I am looking for an army assault course in the South of England, preferably in Dorset or Dorchester or around there to take a team of people as part of a team build. I am also looking for other extremely energetic activities I can reccomend to them in the same geographical area. Any help much appreciated.
Michael
8 Responses
Army Assualt Courses and Insurance
When I last tried to get a group on an actualArmy owned assualt course, I was told that there are now huge liability problems and so they don’t allow anyone other than servicepeople to use them.
I don’t know of any other permanent courses that are open to the general public.
Asault cse issue
Tony Wilson is right about the liabilities issue. However if you gain the confidence of the local Commanding Office s/he may arrange something. This would usually include exemption from liability. You could try Yeovilton, a Naval Air base, they may have one. There used to be a base at Honington. Failng that you could always be really cheeky and go for the Commandos at Plymouth.
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Aldershot High Street on a Friday night!
sounds fun wont be for some!!
what is your aim!! for this tough training ?? ask yourself this first.as an ex-serviceman I find it amusing that the “civ pop” want to experience an assault course as a “one off”, teamwork is built up over a long period with true professionals “working together in a variety of situations. Not just getting sweaty and muddy for someones jolly,s. lots of risks involved as already stated. I could think of a few people who would be more than happy to ” beast your group around an assault course, but would they “hack” it and find it team-building ??
An alternative
Isn’t an army assault course more of an individual challenge? If you don’t need the hard-man image, but are trying to adress team issues, then try Felbury House near Dorking in Surrey – they belong to Surrey Association of Youth Clubs and have an outdoor challenge course where they set up activities that are physically challenging but not without purpose. Lots of centres catering to youth clubs have this kind of thing – any of the umbrella organisations for youth work in London can give you lists, or the National Youth Agency.
Tough Team Building with flexibility
I recommend you contact Team Dynamics International who have a variety of facilities both on their site and externally. They have a vast array of facilitators, some of whom have a “service” background and tailor activities to fit your needs. Contact Colin Wallace or one of the team on 01892 535432.
Warning
You could find that your assault course exercise becomes more of a ‘team destruct’ exercise. Remember some of the TV documentaries into executive teams spending a week at remote survival locations where their weaknesses come to the fore and are then exploited by some of the less scrupulous ‘macho’ team members. Or think back to ‘Castaway’ or similar programmes.
In particular, think about any implications if your team includes both men and women (or anyone with a – possibly hidden – disability).
Of course, this type of assault course activity may be entirely appropriate for your group, but I would recommend checking it out with them all first, allowing members to ask questions and raise concersn, and then secure their consent to take part in such activities, with whatever groundrules they want for their own security.
Tim Pickles, Founder, TrainingZONE
Not the best
I am currently serving in the Territorial Army and believe me an assault course is not the best thing for team building. It is very scary – particularly if you have females in the group, it can be very dangerous in parts and MUST be supervised by a qualified PTI. I really wouldn’t recommend this for team building.