Activities

Air Rifle Shooting

A great target sport that levels the playing field between participants with different fitness levels. We run this inside our purpose built range, perfect for taster sessions and can include a range of challenges and games within an atmosphere that promotes respect for the rifles and each other. A favourite of our staff!

Duration: 1.5 hours

Animal Feed

Meet Harry the donkey, Miss Effie our Shetland pony, our chickens and Lincoln Longwool rare breed sheep. Find out all about them and their unique adaptations as you feed, water and groom them. Season dependant, we may also have pigs and lambs!

Duration: 1 hour

Apple Pressing

Often done alongside ‘Garden to Table’. This is a seasonal activity that can only be done in Autumn when the apples have been harvested. The group get to press their own apple juice from fresh MOB apples before doing a taste test to compare their juice to shop bought juice from concentrate.

Duration: 30 minutes - 1 hour

Archery

A traditional sport that we run on our sheltered range. Groups work on their hand eye co-ordination through learning an ancient skill that helped make Britain great. It’s also lots of fun and promotes a bit of healthy competition!

Duration: 1.5 hours

Assault Course

We have 2 different assault courses that both offer endless opportunities for teambuilding, encouragement, physical challenge and evaluating how to improve their performance. This session can also be adapted in a number of ways to suit exactly what your group need.

Duration: 1 - 1.5 hours

Blind Fury

An indoor activity that does sometimes bring out the fury in some people if group members don’t listen to each other and communicate effectively. A brilliant communication task that can be adapted for all groups.

Duration: 30 Minutes - 1 Hour

Bottomless Pit

Aimed at KS3 children and adults, this is an advanced problem-solving task that involves huge amounts of trust and real risk to help bond a group together as everyone must put their faith in their team members in order to cross the pit!

Duration: 30 Minutes - 1 Hour

Canoeing (Open)

An adaptable session on a sheltered section of the River Brue where we can focus on skills and technique or pure fun and games. It requires a deceptive amount of communication, collaboration and teamwork to get where you want to go so still provides opportunities for learning!

Duration: 1.5 hours

Challenge Track 1

All our challenge tracks are adaptable areas containing a range of different tasks to develop a group in a number of ways. Group dependant we can focus on communication, plan/do/review, collaboration etc. Without realising, groups will also be using persuasive language, developing resilience, reflecting on performance, creative thinking and exploring ideas.

Duration: 1 - 1.5 hours

Challenge Track 2

Challenge track 2 is made up of larger tasks that run as activities in their own right. Please see Spiders web and Bottomless pit for information on these tasks.

Duration: 1 hour

Challenge Track 3

All our challenge tracks are adaptable areas containing a range of different tasks to develop a group in a number of ways. Group dependant we can focus on communication, plan/do/review, collaboration etc. Without realising, groups will also be using persuasive language, developing resilience, reflecting on performance, creative thinking and exploring ideas.

Duration: 1 Hour

Challenge Track 4

Challenge track 4 Is suitable for all ages and is built around the premise of a nuclear power plant so as well as using a range of teamwork skills to save Mill on the Brue from nuclear melt down, there is also the possibility for discussion about the pros and cons of various types of energy production! Tasks include Swamp skis, Eternal triangle and Plank pass.

Duration: 1 - 1.5 Hours

Climbing Tower

An increasingly popular sport that will be featuring in the 2020 Olympic Games. We have a fantastic climbing tower new for 2017, purpose built for taster sessions. It has a sloped wall generally used for primary age children and a vertical face that we use for older groups. There is also the bouldering wall to keep people busy when they’re waiting for their go.

Duration: 1.5 hours

Colony Game

A game of survival! The group morph into a tribe from another place or time and learn about their lives. The tribes then trade to acquire all the kit they need to light fires and build shelters; getting immersed in the environment. They will learn lots of practical life skills and through division of responsibility and teamwork they will build their own little community.

Duration: 2 hours

Cooking Pizza in the Outdoor Oven

The tastiest session at Mill on the Brue! Groups will make and cook pizzas or breads in our outdoor oven. They do this activity in the gardens and get to pick herbs for their pizza straight from the plants and learn about the oven and gardens in the process.

Duration: 1.5 hours

Crafts

We have a variety of creative sessions that we link to the outdoors when possible. The children can do a selection of activities including clay modelling, collage creation, puppet making etc. All involve engaging the children’s imaginations and encouraging them to express themselves.

