Welcome to Faringdon Community College

1. Welcome to Faringdon Community College

2. Thank you all for coming this evening; the purpose of which is to give you some information about the Year 8 & 9 Residential visit to La Beaume.

3. Acorn Adventure Dates Address & telephone Staffing Accommodation Finance Travel Safety Activities Valuables Discipline Smoking & Alcohol Food Health Clothing It will include information on the following:

4. Welcome to Acorn Adventure

5. What else do we do? • Family Holidays • Fantastic activity & skiing holidays for all the family • Ski • Skiing and snowboarding trips to Italy,France, Austria, Canada & the USA • India • Activity trips whilst experiencing the magic of India! • Encounters Europe • Educational tours for schools & youth groups • theschooltravelcompany.com • School trips the easy way!

6. Acorn Venture Ltd. • Started in 1982 by a teacher, to give children a unique, life-changing and educational experience • The UK’s largest independent school travel company • The UK’s biggest provider of adventure camps for schools and groups • Eight centres in five countries • Dedicated to making a positive difference to the lives of young people • I have used Acorn many times before and always had reliable and professional service

8. Dates of the visit Friday 5th August to Saturday 13th August 2011

9. Where are we going? • Labeaume, Ardèche • Ardres, Opal Coast

10. First Night Acorn Adventure Base de Voile Rue de Palentin 62610 Ardres Remaining nights Acorn Adventure Camping La Savane 07120 Labeaume Telephone 0121 504 2050 (Acorn Adventure Office – for emergency contact only) Address

12. Ardres • Ardres is one of Acorn’s premier watersports centres and is located in a delightful area of France, within easy reach of the UK – only 43 miles, 25 miles from Calais. • This exclusive centre has a superb lakeside setting just outside the town. This large tranquil lake enables Acorn to provide a flexible watersports programme. The exciting activities on offer range from kayaking and sailing to dragon boating!

14. Labeaume • Our large, spacious and exclusive centre offers excellent facilities including a swimming pool, playing fields, football pitch, boules court and café/bar. It is set in the heart of the Ardèche region, famed for the magnificent limestone gorge and beautiful river, but there is also plenty to explore in the surrounding areas which have retained a strong Roman influence. • The unforgettable and exhilarating 2 day descent of the Ardèche River by open canoe is the highlight of adventure at Labeaume. The night of the 2 day descent is spent sleeping under the stars at a bivouac site on the banks of the river in the heart of the gorge. • The descent of the Ardèche is complemented by other fantastic water-based activities such as kayaking, river trek and canoeing; and also a great range of land-based activities.

15. Travel • We will meet in the Science Block Reception on Friday 5th August at 13.00 (1pm) the coach will leave at 13.30. Dover to Calais crossing 18.40. • Arrive Ardres 21.30 Evening meal on arrival • Depart Ardres 21.30 Travel through the night, Lunch on arrival at Labeaume at approx 12.00 • (A drink in a plastic drinks container will be needed for use during the week). • Travel sickness tablets will be needed for the outward and return journeys and the Day Excursion • Depart Labeaume 18.00 Travel through the night. Ferry from Calais 07.05 0n Saturday 13th August • We should arrive back at FCC on Saturday 13th August at about 11.30. Students may be collected from the Science Block

16. Telephone tree • We will use a ‘telephone tree’ to send messages about our arrival and our expected return time. • Please could you indicate this evening if you are willing to be a ‘key contact’ who will be responsible for passing on a message to a small number of parents • Please could you let me know if you do not wish to be included in the ‘telephone tree’.

18. Staffing • F.C.C. Staff - Nona Lewis, Chris Lewis, Neil Jukes, Claire Pullinger • Other adults –Paul Keen • Centre Manager • Senior Instructor • Instructors • Support and Administration staff

19. Acorn Staff • All staff are recruited in the UK and are CRB-checked, • They all go through a rigorous training programme • Instructors are In-House trained andqualified for any specialist activities they lead.

21. Risk and hazard • Some degree of risk is unavoidable if a sense of adventure and excitement is to be achieved, but it should be – and invariably is – much less than the participant perceives. • As was suggested by the MP, David Jamieson, it is important to remember that we seek to provide: “EXCITEMENT but not DANGER – ADVENTURE but not HAZARD.”

22. Safety Management • Safety is paramount. • Acorn is a founding member of the School Travel Forum, • Our UK centres are licensed by the Adventurous Activity Licensing Authority, • We are a member of ABTA and licensed by ATOL.

23. Safety • All courses are staffed by qualified, competent and experienced instructors who hold an impressive array of nationally recognised specialist qualifications. Centre staff will have responsibility for the ‘Adventure’ activities. • All students will be provided with the appropriate safety equipment for the activity. • NL & some other FCC staff are qualified in First Aid.

