bioasis pathfinder
Through challenge, exploration and contribution, our Pathfinder Mission sets young people on the path to a better future.
On this mission, you'll journey into the heart of The Bioasis, a highly classified secret location and an extraordinary biodiversity hot spot. Your team’s courage and curiosity will be paramount to a successful, sustainable future for planet earth.
Over three extraordinary days, embark on an educational adventure like no other - an enchanting and covert mission to navigate the untamed beauty of The Bioasis. Sweeping wildflower meadows, timeless salt marshes and ancient tangled woodlands are ahead of you, but beware: the Industrialists are watching. Your role as a Pathfinder is to undertake initial reconnaissance, observations and start to restore the ancient habitats. You'll need to decipher encrypted codes and report to Mission Control via secure radios, all while staying unnoticed by those who seek to exploit the Bioasis' natural resources.
Sounds challenging, right? Don’t worry, we provide you with all the equipment you need for your stealth-based canoe journey, wildlife monitoring and conservation work, whilst teaching your students the essential survival skills required to fulfill your mission.
Are you ready to spark change? Your Bioasis journey begins with our Pathfinder Mission.
"I wanted to personally get in touch to pass on my thanks again to yourself and all of the Bioasis crew. The program you have created is incredibly special; it is unique, authentic and incredibly memorable."
Sophie Roberts, Pyrland School
Mission: pathfinder
3 Day, 2 night
Suitable Age: 11 - 14/16 years
Group size: Minimum 10 and maximum 120 across three camp locations, making this an ideal option for year group residentials.
When: Missions run Monday-Wednesday and Wednesday-Friday. from May to the end of September.
Mission Objectives: Decrypt codes to locate mission start point and Bioasis basecamp. Navigate hidden trails, uncover secret food and equipment cache, and piece together the story of The Bioasis by unveiling cryptic maps and messages. Gather wildlife intelligence by conducting mini-surveys and assessing eco-system health, whilst tracking mammalian footprints. Pioneer new skills for survival; fire-lighting, cordage making & off-grid living. Environment clean up. Regular radio reports to Bioasis Mission Control required. Plan for post-mission return and guerrilla rewilding activities. Set the foundations for a future Bioasis mission.
-
Canoeing
-
Hiking
-
Navigation and bushcraft sessions
-
Hands on conservation work
-
Environmental surveys & ecological clean up
-
Catapult building for seed bombing
For a sample day to day programme see below.
Transport: Walking, canoe
Skills & Learning Outcomes: Scouting & Tracking Skills, Leave No Trace philosophy, navigation, canoe skills & safety, camera trapping and use of moth lights, bat detecting, flora and fauna ID, search and rescue, plastics, recycling and circular economies, communications, food hygiene & preparation, camp & bushcraft skills, teamwork, problem solving, conservation & rewilding.
Mission start point: Confidential. RV and Ex-Fil points disclosed once team confirmed and trust established.
Price: £285 to £315 + VAT per person.
Depending on group sizes and dates. Prices are plus VAT and include free teacher places. As an educational trip, it is usually possible for most schools to reclaim VAT on these trips through your usual channels.
“The staff were all, without exception, fabulous. Nothing, and I mean nothing, was too much trouble… A huge thank you too to the kitchen staff ... the FOOD was terrific. Well thought out and thank god not the usual 'chips and ....'. The ethos of having compost loos backs up your eco mission and sends a great message and they were kept spotlessly clean… The canoe trip was just beautiful.”
“Brilliant. The location, activities and staff were fantastic. The activities were varied and engaging, many fitting in perfectly with the A level environmental science course, but also well-paced.”
What's included?
-
All food from afternoon snack on day 1 to lunch on day 3
-
Accommodation in purpose built off-grid Bioasis basecamp
-
All activities as per sample mission below
-
All technical and safety equipment
-
Comprehensive Pre-Mission information including kit list, radio communications guide and mission briefing.
-
Experienced Mission Leaders and activity / support staff
-
Industry leading safety systems, including emergency and evacuation plans. See our Safety page for more information
What's not included?
-
Transport to/from the Mission Start Point (located in SW England)
-
Personal equipment (e.g. sleeping bag, boots etc) - a full kit list will be provided on booking.
-
Travel Insurance (should you wish to take it out to cover you in case you have to cancel).
Bioasis Basecamps
The Bioasis has three main basecamps, each fully equipped with sustainable energy sources, comfortable multi-occupancy tents, a field kitchen, mess tent, composting toilets, bucket showers and a fire pit area. The location of basecamp may change depending on the seasons and the current threat from local industrialists. Potential locations include:
Holbe Meadow Camp (pictured left) lies to the west of the estuary, tucked away between a beautiful wildflower meadow and ancient woodland. The bird life, bees and bats here are magical, as are the stars at night.
Yarnin Fort Camp is situated at almost the highest point in The Bioasis, in a wildflower meadow, and has commanding views across the valley and down to the estuary. Witnessing dawn here is truly special.
Orche Camp is hidden at the very heart of The Bioasis and surrounded by ancient forest. It’s secluded, atmospheric and a real gem of a location.
Bioasis Pathfinder Sample Programme:
Contact us for alternative programmes
The year is 2074 and following the climate change apocalypse, the world is in crisis. Your Mission - assemble a team, locate your Mission Start Point, trek into The Bioasis and undertake a 3 day adventure to start the process of rewilding planet and people.
Day 1: Meet your Mission Leader at your Mission Start Point (MSP). 3km to 5km trek to the Bioasis basecamp (depending on MSP). Afternoon briefing and basecamp task allocations. Learn bushcraft and survival skills. Construct a large catapult for seed bombing mission.
Day 2: Canoe based search and rescue mission, undertake scouting mission of estuary and salt marshes, conduct water testing. Afternoon beach/woodland clean up. PM night navigation and bat detectors.
Day 3: Morning woodland species identification and conservation work e.g. removal of invasive species such as Himalayan Balsam or Rhododendron. After lunch animal tracking, stealth travel and depart the Bioasis
Please note: The exact order of days and nature of the mission activities may vary depending on group size, weather, tide times and other factors.
“One of the best experiences of my life, I learned so much from this place and spending time with friends and doing all sorts of different activities was by far the best.”
- Student Feedback
How to book your Bioasis Pathfinder mission
Please contact missioncontrol@thebioasis.com to register your interest or phone 01392 984878 to chat to one of the team.
We can then send you more information and an overview of our safety management system and sample risk assessments. We’ll also create marketing materials for you to start gaining interest from students and parents including a parent information pack, assembly and posters.
Financial protection and peace of mind
All Bioasis Missions are financially protected by Trust My Travel, in accordance with Package Travel Regulations requirements. Please click on the logo below for more information on TMTProtects.me financial protection. We hold all legally required licences, including AALA. In addition, we are members of the British Activity Providers Association (BAPA) and have been awarded The Learning Outside the Classroom (LOtC) Quality Badge - a nationally recognised indicator of good quality educational provision AND effective risk management.
