What We Offer
Why not come and join us for some great experiences and memories.
We can build a program around the needs of young people and adults, ranging from: Climbing & Abseiling, indoors and out, Rock Climbing, Hill & Moorland walking & Navigation, D of E training & expeditions, NNAS training & Assesments, Survival skills and challenges and also Team building.
NEW: Mountain Training Hill Skills
The Hill Skills course is your key to getting started in countryside and moorland walking. No previous hill walking experience is required because the content of the course is aimed at beginners.
If you do have some experience of hill walking but aren’t confident about planning walks, navigating, and understanding the equipment required, then the Hill Skills course is an ideal way to learn.
During a Hill Skills course, you can expect to start each day at about 9am. The first part of the course is spent indoors, getting to know the other people on the course and gaining an understanding of basic hill walking planning. Your experienced tutor will outline the plans for the course before you head out into the hills. The end of the day will usually involve a short indoor session to review the day and plan the following day’s outing.
You can expect to be out walking each day for around 4-5 hours and generally on Hill Skills courses this will be on footpaths or trails that are rough underfoot. Much of the journey during the course will involve learning opportunities and as such, the pace of the day is friendly and will include plenty of breaks.
Survival Skills & Challenges
Fire – To Grasp the Fundamentals of Firelighting:
Many people struggle with lighting fires in the outdoors. A lack of confidence combined with poor technique often leads to failure, particularly in damp conditions. We’ll teach you the core skills of firelighting, which means that you will be able to identify, select and prepare natural materials then consistently light them with confidence. You will be able to light a fire whenever you want or need one. Includes knife and axe skills.
Shelter – The Key Principles and Practicalities:
If you were lost or stranded, would you be able to cope? We think many people would be able to make some sort of shelter out of nearby materials. The question is, though, would it be any good? Would you get any sleep? Would it stop you becoming hypothermic? We’ll show you how to build a thermally efficient shelter from natural materials, and the odd man-made product.
Even if you had a tent or tarp with you, there are some key – and often overlooked – considerations you need to take into account before setting up. We’ll show you a range of lightweight shelters you can carry with you that have proved to save lives.
We’ll also show you some useful knots for quick and efficient tarp pitching in the woods, whether you are stopping for lunch on a rainy day or staying for longer.
In our experience, many people struggle with cooking in the outdoors unless they have a stove. We’ll show you ways of preparing your food and cooking with fire – with and without cooking pots – that will allow you to enjoy tasty, hearty meals that are cooked properly, by you.
Outdoor Safety – Core Concepts and Emergency Essentials:
Throughout the course/sessions we introduce key safety considerations and principles for the activities we are undertaking as well as being outdoors in general. We discuss how we can plan ahead to help avoid dangers and reduce risks. That said, nature is dynamic and people make mistakes. Accidents happen and unforeseen circumstances can arise. We cover essential concepts of how to deal with emergencies in the outdoors and prioritise in survival situations. As well as basic first aid essentials.
Water – Find, Collect and Purify Water:
We’ll show you how to find water even where it isn’t obvious. We’ll show you how to collect water from unlikely sources. Then, you’ll learn (and apply) techniques to make water safe to drink.
Climbing & Abseiling
Indoors or out, top rope, bottom rope and abseiling. Learn to lead indoors, or learn to bottom / top rope.
Our sessions can be tailor-made to suit your skills and experience, or even come and try for your first time.
We can arrange a bespoke session at any of Devon’s top climbing centres or even enjoy the sunshine on one of Dartmoor’s awesome crags.
You could even book a camp at Dartmoor Activity Centre and then join us on the moor for a climb.
Rock Climbing
Our sessions can be tailor-made to suit your skills and experience, or even come and try for your first time.
We can arrange a bespoke session at any of Devon’s top climbing centres or even enjoy the sunshine on one of Dartmoor’s awesome crags.
You could even book a camp at Dartmoor Activity Centre and then join us on the moor for a climb.
Hill & Moorland Walking
We work out of Dartmoor Activity Centre with the help of their awesome team, but there is no reason we cannot come to you with a bespoke session, or look out for our new venue in East Devon (coming soon).
Hill Skills is your key to getting started in countryside and moorland walking. If you aren’t confident in or would like to learn more about planning walks, navigating, understanding the equipment required, understanding weather on the hills, hazards and safety procedures, then our navigation sessions are the perfect way to learn.
From the basic abilities to the more technical skills, we can build a session for you on either a full or half day course. We can even throw in a wild camp and teach you the skills to “survive” on Dartmoor over night. Our team of instructors will point you in the right direction.
Navigation & Map Reading
Family Navigation sessions are great for the whole family. The adults of the family will learn all the same information as a Basic Navigation course but over a shorter walk to accommodate those little legs on the course. The skills taught to children are adapted to each child and their individual learning level.
And as we work out of Dartmoor Activity Centre, why not book into their new plush family cottage and join us on the moor for your bespoke session.
From the young to the old there are no limits to what you can do. Once you have mastered the basic skills you could always move onto one of the NNAS awards.
D of E Training & Expeditions
D of E are here to empower young people; to support them as they learn new skills, overcome obstacles, and build confidence and resilience. We are here for the challenges, the frustrations, the triumphs and the laughter. We are here because we believe in youth without limits.
At Aquila Outdoor Adventure we believe in young people without limits too.
So why not book into Dartmoor Activity Centre and our team of very experienced navigators will get you ready for your D of E expeditions and then once ready we can get one of our assessors to assess you on your Bronze, Silver or Gold Expedition.
For more information please Contact Us or follow this link to Dartmoor Activity Centre.
Outdoor Discovery Award Courses - Book Online
Our Outdoor Discovery Awards run out of Dartmoor Activity Centre at Haytor Dartmoor with the kind help and support of the Dartmoor Activity Centre team, and also out of Sid Vale Scout Centre in Sidmouth. This award can also be brought to you at your school or group centre.
