When we think of mountain multiadventure activities for school trips, we generally picture activities that are thrilling and spectacular. As we have seen, rock climbing, high-ropes courses, rafting, and canyoning are examples of this. However, the mountain environment, by its very nature, often does not require complex activities or specialist equipment. A perfect example of this is an activity such as hiking. This activity — also known in recent years as trekking — is the foundation of mountaineering and the starting point for many other activities. Its core philosophy lies in the enjoyment of nature, and in respecting and caring for it. Having fun through nature is the main objective of hiking: gaining pleasure from discovering new natural environments and experiencing the many sensations they offer.
Hiking is, in itself, a sport. One that teaches us to enjoy the natural spaces around us, and how to make the most of them — gaining fun and health benefits along the way. Hiking with school groups must always be led by professional group leaders who know the route to be taken as well as all the points of interest in the surrounding area. In this way, on a multiadventure school trip, various routes can be undertaken. These routes carry a significant load in terms of both sport and culture. Pupils can discover and apply the theory they are studying in subjects such as environmental science or biology to the surroundings they are exploring at that very moment. Hiking makes ecological trails possible — walks on which participants observe ecosystems up close and discover how they function.
Multiadventure school trip activities: horse riding routes
Alongside hiking, it is also possible to undertake other types of routes in the mountains — horse riding routes being one such example. By this we mean any activity in which participants complete a course on horseback. Horse riding routes are also one of the most popular multiadventure activities, and one with the longest historical track record. The horse was, for many years in human history, the principal means of transport. Today, it represents an unrivalled way of enjoying a mountain environment from a unique perspective that is far removed from participants’ everyday lives. Horse riding routes bring younger participants closer to their natural surroundings, and also instil certain values of care and respect for nature — both for the environment and for the species that inhabit it.
Horse riding routes are always carried out with the support of an instructor who knows the animals and the appropriate practices to ensure the activity is a success and is conducted in complete safety. Routes of this kind also have the advantage of allowing participants to see the landscape from a different perspective. The participant feels more integrated into nature and part of an ecosystem that functions in a completely different way from the urban one they are normally used to. For many children, horse riding is a unique experience — only available on multiadventure school trips or similar excursions. It is always a good idea to include this activity in the programme as a new way of discovering the natural environment and interacting with it.
Multiadventure school trip activities: archery
Now let us turn our attention to another of the most common multiadventure activities on school trips: archery. This activity, which historically arose as a means of survival, is today a recreational sport enjoyed by both adults and children alike. Archery is one of the traditional multiadventure activities, typically included in any programme — whether for a school trip, a summer camp, or a day excursion. In archery, participants are taught how to practise the sport. It involves shooting arrows with a bow, with the aim of hitting a target. The target is divided into different colour zones: the closer the arrow lands to the centre, the more points the archer scores. This means that archery can readily lend itself to a competition between participants.
One of the great advantages of archery, however, is that it is an attractive, enjoyable, and highly adaptable sport. As we have seen, it can have a competitive spirit, but equally a purely recreational one. It can even be incorporated into a themed activity on the school trip (medieval, pirate) if one is taking place. Archery also promotes concentration and focus among participants. It also makes them aware of the importance of safety protocols, so that arrows are handled safely at all times without any risk. This makes archery a safe and fun option within any multiadventure school trip programme.
Multiadventure school trips
Find out all the information about how our multiadventure school trips work on the following pages:
