SCOUTING ACTIVITY OPTIONS

ACTIVITY OPTIONS: All activities can be offered as one or multiple day programs. They can be offered all on the same day or schools can rotate activities and days. Almost all are capable of being run during the school day (back before buses!) or extended for a late arrival. All locations are subject to change, for example a Ropes Course can be offered at your school, on Adventure Island, at Rileys Lock, and at the Calleva Farm.

Every group starts with a get to know you name game or activity related game. All activities can geared to focus on Environmental/Scientific curriculum, Group/Individual cooperation and growth, or as just a fun and exciting outing with your fellow classmates. Activities can be offered as half-day, full day, multiple day programs, in any combination of those activities. Please go over activities to get an idea of what is available so we can work out a specific program for you. If you do not see something, chances are we do offer it if it's outdoors related -- give our office a call!

ROPES COURSE (entire group) Ropes courses are divided into high and low elements. High elements refer to challenges in which students are tied into a belay rope (students will be wearing UIAA-certified harness and helmet). High elements are designed for individual growth. Students will be encouraged ("challenged by choice") to get outside of their personal comfort zone and set personal goals. Not all high elements are solely for the participant, and they all at least require good group encouragement to aid the student in challenge. Low elements are designed to challenge the group. Groups are given a problem/obstacle and guidelines. These challenges are usually presented as a story of a time and place, in which the team needs to pull their resources to solve the problem. These offer a wide degree of benefits and if facilitated correctly will offer depth and growth to all individuals and of course the group.Specific Activity Needs: Clothes that will not restrict movement and that are suitable for weather. Athletic shoes that you can climb trees in.

CAMPING OUT (entire group) All students will be camping in 3- to 4-person tents, which students will have to set up at our tent site location. Students will be eating in our pavilion and in the outdoors. Campfire and campout activities will be conducted throughout the entire stay. This may include cooking, tent set-up, field games, fire circle stories, night hikes, and more. There is running water for washing hands and personal hygiene, however there is only showering for emergencies and not open for everyone -- who needs them anyway! When we campout, we make it real camping!

MOUNTAIN BIKING (10 - 20 students) Group has the option of trail difficulty from steep single track to tow path -- please notify office as to your specific group needs. After properly familiarizing and equipping the students, Calleva will take group on a ride that will enable the group to learn and have fun. Technical skills will be introduced and practiced as the obstacles and need for them arises. Depending on size, biking group will be able to move in smaller sizes depending on ability and speed. Like all programs local biking ethics will be examined as well as technical bike manoeuvring. Biking activity will be divided up with obstacle challenges and games to promote a fun and educational atmosphere.Specific Activity Needs: Mtn Bike (Calleva rentals are available or may be included in program - contact office). Comfortable shoes and clothing. Clothes not too baggy for biking and weather conditions.

KAYAKING (10 - 20 students) Getting the students properly outfitted and familiar with the equipment is a must to speed up the learning curve. Students will progress through the basics of kayak escapes and manoeuvring techniques. The first half of the day will be spent learning how to control the boat and control of your own confidence. As the learning increase so do the challenges (based on personal progression). Instructors will encourage the boater to try new river obstacles, building upon that strong base. Kayaking offers a great and fun day that can eventually lead the student to a great whitewater experience with strong supervision. We have the capability to tailor all our programs for your students ability level and can offer instruction and excitement to all levels.Specific Activity Needs: Swimsuit, river shoes (or shoes you don't mind getting wet -- thongs/flip-flops are unacceptable), towel, and dry change of clothes. Optional: t-shirt to wear in the water to protect from sun.

CANOEING (10 - 30 students) Great small-team challenges while enjoying the beauty and benefits of the river. Similar to kayaking, but offers up more opportunities for individuals to have to work together and group goal oriented. Although primarily thought of as flat water excitement, we encourage the team to excel into whitewater (optional) and those challenges that are accessed with flowing current. Groups are constantly on the look out for a variety of riverside excursions (incl. rope swing, rapid swimming, island hopping). Along with games and technical skills this activity is more challenging than given credit for and is great for getting a group out on the river with a shorter learning curve. This can be offered as strictly flat water, combined with some rapids, or on moving current.Specific Activity Needs: Swimsuit, river shoes (or shoes you don't mind getting wet -- thongs/flip-flops are unacceptable), towel, and dry change of clothes. Optional: Baseball hat, sunglasses, and t-shirt to wear in the water to protect from sun.

SAILING (10 - 12 students) Harnessing and understanding the wind is exciting and extremely empowering. Teams of 3 - 4 will be introduced to the sailboats and before leaving the docks will be given a crash course on wind characteristics and effect on sails. This is a great activity requiring an extended day to fully appreciate the skills required to understanding the basics, but a group with some prior experience can enjoy and pull it off in a school day. Students will go out as a team and will need to perform sailing manoeuvres that include tacking, up-righting the boat, overboard drills, and accuracy challenges.Specific Activity Needs: Swimsuit, river shoes (or shoes you don't mind getting wet -- thongs/flip-flops are unacceptable), towel, and dry change of clothes. Optional: Baseball hat, sunglasses, and t-shirt to wear in the water to protect from sun.

