About

Nature’s Challenge is a not for profit community interest company that works with local schools and communities to the benefit of young people and their families. We work across Devon, Plymouth and Torbay.

camping

We have exclusive access to six hundred acres of woodland and nature in the grounds of Kitley Estate, Yealmpton, including a boating lake and the River Yealm.

We work with primary and secondary students struggling to engage both in learning and with their peers and staff in the mainstream school environment. This is achieved through planned activities in the outdoor environment which is used as a conduit to build relationships and develop student’s resilience and wellbeing.

Nature’s Challenge CIC was the concept of Symon Rawles, an experienced outdoor education instructor and teacher who has worked with schools for students with additional needs, mainstream primary and secondary schools, Local Authority Children’s Services and Youth Offending Services, charities, further education colleges and partner organisations within the education, outdoor and social care sectors for the last 12 years.

Through working and planning with partnering agencies our overall objective is for the students that we work with to develop their resilience and wellbeing, and personal skills for life.

Nature’s Challenge operates across the South West delivering Resilience and Wellbeing Outdoor Programmes. We have exclusive access to six hundred acres of woodland in the grounds of Kitley Estate, Yealmpton, including a boating lake and the River Yealm. These are perfect locations to deliver a range of outdoor activities where we can form trusting relationships with our students.

All Nature’s Challenge CIC facilitators have current enhanced DBS and Outdoor First Aid Certificates, in addition to relevant and up-to-date National Governing Body qualifications. Our experience stems from very wide range of outdoor, educational, youth work and social care settings.

Nature’s Challenge CIC has an Adventurous Activity Licence, £5 million Public Liability and Professional Indemnity Insurance Policy and is registered with Companies House.

Working Together

An opportunity for schools interested in cultivating non-cognitive factors that carry over to the classroom and support student success

Fully Qualified

All Nature’s Challenge CIC facilitators have current enhanced DBS and Outdoor First Aid Certificates and up-to-date National Governing Body qualifications

5 Ways to Wellbeing

Activities revolve around connecting with, and journeying in nature with the five ways to wellbeing embedded throughout our programs.

Symon Rawles
Founder and Director

Symon was the Operations Manager for a major sea kayaking company in Sydney, Australia before returning to the UK to complete his PGCE. He then worked in mainstream education and schools for students with additional needs teaching outdoor education and life skills. He has worked for the public, private and voluntary sector within Devon, for the last 12 years. He’s worked with Devon County Council and Torbay Council and has a passion for sharing the benefits of the outdoors with everyone he works with.

Challenge by Choice

We recognise an activity or task will challenge each individual differently. Challenge by Choice enables each participant to look within and stretch themselves and grow during the experience.

Outside of the classroom

Providing experiential learning opportunities outside of the classroom to promote positive beliefs and foster a sense of self.

Not for Profit

We are a not for profit community interest company, partnering with local schools and communities for the benefit of young people and their families.

South West Based

We operate across the South West delivering Resilience and Wellbeing programmes throughout Devon, Plymouth and Torbay.

Whether it be primary, secondary or schools for children with additional needs, individual or families working with social services and youth offending teams. Our experience and ability to build relationships with identified individuals has meant we act as a central part of Enhanced Case Management Meetings, Risk and Behaviour Panels and communicate with key professionals in a holistic way to support individuals and families.