Outdoor education centres are facing a grim winter with thousands of jobs at risk.
Welsh Government continues to advise against all UK domestic residential trips for children under 18 organised by educational settings.
It means outdoor centres that would normally welcome thousands of young people every year have had their businesses decimcated.
As there are 25 centres across Snowdonia alone, the sector estimates 400-500 jobs could be lost in the region over the coming months.
Banner protests were held across the region last weekend, from Menai Bridge to the summit of Snowdon.
North Wales Save Outdoor Education (NWSOE) group are lobbying UK and Welsh Governments to green light a restart for overnight stays by school parties.
Plaid’s Arfon MS Siân Gwenllian MS has raised concerns at the Senedd about the sector.
She said: “The (Welsh and UK) Governments need to discuss and find solutions for an increasingly frustrated sector.
“I have spoken to representatives from outdoor education centres in my own constituency, and the message they convey is that they feel that they are being forgotten as a sector, and that the Government is not taking the time to create appropriate guidance, or considering giving specific support to outdoor centres.”
A recent statement from the Institute for Outdoor Learning claimed that if no action is taken, and no support is provided this academic year, the sector stands to lose all its 15,000 jobs and nearly half its capacity permanently.
Gareth Davies, of Arete Outdoor Centre, Llanrug, said: “Waiting until September 2021 until we can receive some income is obviously untenable for us and all the other outdoor centres across Wales.
“We appear to be a forgotten sector, even though through taking one school bubble at a time we could operate in line with schools opening.
“The bubble would primarily be outdoors. Of the list of sectors allowed to open this certainly isn’t the riskiest and yet one of the most beneficial to our young people.”
David Crombie, of Boulder Adventures Ltd, in Llanberis, added: “Concerns for the Outdoor Education Sector continue to grow due to lack of clear guidance for a reopening strategy for centres from government. As we progress into another winter season many centres face a very uncertain future due to the loss of nearly all business in 2020.
“Not only does this lead towards the real risk of significant job losses across the industry as furlough ends, it also means that many thousands of young people have missed out on life enriching experiences.”
Welsh Government spokesman said: “We continue to advise against all overseas education trips and UK domestic residential trips for children under 18 organised by educational settings.
"Our guidance is regularly reviewed and all future decisions to update this guidance will be made within a broader framework of what is happening in Wales; reflecting wider legislative and policy changes, which are informed by the latest medical and scientific advice.
“Our Economic Resilience Fund (ERF) has supported more than 13,000 businesses across Wales in dealing with the economic impact of coronavirus, protecting in excess of 100,000 jobs.
"Firms in the Outdoor Activities Sector have been eligible for support from the fund or could have received a non-domestic rates grant depending on the rateable value of their property.
"Businesses can now find out if they are eligible for the latest £80m phase of the ERF.”
