Youth Group Activities
Outdoor activity programmes for youth groups in Grantown-on-Spey, in the heart of the Cairngorms — flexible, well supervised, and designed for mixed abilities.
Half day visits • Full day visits • Residentials
Talk to us about your youth group
Outdoor activity programmes for youth groups
We work with Scouts, Guides, DofE groups, youth clubs, cadets, and other organised youth groups, delivering outdoor activity programmes from our base in Grantown-on-Spey, in the Cairngorms.
Activities available at Cairngorms Activities include BattleZone, archery, team challenge, raft building, footgolf, and water-based adventures such as canoeing on the River Spey and gorge walking.
Our focus is on well-run days that feel achievable for young people and straightforward for leaders. We plan programmes carefully, adapt sessions for mixed abilities, and deliver activities in a calm, supportive way.
Whether you’re planning a half day visit, a full activity day or a residential programme, we’ll help you choose activities that suit your group’s ages, confidence and time on site.
Tell us about your group
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How youth groups typically use the site
Youth groups usually visit us for a half day, a full day, or as part of a multi-day residential.
Half day visits often focus on one main activity or two shorter sessions. Full day visits usually include two or three activities, with time for breaks and lunch.
Most activities run on site in Grantown-on-Spey, where we have parking, toilets, a café area for catering, and plenty of space for groups to gather between sessions.
Some activities, such as canoeing on the River Spey and gorge walking, take place off site. If these are part of your programme, we’ll confirm locations, timings and transport during planning.
We’ll help you shape a simple, realistic timetable that fits your travel plans and keeps the day running smoothly.
Not sure what to choose?
Tell us your timings and group details and we’ll recommend a plan that fits.
Talk to us about your youth group
Recommended programmes
These are common choices that work well for youth groups. They’re examples of how groups often structure their time with us — not fixed packages. Every visit is planned around your ages, numbers, time on site and confidence levels.
Half day options
Ideal for shorter visits, travel days, or when you want one clear focus or two shorter activities.
Battlefield Missions
Activities: BattleZone
Typical group size: 8 to 30
Location: On site (Grantown-on-Spey)
A high-energy session on our purpose-built battlefield with structured games and clear objectives. Game formats are adapted to suit age and confidence, making this a strong option for mixed groups.
Works well for: first-time visits, high-energy groups, and groups who want a clear main activity.
Skills & Teamwork
Activities: Archery and Team Challenge
Typical group size: 8 to 40
Location: On site (Grantown-on-Spey)
A balanced option combining calm, coach-led skill development with communication and problem-solving challenges. This format offers variety without being overwhelming.
Works well for: mixed-ability groups, younger groups, DofE visits, and groups who prefer structured sessions.
Build & Play
Activities: Raft Building and Footgolf
Typical group size: 8 to 40
Location: On site (Grantown-on-Spey)
A hands-on teamwork activity followed by a relaxed, low-pressure game. This is a supportive option that encourages participation without intense competition.
Works well for: mixed ages, less confident groups, youth clubs, and social-focused visits.
Full day options
Full day visits allow more variety and a steadier pace. Most groups choose two or three activities, though some land-based days can include more depending on ages and energy levels.
Action Builder Day
Activities: BattleZone, Archery and Raft Building
Typical group size: 8 to 60
Location: On site (Grantown-on-Spey)
A varied day combining fast-paced team games, calm skill coaching and collaborative problem-solving. This is one of our most popular formats for mixed-ability groups.
Works well for: Scouts and Guides, larger groups, mixed confidence, and groups wanting a full but manageable day.
Wet & Wild Expedition
Activities: Canoeing and Gorge Walking
Typical group size: 8 to 24
Location: Off site (15 mins away from our site)
A bigger adventure option that combines time on the water with an exciting journey through the gorge. We’ll advise on suitability based on age, confidence and conditions.
Works well for: older youth, confident groups, summer visits and adventurous programmes.
Land-Based Mix & Match
Activities: Choose 3–4 land-based activities
Typical group size: 8 to 80
Location: On site (Grantown-on-Spey)
A flexible format that allows you to build a full day around your group. We’ll recommend a sensible mix based on confidence levels, energy and the outcomes you want.
Common choices include: Archery, BattleZone, Team Challenge, Raft Building and Footgolf.
Works well for: mixed ages, first-time visits, shoulder-season trips and groups wanting flexibility.
Flexibility and adaptations
Youth groups are rarely “one size fits all”. We adapt sessions for age, confidence and group dynamics — and we make changes in real time to keep everyone safe and engaged.
We can increase or reduce challenge, adjust game formats, and offer supportive coaching so that less confident participants still have a positive experience.
Poor weather? We’ll talk you through options in advance. Some activities work well in light rain; where conditions aren’t appropriate, we’ll recommend a better alternative.
