Information Booklet for Primary Schools

Location Map 2

Directions 3

Kit List 4

Daily Routine 5

Activities 6

Evening Programme 7

Important Guidelines 8-9

Booking Procedure 10

Booking Conditions 11

Room Plan 12

Local Places of Interest 13

Contact Details Back

CONTENTS

Tuck Shop order form will be sent separately

LOCATION MAP

2

DIRECTIONS FROM A75

Please ensure you pass these on to your coach company or driver.

ROAD DIRECTIONS FROM DUMFRIES A75 Take A75 (Stranraer) for 24 miles.

A75 After second Castle Douglas roundabout continue on A75 for 4.9 miles.

A75 DO NOT TURN INTO RINGFORD

A75 Pass the Old School Tearoom on the right.

A75 Around the corner take next right turning sign-posted ‘Barcaple’.

Old Military Road

Travel 0.2 miles, over a bridge and take first right turn onto a single track road.

Continue along road for 0.4 miles and bear left up driveway.

Car Parking in front of main house – Welcome to Abernethy Barcaple!!

ROAD DIRECTIONS FROM STRANRAER A75 Head for Dumfries on A75 for 46 miles.

A75 Pass the turnoff for Twynholm on right and continue for a further 2 miles.

A75 Pass the turnoff for Kirkcudbright (A762) on right, just around the corner turn left at junction sign– posted ‘Barcaple’ (if you get to the Old School Tearoom, you have gone too far).

Old Military Road

Travel 0.2 miles, over a bridge and take first right turn onto a single track road.

Continue along road for 0.4 miles and bear left up driveway.

Car Parking in front of main house – Welcome to Abernethy Barcaple!!

Latitude 54.891972 N

Longitude 4.064284 W

Grid Reference NX 677 572

Post Code DG7 2AP

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KIT LIST

Most of our activities take place out of doors. It is therefore essential that your group try to bring adequate and suitable clothing. The need for plenty of spare and warm clothing is often underestimated. Being warm and dry adds considerably to the enjoyment of the activities.

Provided Bedding All specialist equipment (see below for kit available to borrow) Clothing Socks – plenty of thick warm socks T-Shirts Trousers (not denim if possible) Tracksuit bottoms or ¾ shorts (mountain biking) Sweaters or sweatshirts Fleece Windproof/waterproof jacket Swimwear You will also need normal clothes for evenings Footwear Indoor shoes Trainers and an old pair for water sports if you have them Wellies (winter only) Equipment Towel, wash kit & toiletries Drink bottle Gloves & hat or cap Small rucksack (must have double strap) Sun lotion Torch Please bring carrier bags or black bin liners for wet and dirty clothing For Leaders Only (these are only suggestions) Pencils, crayons or felt tip pens Paper or note books Diaries - Abernethy has a diary that can be emailed to you on request.

Kit Available to Borrow We can supply the following items from our gear store but we cannot guar-antee having enough for everyone. Please bring your own if you have them but do not buy just for the Abernethy Barcaple trip.

Walking boots Waterproof jacket Over trousers

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DAILY ROUTINE

7:45 am Wake-up Call 8:15 am Breakfast (tuck shop can be done before activities or later @ 7.30pm) 9:15 am Meet for Activities 12:30 pm Lunch 1:30 pm Activities 5:00 pm Free Time (games room open) 6:00 pm Evening Meal 7.00 pm Time Out 7:30 pm Tuck Shop (or before activities) 8:00 pm Evening Activity 9:00 pm Supper 10:00 pm Centre Lock-up

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ACTIVITIES Programme Our Chief/Senior Instructor will contact you nearer the time of your visit to discuss your programme of activities. Depending on the time of year and weather conditions, along with your group’s objectives, the programme can be flexible. Below is an example of a typical activity programme. The programme is based on the four nights and four activity days package for thirty-two pupils.

Groups Once you receive your activity programme (see above) we ask that you arrange your pupils into activity groups, which they shall remain in for the duration of your stay. The number of groups required will be marked on the activity programme. The instructor to pupil ratio will be no more than 1:10 on-site and 1:8 off-site. Whilst it is not essential that leaders accompany each activity group, they are welcome to join any group and move between groups throughout the visit. Activities Below is a list and brief description of the activities we offer on and off site. The off site activities require at least a half day whilst most of the on site ac-tivities require a quarter day and combine with another one to form a half day session.