24. Behaviour • Good behaviour is expected at all times, co-operation is required at all times • In the unlikely event of any serious misconduct, the Centre Manager may contact parents and ask that their child be removed from the Centre • The usual School Rules will apply and any breaches, or issues, will be dealt with by Centre and/or School staff, as appropriate

25. Smoking & Alcohol • Smoking is forbidden at all times. • Apart from the health risk, the fire risk in a Residential centre could have the most severe consequences. • Contravention of this rule may result in students being sent home early at parent/student cost. • The same applies to the consumption of alcohol.

27. The Acorn Village • Sixteen or more tents in a horse-shoe shape; • All tents visible to Party Leaders; • A central marquee; • Play area; • Exclusive occupancyfor 40+.

29. The Tents • Fire & water resistant, rigid framed PVC tents; • Solid flooring; • Sprung beds with foammattresses; • Usually sleeping four. • Students must bring a sleeping bag and pillow

31. A Typical Day • 8 am Wake up • 8:30 am Breakfast • 9:30 am First activity session • 1 pm Lunch • 2:30 pm Second activity session • 6 pm Dinner • 7:30 pm Evening activities

32. Activities • Students will work in small groups of about 10 for most of their activities • There will be a two-day Canoe descent of the Ardèche, a Day Excursion and a selection taken from • Kayaking  Raft Building  Caving • Bushcraft  Climbing  Abseiling  Bivouac  River Trek  Swimming • Mission Impossible • Day Excursion

34. Clothing • Everything taken must be clearly named. • Good sensible footwear is vital. • One old pair of trainers or wet suit boots/shoes and lightweight windproof/waterproof jacket for using during the water sports activities. • No-one should go to undue expense to buy new items, students may wear old clothes for activities but will need to dress tidily for meals. • Please ensure that students have warm clothes with them for wearing in the evenings and at night.

35. Sufficient changes of underwear and socks (at least 4) Pyjamas, nightdress (warm) Warm trousers for outdoor wear, such as track suit bottoms and shorts (no jeans, x3) Outdoor coat, gloves and hat Strong walking shoes and/or trainers, flip-flops One old pair of trainers or wet suit boots/shoes and lightweight windproof/waterproof jacket for using during the water sports activities T-shirts and/or jumpers Warm sweatshirts, hoodies and/or fleeces (x3) Sleeping bag, single fitted sheet and pillow Clothing for wearing around the Centre and Disco clothes Towel (x2) Swimming trunks or costume Sun hat and sun lotion Toilet bag (soap, shampoo, facecloth, toothbrush, toothpaste, brush and/or comb) Drink container (plastic) Pencil case, travel games, book, etc. Large plastic bag for dirty clothes. (x2) Torch (and spare batteries) Camera (disposable)

36. Valuables • Mobile phones should NOT be taken. They will be confiscated if seen • All valuables, e.g. cameras, personal music devices, should be named if possible and the students must take responsibility for them at all times. They will be confiscated if used inappropriately

37. Passports • Your own passport is required. Apply now if you do not have a current personal passport • These will be collected before the end of term. If you need to use it before we travel please let me know • Please inform me if an EU passport is not held • You will need to have a current EHIC these can easily be applied for on the internet or via the Post Office

39. Health • Aerosols should not be brought • The Health Form must be completed and returned by Friday 1st July 2011 • Any medication must be sent in a named container and handed to Ms Lewis before we leave • Inhalers should be kept by the students and kept with them at all times • Travel sickness tablets will be needed for the outward, Day Excursion and return journeys

40. Your Marquee • Meeting Point • Social Area • Communal Dining Area

42. Food • Chewing gum is banned! • We need to know about any allergies and/or special dietary requirements before we go • There is no need to send any additional food • Money will be required to purchase something for breakfast on our way to Labeaume

43. The Food • BREAKFAST • Choice of cereals • Bread, butter & jam • Yoghurt or croissants • LUNCH • Buffet with meats, cheese and salads • Cake or biscuits • DINNER • Substantial hot meal • Vegetarian option • Pudding

44. And not forgetting …

45. Community responsibilities • Each child is expected to assist with some domestic duties, e.g. clearing the tables after meals, washing up! • Students are also expected to contribute towards the general neatness and tidiness of the Centre • Students are expected to keep their tents tidy

46. Finance • Many thanks to those who have now paid in full all payments should now have been paid as the balance has been paid to Acorn • Any outstanding payments should be made by Tuesday 28th June. • Pocket money should be in small denomination notes if possible and given to Group Leaders on our departure day. This will be kept by them whilst we are travelling and in a safe when we are at the Centre. It will be returned to students in small amounts when needed. I suggest a maximum of £80.00.

47. Any Questions?

48. Questions If you have any questions please feel free to ask tonight or contact me via email nolewis@fcc.oxon.sch.uk or via the College Office. Thank you for coming this evening and we very much hope that you, and your child, will greatly enjoy “The Acorn Adventure.” Please sign in so I know who has been representedthis evening and if you can help with the telephone tree