gradbach_camp

The Farmhouse - indoor accommodation at Gradbach Scout Camp

	Activities at Gradbach

A wealth of activities - on site and off!

Some bring their Troops to Gradbach for a taste of authentic Scouting and to practice the old skills of Pioneering and Backwoodsmanship. Whether this means rope bridges across the River Dane, Bivouacs in the Training Ground or Orienteering around Back Forest, Gradbach has it all.

Others use our beautiful site as a base to explore the magnificent Peak District and then there are the thrill seekers who come to experience climbing at the famous 'Roaches', pot holing, hang gliding, canoeing or sailing at nearby venues.

Here we hope to give you a taste of some of the many activities available either on the site or within easy reach for weekend and longer term visitors alike.

If you have any specific requirements please ask. Our friendly and experienced staff will be delighted to share their extensive local knowledge with you.

Off Site Activities...

Climbing

The best routes at the Roaches are generally VS and above. It is split into three main areas, the Lower Tier, Upper Tier and Far Skyline. At VS there is Valkyrie plus Black and Tans, at HVS The Sloth and Saul’s Crack are the most famous and testing.

There are a good number of epic struggles on the Lower Tier, Valkyrie direct and the Mangler spring to mind. Whether you are teaching beginners the art of climbing or abseiling or seeking adventure as an experienced climber, you'll find what you're looking for at the Roaches.

This pretty outcrop is where ex-1st Buxton Scout and 'old boy' of Gradbach Simon Nadin learnt his craft before going on to be the first Climbing World Cup Champion in the history of the sport.

Walking

Whether you are a long distance walker, a mountaineer, a gentle stroller, walking in the Peak District is for you.

Walking in the Peak District offers a diverse and delightful mixture of countryside from which to choose. You may prefer to trek across exposed moorland where walkers now have more freedom to roam, thanks to the recently introduced Access rights. Alternatively there are easier paths to pursue, especially around the White Peak where walkers can descend into the Derbyshire Dales and follow riverside paths, woodland tracks or simply cross fields and stiles over an undulating landscape with glorious far-reaching views.

Walking Group Leader

We are able to offer the services of a qualified, locally based walking group leader for walking or hiking in the Gradbach area and beyond.

Debbie Rushworth is able to design and provide a day's hiking activity with a well planned and interesting route, suitable for the ability of your group in an area that she knows well. The walk may can include information on local history and legend, flora and fauna, geology or a different focus of your choice, navigation being an obvious one!

Debbie is offering this service in order to help prepare for her role on the Hiking activity team at Peak 2010 Scout and Guide camp.

Please click here for further information and contact details.

Sailing, Windsurfing & Kayaking

Windsurfing at Carsington Water Carsington Water has been host to training courses for professionals and amateur enthusiasts for many years in water based activities. They offer training in a wide variety of disciplines, using a diverse fleet of modern equipment. The Carsington Water centre is a Royal Yachting Association (R.Y.A.) recognised training centre, and also a British Canoe Union (B.C.U.) approved centre. This means that all equipment reaches a high standard, and that all training at the centre is conducted by qualified instructors

The centre regularly runs R.Y.A. Sailing, Windsurfing and Powerboat courses, in addition to these they also provide British Canoe Union B.C.U. Kayaking courses. The courses run throughout the year to take advantage of the variety of conditions that Carsington Water provides.

Pot Holing

Pot Holing and Caving tours and instruction is provided by a number of local organisations including Peak Activities and Outdoor Instruction. Alternatively, everyone can explore Poole's Cavern in Buxton, a 2 million year old natural limestone cave situated in the beautiful woodland of Buxton Country Park.

Pony Trekking

Northfield Farm Riding & Trekking Centre is about 2.5 miles away at Northfield Farm, Flash Village, Quarnford, Buxton, Derbyshire, SK17 0SW. Tel: 01298 22543

Hacking and trekking on an hourly or daily basis. British Horse Society Approved. Weekend trail rides through the Derbyshire Dales and Chatsworth estate, with overnight stay in Bakewell. Horses for all ages over 7 years. Groups and disabled riders welcomed. Open all year round. Telephone for current rates.

Cycling

The terrain around Gradbach is a favourite destination for cyclists of all types; the ruggedly diverse landscape provides an excellent challenge for road cycling and, Mountain biking alike, and supports many scenic cycle-routes which run through the heart of the breathtaking countryside.

Visit PeakDistrictOnline for details of some popular routes.

Go-Ape!

Go Ape at Poole's Cavern in Buxton Go Ape is an award-winning high wire forest adventure course of rope bridges, Tarzan Swings and zip slides up to 40 feet up in the trees. Appealing to a wide age range, customers are fitted with a climbing harness, given instructions, and then trek from tree to tree high above the forest floor.

Go Ape is located by Poole's Cavern and Buxton Country Park which is 1/2 mile from Buxton town centre on Green Lane.

From A6 and A53 follow brown direction signs for Poole's Cavern to B5059 / A515 junction and follow Green Lane for 1/2 mile. Bus and rail links to Buxton town centre are 15 minutes walk to Poole's Cavern.

On Site Activities & Amenities...

Orienteering Course

Orienteering courses of varying difficulties are set out within the camping ground boundaries. Originally mapped out by Business and Leisure students from Buxton’s High Peak College and recently updated by the University of Derby, the orienteering course is ideal for passing a couple of hours away whilst learning practical skills.

Camp Fire

Want to participate in a traditional camp fire ? Close to Site 6 (see camp site map) we have a unique camp fire circle. Constructed in an old stone quarry crescent shaped hollow, the terraced seating area gives an ideal location for an evening activity around a camp fire.

Camp Fire Hollow at Gradbach Scout Camp

Nature Trail

In association with the Peak National Park, the site has its very own nature trail, which takes in the various types of flora, fauna and wildlife that can be found at the Camp Site. Leaflets are available from the Camp HQ, or can be downloaded here. (to be done).

Pioneering Poles

We have a small selection of pioneering poles available. If you wish to use them, or require them transporting to a camp site, please ask a member of the Camp Staff. For safety reasons we do not supply ropes with the pioneering poles, you will have to bring them along with you.

Camp Providore

The Camp Providore is located at the left hand end of the Farmhouse accommodation. It stocks a wide range of souvenirs, sweets, drinks, miscellaneous camping items and other handy knick-knacks. There is no set opening time, it is just a case of asking a member of the Camp Staff if they will open it for you at a pre arranged time, or there and then.

Telephone

A payphone is situated in the entrance to the Rover Den and is marked accordingly on the door. The phone is only equipped for out going calls and has the same facilities as most public payphones found elsewhere.

Most mobile networks do now work in and around Gradbach, although reception can occasionally be poor, dependant on which direction you are facing !

Camp Chapel

St George’s Camp Chapel was officially opened and dedicated in 1966 by Reverend Craven of Buxton. Situated off the lane behind the Cottage, it is unique in that it is an open air chapel and is ideal for all types of services, we have even had two weddings conducted there ! Even if you are not religious it is well worth 5 minutes of your time, especially in the summer months when it is at its most peaceful and tranquil.

Archery

Pete March of Derwent Pursuits & Archery Events (Tel 0800 3581310) is able to provide Archery, Climbing, Abseiling & Orienteering instruction on the site.

www.derwent-pursuits.co.uk