The Abbotsholme Outdoor Expedition of Summer of 2012 will take place in the French Region of Auvergne, a fantastic area with a great deal to offer. The trip will be suitable for pupils in Year 10 and above.
The expedition will leave on
Monday 9 July 2012 and return on Friday 19 July 2012
This trip is suitable for all abilities and aspirations; it can be used as taster into a number of activities at gentle level and incorporate ice cream and coffee. But it’s also suitable for those seeking to improve their skills and challenge themselves. All this takes place in a quiet, warm and unspoilt area which is known for its volcanic landscape, Roquefort blue cheese and spring water. The region is not mountainous but it offers varied and striking contrasts; the grass topped dormant volcanoes at almost 2000 meters above sea level descend to rich green forest and deep river gorges which curve and cut their way downstream. The buildings change colour from village to village as the black lava gives way to various tones of limestone. Small farms and old silver mining villages are perched on steep hill sides and in deep river valleys.
While the activities on offer are as always varied, exciting and really help the individual’s technical progress, the most inspirational ingredient of an Abbotsholme OEd Expedition lies in the instructor's ability to translate the events of an adventure in the great outdoors into learning for everyday life. These can encompass enhanced self-knowledge, an awareness of others, an increased capacity to learn from future experience, a recognition that reward comes from endeavor and an appreciation for our wildest landscapes. This awareness of self development is central to Abbotsholme and can often help pupils in securing places of employment and at university.
Not only will the trip increase skill levels and confidence, due to the nature of how the expedition works pupils, with guidance, will plan their own food on a structured budget. They will shop in the local shops and markets. This not only gives us flexibility in activities but in the past has shown that this increases pupils’ independence, creativity, confidence and gives them the ability to use the lessons learnt on future trips either within school expeditions, DofE or on their own.
The main activities of the trip will be ~
- Canoeing and/or kayaking ~ this region has access to the River Allier, and some of the best touring and white water that France has to offer. This river enables canoeing and kayaking for all standards, from those just starting out to those more experienced in white water. Indeed you could canoe or kayak here for the whole trip and paddle a different section every day.
- Rock climbing ~ there are a number of good venues close to our base that offer bolted rock climbs suitable for all abilities.
- Gorge descent ~ we will descend a local gorge using the skills of climbing abseiling and swimming.
- White water rafting ~ we will have a day’s rafting on a section of the Allier (provided by a local company).
- Completing a ‘via ferrata’ ~ which is a steep mountain route equipped with fixed cables, staples, ladders, and bridges. The use of these allows otherwise isolated routes to be joined to create longer routes which are accessible to people with a wide range of climbing abilities. Walkers and climbers can follow via ‘ferratas’ while attached to a protective cable, so strictly limiting the distance of a fall in the unlikely event of a slip.
The expedition will be camping on an official campsite in the small town of Chillac which is a superb area giving access to amazing activities in a beautiful environment. The dates of travel should mean that the area will be relatively quite compared to the peak time of August. The only downside being that the evenings at the campsite can be cool. Pupils will camp in pairs and cook for themselves either in small groups or in activity groups. As part of the experience tent groups will be expected to buy and manage their own food budget, consequently the cost of food is not included in the cost of the trip. A good diet of quality food can be bought from £5 to £10 per day. This will be overseen and monitored by staff, if you would like staff to physically manage this for your son/daughter, this can be arranged. We do this because it allows flexibility in activities but also gives greater individual responsibility.
This trip is for those who would like to try something new or to use their outdoor skills in a challenging environment. Most training and preparation for the activities can be done on site.
We would expect pupils to meet the following criteria ~
- Good previous experience of camping and outdoor living and travel (e.g. DofE, other outdoor trips)
- An ability to work co-operatively with others
- A preparedness to work hard and learn
- A sense of responsibility
- Good sense of humour when things (such as the weather) do not turn out as planned
The trip will cost between £400 and £450, although the final amount will depend on numbers and final travel arrangements. All technical equipment will be supplied by school. The cost will include transport, ferry crossing, fuel, motorway tolls, white water rafting day, campsite fees. We will be travelling by school minibus. Pupils will need money for food, for camping and travel outward and on the return
If you wish to apply for a place on the trip for your son/daughter, please would you complete and return the attached consent form. In addition, please send a cheque for £200 payable to Abbotsholme School as a deposit for the trip. This will be cashed only if your son/daughter is allocated a place on the expedition, but from that point it will be non-returnable, in the event of your son/daughter pulling out of the expedition and an appropriate replacement not being found.
During the course of the next term, planning for the trip will proceed and be finalised. For those allocated a place on the trip the balance would then be payable before June.
The pupil staff ratio will mean that pupils will benefit from highly professional instruction and experience some of the best outdoor activities that this area has to offer ensuring that the trip will be a memorable, challenging and enjoyable one.