Choice of Activities

There are a wide range of activities available at our centres which cater for any age group. Please refer to each centre for activity choices.

Please click on the Activity name below for more information

Coached from the top by an instructor, pupils descend on a rope from our purpose-built towers. This activity develops trust and confidence as pupils learn to control their own descent.

This high energy activity combines trampolining with volleyball and basketball. Players enter the specifically designed arena and bounce their way to score points against their opponent.

Using lightweight 0.177 air rifles and shooting from a sitting, prone or standing position on a 6 metre range, this activity develops self-discipline, concentration and co-ordination skills. Strict range discipline is always maintained.

The rudiments of this very popular activity are quickly learned, using junior bows and 1.3m targets. This activity develops self-discipline, concentration and co-ordination skills. Strict range discipline is always maintained.

Various games, such as kabadi, beach volleyball, sand-castle competitions, engender a spirit both of competition and of teamwork and take place on the lovely beaches surrounding our centres.

An introduction to the construction of making an overnight bivouac and some lessons in teamwork as they work together to erect shelters and gather dead wood for the campfire.

Blind-folded, pupils follow a rope course through trees which leads them over and around obstacles. By working as a team and pupils taking turns at leading, communication skills are developed and trust is built throughout the team.

This popular watersport is easy to learn and quickly produces a great sense of achievement and much enjoyment. This sport involves lying on a lightweight body board and riding the waves as they come into the shore. Takes place in-shore and in shallow water.

Taking place within the safe confines of the indoor swimming pool, this fun and lively session develops water confidence. After an exhilarating ride along the white water rapids each child takes centre stage to work on a 1:1 basis with their instructor for a capsize drill - Hippo’s away!!!

Allows creativity to flourish and co-ordination and concentration to develop through instruction in the arts of devilsticks, plate spinning, bubble blowing and other fantastic activities.

This exciting and challenging activity takes place on our purpose built towers and develops trust and self-confidence as pupils aspire to conquer the peaks painted at various stages of the climb. A fully-rigged safety system is in place.

The fascinating art of foil fencing requires concentration and discipline as well as agility. Full safety equipment of face mask, padded jacket, gauntlet and protective tipped foils are provided.

As each of our Centres is located in beautiful countryside, there are many excellent hikes to be enjoyed in the surrounding areas.

Various testing scenarios are set up around our Centres to encourage lateral thinking and problem solving skills. Under the guidance of an instructor, pupils work as a team to overcome challenges.

This exciting activity will give your group a taste of life on a catamaran. Our custom built Katakanus give a new and exciting sailing experience to all. In their teams the children will sail the catamarans across the lake working together to get to the other shore. For those pupils inspired by Ellen MacArthur this activity will give them a great taste for the excitement sailing a catamaran can offer.

Our lake provides an ideal environment for an introduction to this great Watersports activity. Groups learn how to paddle and have some great fun on the water. Shore instruction includes canoe entry, capsize drill and paddling skills. Buoyancy aids and helmets are provided.

If you feel your group are in need of a more advanced challenge then try some river kayaking. With our fully qualified instructors they will enjoy an adventurous yet safe journey along the river Avon from our centre at Croft Farm.

A pleasant wander through areas of interesting countryside affording an opportunity to observe plant and animal life.

Our purpose-built obstacle courses present a physical challenge and develop confidence and team-building skills.

Our Open Canoes offer an accessible and fun introduction to life on the water. We operate on the canal at Bude and we’ve added Canoeing on the lake at Croft Farm, as well as the more adventurous option of a Canoe journey on the River Avon.

Learning to use a map and compass to get from one marked point to another is a rewarding activity which requires concentration, communication and co-operation of team members.

An entertaining and fun session which develops co-ordination skills, concentration and singing ability.

Discover life under the lake! Groups will learn about this hidden wildlife in its natural habitat.

Introduces the concept of fitness and healthy living in a fun context. Learn the JCA dance ready for the Disco!

Under the guidance of an instructor, and using ropes, wood and oil-drums, pupils learn to work as a team in order to build a raft which should transport them to their destination!

Take raft building to the extreme! Groups use the kit provided to design the ultimate raft, then they will be ready to cast off. Working as a team they make their way across the lake and claim their victory.

Discover and explore the amazing flora and fauna hidden within the various rock pools while learning about the external condition that can impact the fragile world.

Building and launching rockets requires a wide range of skills - from calculating trajectories, assembling the rocket and assessing the weather. This enables children with different talents to get involved. The rockets are put to the test using our specially created Rocket Launcher! The idea is to get groups interested in the world of aerospace, with cooperation and teamwork along the way.

Catch the wind and glide through the water in our excellent Topaz dinghies, perfect for beginners. This session will introduce the children to this exciting and fast growing sport.

Build it, race it! Where teams battle it out to become JCA’s best builders of crazy contraptions! Teams are set the task of building the fastest Kart and will race against each other to take the title of JCA Grand Prix Champions!

The skills of paddling are taught so that pupils can master this activity, which involves sitting on top of a lightweight board and paddling into the shore in light surf. Wetsuits, buoyancy aids and helmets are provided and the activity takes place within the safe environment of the sheltered bay of Broadsands Beach.

Activities such as indoor hockey, trampolining, volleyball, lacrosse and crazy golf are available at some of our Centres.

This exciting and popular sport takes place in conjunction with boogie-boarding at Sandymouth.

Given a disaster scenario, pupils need to quickly establish priorities, work as a team and make some important decisions. They then must put theory into practice and work on survival skills such as shelter building, search and rescue and first aid.

Tailored to your groups requirements this session can include a 24 hour overnight self-sufficient expedition and focus on different survival aspects such as fire lighting, shelter building and rescue techniques.

Recreational swimming takes place in swimming pools, depending on the Centre and the time of the year.

Using a selection of our activities, this event is often enjoyed as the last session of a school’s course in order for the instructional groups to use skills learned during the week in competition with other teams.

Compete against each other to create the perfect structure. Teams need to develop their ideas, explore assembling, joining and reinforcing techniques  in order to make the invincible structure which will withstand the gruelling tests!

The ultimate challenge for our guests as they discover new limits and levels of personal confidence, facing their fears to jump out to the trapeze bar suspended 6 metres above the ground. Exhilarating, challenging and creating an incredible sense of achievement, this activity takes place at our River Dart centre.

After an introduction to the basics of this fast moving pool based game, structured coaching takes place and is followed by a game to finish.

Teams are challenged to take the opposition’s territory by use of imagination and initiative.

Beginners kit and qualified instruction will ensure groups get to grips with this most challenging of Watersports. The sense of achievement gained from the feeling of speed and control on the water is second to none.

Introduces the participants to varied and challenging team sports from around the world.

Swimming ability: Participants must be able to swim 50 metres to take part in canoeing or kayaking and be water confident to take part in other water activities. Swimming ability must be indicated on the group lists. Buoyancy aids are always worn for canoeing, kayaking and Sitting On Top Kayaking and are available for less confident swimmers for boogie boarding and surfing, where wetsuits and equipment also provide buoyancy. Alternative activities are arranged for non-swimmers at all Centres. If in any doubt, please call to discuss with us.