Lakeside YMCA - Rocks & Ropes Activities

About

YMCA National Centre, Lakeside - hidden within 400 acres of private woodland along the south western shores of Lake Windermere.

As a centre of excellence in outdoor learning we’ve been here for more than 60 years and in that time, we’ve helped more than a million young people to build a better future.

Today, we’re one of the largest outdoor activity centres in Europe, delivering top quality outdoor learning from, in our opinion, the best location you could ask for.

Rocks & Ropes

Caving

What does the activity involve?
Transport will be needed to take the group to the Yorkshire Dales to enter into the new and exciting world of caving. Groups will explore the hidden depths and lengths of caves learning about the delicate nature of the UK cave systems. Caving is an adventurous activity that takes groups out of their natural environment and comfort zone.

What are the aims of this activity?
Caving aims to improve communication skills, develop teamwork, group management and support skills. The activity is a great personal challenge offering an amazing sense of achievement and adventure.

Onsite Climbing And Abseiling - Single Pitch Crags

What does the activity involve?
At our on-site natural crags the group is supervised belaying each other whilst climbers are encouraged to go as high as they can before being lowered back to the ground. Abseiling may be included in the session, time permitting.

What are the aims of this activity?
This activity offers both group and individual challenges focusing on trust, support, co-operation and communication.
 

Offsite Climbing

What does the activity involve?
At natural crags in and around the Lake District, the group is supervised belaying each other whilst climbers are encouraged to go as high as they can before being lowered back to the ground. Abseiling may be included in the session, time permitting.

What are the aims of this activity?
This activity offers both group and individual challenges focusing on trust, support, co-operation and communication.

Transport is required for this activity.
 

Climbing Wall

What does the activity involve?
Participants have the opportunity to climb a variety of routes on the indoor man made climbing wall exploring holds and movements through structured training, challenges and games.

What are the aims of this activity?
This activity offers both group and individual challenges focusing on trust, support, co-operation and communication.
 

Ghyll Scrambling

What does the activity involve?
Transport will be needed to bring the group to the site. Ghyll scrambling is a mixture of rock climbing and caving using the stream bed. It provides an ideal opportunity and setting to mix people and water to create a natural adventure playground. Groups will take a packed lunch with them to eat on the bus or at the site. This activity is very weather dependent and may require changing last minute depending on water levels.

What are the aims of this activity?
Ghyll scrambling is an activity that combines personal challenge with teamwork, giving the group the chance to support each other physically and emotionally. The group may discover their own self reliance and set personal challenges within a created atmosphere of adventure and education with an opportunity to improve communication skills.

High Ropes Course

What does the activity involve?
The High Ropes Course is a pre-fabricated course, built of poles, cables, and bolts. Participants are connected to a rope, with another (supervised) group member on the ground holding onto and belaying the participant on the course. Balance, skill and confidence are required for this challenging activity
What are the aims of this activity?

The High Ropes Course is a high impact activity that offers a high level of both individual and team challenge. It is certainly fun and gives a great opportunity for developing communication and teamwork. It can be used to focus on personal achievements and asks participants to confront their personal fears and anxieties. Challenges may be physical and/or emotional. High Ropes involves the development of technical skills to manage rope belay systems which are used to secure other climbers as they move through the course. The activity is designed to develop trust and co-operation and improve self confidence and a sense of achievement.

King Swing

What does the activity involve?
The King Swing is a large swing suspended between two trees. Participants are harnessed in and hauled upwards by the rest of the team until they reach a suitable height, they then release themselves and swing through the trees. King Swing is a huge thrill and great to get the team supporting one another especially with people who are nervous.

What are the aims of this activity?
An activity that combines a personal challenge with teamwork. Challenge by choice is incorporated as the participant decides how high to go before releasing.
 

Low Ropes Course

What does the activity involve?
The group travels around the course in pairs, spotting each other. The course involves balancing, jumping and swinging on wooden walkways, swinging steps, Burma Bridge, cargo net, beams etc. Low rope elements present tests of physical strength, stamina, agility, balance, and flexibility, and invite participants to push their comfort zones. There is a sense of fun and challenge but also teamwork through the buddy system.

What are the aims of this activity?
A personal challenge which also promotes great teamwork and communication. Develops physical skills and co-ordination and of course is great fun as well!

Runway

What does the activity involve?
Access to the runway tower is via a belayed ladder climb to a platform. The participants slide down the runway wire one at a time over an inlet in the lake. They are stopped by a gravity braking system at the end. The slider dismounts the wire via a movable trolley.

What are the aims of this activity?
The aerial runway provides a very exciting personal challenge. It also requires group involvement and teamwork to make the task run smoothly. Determination, courage and exceeding limitations are qualities often on display.
 

Abseil Tower

What does the activity involve?
Group members belay each other up an outdoor man-made climbing wall to a platform. Once at the platform, the climber then abseils or is lowered to the ground.

What are the aims of this activity?
To offer the group the experience of climbing, abseiling and belaying. It is an ideal opportunity for confidence building, teamwork and personal challenge.