Photo credit: Jason Smalley
Adventurous Learning Journeys
At Humphrey Head we believe that the best learning comes from explorative journeys, where the students' interests and intuition guides how the session unfolds, and educational opportunties arise naturally by paying attention to our surroundings- the weather, the water, the flora and fauna, and the many personal and interpersonal skills which are essential to adventures in nature.
Activities
Sea Level Traverse
The Sea Level Traverse is a classic feature of Humphrey Head outdoor programmes. The headland marks where the Lake District meets the sea and overlooks the vast sands of Morecambe Bay. We scramble around the sea cliffs, using our hands and feet to find holds, and exploring the fossils, plants, and wildlife we find on the way! A perfect activity for problem-solving, teamwork, and immersive time in nature.
Canoe, Kayak, & SUP
We are so lucky at Humphrey Head that the biggest lake in England, Windermere, is just a short drive away. The hills come right down to the water, and the river bank is surrounded by beautiful reedbeds and woodlands, full of wildlife. Whether we’re in rafted canoes, sit-on-top kayaks, or our “mega-SUP” which can hold 6-8 people at once, this is a perfect session to experience beauty of the Lake District.
Fell Walking
Time in the fells is a chance to play, explore, and get a wider perspective, with awe-inspiring views and constantly changing conditions. From the wind-swept hilltops, our groups experience a completely different envrionment from the valley below. Expect craggy rock formations, gnarled trees, and a whole different range of lichens, plants, and minibeats, plus the chance to practice independent navigation and route finding over challenging terrain.
Bushcraft
Bushcraft is a great way to engage with the environment. It gets you from the aesthetics, and into to how the natural environment can provide us with all we need to survive and thrive! From starting fires and building shelters to foraging, knife skills, and nature crafts, this varied activity can be adapted to create exciting and engaging learning journeys groups of any age or ability.
Raft Building
At Humphrey Head we love raft building. It’s a chance for young people to design and create something together with their classmates, and then play with it and test out how it works! It’s got a bit of everything: rope work skills, creative design, working as a team, and uncertainty of outcome - will the finished raft keep the team afloat, or are they in for a splash?
Rock Climbing & Abseiling
A few minutes drive from Humphrey Head is a fantastic Climbing and Abseiling venue. It’s privately booked so your group will have exclusive use, and there’s a range of climbs of varying difficulty, creating a great opportunity for young people to challenge themselves, support each other, and progress throughout the day, giving a real sense of achievement!
Ghyll Scrambling
Ghyll Scrambling is all about exploring the mountain environment, with a bit of a twist. Instead of simply observing the beautiful scenery, we get into it, scrambling up steep mountain streams- or “ghylls”, climbing over rocks and boulders, and jumping into pools. Through our journey up the ghyll, groups build confidence as they learn to find routes, solve problems, and support each other.
Caving
Venture beneath the soil, to explore the time-worn tunnels and fascinating formations of the underground world! It’s just a short drive from Humphrey Head to the Yorkshire Dales, where the limestone landscape is full of incredible caves perfect for groups who’d like a bigger challenge! Squeeze, crawl, and scramble, your way through the tunnels and chambers, and encounter a whole different world full of stalactites and fossils from times gone by!
Earthwalk & Nature Crafts
There are a thousand different ways to explore the natural world, from sensory walks exploring the sounds, smells, touch, and taste of our surroundings, to craft activities using natural materials such as willow, wool, flowers, and foliage, to create tools, sculptures, and works of art. With varied backgrounds in wildlife conservation, creative arts, and wilderness skills, our team is perfectly suited to deliver nature-based activities for any kind of group.
Address
Humphrey Head Outdoor Centre
Holy Well Lane
Flookburgh
Cumbria
LA11 7LY
Contact
015395 35030
info@humphreyhead.education