Our outdoor education

Our Story

The charity started in 1987 when Peter Mumford, then Bishop of Truro recognised the need to find a positive way to engage disadvantaged young people, to ensure they unlocked their potential. Soon after, The Bishops Forum was created and the charity was founded with Goodygrane Activity Centre growing from abandoned granite quarries overlooking Falmouth bay. One of the earliest memories was of a child abseiling down a rock face in a wheelchair, being watched by a young person who’d been excluded from school. That person went on to be an instructor and today, we continue to see Cornwall’s most vulnerable children realise their own potential. Our outdoor education centre now supports ~5,000 children and young people a year through charity programmes and  tailored school residentials. 

What we do

Our mission is to support children and young people on a journey of positive change. We give them the tools to identify and overcome their own challenges, and give them an overall sense of empowerment. We are passionate about enabling them to overcome barriers to education, work and social interaction. We provide:

Charity programmes that support those facing life’s toughest challenges.

School residentials that build communication, teamwork and resilience.

Team away days for corporates that are fun, build your team and support us!

We run a huge range of activities that are designed to challenge, excite, teach new skills and overcome barriers. Our activities include: Via Ferrata, Zip Wire, quarry-steering, canoeing, kayaking, rock climbing, abseiling, indoor climbing, archery, watersports, bushcraft and more…

About the Bishop of Winchester (former Bishop of Truro)

• Bishop Philip was ordained as a deacon in 1988 and priested in 1989. He served his curacy at Gerrard’s Cross and Fulmer in the Diocese of Oxford, and then served as the Vicar of St James’ Church, West Streatham, in the Diocese of Southwark, from 1992 to 1998.
• In 1998 Philip joined the Church Pastoral Aid Society, initially tasked with helping churches develop youth and children’s ministry, then serving as head of ministry and ultimately as the deputy general director from 2004 to 2007.
• In 2007 Philip moved with his family to Paris, where he was the chaplain of St Michael’s Church.
• In 2012, Bishop Philip became the executive leader of the Church Mission Society, enabling networking across the Anglican Communion and beyond. Philip oversaw the operation of all CMS’s mission in 40 countries, leading a community of around 3,000 members and supporting around 350 people in mission around the world.
• Bishop Philip was consecrated on November 30 by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd Justin Welby, at St Paul’s Cathedral, London, and was welcomed to the Diocese of Truro in 2019.
• Bishop Philip has now moved to Winchester but is still acting as Patron of BF Adventure.

Bishop Philip said: “I am delighted to be asked to be patron of BF Adventure. I have been immensely impressed by the work of BF Adventure, since first I saw it. In any area where many young people suffer from very significant deprivation, low self-esteem and limited aspirations BF Adventure builds skills and confidence and demonstrates to young people just what it is they are capable of. I’m honoured and proud to be associated with it.

“The Bishop of Truro has had a long association with the charity. The charity was set up by one of my predecessors, Bishop Peter Mumford, who recognised the need to find positive ways of engaging with disadvantaged young people. The connection continued under Bishop Tim Thornton’s tenure with a trustee role. 

“I am grateful for the opportunity to now play my part in this important work.”

About Captain James Hall, RNAS Culdrose

• James Hall joined the Royal Navy in May 2001. After completing Observer flying training in July 2004 at RNAS Culdrose, he spent much of his first frontline tour embarked before undertaking an instructional tour with 849 Naval Air Squadron. He returned to the frontline in May 2009 as part of the initial Sea King Mk 7 Airborne Surveillance and Control (ASaC) deployment in Afghanistan.  He was subsequently selected as Commanding Officer of 857 Naval Air Squadron in March 2014 returning to Afghanistan to lead the final phase of Sea King ASaC operations in Helmand province.
• During 2018, he completed a short period as the Executive Assistant to Commander Operations at the Maritime Operations Centre in Northwood, prior to assuming Command of the Merlin Helicopter Force at RNAS Culdrose. He then spent two years back in the MoD during the Defence and Security Integrated Review as part of the Royal Navy Strategic Planning team. In May 2022, he took up a role as Head of Operational Warfare for Naval Aviation.
• He returned to RNAS Culdrose as the Commanding Officer in December 2024 and is responsible for the force generation of both Merlin helicopters and Maritime Uncrewed Air Systems, as well as leading the Royal Navy contribution to the partnership at the National Drone Hub in Cornwall.

James said, “I am honoured to be able to support the outstanding contribution made by all the other Patrons, Trustees, Staff and Supporters of BF Adventure. From my personal and professional experience, I know just how invaluable these opportunities are for young people, and to help them develop the skills and confidence to undertake the challenges that life presents. All young people deserve to have the chance to thrive and showcase their individual skills, character, and knowledge. It is also important to me that we continue to maintain the deep bond between BF Adventure and RNAS Culdrose; some of my predecessors have committed time and support to the Charity and I look forward to following in their footsteps. This is an important part of our role to support Cornwall’s local community and to help our young people have the chance to take on the challenges across the BF Adventure site.”