Navigation & Expeditioning

Being centrally located between Dartmoor and Exmoor National Parks and with the South West Coast Path on our doorstep, what we lack in mountains is certainly made up for by beauty of our coasts, countryside and moorlands. Each equally set to challenge your map reading and navigational skills at a level to suit.

Haven Banks offers recreational leisurely half or full day treks through to single or multi day and night ventures and expeditions. Whether you are looking for a venture on to the moor, some basic navigational skills or some moorland or mountain leadership skills, experience or qualifications, Haven Banks can support you throughout your venture.

We are an Approved Activity Provider (AAP) for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award for which we have supported numerous schools, colleges and youth organisations with their Bronze, Silver, Gold practice and qualifying expeditions.

We are also a provider of the National Navigation Award Scheme (NNAS) with which we provided countless adults and young people with training and accreditation in map reading and navigation.

We have also successfully supported numerous schools with their official Ten Tors Challenge Training programmes, providing qualified staff or full management of training programmes with or without the support of school staff.

Not forgetting, we also offer kayaking, canoeing, sailing and biking expedition options for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, as well as National Governing Body coaching and leadership training and accreditation for NNAS and Mountain Training England (MTE)

 

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People climbing along the side of a cliff

Coasteering

Venturing on foot, you will climb, traverse and scramble over the rugged coastline and jump into the sea and salt water plunge pools. This is a fantastic activity requiring teamwork and group cohesion to overcome a range of varied obstacles and challenges.

Under the guidance of our instructors, participants will be taught how to safely negotiate rocky ledges, platforms and other challenging terrains. There are often a range of challenges that the participants will face. Some of the activities undertaken offer "challenge by choice" where participants may set their own goals, such as jumping from different heights into the water. Torbay offers a perfect rocky coastline for an activity which is full of exhilaration, at times apprehension but always a sense of achievement.

 

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Bushcraft

We all have that “Bush Tucker Man” and, for the younger of you, the Ray Mears survival instinct in us. Following in their footsteps, we offer a fun immersive and educational experience utilising the wealth of natural resources around us.

Bushcraft is all about getting back to nature and there is plenty of fun to be had whilst doing so. It’s all about going wild in the woods!

Do you know what is needed to survive in the wilderness and do you know how to cope?

Learn new skills, with the priority being building a shelter or bivi to protect yourself from the elements using only the natural resources around you.

Then learn about the “fire triangle” before collecting the best tinder, kindling and wood to build, fuel and ignite your own fire using a flint and steel or, on those sunnier days, a convex lens (magnifying glass). Once the flames have subsided, it’s time to eat by “sizzling your sausages and melting your marshmallows” over the glowing embers. (The sausages and marshmallows we just happened to have with us!)

The fun can continue all day long with wide games, team games and wilderness navigation skills.

Bushcraft is about surviving and thriving in the natural environment, and having the acquisition of ancient skills and knowledge to do so.

We firmly believe that we have the right combination of skills and experience to provide the ultimate fun-focused bushcraft experience.

Predominantly our bushcraft sessions and days take place on Haldon but, given permission and a preliminary visit, sessions can be offered at a venue of choice.

 

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Mountain Biking

We have a fleet of adult specialist Cannondale all-terrain mountain bikes, which are better suited to the challenging conditions of off-road cycling. We also hire in bikes for smaller adults and junior groups or, given an inspection, we are happy for you to bring your own.

With transport and a specialist bike trailer, cycling takes place at a variety of venues across Devon.

For those building confidence or wanting a leisurely ride, the Centre is perfectly located with the National Cycle Network running right past its back door. Routes offer picturesque rides along the Exe Cycle Trail, either heading south west as far as Dawlish or south east as far as Exmouth. We also venture out to the Granite Way a truly spectacular and mostly traffic free cycle route between Lydford and Okehampton, passing through rural Devon with fantastic views of Dartmoor and the surrounding countryside.

For those looking to venture off-road, we utilise equally picturesque venues such as Haldon, which is described by British Cycling as Devon’s most complete and well packaged mountain biking experience in a forest setting. Here there is a trail for every ability level whether a young family or a seasoned downhiller. Other venues include: Dartmoor, Exmoor & Woodbury Common, as well as other outstanding areas of the South West.

Taster or one off sessions and progressive programmes can be tailored to suit all ages and abilities with the option to include leadership, tuition, skills and challenges, guaranteed to fully engage any group.

If you are looking for accreditation we can offer this via MIAS (Mountain-Bike Instructors Award Scheme). Skills qualifications and accreditation for young people include MIAS Gears Awards, a structured practical programme of 6 skill levels and for those wishing to progress to leadership qualifications we also offer MIAS Mountain Bike Leader Awards at Level 1 and Level 2.

The off-road terrain offers an exhilarating experience for all ages whether in a small or larger group.

 

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man rock climbing

Rock-climbing and Abseiling

The intrinsic rewards that come from combining trust, concentration, agility, balance, strength and judgement are unequalled in any other sport. Nothing heightens the senses more than the combination of delight and relief that comes from reaching the top of an achievable, though demanding rock climbing route.

The Centre runs both taster sessions and courses for Adults and Young people in both climbing and abseiling. Taster sessions offer the opportunity for groups to experience rock-climbing, perhaps for the first time, on real rock.

