Venture UK // Sea to Sea Challenge
Schools Sea to Sea Challenge and Project
Cycle across the roof of England!
This expedition sees teams take on the challenge to cycle the original and most famous British coast to coast route. The route covers 140 miles from the Irish Sea, across the Northern Lakes and the Pennines, the ‘roof of England’ to the North Sea. The team will start from Whitehaven, where they will prepare and plan for the adventure ahead. During the next 8 days they will complete the journey from coast to coast, spending 2 days en route working on the expedition project. They will have acheived their goal when they arrive into Sunderland on the east coast.
Our overall aim is to support students to develop essential life skills such as resilience, teamwork, empathy, problem solving and communication. This expedition challenges teams to travel by pedal power over sections of this mountainous and demanding route, stopping en route to undertake their project. Under the guidance of two experienced leaders the team will manage their travel, pitch and strike camps, food supplies and cooking. They’ll need to work together to overcome issues they encounter … just like real life.
We work with selected charities and NGO partners to develop team projects that are sustainable solutions to an issue faced by a local community or natural ecosystem. The project phase enables students to get hands-on in working towards a worthwhile goal.
We work with a number of organisations along the route and teams have the choice to work on different types of projects.
- Sustrans Project – Sustrans are the custodians of the national cycle network. Their aim is to create a network of car-free paths that link cities, towns and the countryside. Enabling everyone to get access to clean air and green spaces. Sustrans carry out important project work and research along the national cycle network.
- 4Eden Project – a not for profit organisation in Penrith that works with people who have learning disabilities and autism spectrum conditions, and with local schools on infrastructure projects.
Cycling gives teams the chance to head off ‘beaten track’ and to experience the beautiful landscape and interesting history of the North of England. The route has so much to offer, from the dramatic upland terrain of the Lake District and Pennines, to the ancient historical site of Hadrian’s Wall and the fascinating heritage of the North-East coast.
Cycling is an excellent medium with which to investigate all the skills that are essential to life, whether at home, in education or employment. Teams will manage all aspects of camping life: selecting sites and pitches, liaising with local people and organisations, pitching/striking camp, and maintaining team spirit throughout! They will be supported all the way by our experienced expedition leaders.
Expedition Project
We work with selected charities and NGO partners to develop team projects that are sustainable solutions to an issue faced by a local community or natural ecosystem. The project phase enables students to get hands-on in working towards a worthwhile goal.
We work with a number of organisations along the route and teams have the choice to work on different types of projects.
- Sustrans Project – Sustrans are the custodians of the national cycle network. Their aim is to create a network of car-free paths that link cities, towns and the countryside. Enabling everyone to get access to clean air and green spaces. Sustrans carry out important project work and research along the national cycle network.
- 4Eden Project – a not for profit organisation in Penrith that works with people who have learning disabilities and autism spectrum conditions, and with local schools on infrastructure projects.
Cycling Journey
Cycling gives teams the chance to head off the ‘beaten track’ and to experience the beautiful landscape and interesting history of the North of England. The route has so much to offer, from the dramatic upland terrain of the Lake District and Pennines, stargazing in the dark skies of Yorkshire, to the historical sites and the fascinating industrial heritage of the North-East coast.
Cycling is an excellent medium with which to investigate all the skills that are essential to life, whether at home, in education or employment. Teams will manage all aspects of camping life: selecting sites and pitches, liaising with local people and organisations, pitching/striking camp, and maintaining team spirit throughout! They will be supported all the way by our experienced expedition leaders.
Embrace the challenge and remember the unique experience!
Our aim is to take our student teams out of their comfort zone. This is a physical expedition that will develop character and resilience. Students will need to be capable of cycling approximately 25 miles a day for a total of six days, over a strenuous route.
Teams will camp throughout the expedition. A support vehicle will carry all the equipment during the expedition but teams will need to work together to manage the budget, setting up camp and cooking all the meals.
KEY INFORMATION
All our expeditions are bespoke and tailored to your team's needs
Community Project
Cycling
Camping
Team Challenge
10 days
- Two Venture Force expedition leaders
- Two funded teacher places
- 24/7 operations room support
- Expedition safety communications package
- All expedition travel from agreed start point
- Venture Force expedition support manager and back-up vehicle
- All expedition activities
- All expedition food and accommodation
- Team t-shirts
- Heavy duty travel bag
- Group kit and equipment where necessary
- Online expedition portal page
- Travel to the agreed start and from the end point of the expedition
- Personal equipment (a kit list will be provided)
- Spending money for gifts and additional drinks/food
