Hilltop 2017 March 6th – 10th

Hilltop Outdoor Centre Hilltop, is a family run, outdoor centre just outside of Sheringham, in Norfolk. It provides children with the opportunity to try new activities in a safe, well-organised, exciting environment.

Aims of the visit To encourage independence and develop responsibility. To increase social skills. To try new activities. To set personal challenges. To study a geographical feature – rock pools and habitats To learn to empower and support a team

Challenge by Choice Safety skills Team/Trust games Bush Craft High Ropes Climbing Wall Assault Course Archery Mountain Biking Rocky Sea Shore Tree top trail Big Zipper Hilltop Disco Owls and mice Campfire Night Orienteering

Staff The children will always know where to find one of us. Mrs Heijne Mrs Ling Mrs Thomson will be volunteering this year Timetable shared on arrival. Children sometimes divided into 3 groups, sometimes altogether. Children given meeting times. Free time spent in the games room or outside. Not in rooms.

Accommodation Seaview House Children will be with at least one of their chosen friends from a list of 4. Rooms will have 6 in each. Children are not allowed in each other’s rooms. Boys rooms are on the first floor with Mrs Heijne’s room. Girl’s rooms are on the top floor with Mrs Ling and Mrs Thompson’s room. I try to avoid children being in the same group for activities as who they share a room with.

A typical day! Children are allowed out of their room from 7.15am and can go into the games room with an adult. Breakfast follows this at 7.45 During the morning they will have 2 activities. Lunch break follows for approximately an hour. During the afternoon they have 2 further activities. Free time before tea at 5.15pm. After tea, we play a night game. Hot chocolate and then bed! Lights out at 9pm and sleep.

First Aid: Mrs Ling Please label Medicines clearly – do not pack in luggage. This includes travel sickness tablets, eczema cream, calpol, inhalers. Please let us know if your child has been ill over the weekend before we leave. If your child has travel sickness, sleep walking, bed wetting, fears or a medical concern please arrange to meet with Mrs Heijne.

Remember to pack: Lots of named warm, waterproof layers – old clothing – avoid jeans Label everything– if it gets lost Hilltop will hold items for 2 weeks. Packed lunch for first day in a disposable bag. Water bottle for the rest of the week. A few travel sweets for the journey, too many will be looked after by the teachers.

Remember to pack: Sleeping bag or duvet & bottom sheet. One pillow provided. Can bring their own. Essentials: bring a torch, gloves, waterproof jacket, hair ties, indoor shoes, a small bag to carry their belongings around in during the day. Doubles of essentials eg. Wellies and old trainers. Cameras - Children’s responsibility – name clearly.

Please don’t pack: Extra food - The meals at Hilltop are very substantial, there is no need to send extra snacks. Please don’t! This includes bags of sweets for the journey, just a small packet please. Money - The children have £5 to spend in the snack shop for the week and need no extra spending money. New clothes – they will get muddy! You do not need a swimming kit even though it is on the kit list. Mobile phones/ipods/DS etc. Medicine into luggage – Give it to Mrs Ling!

Keeping in touch. Every day there will be a short email (In touch) to let parents know how things are going. Parents can send a letter, we save this until the last day as clearly stated on kitlist. Any serious problems – we will be ringing you directly – please ensure the mobile numbers you gave do not change! We will use the numbers provided on the consent forms.

Things for parents to do next Get your child to check the kit list so they are involved in preparing and packing for Hilltop. Arrange to drop off your child with luggage in the morning, usual time but good to plan time to say goodbye. Write names clearly in all clothing, particularly waterproof coats, trousers, wellies. Organise inhalers and other medicines, check dates and label clearly.

Things for parents to do next Please arrange to collect your child from the coach (about 3.30pm) Plan a quiet weekend after the week, children will be very tired. Check your payments are up-to-date with the office. Any dietary or medical concerns, book a time to talk to Mrs Heijne about this.