Parents Pack LETTER TO PARENTS DEAR PARENT As the date for the course at Adventure Ways approaches we wanted to reassure you of our commitment to high standards of care. Having read these notes, if you feel you need further clarification please do contact us. Adventure Ways supports all initiatives that improve standards of safety in outdoor activities. Adventure Ways is licensed to operate under the Adventure Centres (Young Persons Safety) Act and the Adventure Ways safety policy is to ensure the highest standards. All adventure equipment is provided. It is modern, has BSI and EN standard if appropriate and is carefully maintained. Please see the kit list below for details of personal clothing. All instructors have first aid and lifesaving certificates as a basic requirement. All activities are supervised by instructors with the approved qualification for the activity. All staff, regardless of qualification, are regularly trained, reviewed and appraised. The maximum ratio on adventure activities starts from 1 qualified instructor to 8 clients and this includes adult helpers. On our overnight programmes, all instructors will live on-site. There is a Duty Instructor on call on-site out of “normal” hours. Lights are kept on all night and the gates locked for security. Adventure Ways has a modern fire detection system and regularly holds practices and drills. We have on-site first aid posts and each instructor carries a first aid kit at all times. The local doctor is on call at all times. All drivers are over 21 and have D1 driving licences for minibuses. Driving standards are rigorously enforced. All our vehicles are modern minibuses that are inspected daily and regularly maintained. All buses have forward facing seats with seat belts for every person. We look forward to giving your child an exciting, educational, adventurous and safe experience at Adventure Ways that will be of value forever. Yours sincerely Kurt Perryman, The Adventure Ways Staff Team POCKET MONEY Normally only a small amount of extra pocket money is required. WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING This list is a guide for what to bring on a one-week stay at Adventure Ways, please adapt it for weekends. Bring warm old clothes rather than new. 1 Set of casual travelling clothes Swimming costume Lots of socks Nightwear Ample underwear Waterproof anorak/cagoule 2 pairs of old trousers (please note jeans are not ideal as they restrict movement, especially when wet) Shorts 4 shirts/t-shirts Small personal first aid kit Dustbin bag for wet clothes 1 small drinking water Over-trousers, if you have them bottle Gloves & hat (winter) Torch 2 pairs trainers/plimsolls Pencil & pen 1 pair of old trainers/wet-shoes, Suncream (summer) which could get wet and muddy Pocket money Towels & wash kit Long sleeved pullovers RULES We try to have very few rules at Adventure Ways, please ensure that your child understands them: 1. All medication to be under the control of the group leader. 2. Have regard for other groups staying on site, which means in particular quiet after 11.30pm (at the latest) and no anti-social or aggressive behaviour 3. The activity areas are out of bounds unless accompanied by a Adventure Ways staff member. 4. Do not enter other accommodation areas. 5. Respect all property and equipment. 6. Be responsible for your own valuables. They can be locked in the office if required. 7. No under-age drinking is allowed at any time, on or off-site. Where a group contains any under eighteens, there will be no alcohol permitted for any of the participants. 8. No smoking anywhere indoors, or in the minibuses, stores or on activities. 9. The possession or use of illegal drugs will not be tolerated. 10. In the event of an emergency please telephone ………………….. between 9am and 5pm or ………………… between 5.30pm and 8.30am. 2 Code of Conduct for Participants Adventure Ways offers exciting opportunities for positive activities, adventure and learning. Its success is based on everyone behaving appropriately, to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all. Please read carefully and sign the code of conduct below: As a participant on an Andventure Ways course, I will respect others and myself. This means that I will not offend others by my language or my actions. I will listen and take turns when talking I know that I am a member of a group who look after each other. I will be careful not to cause injury to my friends either in my actions or in my words.This includes no play fighing, violence, bullying, racist, sexist, homophobic or ableist comments. I will listen to and obey safety instructions that may be given to me by adults supervising the project. I will stay with the group at all times unless otherwise instructed. I will not use or bring into the project substances that I know should not have, like alcohol, drugs or weapons. I will respect property, whether my own or someone else’s. I will not litter because someone has to pick it up. I will do at least ‘my share’ to support the group, clearing up litter, carrying equipment and clearing away for the group. I will look after equipment, building and transport we use, because I know it will cost the project money to replace or repair damage, and it will mean the project will have less money to spend on new activities or different equipment. I know smoking is bad for my health and will not smoke during any activities or in any buildings. I can negotiate for smoking breaks at other times and places, but this is a privelege and can be taken away from me. I agree to uphold this Code of Conduct set out for my enjoyment and safety whilst on an Adventure Ways course. I realise that I have to make lots of effort to participate in all activities and be a productive member of the team. I understand that these are guidelines and that I should follow the leadership of all staff involved in the programme. I accept that not following these guidelines may affect everyone’s experience including my own and that my behaviour may affect my participation in activity sessions and may lead to me being sent home without recompense. Signed: Participant Carer (if participant aged U18) AW Staff 3