Duration: 1 - 1.5 Hours

Crazy Olympics

The craziest Olympic Games ever! The children will compete in a range of fun team races and tasks, engaging them in physical activities, team challenges, tactical thinking and a lot of encouragement.

Duration: 1 - 1.5 hours

Crossing the River

Adaptable to suit ages 11 to adults. An amazing task where the whole group needs to cross the river…. on a bridge-like contraption of their own making. This combines planning, communication skills, physical activity and pioneering skills in a challenge that has soggy consequences if the team don’t get it right.

Duration: 1.5 hours

Disco

Normally a fun, relaxed finish to a groups visit. This can be tailored to include tuck shop or party games for those less inclined to dance.

Duration: 1 - 1.5 hours

Discovering Bruton

Follow the map and photo clues around the historical town of Bruton to learn about the key landmarks and places of interest. There are opportunities to look at human geography, Bruton history and the medieval packhorse bridge – one of only 16 examples left in the country.

Duration: 2 hours

Fire Lighting

The principles of fire lighting are briefly covered in other activities but if you want to get your group more involved with the process and to allow them all to have a go at making their own fire then this gives them a chance…. We also take away the matches!

Duration: 1 hour

Garden to Table

A chance to engage in where food really comes from. Through a hands-on (and tasty) tour, discover how we ensure our garden remains sustainable and organic. The group will be able to pick and eat some of our produce straight from the plants and also help with either harvesting or sewing crops as well.

Duration: 1 hour

Grass Toboggans

A fun session where the group members take turns to lie on a toboggan and shoot down our hill headfirst from progressively higher and higher points. Simple but effective.

Duration: 30 minutes - 1 hour

Great Egg Drop

In small groups they must earn bits of scrap and then build a contraption to save their egg as it is dropped off a height. It involves planning and the group must agree on an idea and see it through to the finished product. Will it work or will it splat into an eggy mess. The anticipation is eggstraordinary!

Duration: 1 - 1.5 hours

Great Slab

Often run in conjunction with Assault Course 2. This is a physical teambuilding task that involves the whole team trying to get to the top of a steep slope. It is best used for secondary or adult groups as it is genuinely difficult unless it is bone dry… and a few buckets of water will sort that out!

Duration: 30 minutes - 1 hour

Great Wall

Often run in conjunction with Assault Course 1. This is a physical teambuilding task that also makes the team appreciate that having different physical attributes within the group is an advantage. There is an extension to the wall for older or adult groups so it can be a challenge for all.

Duration: 30 minutes - 1 hour

High Ropes

We have 7 elements on our high ropes field. They all promote encouragement and support as some will find it easier or harder than others. It will push their flexibility, strength and balance and (activity dependant) can be a challenge for individuals or small groups.

Duration: 1.5 hours per element

Icebreakers

This is the best way to set up a visit at Mill on the Brue. It gives the instructor and the group members the opportunitiy to get to know each other and discuss the aims of the trip and set the boundaries.

Duration: 30 minutes

Low Ropes

An adventure playground with lots of teambuilding tasks built in. The instructors can set a range of adaptable challenges including the puzzle problem and saving daffy duck to push communication, co-operation, leadership, fun, planning etc.

Duration: 1 - 1.5 hours

Night Line

Imagine an assault course in the woods connected by ropes… then put everyone in blindfolds! It pushes communication and teamwork skills to the max. The considerate leaders will excel as the group are given an appreciation of how to use their other senses and the difficulties of being blind or partially sighted.

Duration: 1 - 1.5 hours

Night Walk

A relaxed session out in the wilds of the Bruton. Not advised for groups with mobility issues as you will leave Mill on the Brue grounds on a hike to try and spot some local flora and fauna. Dependant on the time of year/weather the group might learn about the stars, cloud formation, seed distribution or local landmarks and myths.

Duration: 1.5 hours

Orienteering

Basic map reading and navigation is a key skill for life. We have a selection of orienteering courses from basic map reading to a genuinely tricky 6 figure grid reference course. This allows us to push the skills, fitness and competitiveness of all groups, both primary, secondary and adult.

Duration: 1 - 1.5 hours

Putting in Together (12+)

A downsized management task which needs organisation and co-ordination to solve the various problems. Some of this could take place off-site. It is a task which can accommodate as many as 30+ of all abilities as choices about the activities that individuals do can be made.