Content of courses include equipment selection and maintenance, climbing techniques, rope work, bouldering techniques (climbing without ropes), Introduction to simple rope work, Belaying (controlling the rope for the climber), Single pitch ascents and abseiling , use of technical equipment and Crag "etiquette". Young people can take part as an organised group or by joining one of our many school holiday activity programs.

As well as rock-climbing, the Centre also offers abseiling, either as part of a rock-climbing session or course or as a session in itself. We have also delivered abseiling for for charities for a number of fundraising events. Dingles, Exeter College, Exeter University and churches are just a few venues we have used for this purpose!

 

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children on team building exercise

Team Building

Using a range of puzzles, tasks and challenges, we aim to develop knowledge, learn new skills, raise levels of morale, improve adaptability in challenging circumstances, encourage effective planning and team work and improve communication within groups.

All of our courses and sessions are designed to provide a mixture of creative, manual and cerebral problem solving skills and provide the opportunity for your group to take part in challenging activities in a safe environment while developing new skills, abilities and confidence.

 

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powerfan

Powerfan

The Powerfan is a highly engineered machine that is able to provide the freefall adventure of your life, in safety and without needing to deploy a parachute or strap yourself by the ankle to a bungee cord!

This is a fantastic high adrenaline activity, either on its own or as part of a climbing wall or artificial caving session.

Benefits of a Powerfan:

  • Enable participants to experience a sense of success and adventure
  • Develop leadership and management potential
  • Increase team spirit and motivation
  • Create trust and mutual support within teams
  • Increase a participant's confidence and self-esteem
  • Create fun, enjoyment and laughter
  • Improve problem solving, decision making and risk taking strategies
  • Develop agility and physical co-ordination
  • Enhance environmental awareness

Why Powerfan?

  • 100% Environmentally Friendly
  • Up to 10000 Watts of Power
  • Totally Interactive
  • Exciting and Safe
  • Unique Experience
  • Innovative Technology
  • Simple to Understand
  • Powerful Learning!
  • Experiential Science

Acknowledgement of Risk:

The Powerfan is a highly engineered machine that is able to provide the freefall adventure experience, in safety and without needing to deploy a parachute or strap yourself by the ankle to a bungee cord! Technically it is a device that will safely and repeatedly control a person’s descent, dissipating the potential energy by means of a fan. It is a physical, outdoor, challenging activity at height, which has inherent hazards associated with it. Each Participant must comply with our risk management guidelines, safety briefs, instructions and guidelines at all times.

Please also consider:

  • That you do not have a medical condition which might increase the chance of being involved in an incident, resulting in injury to yourself or others, e.g. heart condition, epilepsy, pregnancy etc.
  • The Powerfan may be physically and emotionally challenging.
  • For safety reasons, the maximum weight for a participant is 120kg (18 stone) and the minimum weight for a participant is 20kg (3 stone).
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girls looking at a map

Orienteering

The Centre uses various courses locally on the Riverside Valley Park, though we also have courses at Shobrooke Park, Haldon, Woodbury Common and other more remote sites at wooded locations and on Dartmoor. It is an easy, painless way of staying fit or getting into shape. Orienteering is a perfect outdoor activity for schools. We have challenging courses for all ages and abilities, and it can also be used as an element in the National Curriculum for PE, Geography and Mathematics. It doesn't matter how young or old or fit you are, you can run, jog or walk; you decide your own pace.

 

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man in a cave

Caving

There are also many aspects and disciplines that attract people. These include the exploration of new caves, SRT, climbing, diving, photography, even sketching and painting! It comes down to the individual, but caving is certainly regarded as a very worthwhile pastime to all those who participate in the sport.

Caving is an activity suited to all ages and most ability levels. Instructors choose and adapt the route to the group or individual depending on their ability, levels of confidence, physical ability and/or sense of adventure!

A typical session will include kitting up & a safety brief. You will then enter the system to experience a totally new world of limestone passages, some starting life over a million years ago. Instructors can tailor your sessions to your or the groups needs. Sessions have the aim of being fun, educational and above all safe. Whether you chose this activity for the adventure, the sport, the geography or geology, it really is a fascinating adventure. Within some caves you will find bats and in others active stream ways which continue to form the passage system.

This is a great individual or team-building activity, one which gives a real sense of achievement and satisfaction. All trips are led by qualified and experienced Instructors at a ratio of 1:6 minimum, this way enabling groups to see much more of the cave system, without following a long chain of people.

The Centre uses several caves, both within Devon & the Mendip Hills. Sessions can be booked privately or on one of our Adult Courses or Easter, October, February & May Half-Terms or Summer Holiday Activity weeks.

 

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Archery

We run archery activity sessions within a few hundred yards of the Centre, on the Riverside Valley Park. The expansive range allows for safe, fun based tuition and progression in an activity suited to all ability levels.

Archery is also an ideal activity to run at your *own choice of outdoor venue as equipment requirement is minimal.

On days where the weather is particularly bad we can also offer limited indoor archery sessions at the Centre or at your *own indoor venue such as a school sports hall. In fact an area of just 15-20 metres length is ample as we provide full backstop netting for any stray arrows.

*subject to preliminary visit.

 

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