Tree climbing

Includes: Arborist Outdoors, Adventurous activities, Height

Age:
7+
Height
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Reach new heights

Tree climbing is more than just scaling trunks and hanging from branches - it's a thrilling way to connect with nature, test your agility, and unleash your inner adventurer

Overview

Tree climbing is the name given to a range of different activities that see individuals ascending to height in trees

This could involve:

  • Using specialist safety equipment.
  • Using the branches of the tree as handholds.
  • Using arborist techniques to ascend and descend using fixed ropes.

Contact the adventure team if you plan on going tree climbing in this way ([email protected]).

If you want to climb trees while out on a walk using no specialist equipment, you don't need to get in touch, but you must follow the guidance outlined by the Forest School Association.

Tree climbing is an adventurous activity and should follow the adventurous activity policy and procedures.

Planning checklist

If you're working with an external provider or external instructors to run this activity outside the unit meeting space, follow these extra steps. 

  • Arrange for a home contact. Leave any route or other relevant details with your home contact and complete a home contact agreement form. Let them know if you make any changes to your plans.
  • Tell your local commissioner.
  • Tell the activity provider about the ability and experience of the participants and any disabilities, access needs or health conditions that need to be considered when running the activity.
  • Choose a reputable and licensed activity provider (where applicable).
  • Check the qualified adults hold the correct qualification to be able to run the activity (see the information below).
  • Get copies of the instructor qualifications and public liability insurance of the activity provider before you book.
  • Ask for a copy of the providers' safety guidelines and risk assessment.
  • Make sure you have the correct ratio of participants (girls and volunteers) to qualified adults (those running the activity). This is different to the ratio of leaders to girls.
  • Check with the venue that they have the correct equipment and, if needed, specialist clothing that will meet the requirements for your group.
  • Source any specialist equipment or clothing needed to run the activity not provided by the venue, and make sure this is in good condition and fit for purpose.
  • Check that any equipment is suitably insured by the provider and agree what happens to the equipment if it gets damaged.

Some venues might ask for a disclaimer or waiver to be signed for each person taking part in the activity. This is something which parents/carers must sign on behalf of their child. You can do this along with the consent form. Parents and carers should be given sufficient information from the provider along with the waiver so they can make an informed decision to sign it or not. Leaders can only sign disclaimers and waivers for their own personal participation.

To ensure your activity is safe, please send across the qualifications held by the person running the activity and a list of equipment used to the adventure team ([email protected]). We’ll review tree climbing with specialist equipment on a case-by-case basis.

Ensure girls wear appropriate clothing, remove loose jewellery, and wear closed toe shoes.

When climbing a tree using no specialist equipment, you must follow the advice from the Forest School Association and risk assess the activity beforehand.  

Some concerns have been raised about the safety of using specialist equipment, particularly arborist ropes, when taking part in tree climbing. We therefore review tree climbing activities on a case-by-case basis. Please get in touch with the adventure team ([email protected]) before confirming your activity to ensure it meets all of the required safety standards. 

The ratios below are given as a maximum and ratios must be considered as part of the risk assessment, this may lessen due to any medical conditions, physical ability or other factors.

Leadership team ratio

As this activity will take place outside of your usual meeting place the leadership team ratio is mandatory.

  • Rainbows: not a Rainbow activity 
  • Brownies: 1:8
  • Guides: 1:12
  • Rangers: 1 Girlguiding leader

Qualified adult/participant ratio

The activity leader (qualified adult) should determine what size of group is safe. There must be enough qualified adults to ensure the safety of all participants.

The number will be determined by any limitations placed on their qualification, permit or the rules of their operating organisation as well as the risk assessment. This should take into consideration the location, weather and experience of both the qualified adult and other participants. The leader should assess the risk and any concerns must be raised to them.