1 2 3 1 2 3Canoeing * *Hill Walk * *Kayaking * *Mountain Biking * *Overnight Exped. * *Raft Building * *Rock Climbing& Abseiling

* *

Fitness ExcitingOff Site 1 2 3 1 2 3Abseil * *Archery * *Blind Trail * *Challenge Course * *Initiatives * *Gold Ques t * *Orienteering * *Ropes Course * *Tree Clim b * *Zip Wire * *

On Site Fitness Exciting

1 = high 2 = m edium 3 = low

am pm am pm am pm am pm am pmYellow Tree Climb C hall C ourse M o untain Init iatives A bseil C anoe Orienteering Team

8 Ro pes C . A rchery B ik ing Zip Wire B lind Trail Challenge

Blue Orienteering T ree Climb C hall C ourse M o untain Initiat ives A bseil C anoe Team

8 Arrive R opes C. A rchery B ik ing Zip Wire B lind T rail Challenge DepartOrange 12pm Cano e Orienteering T ree C lim b Chall Co urse M ountain Initiatives A bseil Team 1.30pm

8 R opes C. A rchery B iking Z ip Wire B lind T rail Challenge

Red A bseil C anoe Orienteering Tree C lim b Chall Co urse M ountain Initiatives Team

8 B lind Trail Ro pes C . A rchery B iking Z ip Wire Challenge

FridayMonday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday

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EVENING PROGRAMME Activity Box On arrival the teachers/leaders of the school will be given an activity box with various equipment in it e.g. football, table tennis bats & balls, tennis rackets & balls and frisbee. It will be the leader’s responsibility to ensure that all the equipment is returned to the activity box at the end of your visit. Any equipment missing or damaged will be charged to the school on the final correction invoice, issued after your stay. Games Room The games room has table tennis, table football, a pool table and a variety of board games. The following equipment can be obtained from the main office for a deposit of £1: o Pool cues & chalk (Pool Table takes 2 x 20p per game) o Volleyball o Football o Bat & ball

Time-Out (usually 7pm) A short evening “Time Out” appropriate to the age of the group is incorpo-rated as part of the evening activity programme. ‘Time Out’ is a brief respite from physical activity and is a slot when members of the Abernethy Barcaple team make an interesting presentation relating their Christian faith to the reality of daily life. This brief session is a valuable contribution to the programme and will not compromise the children in any way. Evening Game (usually 8pm) Each evening there will be an organised activity led by the Duty Officer.

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IMPORTANT GUIDELINES Making Yourself at Home - Facilities There is tea and coffee making facilities in the dining room which guests are welcome to make use of at any time in the day. Water and juice are also available. A payphone is available for use and if you are expecting incoming calls please arrange for them to come in on this line. The number is 01557 820262. If you would like to bring a laptop with you, we now have wireless broadband connection which is free for you to use. House Rules & Discipline The Centre operates a NO SMOKING and NO ALCOHOL policy. There is a 10MPH SPEED LIMIT on site, please inform your driver(s) of this policy. These rules are in operation to ensure the safety and comfort of all guests and staff. Group leaders must take responsibility for the discipline of their group, and assist the Operations Director in the smooth-running of the Centre by addressing disciplinary problems as they occur. Responsibility Responsibility for pupils remains with visiting leaders who continue to have the primary duty of care for the duration of the visit. Whilst an instructor is leading an activity session without a visiting leader present the instructor has the responsibility associated with the duty of care which continues to the end of the session, when the responsibility reverts back to group leaders. Supervision of the pupils at bedtime and throughout the night is the responsibility of group leaders. In case of an emergency, you will be shown how to get in touch with Centre staff and there will be an emergency card in leader’s rooms with senior staff members’ mobile phone numbers on it. Within your remit of responsibility is the need to gather consent forms from the parents or guardians of pupils and to provide the Centre with essential information on medical and other issues relevant to health and safety during the course. Centre Security The Centre’s front and back doors are locked at night (usually at 10pm) with a digital door lock. The code is printed on the inside of the doors so that visiting staff are able to exit and re-enter the Centre if required. Diary We have created a diary which can be emailed to you on request, to allow you to print it off as required. It includes a variety of relevant games and questions that allow pupils to consolidate what they have been learning and reflect on their experiences.

