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"I hear and I forget, I see and I remember, I do and I understand"
Confucius
Skills Courses
Scroll down to find a course which meets your needs. If its something specific that you need then please get in touch.
1 day
Navigation Skills - Gower
Gower, Llanmadoc Hill
Description
Come and learn some tips and tricks to navigating using an OS map. Gain some confidence to execute your own journeys in the countryside. We will cover orientation, location and wayfinding. It is a chance to try some new techniques, make plenty of mistakes in a safe and supportive setting. There will also be the opportunity to access learning material to take away after the session.
What to expect
We will be out on the hill for 4-5 hours. The area has some fantastic view over the Loughhor estuary and Rhosilli Bay. It has some notable historical landmarks which we will pass on our journey. It is worth having a read of the information pack after booking which has a kit list. You will need to bring enough food and water whilst we are out. Meeting point is the roadside parking (no sign) 500m before you enter Llangennith village after passing the cattle grid at the top of the hill, Postcode: SA3 1HU, Grid ref: SS435,915 What3Words:elastic.snug.catchers
What's included
An in depth information pack with useful details about the trip and a kit list. OS map provided.
A local qualified Mountain Leader with experience delivering navigation skills and training. They are there to pass on all their useful knowledge and make sure you have a safe and memorable day out.
Tea, coffee and biscuits!
1 day
Navigation Skills - Bannau Brycheniog
Glyntawe, Craig-y-Nos Country Park
Description
Come and learn some tips and tricks to navigating using an OS map and compass. Gain some confidence to execute your own journeys in the hills. We will cover orientation, location and wayfinding. It is a chance to try some new techniques, make plenty of mistakes in a safe and supportive setting. There will also be the opportunity to access learning material to take away after the session.
What to expect
A great day of learning in the hills with some friendly people. We love being up in the mountain, you never quite know what you will see.
We will meet at Craig-y-nos country park for some tea/coffee which is an opportunity for us to find out your goals for the day and for you to ask any burning questions. We will then be walking up into the Pwll-Yr-Wydden area below Cribarth taking in the scenery and honing some of our orientation skills using the map. We will then look at wayfinding using reliable features on the map. How to confirm our position and what we can fall back on if plan (a) hasn't worked. We will go on a bit of a journey up Cribarth or Carreg Goch with a few stops to look at historical landmarks and interesting geological formations before making our way back to Craig-y-nos.
INCLUDED IN THE PROGRAM:
An in depth information pack with useful details about the trip and a kit list. OS map and compass provided.
A local qualified Mountain Leader with experience delivering navigation training. They are there to pass on all their useful knowledge and make sure you have a safe and memorable day out.
Tea, coffee and biscuits!
1 day
Night navigation
Brynamman, Mountain Road Car Park, Black Mountain Area
Description
Come and learn some night navigation tips and tricks using an OS map and compass. Gain some confidence to execute your own journeys in the countryside at night. We will cover orientation, location and wayfinding under the night sky. It is a chance to try some new techniques, make plenty of mistakes in a safe and supportive setting. There will also be the opportunity to access learning material to take away after the session.
What to expect
We will be out on the hill for 3-4 hours. On a clear night this area has a fantastic dark sky for picking out constellations. It has some notable historical landmarks which we will pass on our journey. It is worth having a read of the information pack after booking which has a kit list. You will need to bring enough food and water whilst we are out on the hill. Meeting point is the Mountain Road Car Park on the A4069.
INCLUDED IN THE EXPERIENCE:
An in depth information pack with useful details about the trip and a kit list. OS map and compass provided.
A local qualified Mountain Leader with experience delivering navigation skills and training. They are there to pass on all their useful knowledge and make sure you have a safe and memorable day out.
Hot chocolate and biscuits!
1 day
Wood carving workshop
Gower, location in information pack
*Please make a service inquiry for this Skills Course*
Description
Come and have a go at green woodworking. Meet us for a day in the woods. We will select our materials from our local woodland, process them using a folding saw and billhook. Following this we will look at some axe work skills to make a rough outline called a billet. Once the billet is made we will use our finer edge tools to whittle our desired form into shape. There is a lot of things we can craft from wood but we quite often start off with simple forms such as tent pegs and hanging sticks before moving onto butter knives, spatulas, spoons and Kuksas. There really isn't a right or wrong and its amazing how the time flies once you get into the processes. We like to have everyone with something they can take home and be proud of.
What to expect
A relaxing day in the woods with good company. It is nice working with green wood using basic hand tools rather than machine tools as you really notice the details in the material you are working with and connect with your surroundings.
Mud and sand are always abundant so best to bring some walking boots rather than your best pair of white crocs. Please bring a packed lunch. We like to cook something on the fire for everyone to try but its difficult to make this happen for lots of dietary requirements. We will have shelter out of the elements should it rain and facilities to make hot drinks.
Included in the experience:
An in depth information pack with useful details about the trip and a kit list.
A local guide who will accompany you from the car park and back again. They are their to point out all the amazing highlights and make sure you have a safe and memorable day out.
Tea, coffee and biscuits!
1 day
Expedition Skills
*Please make a service inquiry for this Skills Course*
Description
All the skills you need to plan an expedition of your own. Conception of ideas, modes of travel and self sufficiency. Choosing suitable wild camping location. How to make water from streams safe for drinking. Campcraft skills including pitching tents, cooking on stoves/trangia, toileting and kit packing. We can go into some basic navigation techniques, first aid and safety considerations when visiting remote areas.
What to expect
We will be doing a mini 1 day expedition packing everything we need into a bag and walking. We will go through step by step each learning outcome so you have the confidence to plan your own expedition. This is a workshop so we will be pitching a tent but not staying overnight. Wild camping is still illegal in Wales without prior consent of the landowner. As such this is a mock expedition with the opportunity to gain knowledge and ideas for your own trips.
Included in the experience
An in depth information pack with useful details about the trip and a kit list. All expedition equipment provided for the day, unless you would like t test out your own kit?
A local qualified Mountain Leader with experience delivering expedition training. They are there to pass on all their useful knowledge and make sure you have a safe and memorable day out.
Tea, coffee and biscuits!
1 day
Climbing on real rock
Gower, Port Eynon
*Please make a service inquiry for this Skills Course*
Description
If you are new to climbing and fancy having a go outdoors this is a great opportunity to give it a try. We will cover the basics of climbing outdoors and belaying at a single pitch crag. Its a great introduction to climbing on real rock in a stunning location overlooking the sea.
What to expect
We use a fantastic crag which is located 20 minutes walk from Port Eynon. We will get to know you and your goals as we walk to the crag. When we arrive we will kit up and chat through some basic rock climbing skills and belaying techniques for a bottom rope system (the same as the ropes setup at indoor walls). You will have a qualified rock climbing instructor right next to you who can assist with the belaying. The crag is set right next to the sea overlooking the Bristol channel and is a great place to spend the day.
We will provide all the equipment you need for the day (helmet, harness and other safety equipment). We do not provide climbing shoes. Trainers and walking boots are suitable for the routes we use. If you own some climbing shoes then feel free to bring them along as well.
Included in the experience
An in depth information pack with useful details about the day and a kit list. All climbing equipment provided for the day.
A local qualified Rock Climbing Instructor with experience delivering outdoor climbing taster session. They are there to pass on all their useful knowledge and make sure you have a safe and memorable day out.
Tea, coffee and biscuits!