Land
Activities: Hiking, trail running, navigation, wild camping, bushcraft
Benefits:
– Builds confidence, resilience, and terrain awareness
– Encourages physical health and emotional wellbeing
– Fosters connection to landscape and legacy
Risks:
– Uneven terrain, slips, trips, and weather exposure
– Navigation errors or fatigue
– Minor cuts, stings, or environmental hazards
– Bushcraft incidents - cuts and burns
Mitigation:
– Qualified leadership, dynamic risk assessment, and emergency planning
– Route and activity choice matched to group ability and conditions
– Emphasis on Leave No Trace and environmental respect

 

Rock
Activities: Climbing, scrambling, abseiling, bouldering
Benefits:
– Develops trust, problem-solving, and movement skills
– Builds physical strength and mental focus
– Offers challenge and achievement in vertical terrain
Risks:
– Falls from height, rope handling errors, or equipment misuse
– Abrasions, bruises, or minor impact injuries
– Weather-related hazards (e.g. wet rock, wind chill)
Mitigation:
– Delivered by qualified instructors with appropriate ratios
– Use of tested equipment and clear safety briefings
– Dynamic route selection and continuous supervision

 

Water
Activities: Canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, lake and river journeys
Benefits:
– Enhances coordination, teamwork, and water confidence
– Offers calm, flow, and connection to natural rhythms
– Builds resilience and decision-making in dynamic environments
Risks:
– Capsize, immersion, or cold water shock
– Entrapment or collision with obstacles
– Weather changes or fatigue
Mitigation:
– Led by qualified paddlesport leaders with rescue training
– Use of buoyancy aids, helmets, and appropriate craft
– Route planning, group control, and emergency procedures

 

Wheels
Activities: Mountain biking, trail riding, bike skills
Benefits:
– Builds balance, coordination, and terrain awareness
– Encourages independence and flow-state movement
– Develops risk management and decision-making
Risks:
– Falls, collisions, or mechanical failure
– Abrasions, sprains, or impact injuries
– Terrain hazards (e.g. loose gravel, steep descents)
Mitigation:
– Delivered by qualified MTB leaders with first aid cover
– Bike checks, helmet use, and progressive skill development
– Route choice matched to ability and conditions

 

Self & Systems
Activities: First aid, navigation, leadership, planning, reflection
Benefits:
– Builds self-awareness, confidence, and transferable skills
– Encourages teamwork, communication, and emotional intelligence
– Supports legacy-building and personal growth
Risks:
– Emotional discomfort, cognitive fatigue, or group dynamics
– Minor physical risks during practical scenarios
– Miscommunication or decision-making under pressure
Mitigation:
– Safe learning environment with clear boundaries
– Trauma-informed facilitation and inclusive delivery
– Debriefing, reflection, and support throughout