Trampolining
What to expect
Trampolining is all about jumping and bouncing on a trampoline, which acts like a springboard to push the jumper higher into the air. It’s great fun, and also a workout – it’ll take all your energy to keep up with the excitement.
Trampolines come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, and you’ll find them in all sorts of places. You could try trampolining with a qualified coach or head to a local jump park. Jump parks are popping up all around the UK, with wall-to-wall trampolines creating the perfect space to practise your bouncing.
GRAVITY Trampoline Parks
In GRAVITY Active Entertainment parks, trampolines stretch from wall-to-wall forming a huge area of bounceable space which is used for a variety of activities, including freestyle open jump sessions giving you full access to the park and all its activities. Through our partnership, Scouts save around 40% on original prices at GRAVITY.
Find a park near youWhat you’ll learn
You’ll need to warm up and get ready to be active for this adventure – trampolining’s definitely a high-energy way to spend time. You’ll also need to be ready to face your fears and take on a challenge.
Fun facts
- Hannah Bolger holds the record for the most straddle jumps on a trampoline in one minute. She managed an impressive 56 in December 2016.
- In the Olympics, trampoline jumpers can reach up to eight meters in the air while performing their tricks and twists.
Handy hints
- Grab some extra hair bobbles. People with long hair will probably need to tie it back. Take a few extra hair ties, just in case anyone forgets.
- Dress for the occasion. Different centres will have different rules, so make sure you check what you’ll need and pass the information on. Some may expect you to wear certain types of clothes, or remove jewellery, for example.
- Stay hydrated. Make sure everyone has access to a drink – and that they remember to take a break do they don’t get dehydrated. Trampolining is loads of fun, but it’s also thirsty work.
Safety
You must always:
- Complete a risk assessment
- Have the right ratios of number of adults to provide suitable supervision
- Set up an InTouch process
- Know what to do in an emergency
- Share information with parents and carers with an activity information form
- Get approval from your commissioner
Other activities:
- Where an activity is not covered by any other rules members must follow rule 9.1 and assess the risk, ensure that members can be kept safe and that all equipment is suitable for its use.
Joint activities with other organisations:
- This activity can be run jointly with Girlguiding.
- This activity can be run with other organisations.
This activity can be led by you or someone else in Scouts:
- Acceptable instructor qualifications
- British Gymnastics - Trampolining Coach
You can go to a centre or use an activity leader who is not part of Scouting:
You must find a suitable provider who meets the following requirements:- The centre/instructor should hold one of these:
- British Gymnastics - Trampolining Coach
- International Association of Trampoline Parks - Member
- Adventure Mark - centre
The provider must have public liability insurance.
Guidance
Reflection
Trampolining was a chance to get active and have fun with friends. Was anyone surprised at how energetic and tiring trampolining was? People could raise their hands to show they agree, so they don’t all talk at once. How did people have to move their bodies to bounce on the trampoline? How could they tell that their body was using lots of energy? It was really important to stay hydrated during the session – how did people remember to take care of themselves in the middle of the activity?
Trampolining was also a chance to face fears and overcome worries. Even in a safe environment, people need to be brave to throw themselves in and trust their bodies (and the equipment). Bravery looks different for everyone – for some people it may have been giving it a go at all, while others may have challenged themselves to the biggest jumps or trickiest challenges. Did anyone surprise themselves with how brave they were? Did people find their comfort zone – a way to get stuck in and challenge themselves but still have fun?
Everyone’s in control of their own trampolining experience; they should feel free to take it at their own pace. Some people may be bursting with confidence – they may be happy to bounce as high as they can and give everything a go. Others may want to stay a little closer to the trampoline and practise smaller, more controlled bounces. There’s no one right way to spend the session, as long as people have fun and test their own limits in a way that works for them.
Trampolining can often be adapted so more people can give it a go. Many centres have facilities that cater for people with additional needs and experienced instructors to help everyone achieve their goals. Get in touch with your local provider to chat through the needs of people in your group – make sure you give them plenty of notice.
All Scout activities should be inclusive and accessible.
If anyone especially enjoyed trampolining and would like to perfect their skills, they could look for a local trampolining or gymnastics club. The British Gymnastics website has more information about finding a club.