Venture UK // Severn River Descent
Schools Severn River Challenge and project
Canoe the mighty Severn!
The mighty River Severn is the longest river in Britain at 354km in length and the perfect route for a fantastic expedition. The river wends its way from its source in the Cambrian Mountains (mid Wales) through several English counties before finally washing into the Bristol Channel and the Celtic sea. It flows through some of the most beautiful British countryside and has been a major navigational route for centuries.
Our overall aim is to support students to develop essential life skills such as resilience, teamwork, empathy, problem solving and communication. We challenge teams to travel in their own Canadian canoe, paddling for several days to reach the conservation project site. On completion of the project task teams will strike camp, fully satisfied with their efforts in helping to preserve this beautiful river and its wildlife. They will then travel back by canoe along the river. Under the guidance of two of our experienced expedition leaders, students will take charge of their expedition and will be expected to manage their travel, pitch and strike camps, food supplies and cooking. They will need to work together to overcome issues they encounter … just like real life.
Photos: Shad-N.Constable, Wier-B.Evripidou, River scene-J.Hermolle, Balsam-Severn River Trust
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. Our projects emphasise the benefits of giving something back to society and looking after the environment.
Teams taking on the Severn River Descent challenge will work with our partner organisation, The Severn Rivers Trust. The Trust’s aim is to protect and enhance the River Severn, making it a vibrant healthy river. Their mission is for a future where our children and grandchildren can enjoy healthy vibrant rivers teeming with diverse and wonderful life – from Atlantic salmon to white clawed crayfish, and from freshwater pearl mussels to European eel. They want to preserve these special places for everyone to enjoy – to walk, play, swim, paddle and make lasting memories.
Projects could include the removal of the highly invasive and destructive Himalayan Balsam or assisting to create spawning routes for the endangered Twaite Shad, a fish who’s natural spawning grounds have been destroyed by modern navigational aids.
Canadian canoes are typically paddled by two crew working together to steer, provide power and for navigation. It is a wonderful medium through which to experience the character of a river, its currents, eddies and flow. It also will allow students to experience the stunning wildlife that they will be working to sustain during their project.
Teams will be responsible for ferrying their personal equipment and managing all aspects of camping life: selecting sites & pitches, liaising with local people and organisations, pitching/striking camp, and maintaining team spirit!
Our expedition leaders will be there throughout for advice and guidance and will utilise any opportunities that arise to maximise learning and development.
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. Our projects emphasise the benefits of giving something back to society and looking after the environment.
Teams taking on the Severn River Descent challenge will work with our partner organisation, The Severn Rivers Trust. The Trust’s aim is to protect and enhance the River Severn, making it a vibrant healthy river. Their mission is for a future where our children and grandchildren can enjoy healthy vibrant rivers teeming with diverse and wonderful life – from Atlantic salmon to white clawed crayfish, and from freshwater pearl mussels to European eel. They want to preserve these special places for everyone to enjoy – to walk, play, swim, paddle and make lasting memories.
Projects could include the removal of the highly invasive and destructive Himalayan Balsam or assisting to create spawning routes for the endangered Twaite Shad, a fish who’s natural spawning grounds have been destroyed by modern navigational aids.
Canadian Canoe Journey
Canadian canoes are typically paddled by two crew working together to steer, provide power and for navigation. It is a wonderful medium through which to experience the character of a river, its currents, eddies and flow. It also will allow students to experience the stunning wildlife that they will be working to sustain during their project.
Teams will be responsible for ferrying their personal equipment and managing all aspects of camping life: selecting sites & pitches, liaising with local people and organisations, pitching/striking camp, and maintaining team spirit!
Our expedition leaders will be there throughout for advice and guidance and will utilise any opportunities that arise to maximise learning and development. This canoeing during this expedition will be up to level 2 on our whitewater rating.
Embrace the challenge and remember the unique experience!
Our aim is to take our student teams out of their comfort zone. This expedition is intended to be a challenge. The team will be expected to paddle for 5-6 hours per day and manage daily expedition life.
During the expedition build-up students will be required to work with the Severn Rivers Trust to develop the project and their knowledge of its issues and requirements. During the project, students will carry out manual labour for 5-6 hours each day, as well as organise day to day camp-life.
Our UK expeditions are good practice for those that wish to undertake on one of our overseas expeditions and gain essential life skills for the future!
KEY INFORMATION
All our expeditions are bespoke and tailored to your team's needs
Conservation Project
Canoeing
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
- Training Day
- 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