ROCK CLIMBING (10 - 30 students) A chance for individuals to work towards and obtain short-term goals. Calleva provides individuals with the necessary tools to scale sheer rock walls with successfully and with confidence. Participants will be properly instructed in climbing techniques, crag etiquette, common climbing language and the skills needed to maintain a safe and fun environment. All climbing programs follow the standards of the AMGA (American Mountain Guide Association), and are conducted to the high Calleva standards for safety, education, experience, and fun. Climbers have the ability to function beyond the role of climbing, and become involved in the many interesting and educational facets of climbing with others. Our progressive teaching style can fit the individuals and the group, providing a multi-dimensional experience to the climbing sport. Challenges are offered to the individual, along with gentle encouragement, to maintain a safe and effective adventure for everyone. Participants leave feeling a sense of accomplishment and excitement.Specific Activity Needs: Clothes suitable for the environment and that don't limit movement. A good pair of athletic shoes for hiking to and from the crag. Students will be required to wear the provided UIAA certified Helmet, climbing shoes, and harness.

CAVING (10 - 15 students) Caving involves many challenges for the group and individual. Many of the challenges involve tough physical obstacles that cavers must maneuver under, over, and through with the help of the group and on their own. Many of these obstacles can be mentally challenging, requiring cavers to cram together in cold, dark, sometimes wet, and possibly confining situations. Cave environments are constant but tough, demanding the participants to take care of a) themselves, b) their equipment, c) the cave, in order to safely cave and minimize impact on the fragile cave environment. Caving is firstly a team activity and the effort put into the team will result in the best results for the group as a whole, the equipment we put our lives in, and the cave in which we must care for. Caving is a great adventure that many describe as being on another planet.Specific Activity Needs: For the most part, we will be changing outside. If we layer it is easy. Start off with shorts/suit and t-shirt. On top of that, wear a /heavy top and bottom (if you don't have fleece, substitute accordingly - i.e. sweats). In addition have a spare layer go over your shorts and tee for the ride home. Everything you wear into the cave will get muddy. 2 pair of shoes. (1 that is sturdy and that you can thrash and 1 for the ride home!). Students will be required to wear the provided UIAA-certified Helmet with headlamp, cover-alls, knee and elbow pads.

HIKING (10 - 20 students) Activity for those looking for a fun, educational stroll into the great outdoors (optional rappelling/activity combo available). Group will have a destination or goal that they can obtain together. Working on valuable group skills to help define group responsibilities and cohesion. Travelling as a group is a hard skill to master and a day hiking in the outdoors can show/teach the students the great advantages towards this task. The hike is not only fun and beautiful, but will expose the group to many natural features and wildlife - raising questions, curiosity, and appreciation. Obtaining the set destination is a sense of accomplishment and excitement, where staff can use this excitement towards many activities (rappelling, rapid swimming and/or games). Specific Activity Needs: Clothes suitable for the environment and that don't limit movement. A good pair of hiking boots or substitute with supportive footwear. A pack for waterbottle, food, raingear, etc. Students may be required to bring along additional depending on combined activity.

RAFTING (10 - 30 students) A group of individual rafters on the river, paddling as a team, and enjoying the rapids and challenges this activity has to offer. Even though we could probably let them jump in the raft and go -- Calleva takes this time to teach an understanding of river and raft responsibilities. Students become aware of their rolls within the environment. Teamwork and team unity become a reality in the fun gentle play of inter-raft competition. The immersion in river environment and riverside features gives the group a chance to understand their role within the river community and responsibilities there in. Great, great fun!Specific Activity Needs: Swimsuit, river shoes (or shoes you don't mind getting wet -- thongs/flip-flops are unacceptable), towel, and dry change of clothes. Optional: Baseball hat, sunglasses, and t-shirt to wear in the water to protect from sun.

HORSEBACK RIDING (10 - 16 students) Our exceptional Riding program will introduce your students to the fundamentals of horseback riding and horse care. Students will be introduced to the horses and paired off with animals that suit the rider's demeanour. This is a great educational and therapeutic program where people and animals can bond and feel connected. Our horses are great for students and will aid the students in the proper progression of horsemanship skills, instilling confidence in the rider. As the skill progress, so do the options. With games, stable work, trail rides, and riding classes, our program offers the best all around horse program in the area. Our Riding program runs year round with schools, birthday parties, private groups, and summer camps; giving participants the high quality of instruction and horses. This is a great program for connecting apprehensive or young students with new experiences. Specific Activity Needs: Long pants and clothes suitable for the weather (no shorts). Shoes/boots with heels.

MOUNTAIN BOARDING (10 - 15 students) Every group starts with a get to know you name game or activity related game. If you were to put a skateboard, snowboard, and mountain bike in a blender -- you would have a mountainboard. Riders stand on top of an oversized skateboard deck that has wheels big enough to tackle all types of terrain. Accompanied with proper protective gear, participants have the ability to surfgrassy hills, dirt roads, bike trails, BMX parks, resort slopes, and a variety of obstacles. Our mountainboards have simple escapable bindings for your feet and a flexible hand-held brake. The instruction is quite similar to snowboard instruction, with an increased learning curve due to a braking system. Mountainboarding is the fastest growing action sport out today, and is a blast to anyone who enjoys board sports.Specific Activity Needs: Comfortable and non-restrictive long pants and long-sleeved shirt (clothing should also be appropriate for the weather). Athletic shoes that can be tied and also allow for easily ascending hills and/or jumping off of board!