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IMPORTANT GUIDELINES First Aid All instructors are certified first aiders and there will always be a qualified first-aider on site who will administer first aid as necessary. However, we cannot absolve group leaders of responsibility for their pupils. It would be appropriate therefore, for visiting staff to bring with them a small supply of plasters and other first aid items. If ongoing treatment is necessary, such as the changing of plasters on blisters, then this will be well within the capability of visiting staff. Medicines (aspirins etc) WILL NOT be given to pupils and teachers should bring their own supply if they think they might need them. Where professional medical attention is required there are a number of health centres located locally. The nearest hospital is in Dumfries, 24 miles away. Tuck Shop We have a tuck shop on site, which will be opened for a short period after either breakfast or dinner. It stocks sweets, chocolate, drinks, postcards, stamps and a selection of souvenirs. There are also a limited supply of more expensive items such as caps and t-shirts. We suggest that a daily allowance of sweet money is imposed on the children (£2.00 maximum) and a kitty maintained by group leaders for the more expensive items. An order form for logo goods will be sent out for you to complete and return before your visit to avoid pupils bringing large amounts of money with them. Please ask the pupils to bring change with them instead of big notes. The shop can be run ‘cash free’ if preferred, where the group leader re-cords how much each pupil spends, paying the total bill at the end of the stay. If you would like a Cash Free shop please let the admin team know.

BOOKING PROCEDURE Key Documents Booking Form - This form should be signed, dated and returned with the holding deposit (see below) to secure your booking.

Response Form - Sent out nearer the time of your visit, this form informs us of the personal needs of your group members and should be returned four weeks before your visit. If given advance warning we can cater for most genuine dietary requirements (e.g. allergies, vegetarians). Please inform us of all medical conditions relevant to your group, including asthma.

Fire List (Room Plan) - In order to satisfy safety requirements in the event of a fire it is essential that a fire list be completed and returned to us before ar-rival. The Fire List shall be sent out when the completed Response Form is returned. If you know of any bedwetters in the group, please advise us by placing a * beside the pupil’s name on the fire list, so that we can deal with the matter discreetly. Invoices Non Refundable Holding Deposit - Required to secure the booking. It should be returned with your booking form and will be taken off your final bill.

Non Refundable Individual Deposits - Required 12 months & 6 months prior to visit and it will be taken off your final bill. Pupils only are charged.

Final Invoice - A final invoice will be issued ten weeks prior to arrival and will be based on the number of individual deposits received, unless we have since been notified of a change. Payment will be due 6 weeks prior to arri-val.

Final Correction Invoice - Issued post-visit to take account of any changes. This also acts as a receipt. Cancellation Charges In the event of cancellation for whatever reason, by either a group or individ-ual the DEPOSITS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE. Where cancellation occurs within eighty-four days of your arrival, the following charges apply:-

PAYM ENT M ETHODSBy cheque payable to Aberne thy Trus t Ltd

Within 84 days (12 w eeks) 60% By credit transfer to 83-22-19:-Within 56 days (8 w eeks) 80% Royal Bank of Scotland, Grantow n-on-Spey.Within 42 days (6 w eeks) 100% Account 00100275

Cancellation Occurs% of full fe e due

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BOOKING CONDITIONS Changing your Booking Details We reserve the right to charge a £15.00 administration fee for any changes made to your booking after it has been confirmed. This includes changes in dates, booking name or contact details. Risk We have taken all reasonable steps to provide you with a level of care and assurances of safety appropriate to the nature of the activities we offer. However you should be aware that certain inherent risks remain which are integral to adventurous activities and which cannot be eliminated with-out destroying their unique character. The risk is generally confined to a similar level that a child in normal active play may experience, or an adult involved in normal active rec-reation. Programme Changes We reserve the right to alter activity programmes without prior notice if the weather conditions or other circumstances deem it appropriate. We always aim to provide an exciting and enjoyable activity programme. House Rules Our Centres aim to impose a minimum of rules. However, the rules we do have are there for the safety and comfort of all guests and staff, and we would ask that you and your group members abide by them. Please note that all Centres operate a no smoking and no alcohol policy. Full details of house rules will be given on arrival at the Centre. Group leaders must take responsibility for the discipline of their group, and assist the Operations Director in the smooth-running of the Centre by addressing any disciplinary prob-lems as they occur. Personal property Abernethy cannot be held liable for loss or damage of per-sonal property, unless it can be proven that it is due to our negligence. Please note that the majority of guest bedrooms do not have locks, but secure storage of valuables can be provided at Reception. If you discover you have lost per-sonal possessions when you return home, please contact the Centre immediately. If found, we will be pleased to return the property to you by post. The cost of postage, plus a small handling and packaging fee will be due by return. Photography Photographs of guests taken during their visit to one of our Centres may be used in future publicity, including printed material and websites. Individuals will not be identified. Complaints In the unlikely event that you have a complaint about any part of your holiday while you are with us, please inform the Operations Director at the Centre as soon as possible, so that steps can be taken to rectify the problem.

