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

Abseiling

Coached by an instructor from the top of our purpose-built towers, students learn to control their descent as they travel to the ground. This activity develops students' trust in other people as well as confidence in their own ability.

Aeroball

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.

Air Golf

New for 2010, this exciting activity uses the rules of golf with a twist. Using your arm as a club and a Frisbee as a ball you must navigate our centre's air golf course in the minimum amount of shots possible.

Archery

The rudiments of this very popular activity are quickly learned using junior bows and 1.3m targets. This activity deveops self-discipline, concentration and co-ordination skills.

Beach Walk/Games

Kabadi, beach volleyball and sand-castle competitions can be played on the gorgeous beaches surrounding our coastal centres. These sort of activities help to create a competitive team spirit through energetic fun.

Bivi Building

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 Trail

Blind-folded, students 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 group.

Boogie Boarding

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.

Buggy Building

A pioneering team building exercise, teams build a moving 'buggy' using poles and barrels to withstand a series of grueling tests.

Changing Woodland - ECO

Students investigate the plants and trees found in the surrounding areas of the centres. Studies include identify and measuing flora, creating a collage and considering how plants and trees might adapt to changing situations.

Circus Frenzy

Roll up, roll up! Our circus tuition allows creativity to flourish and co-ordination and concentration to develop through instruction in the arts of devil sticks, plate spinning, bubble blowing and other fantastic fun activities.

Climbing

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.

Coastal Walk

At our coastal centres groups can enjoy a walk along some of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the UK. Escorted by JCA instructors, students play games as they discover many historic and natural wonders.

Dance Mania

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

Escaping Energy - ECO

Small groups will be given a model of a house that leaks energy; they will then race to stop the energy escaping by following the clues placed around the centre.

Fencing

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.

High Ropes

Initiative Exercises

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 and use their own initiative to overcome challenges.

It's Cold Outside - ECO

Working in groups, students build a shelter in which they can take refuge for the night. The objectives of this exercise are to consider shelter requirements as well as which resources are readily available.

JCA Junior Instructor Award

This is your opportunity to learn some new delivery and communication skills and techniques for working with activity groups. We will teach you the basic skills to become an activity instructor and lead activities such as Blind Trail, Rocket Launch, Circus Frenzy and many more. After completing the Junior Instructor award you will receive a certificate for your work.

John Muir Award

The John Muir Award is about discovering and exploring wild places, learning to conserve them and sharing your experiences with others.

KataKanuing

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.

Kayaking (Lake)

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.

Kayaking (River)

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.

Low Ropes

Mini Olympics

Groups can experience the thrill of becoming an Olympian! These sessions focus on team work and encourage groups to explore cultural identities through various athletic events.

Mini-Beast Hunt - ECO

Explore the undergrowth using magni jars and pooters (scientific equipment used to catch bugs). Then identify mini-beasts using and IK chart before creating natural habitats for further study.

Nature Trail

A chance for your group to relax as they wander through tranquil areas of countryside taking in the abundance of flora and fauna.

Night Walk - ECO

Nocturnal mini-beasts need to be studied under the cover of darkness to find out what they do and why they do it. Other night time activities include: astronomy and communicating by Morse code.

Open Canoeing

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.

Orienteering

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.

Parachute Challenge

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

Photo Challenge

Learning to use observational skills to find locations around the site. It is a rewarding activity that requires concentration, communication and co-operation of team members.

Pioneering

Teams need to develop their ideas as they explore assembling, joining and reinforcing techniques to make an invicible structure that will withstand the most gruelling of tests!

Pond Dipping

Discover life under the water in our lakes and ponds. Groups will learn about concealed wildlife in its natural habitat.

Quantum of Spies

Enhance observation skills and learn scientific techniques. This activity includes survival, overnight camp, finger printing, plaster casts of tracks and treads, signalling using Morse code and semaphore, coding comms, reconnaissance, camouflage, info gathering and fire building. Not all elements of this activity will necessarily be available at all sites; should you choose this activity for your group your centre mananger will be in touch before departure to discuss this with you.

Raft Building

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!

Raft Building Extreme

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.

Ramble

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

Recycling for Real - ECO

Students will learn about the recycling possibilities of household rubbish as they take part in the rubbish race. Students will be introduced to the process of paper recycling and given the chance to make their own paper.

Rocket Launch

Teams compete in rubbish based challenges to win scrap to use in the production of their very own water rockets.

Sailing

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.

Solar Car - ECO

Students learn about solar energy and using the power of the sun, (or a desk lamp on dark days!). They are supplied with solar kits and recycled materials to create a  moving vehicle.

Sports Activites

Activities such as indoor hockey, trampolining, volleyball, lacrosse, tennis, bowls, football, ten-pin bowling and crazy golf are available at some of our centres.

Surfing

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

Survival

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.

Survival Extreme!

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.

Swimming

We offer a fantastic selection of indoor and outdoor swimming pools, depending on the centre and the time of the year.

Team Challenge

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.

Town Walk

Guided tours into the heart of local towns and villages are arranged for groups to explore and discover the local culture and historical attractions.

Trash Band - ECO

Ever thought modern music was rubbish? Well now it quite literally is! Students create musical instruments and outfits from household waste before performing their own trashy songs. rock and toilet roll!

Uni-Hoc

The aim of this session is to teach students the basic skills required to play hockey. Split into two coaching lessons, students will have the opportunity to learn set skills and take part in various other hockey related activities.

Wet & Wacky

A selection of pool based games and races aimed at all participants regardless of their ability within the water, including non-swimmers. The main emphasis West & Wacky is fun with water in a safe environment.

Wide Games

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

Windsurfing

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

World Of Sport

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

Zip Wire

Students will fly through the air like a monkey swining under a forest canopy. Our zip wire structures are constantly supervised; thoroughly safe and great fun!

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.