Springboard Adventure is a department within Springboard North East, it was created in the early 2000’s and has seen many evolution’s since then. It has two bases; The main base is Hetton Lyons Country Park, Sunderland and Allenheads Lodge Outdoor Education Centre, Hexham, Northumberland.
Springboard Adventure is a department within Springboard North East, it was created in the early 2000’s and has seen many evolution’s since then. It has two bases; The main base is Hetton Lyons Country Park, Sunderland and Allenheads Lodge Outdoor Education Centre, Hexham, Northumberland. Springboard Adventure offers a huge range of adventure activities both on site at the Park and Lodge as well as options further afield in the North Pennines, Lake District, Yorkshire and Northumberland.
Springboard Adventure manages the 180 acre Hetton Lyons Country Park on behalf of Sunderland City Council. Within a safe, exciting and engaging environment, we offer a wide range of outdoor, adventurous and environmental activities, successfully working in partnership with schools and youth organisations, as well as offering courses to the public.
We work with adults and young people, groups and individuals, 1:1 lessons and children’s parties – a great alternative for a fun day out.
What’s Involved?
Canoeing is often confused with kayaking; canoes are normally around five metres long and can hold two to three people depending on their size and weight. The way to differentiate is by paddle type, canoes use a one bladed paddle with ‘T’ grip on the other end, you either sit or kneel in the boat. Our canoe sessions first and foremost are super fun and you can choose whether that involves getting wet or not. None of our instructors or tutors will force people out of their comfort zone but we will encourage them as much as we can. We start by a safety brief, then some basic paddle strokes and then its off on the water. Wherever we are, we always try and explore the area, conditions permitting of course, on the way you and your group will learn the basic of paddling technique and you will be coached to improve what your doing to help you travel in a straight line and make better progress on the water. We have loads of games both wet and dry to keep things exciting and the best, people will always learning. We can groups as small as one person up to 20 at one time.
Locations
Hetton Lyons Country Park – Allenheads Lodge – various venues across the North East and Cumbria.
Adventure Level
Low – Medium
Time Needed
2 – 6 hours per day including changing times, more if on an accredited course.
Accreditation Available
British Canoeing Paddle Awards and upto the Progressive Canoe Award.
Kit List
Spare shoes that will get wet, towel and swimwear.
What’s involved?
Kayaking can involve two or three people in a boat but, more often than not it’s a one person kayak with a double ended paddle. Our kayaks are all modern and comfortable, we have a range of sizes so we know have one that will fit everyone comfortably. Our instructors progress sessions nice and steadily and include as many games as possible, this ensures people are having loads of fun but learning at the same time. Our games include; stuck in the mud a classic super competitive game that gets people manoeuvring at speed, kayak polo, two goals and two teams-just like football but in kayak our personal favourite is tug of war, two boats are tied together and the person with most power wins, this is all down to technique. We can group’s as small as 1 person up to 20 at one time.
Locations
Hetton Lyons Country Park – Allenheads Lodge and various venues across the North East and Cumbria.
Adventure Level
Low – Medium
Time Needed
2 – 6 hours per day including changing times, more if on an accredited course.
Accreditation Available
British Canoeing Paddle Awards and up to the Progressive Whitewater Award.
Kit List
Spare shoes that will get wet, towel and swimwear.
What’s involved?
Each team is given 6 planks, 4 barrels and some rope, with some basic building skills delivered by your instructor you will have what you need to build a vessel to carry you on your challenge. Once built we float test them on the lake or river and take a part in some challenges against the other teams. This can be done with really big groups and is an awesome team building event for businesses as well as a great charity challenge day. Raft building can also be hooked with a land based activity like orienteering or mountain biking to make for a full day adventure. We can work with group’s as small as 6 people and up to 30 at one time.
Locations
Hetton Lyons Country Park – Allenheads Lodge and various venues across the North East and Cumbria.
Adventure Level
Low – Medium
Time Needed
2 – 4 hours per day including changing times, more if coupled with another activity.
Accreditation Available
Springboard Adventure internal accreditation available.
Kit List
Spare shoes that will get wet, towel and swimwear.
What’s involved?
Our main gorge walking venue is close to Alston Cumbria. It is a brilliant area for Ghyll Scrambling and gorge walking for groups of mixed ability. There is lots to explore for all groups no matter how adventurous people are. Slide down water shoots, jump from cliffs in beautiful pools and scramble and climb your way out. This activity is best explored from March – October, but for the brave any time of year works with our awesome kit. We can take group’s as small as 6 people and up to 30 at one time.
Locations
Hetton Lyons Country Park (1.5 hour drive) Allenheads Lodge and venues across the North East and Cumbria.
Adventure Level
Low – High
Time Needed
2 – 6 hours per day including changing times, depending on the drive time.
Accreditation Available
Springboard Adventure internal accreditation available.
Kit List
Spare shoes that will get wet, towel and swimwear.
What’s involved?
Tubing is based on the River Tees near Barnard Castle. You will don a wetsuit and PPE and explore the remarkable landscape of the Upper Tees Valley, a beautiful stretch of whitewater adjacent to the Pennie Way. Slide down shoots and falls in your rubber ring and support the team to provide them the safety cover they need. For a final challenge jump from the mighty Low Force into the swirling plunge below. We can take group’s as small as 6 people and up to 16/20 at one time.
Locations
Hetton Lyons Country Park (1.5 hour drive) Allenheads Lodge and venues across the North East and Cumbria.
