Stackpole Centre SA71 5DQ 01646 623110 [email protected] [email protected] Information for organising your group’s visit in 2020 Contents 1. ‘STACKPOLE OUTDOOR LEARNING CENTRE’ – WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2020 ...... 1 1.1 WHAT WE DO .......................................................................................................................... 2 1.2 CENTRE LIFE ........................................................................................................................... 5 1.3 CONTACTING US .................................................................................................................... 7 2. ACTIVITIES CHOICES ........................................................................................................... 8 3. KIT LIST ..................................................................................................................................... 9 4. ADVANCE INFORMATION SHEET ................................................................................... 10 5. PARENT/GUARDIAN CONSENT AND MEDICAL INFORMATION FORM ............... 12 6. STAFF MEDICAL INFORMATION FORM ........................................................................ 14 7. RISK MANAGEMENT AT STACKPOLE ............................................................................. 16 8. INSURANCE DETAILS .......................................................................................................... 18 9. BEDROOM PLAN ................................................................................................................... 18 10. UNDER 18 INDEMNITY AND CONFIRMATION FORM ............................................... 19 11. UNDER 18 EVIDENCE OF PUBLIC INSURANCE FORM ............................................. 20 12. DIRECTIONS TO STACKPOLE ......................................................................................... 21 13. T-SHIRT OFFER ................................................................................................................... 22 14. PAYMENT DETAILS……………………………………………………….…..……23 Stackpole Centre SA71 5DQ 01646 623110 [email protected] [email protected] 1. ‘Stackpole Outdoor Learning Centre’–what to expect in 2020 What do we do at Stackpole? We aim to inspire our visitors (of all ages!) here at Stackpole with exciting and interesting activities in the natural environment. We hope the inspiration will create a lasting love for the environment in the minds of our visitors. Looking after you at Stackpole All the centre accommodation was comprehensively upgraded in 2012 but we try to maintain a cosy family atmosphere where our visitors can feel ‘at home’. The centre was graded as a 4 Star Activity Accommodation by Visit Wales. This year the first floor W/C / shower block in kingfisher has also been renovated, so hopefully no more floods and drips into the ground floor corridor! Please ensure that you are using the most up to date (2020) consent forms as we have made a few amendments. We have introduced a new system for informing us of dietary requirements, specifically food sensitivities. Every participant with food allergies needs to have a completed Allergy Declaration Form for each allergen they are susceptible too. This needs to be returned to us prior to the commencement of the course to give the catering team a complete picture of what individuals can or cannot have. Also, we have asked for confirmation from the consent form signatory that they understand the nature of the proposed visit to the Stackpole Centre and that they consent to the child named overleaf participating in adventurous outdoor activities that by their very nature carry an element of risk, on the advice of the Adventurous Activity Licensing Service. Eco-Centres and Education for Sustainable Development In 2008, we were proud to gain our third European Green flag as an ‘Eco-Centre’ and became Wales’ first ‘Platinum Award’ Centre in 2011. As well as providing environmental education, we aim to be environmentally responsible in the way we run the Centre. We try hard to be sustainable ourselves and encourage our visitors to think and act sustainably. Activity programmes We have been inspected for safety by the Government’s Adventurous Activity Licensing Service (AALS) and have a 2-year licence for our activities which is due for renewal in July 2021. We aim to be flexible with our programmes and tailor each school’s visit to their needs. During the day we work in small activity groups. Each group is led by an Education Officer from Stackpole who is suitably qualified or experienced for the activity. Each group should be accompanied by a teacher or responsible adult from the school. Groups size should not exceed 12 (children) plus two accompanying adults without consulting the Centre in advance. Risk Management All our activities are risk assessed in line with best practice. Please see the statement on ‘Risk Management’ in Document 7 of this pack. Please note that it is our policy not to provide visiting schools with our risk assessment documents – this is in line with AALA recommendations. 1 Stackpole Centre SA71 5DQ 01646 623110 [email protected] [email protected] 1.1 What we do We will design an activity programme around your requirements. We have been running the John Muir award scheme at the Centre for quite some time now; it fits perfectly with our ways of working, it’s free and we recommend it to all our groups. Unless you wish to opt out of it, we’ll do it as part of your school’s programme. The John Muir Award John Muir was the ‘Father’ of the world’s National Parks. The John Muir Trust has set up an award scheme – like the Duke of Edinburgh’s award, but with an environmental theme. The Award has four challenges: Discover a wild place Explore a wild place Conserve a wild place Share the experience We are approved Providers for the scheme at Stackpole and have become the largest provider of the John Muir award in Wales. We build the entry level “Discovery Award” into a week at Stackpole. The children complete a record book and after sharing the experience (usually back at school) are then entitled to an impressive certificate. Further information is available at http://www.johnmuirtrust.org/. We have been asked by the John Muir Awarding body to ensure that all individuals take a full and active role in the activities required for the award. We need to make sure that every visiting child achieves a minimum standard before putting their names forward for the award. Activities The following activities are available: Exploring Stackpole A good choice for the first day after arrival and lunch; a chance to stretch legs, get some fresh air after a coach journey and see something of the countryside and coast. It also gives us a chance to get to know your children. Rocky Shore This gives an opportunity to explore the rock-pools and strand-line at one of the superb beaches in the area. It is a chance to see how living things adapt to a life dominated by the tides (and a chance to catch crabs too!). Looking at the strand-line can prompt many discussions such as habitat, biodiversity and the effects of mankind on the environment. Beach Clean A nice way to spend your Friday Morning and a chance to help look after the Pembrokeshire coastline. We carry out beach cleans at Barafundle, Broad Haven or Freshwater West with many schools. N.B. This is a necessary part of the John Muir Award and can be combined with rocky shore or coast walk activities for groups that need to get away early on a Friday! 2 Stackpole Outdoor Learning Centre SA71 5DQ 01646 623110 [email protected] [email protected] Preseli Hills Day This is a whole day out walking, scrambling and exploring the Preseli Hills. A great day out – smashing ‘beginners’ mountains’ - they don’t top 600 meters, so they are not too hard to climb, but they are wild and rugged and give a chance to discover (and scramble on!) Stonehenge’s ancient Bluestones. Surprisingly, we find most children love it! Open Canoeing A wonderful way to explore the world of water, learning both canoeing and teamwork skills too. Venues are dependent on tide and weather, usually a half day activity at nearby venues, but a whole day out opens up the possibility of a journey on the quiet waters of the Cleddau with its abundant wildlife. Rock-climbing A memorable adventure! This activity adds a dash of excitement to the week… it’s good for team-work and often leaves children feeling proud of themselves. Time permitting, we can include abseiling as a part of the rock climbing experience. It combines really well for a whole day out with… Coast walk Walk the magnificent cliff tops and bays of Pembrokeshire (voted by National Geographic Magazine as the 2nd best stretch of coastline in the world!). Learn about caves, arches and blow-holes, spot sea-birds, sand dunes and seals (if you’re lucky!). On a good day you might see one of our resident choughs (one of Britain’s rarest birds) and sit and listen to the crashing of the waves and the song of the skylark. It has to be admitted that on other days, we’ll battle through wind and rain – a feat of endurance – listening to “how much further is it?” Jolly good exercise too! Lake and Pond-dipping If you don’t do it at school, come and try it here around the beautiful Bosherston Lily Ponds. Let the children investigate the weird and wonderful water-life in the lakes – a nice contrast to some of our “busier” activities!