Registration no. 1107724 Website www.rockuk.org | Location United Kingdom | |
Formation 1922; 95 years ago (1922) Headquarters Irthlingborough, Northamptonshire Formerly called Barnabas Adventure Centres | ||
Rock UK (formerly Barnabas Adventure Centres) is a national UK Christian charity which supports and encourages 50,000 young people every year. Rock UK achieves its aim ‘to provide an opportunity for young people to develop physically, socially and spiritually’ through the provision of residential and day visit opportunities for groups including schools, colleges and youth groups. A wide range of activities are offered including climbing, abseiling, archery, fencing, gorge walking, high ropes, mountain biking, night walk and bivi, orienteering, kayaking, open canoeing, raft building, team development, go-karting, swimming, football and volleyball.
Contents
Locations
Rock UK runs four Outdoor Activity Centres around the country, including:
History
Rock UK began its life in 1922 when a group of Sunday school teachers from London decided to take their groups on an adventure holiday. The groups purchased Belgrave House in Littlehampton so that they could return regularly and in 1924 also decided to rent a field at Climping which was used as a canvas camp site. Camps continued to be run at both of these locations for 50 years under the name of the 'Belgrave Trust'. In 1977, Belgrave House was sold in order to expand the work, with the proceeds being used to buy Carroty Wood in Tonbridge which was turned into an outdoor pursuits centre. In the following years, Halls Green (now closed), Whithaugh Park and the Frontier Centre were also purchased. The Belgrave Trust underwent a number of name changes before finally becoming known as Barnabas Adventure Centres. In 2009, the organisation was renamed "Rock UK". In October 2010 Rock UK opened Summit Centre is South Wales.
Affiliations and links
Each of the activity centres is registered with the Adventure Activities Licensing Service (AALS) the body that licenses outdoor activities. Rock UK also has strong links with the Northamptonshire Association of Youth Groups (NAYC) having taken over the running of the Frontier Centre from NAYC in 2004. Rock UK is also members of Christian Camping International (CCI).