Booking Procedure To book, either telephone the Centre of your choice, or com-plete and submit a booking enquiry form on our website. Once suitable dates have been agreed, a provisional booking will be made for you. We will write to you with details of your booking, including dates, provisional numbers and when to send your deposits. When we receive your full deposits, your booking will be confirmed. If the numbers in your group then increase, we will do our very best to accommodate them, and additional full deposits will then be due. However, if numbers decrease, you (as agent for the group) will be liable for an appropriate cancellation fee. Full payment for your holiday is required 6 weeks before you arrive at the Centre. If we do not receive payment by this time, Abernethy will have the discretion to treat the booking as cancelled, and full cancella-tion fees will apply. Financial Security Please note that advance payments are held in a secure Abernethy Clients account, automatically awaiting transfer into Abernethy’s operating account after your visit. Cancellation Policy In the event of cancellation for whatever reason, by either a group or individual, the deposit is non-refundable. Where cancellation occurs within 84 days of your arrival, the follow-ing charges apply: Cancellations must be made in writing – we will continue to hold your reservation until this written cancellation is re-ceived. In the event of your course or holiday having to be cancelled by the Abernethy, you will be offered either a full refund, or a similar course on different dates. Insurance Our Centres are covered for public liability insurance. We recommend that guests consider taking out appropriate in-surance to safeguard against risks such as theft, accident, or the cost of cancelling a holiday. We have arranged a suitable insurance policy through AT Bell Insurance Brokers Ltd which is underwritten by Travel Insurance Facilities plc. De-tails of this policy can be obtained from any of the centres. Pricing We reserve the right to increase or decrease published prices at any time. The price of your holiday or course will be confirmed when your booking is confirmed. Your responsibility It is the responsibility of the group leader, parent, guardian or any individual with primary duty of care to inform the Centre of any special needs, disabilities, behavioural or social prob-lems the child currently has or has recently experienced. This is to protect the well-being of the individual concerned, as well as other guests. In the unfortunate circumstances of a child disrupting a holiday through behavioural or social diffi-culties which affect other guest’s enjoyment, we reserve the right to exclude that individual at any point during the holiday. No refund will be given and collection will be the responsibil-ity of the group leader or person with primary duty of care.

Within 84 days (12 weeks) 60%Within 56 days (8 weeks) 80%Within 42 days (6 weeks) 100%

Cancellat ion Occurs% of f ull f ee due

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ROOM PLAN

BOOTROOM

DEE

FLEET

NITH

TOILET

MERRICK

SHOWERSAND TOILETFACILITIES

TOPLANDING

LEADERSBATHROOMBARCAPLE

STAFFBARCAPLE

STAFFBARCAPLESTAFF

**

*

* EN SUITE

DEEFLEETNITHMERRICKCRAIGLEEMILLFORELAMACHANCORSERINESCREELCRIFFELCURLEYWEE

TOTAL

2 beds + 14 beds + 1-26 beds6 beds + 1-22 beds4 beds + 1-26 beds + 1-22 beds6 beds + 1-26 beds + 1-24 beds

47 + 13

BARCAPLE ROOM PLAN

GROUNDFLOOR

FIRSTFLOOR

BARCAPLESTAFF

SHOWERSAND TOILETFACILITIES

DEE 2 beds + 1 FLEET 4 beds + 1 NITH 6 beds MERRICK 6 beds + 1 CRAIGLEE 2 beds MILLFORE 6 beds LAMACHAN 6 beds + 1 CORSERINE 2 beds SCREEL 6 beds + 1 CRIFFEL 6 beds + 2 CURLEYWEE 4 beds TOTAL 50 + 7

LOCAL PLACES OF INTEREST Tourist Information Centres Dumfries Castle Douglas Kirkcudbright 64 Whitesands Market Hill Car Park Harbour Square Dumfries King Street Kirkcudbright DG1 2RS Castle Douglas DG6 4HY T 01387 253862 DG7 1AE T 01557 330494 T 01556 502611 Cream o’ Galloway (open March-October) Rainton Gatehouse-of-Fleet Castle Douglas DG7 2AP T 01557 814040 W www.creamogalloway.co.uk Threave Gardens Castle Douglas Dumfries and Galloway DG7 1RX Scotland T 01556 502575 F 01556 502683 Threave Castle Castle Douglas Dumfries and Galloway DG7 1RX Scotland T 07711 223101 Galloway Red Kite Trail (feeding time is 2pm daily) Bellymack Hill Farm and Feeding Station near Laurieston Dumfries and Galloway T 01556 670464

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Get in touch!

Abernethy Barcaple By Ringford

Castle Douglas Kirkcudbrightshire

DG7 2AP

T 01557 820261 F 01557 820354

barcaple@abernethy.org.uk

www.abernethy.org.uk

twitter.com/abernethy facebook.com/abernethyadventure

Also at Abernethy Barcaple