Date: September 21, 2025
Location: Brecon Beacons, South Wales

Recently, we had the privilege of guiding a corporate team through the spectacular Porth yr Ogof cave in the Brecon Beacons, South Wales. Known for its dramatic underground river and cathedral-like chambers, this cave provides the perfect environment for teams to test their communication, resilience, and trust in one another.

What unfolded underground was far more than a physical adventure—it was a shared journey of discovery, connection, and growth.

As the team arrived, anticipation filled the air. For many, it was their first time caving—a mix of excitement and nerves. After a thorough safety briefing and equipment check, our experienced instructors led the group to the cave entrance. The daylight faded, replaced by the soft glow of headlamps reflecting off the limestone walls.

The British Caving Association (BCA) describes caving as a form of “controlled exploration,” combining adventure, awareness, and teamwork (BCA, 2023). That combination is exactly what makes caving such a valuable experience for professional teams. It demands courage, adaptability, and collective problem-solving—qualities that mirror the best team dynamics in the workplace.

Inside Porth yr Ogof, teamwork took on new meaning. The group navigated uneven terrain, crawled through passages, and supported one another through the darker, tighter sections of the cave.

At one point, we invited the team to switch off their headlamps and rely solely on each other’s voices to move forward. What started as a moment of hesitation quickly became one of trust, laughter, and effective communication.

Research from the University of Worcester (Warren & Emblen-Perry, 2017) highlights that experiential, team-based learning environments strengthen collaboration and engagement by creating shared challenges that require mutual support. That principle comes to life vividly underground—where success truly depends on cooperation.

Similarly, findings from the University of Exeter’s Centre for Leadership Studies (2019) show that leadership adaptability and group cohesion are enhanced through experiences that involve uncertainty and joint decision-making—two things that caving naturally provides in abundance.

When the group re-emerged into daylight, muddy but exhilarated, their reflections came quickly: “We had to rely on each other completely,” one participant shared. “It’s amazing how fast we built trust.”

That’s the heart of experiential learning—turning challenge into insight. Studies at the University of Worcester’s ParCeL Research Group emphasize the value of participant-centred learning, where individuals construct knowledge through doing and reflecting together (University of Worcester, 2020).

Our instructors facilitate this process throughout each session, helping teams connect what happens underground with what happens at work—how they communicate, lead, and support one another under pressure.

Every Life Changing Activities program is designed around three core values: Safety, Growth, and Connection.

Our instructors are trained professionals who balance challenge with encouragement, ensuring every participant feels supported. We work closely with each organization to align the experience with their team objectives—whether that’s improving communication, fostering leadership, or simply creating a shared memory that strengthens relationships.

Caving at Porth yr Ogof offers a rare opportunity to experience teamwork in its purest form. In the darkness, hierarchies fade and collaboration takes over.

Outdoor and experiential learning isn’t just exciting—it’s backed by evidence. The Outdoor Learning Institute (2020) found that shared challenges in natural environments foster genuine cooperation and empathy, while the University of Worcester’s Social Psychology of Education Research Group highlights how collaborative, real-world activities strengthen interpersonal trust and group identity (University of Worcester, 2021).

These findings echo what we see every time a team steps into a cave: people come out not only with stories, but with stronger connections and renewed confidence in one another.

Take Your Team Underground

If your team is ready to trade routine for real challenge, join us for an unforgettable journey beneath the Brecon Beacons.

At Life Changing Activities, we don’t just create adventures—we create experiences that help teams explore, connect, and grow.

Explore. Connect. Grow.
That’s the Life Changing Activities way.

References (Non-Commercial Sources)

1. British Caving Association (BCA). “About Caving and Training for Groups.” BCA Resources, 2023. https://british-caving.org.uk
2. Warren, D., & Emblen-Perry, K. (2017). Evaluation of Students’ Experience of Team-based Experiential Learning through the Collaborative SAP Project. University of Worcester, UK. https://eprints.worc.ac.uk/5484/
3. University of Worcester. Participant-Centred Learning in Management Education (ParCeL) Research Group. Worcester Business School, 2020. https://www.worcester.ac.uk
4. University of Exeter, Centre for Leadership Studies. Leadership Through Experiential Learning. Exeter Research Papers, 2019.
5. Outdoor Learning Institute (UK). Team Development in Natural Environments. OLI Research Series, 2020.

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