Adventure Level
Low – High
Time Needed
2 – 6 hours per day including changing times, depending on the drive time.
Accreditation Available
Springboard Adventure internal accreditation available.
Kit List
Spare shoes that will get wet, towel and swimwear.
What’s Involved?
Mountain biking is a great option for young people who have a lot of energy to burn. We have a range of location for this activity and we can build up gradually from low level trails right up to red routes at some of the brilliant trail centres in the area. Our instructors are all keen to show you the best trails but at a safe pace that suits the whole group. Our bikes are all well maintained hard tails which are ideal for getting to know the basic in bike handling. Techniques that are covered in a typical session include the attack position, riding berms, roots and tight single track as well as hill climbing technique and downhill.
Locations
Hetton Lyons Country Park – Allenheads Lodge – various venues across the North East and Cumbria.
Adventure Level
Low – Medium
Time Needed
2 – 6 hours per day including changing times, more if on an accredited course.
Accreditation Available
CTC Skills Course
Kit List
Trainers and clothing that can get muddy and wet. Gloves if you have them.
What’s Involved?
With a map and the basics in navigation and orienteering we will explore the local area and improve out skills on the way. Once your instructor has given you the basics and improved the knowledge of those who have prior knowledge, you will go it alone. When we say alone we mean in small groups monitored by your instructor from a distance. This activity gives a little bit of trust to the group and they can learn and explore in their small groups while on a particular route to find certain locations. For the more advanced groups we introduce compasses and route planning and we head on to more advanced terrain like hills and mountains.
Locations
Hetton Lyons Country Park – Allenheads Lodge – various venues across the North East and Cumbria.
Adventure Level
Low – Med
Time Needed
2 – 6 hours per day including changing times, more if on an accredited course.
Accreditation Available
Internal Springboard Adventure courses and National Navigation Award Scheme.
Kit List
Waterproof, fleece, boots, thick socks. We can provide most items if needed.
What’s Involved?
Bushcraft has seen a resurgence in recent years, especially in Primary Schools and across all education settings. The Scout and Guide Association were the pioneers in this field and have been running accredited courses for their members for many years. Our bushcraft sessions are tailored to the individual group. Our most popular options are an introduction to fire lighting, shelter building and cooking on an open fire.
Locations
Hetton Lyons Country Park – Allenheads Lodge – various venues across the North East and Cumbria.
Adventure Level
Low – Med
Time Needed
2 – 6 hours per day.
Accreditation Available
Internal Springboard Adventure courses.
Kit List
Waterproof, fleece, boots, thick socks. We can provide most items if needed.
Our team challenges are all great fun and we have several different types to suit different groups. Most of the challenges take 20 minutes and with a little bit of perseverance and support are achievable by everyone, we can’t guarantee there wont be any frustrated people for a time though!
Our favourite is the classic ‘Holey Pipe’ a large pipe with different size holes, the team have to use fingers, toes, noses and sometimes tongues to block all the holes up so no water escapes and they can access the floating treasure as their team mates fill the pipe up. Its awesome fun and encourages all of the team skills that people need in the workplace and for further training and personal development.
Our instructors will introduce the learners to team building and increase their knowledge of what is required to be a successful team. As they progress through the challenges they will highlight the elements they are progressing through. For more advanced groups and those with more time, formal training in team skills can be given and we can also specifically link up with any curriculum that is needed.
Locations
Hetton Lyons Country Park – Allenheads Lodge – various venues across the North East and Cumbria.
Adventure Level
Low
Time Needed
2 – 6 hours per day.
Accreditation Available
Internal Springboard Adventure courses.
Kit List
Waterproof, fleece, boots, thick socks. We can provide most items if needed.
Always a popular option and it can run in most seasons too. Our instructors kit the young people out with helmets and harnesses and train them on belaying safely. Rock climbing is great for encouraging young people to support each other and keep each other safe. We start the session with a warmup and often some low level bouldering where we introduce young people to climbing techniques on the rock and also how to spot there partners. We then move onto peer belaying in the form of ‘Bell Ringing’ It is a good way to get everyone in the group involved appreciating the importance of working with each other to keep everyone safe. Once people understand the system we get climbing and try a few different routes, depending on the time and numbers in the group we can get loads done. We often work with schools and youth organisations on a weekly basis developing the skills of young people to become competent climbers who can manage their own and their peer’s safety by the end of the course.
Locations
Various crags across the North East and Cumbria.
Adventure Level
Low – Med
Time Needed
2 – 6 hours per day.
Accreditation Available
Internal Springboard Adventure courses.
Kit List
Waterproof, fleece, trainers that can scuffed, socks. We can provide most items if needed.
What’s Involved?
Abseiling links with Rock Climbing well and involves using ropes to lower yourself down a rock face. We go through the techniques used to abseil and then give it a go. Using the similar equipment to rock climbing we wear helmets and harnesses as well as some specialist devices called a ‘Figure of Eight’ You will descend at your own pace down the abseil and for safety your instructor will have a back up safety rope too. Your instructor will be right there to coach you through the process and make sure you have it all covered.
Locations
Various venues across the North East and Cumbria.
Adventure Level
Low – Med
Time Needed
2 – 3 hours.
Accreditation Available
Internal Springboard Adventure courses.
Kit List
Waterproof, fleece, boots, thick socks. We can provide most items if needed.
