Go Ape facts for kids
| Employee owned | |
| Founded | 2002 |
| Founder |
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| Headquarters |
UK
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| Services | Ropes courses, zip wires |
Go Ape! is an exciting outdoor adventure company. They offer fun activities like tree top ropes courses and zip lines. You can also try ground-based adventures like Forest Segway Safaris. Go Ape has locations across the United Kingdom and the United States.
Go Ape's Story
Go Ape was started in 2002 by Rebecca and Tristram Mayhew. They got the idea after visiting a tree-top adventure course in France. The company works with the Forestry Commission to set up courses in many forests.
The very first Go Ape course opened in March 2002. It was in Thetford Forest, near Norfolk and Suffolk. This was the first self-belay tree top ropes course in Britain. This means you are always connected to a safety system.
Over the years, Go Ape has grown a lot. In 2008, they opened new courses in several places like Kent and Devon. On May 8, 2010, Go Ape opened its first course in the United States. This was at Lake Needwood in Rockville, Maryland.
Go Ape courses are built with zip wires, rope swings, ladders, and bridges made of wood. They have "Adventure" courses specially designed for kids aged 6 to 12. You can also find Segway scooters and mountain bikes at some locations.
In 2014, Go Ape opened trampoline parks called Air Space. However, they sold this part of their business in 2017. In 2019, a person named Verity Bailes became the first to complete the Go Ape Treetop Challenge at all 34 UK locations! In 2021, Go Ape became a company owned by its employees.
What You Can Do at Go Ape
Go Ape has 36 locations in parks and forests across England, Scotland, and Wales. These places have lots of fun challenges. You'll find rope ladders, zip-lines, rope bridges, trapezes, and swings.
Besides the main courses, there are 12 Forest Segway experiences. There are also 25 Treetop Adventure courses and 16 Treetop Adventure Plus courses. Some locations even have 3 Nets Adventure courses. The course in Grizedale Forest, near The Lake District, has the longest dual zip-lines in Britain! As of 2022, four Go Ape locations also offer an axe throwing experience.
Community Concerns
Sometimes, when Go Ape plans to build a new course, local people have concerns. For example, Go Ape decided not to build a course in Glasgow's Pollok Country Park after many residents objected. They also chose not to build a course in the Bidjigal Reserve in New South Wales. There were also some concerns about their plans to expand in Moel Famau, North Wales.
In England, there were public discussions about a proposal in Rivington. Also, Essex County Council did not approve a proposal after protests. In the United States, a Go Ape course proposal in Seattle's Lincoln Park was also declined after many neighborhood objections.
Safety at Go Ape
Go Ape takes safety very seriously. They have safety systems in place for all their activities. Since 2002, millions of customers have enjoyed Go Ape courses safely.
In 2008, a serious incident occurred at a Go Ape location in Aberfoyle, Scotland. The company stated that nothing like this had happened before, given the large number of customers they had served safely.
In 2016, another serious incident occurred at a Go Ape location in Delaware, USA. The company explained that the person had disconnected from the safety system. Go Ape emphasized that they had safely served over six million customers at that time.
Go Ape continues to focus on safety to ensure everyone has a fun and secure adventure.
