of wild animals around our grounds. Then, using our trail cameras, try to capture them on film in their natural environment.

We have a range of different inside activities for groups to take part in, all activities are designed to test the groups teamwork.

Bring the group together around a fire while singing songs and roasting marshmallows.

Competing teams are challenged to build a structure that can hold an object off the ground, using a limited supply of materials.

Can a group transport an object from one location to another only using pipe. Making sure to work together and encouraging communication to complete the challenge.

Slide down our 20m outdoor water slide.

Access to Braeside’s stage and sound system for a self-led talent show.

We have two rooms available with projectors or 50” tv. A DVD player or laptop can be available for playing films but own films, or logins will need to be brought with you.

Disco lights and sound system set up and available for use in the evening. Own music will need to be provided.