Young people can have more adventures in nature as work finishes on our new zipwire, crate stack and king swing. As each is in duplicate, it means there’s double the fun. Students can pair up to have a go or compete in teams to increase the fun and the number of turns that they have.
Dr Martin Barry, YMCA Lakeside’s Senior Operations Manager said:
“We now offer at least 50 land and water-based activities, including kayaking, sailing, fell walking, ghyll scrambling, high ropes, and rock climbing. Outdoor activities provide children with hands-on learning experiences in a natural environment, helping them develop problem-solving skills, resilience, and confidence while fostering a deeper connection to nature and promoting physical and mental well-being. Our ethos is that being outdoors offers opportunities for doing things in different ways. Young people experience the weather, the seasons and the natural world, it’s a great way to learn and grow.
“We’re also lucky to have so much to offer in one spot, with beautiful woodland, lake shore and hills behind. Once here, no transport is needed as everything is on our site. It means young people get more time in nature with their friends and all the benefits that brings,” Martin added.
As part of their induction, 20 of YMCA Lakeside’s instructors tested out the new king swing and crate stack.
Attached to safety ropes and harnesses, their adventure started with a five metre climb to the start of the king swing. Participants are then released into a giant pendulum swing action, which brings a rush of adrenaline and a momentary feeling weightless before swinging back and forth.
The crate stacking activity is about building and balancing a tower of plastic crates, whilst staying on top and aiming for the highest tower. With the support of teammates and spotters, this challenge builds coordination, problem-solving, and perseverance. Fully supervised by instructors, students are secured with a belay rope, ensuring a safe descent when the crates tumble.
And in a clearing in the woodlands at YMCA Lakeside, created by damage from Storm Arwen, there is now a new zipwire. From the tree tops young people step off a four metre high platform and accelerate almost 100m through the trees, providing an unforgettable aerial experience.
The new equipment has been made possible through funding from several grant making trusts totalling £100,000.
YMCA Lakeside provides young people with access to half a mile of Lake Windermere’s shoreline, 100 acres of woodland, and crags and fells for outdoor learning. As one of Europe’s largest outdoor centres, it has helped over a million participants develop skills, confidence, and resilience since the 1920s.
