Welcome to Basecamp

Perhaps you’ve been put forward for Basecamp by a teacher at school and you’re wondering whether you want to sign up. Your teacher/coach will have put a lot of thought into who to put forward to the programme and if they’ve put you forward for a Taster Day, it’s because they’re a big fan of you and really see your potential.

They believe you’ll get a lot from the programme and have the right attitude to take lots from it. By having a fun break, making new friends and doing things that push you out of your comfort zone and build your confidence and resilience, they think you’ll really benefit from the programme.

On Basecamp Adventure Trips you’ll get to experience a wide-range of epic outdoor activities. Here’s a list of some of the things we might get upto:

• Kayaking

• Climbing mountains

• Abseiling

• Cliff Jumping

• Caving

• Climbing

• Hiking

• Gorge Scrambling

• Stand Up Paddleboarding

• Treasure Hunts

• Bushcraft

• Wild Swimming

• Outdoor Cooking

• Shelter Building

For many of the trips we will be going up to the Lake District, which is about a 2.5 hour drive from Leeds. Your school staff will take you there in your school’s mini-bus.

We stay in Youth Hostels which are like big houses in the middle of the countryside. This is our base for the whole trip so we eat our meals and sleep there. It’s not like staying in a 5* Hotel, but they’re lovely and clean and comfy.

For the bedrooms, each one is different but the rooms usually sleep 3-8 people.

It doesn’t cost you anything.

Our amazing partners and your school covers the cost of the programme.

You need to bring clothes that you can be active in, and that will keep you warm and dry. We spend nearly all day outdoors, regardless of the weather so it is very important that you stay warm.

We will provide hiking boots, rain jackets, rain trousers and any specialized equipment for the activities such as helmets, buoyancy aids etc.

You’ll be with other students from your school, as well as students from another school. Our staff will help everyone to get to know each other without it being overwhelming. We’ll always try to put you in rooms and huddles with at least one friend or person you know.

Some of our ex-Basecampers have said their favourite part of the programme was making new friends from the other school.

When you join us on a Basecamp Programme you’ll become part of a Basecamp Huddle, which is like a family of 8-10 young people. Huddles are led by one of our trained Adventure Youth Coaches.

On Adventure Trips, we’ll gather in our Huddles throughout the day and use the time to reflect on the theme of the trip and our learnings together, through activities, games and conversation. It’s a time to shout each other out, get to know each other better and ask for individual support if you want it.

We encourage everyone to leave their phones at home during a residential. If this feels too much however, you are allowed to bring it for the bus journey to and from the residential trip. It will be handed in as you arrive and you will be given access to it for a short period of time at least once on the trip. This can sound nerve-wracking, but most people get used to it quite quickly and really enjoy the feeling of getting away and being in a little Basecamp bubble!

It is possible and normal that you might get homesick during your stay. We have a phone on site so you’ll be able to talk to people back home if really needed. There’s lots of kind and understanding staff on every trip and they’ll check-in on you regularly to see how you’re doing.

Your days will be packed full of adventure and fun so hopefully you’ll be having so much fun that you don’t feel homesick. Basecamp is all about pushing yourself out of your comfort zone and being brave - so hang in there, it’s all part of the journey!