Wet vs dry options (especially for water sessions): if you’re unsure about cold water or confidence, we’ll guide you towards a more suitable “drier” plan — and only recommend wetter options when they make sense for your group.
Residential programmes (1–5 nights)
Residential trips allow youth groups to get more from their time outdoors, with space to slow the pace, build confidence and develop stronger group connections. We’ll help you plan a programme that balances activities, rest and your own group time.
Ask about residential programmes
Accommodation, catering and activities
Our residentials are designed to be straightforward to organise. Accommodation, catering and activities are all included in the price, so you can focus on your group rather than logistics.
Accommodation
Our bunkhouse sleeps 25 people, with an additional bothy next door sleeping 6 if you need to increase capacity.
The accommodation includes two bunk rooms for the group and a separate teachers’ room, giving leaders their own space while remaining close by.
The accommodation is a short drive or a pleasant 20-minute walk to the activity centre.
Catering
All residential programmes include catering as part of the package. Meals are designed to fuel busy activity days and work around your timetable.
We can cater for dietary requirements on medical and religious grounds. We’ll confirm requirements with you during planning to make sure everyone is catered for.
Activities
Activities are included throughout your stay and planned to suit the length of your residential. Most programmes include one or two activities per day, allowing time for rest, meals and your own group sessions.
We’ll recommend a sensible mix based on ages, confidence and energy levels, and spread activities across the stay so the programme feels achievable rather than rushed.
Planning a youth group visit?
Tell us about your group, your timings and what you’re hoping to achieve. We’ll recommend a programme that fits your ages, numbers and confidence levels.
How to book a youth group visit
Youth group bookings are enquiry-led so we can recommend the right activities and confirm the practical details before anything is finalised.
1) Send an enquiry
Complete our enquiry form with your preferred date(s), purpose, estimated group size, age range and whether you’re planning a half day, full day or residential.
2) Provisional booking & deposit
Once we’ve agreed a programme and date, we’ll secure your booking with a 50% deposit. At this stage, numbers can remain estimated.
3) Final numbers & balance
We’ll confirm final numbers around one month before your visit. At this point, we’ll collect the remaining balance and finalise the programme details.
Youth group FAQs
Clear answers to the questions we’re asked most often.
What ages do you work with?
We work with a wide range of youth ages. Let us know your age range and we’ll recommend activities and a pace that suits your group.
Are activities suitable for mixed abilities?
Yes. Most youth groups are mixed ability. We adapt activities and challenge levels so everyone can take part positively.
What happens if the weather is bad?
We plan with weather in mind. Many activities run well in typical Scottish conditions. If something isn’t suitable, we’ll discuss alternatives with you.
Can you provide food?
Yes. For residential programmes, accommodation, catering and activities are all included in the price. For day visits, catering options can be discussed during planning, or groups are welcome to bring packed lunches.
Do you provide consent forms or waivers?
Yes. We provide digital waivers for parents or guardians to complete in advance. We’ll also ask you for a simple list of medical information before the visit so instructors are fully informed on the day.
What group sizes do you take?
We work with a wide range of group sizes. Let us know your estimated numbers and we’ll recommend the best structure and timings.
Do leaders need to join in?
Leaders must be present at all times. For off-site activities such as canoeing or gorge walking, leaders do need to actively take part.
For land-based activities at the centre, it’s easy for leaders to supervise while observing nearby — often with a cup of tea.
Do we need to travel off site?
Most activities run on site in Grantown-on-Spey. Canoeing on the River Spey and gorge walking may take place off site. We’ll confirm locations and transport details during planning.
What do leaders and young people need to bring?
We’ll send a kit list once your booking is confirmed. As a guide: suitable outdoor clothing, sturdy footwear and spare layers for changeable weather.
Ready to plan your visit?
Tell us about your group and we’ll recommend a programme that fits your ages, numbers, travel times and outcomes.
Start a youth group enquiry
"Great place for young and old alike"
This is our 6th visit to Cairngorms Activities and once again have taken a group of 14 teenagers kayaking, horse riding and raft building; they all had a fantastic time. Staff were very helpful and encouraged the not so confident youngsters who took part and felt a sense of achievement at the end of their trip. The raft building was a great way of team building, with the adults being shown the way by the youths encouraging interaction with different age groups. Look forward to coming back next year.
"Just keeps getting better!"
Just back from a great weekend at Cairngorms Activities with a group of 16 Explorer Scouts. This is our third visit and this time we booked a couple of sessions of gorge walking and despite us living 2 and a 1/2 to 3 hours drive away from the centre, this is definitely an activity and a centre that we don't mind travelling to! It is great to see how the centre and the activities on offer just get better and better all the time. Keep up the good work!