Duration: 2 Hours +

Rafting

Weather permitting, learn how to tie knots and then put them to the ultimate test! If you have a good design and good knots then you’ll sail away on your raft. If not then you’ll probably get wet! It’s a great activity that teaches skills such as risk management and working together towards a group goal whilst still being lots of fun for participants and spectators alike. (April – Oct only)

Duration: 1.5 hours

River Sploosh

Time to go fishing! A chance to investigate river life in a gentle tributary of the River Brue. A lovely activity to let kids be kids and identify as many bugs and creepy crawlies as possible. If you are lucky then they might even catch a fish! We encourage them to identify and name the creatures they catch before returning them to the water.

Duration: 1.5 hours

River Study

This is a more in depth, educational version of river splosh. As well as an opportunity to go pond dipping they will also look at keys features of a river and investigate the PH and nitrate levels of the river. Their findings will be discussed in the context of the local environment and natural habitats.

Duration: 1.5 hours

Save the River

This is a teamwork and problem-solving task with an environmental twist that encourages discussion about pesticides and the problems that non-organic farming cause for the wider environment. Usually done with all groups from the same school/organisation participating next to each other.

Duration: 1 hour

Search & Rescue

This is a cross between problem solving, orienteering, survival skills and first aid training. Groups will practise a huge range of skills as well as learning about leadership as they are handed responsibility for as much of the task as they can handle. Adaptable for all groups from primary age children to adults.

Duration: 1.5 hours

Sheep & Shepherd

A task that is all about planning, listening and patience as after a given amount of time, no one is allowed to talk! It puts pressure on a group as they realise the importance of using time efficiently within the planning phase and coming up with a solution and effectively communicating it to the whole group.

Duration: 30 minutes - 1 hour

Sliding + Gliding

A 2 part challenge that involves crossing the river using a Burma bridge followed by returning back over the river on a mini zip wire. A great confidence builder to test their co-ordination and balance and build them up to the big zip wire later in their visit. Only suitable for primary age children.

Duration: 1.5 hours

Spider's Web

A classic challenge that can be tailored to suit nearly any learning outcome e.g. plan-do-review, communication, listening, respect for others, leadership, co-operation etc. It’s a really adaptable task for children or adults.

Duration: 30 minutes - 1 hour

The Beast

The ultimate communication task. It teaches group members about the importance of clear, concise communication as they use Chinese whispers to explain how to rebuild a lego model.

Duration: 1.5 hours

The Great Egg Race

A multi sectional challenge involving water powered rockets, building and lighting fires, outdoor cooking and singing and dancing. We would struggle to fit any more in! Can be run as a competition between multiple groups from the same school/organisation or just as a bit of fun depending on the desired outcomes.

Duration: 1.5 hours

Tower Jump

Are you brave enough to take the step off our climbing tower into thin air? Once you pluck up the courage you’ll land gently at the bottom and want to race back up the ladders for another go. A new activity for 2017 and an amazing adrenaline high.

Trebuchet

Prepare your group members for a life of flat pack furniture as they create a 7 foot tall trebuchet from pre-made wooden parts and nuts and bolts! When it is built they will learn to load and fire the trebuchet at a target. An engaging task with lots of opportunities to draw out leaders, follow instructions and work together towards a group goal.

Tree Climbing

Worry the climbing wall might be too easy for your group? Tree climbing is significantly harder as the climbing route follows an overhanging branch. There is also a caving ladder to conquer. Aimed at secondary age children or very physically capable year 6 children.

Duration: 1.5 hours

Trust Us

A variation on the assault course that works exceptionally well with mixed ability teams or groups who need to develop their teamwork skills.

Duration: 1.5 hours

Tunnelling

We have a range of tasks that can be done in the tunnels from playing games to learning about the benefits of living underground for humans and animals. Tasks are picked according to a groups learning outcomes and ability and include; mapping, orienteering, learning about natural and man made tunnels and caves, cave rescue and games.

Duration: 1 - 2 hours

Water Slide

Flying down our hill on our 60m long waterslide – what isn’t to love? The group will have to work together to put the slide out and pack it away but we tend to just focus on the fun. (Easter – Oct only and may be called off if cold or windy)

Duration: 1 hour