Min-y-Don 2nd – 6th March 2020

What time are they leaving/returning? Children need to arrive for 9:00 am on Monday 2nd March The coach will be leaving Bickerstaffe by 9:30 am. Lunch will be Bala Lake (children need a packed lunch) Children will arrive at Min-y-Don by 1:00 pm. We will be arriving back in Bickerstaffe at approx 3pm on Friday 6th March.

How will I know they’ve arrived safely? Please follow @MinBick – Min-y-bick Adventures for up to date/live timeline of what children are doing if 4G/wifi is good . When we arrive, I’ll call the office and Mrs Wafer will text parents. Please ensure we have a current number for you.

What will they do whilst at MYD? Make lifelong memories doing a range of exciting activities! Children will be placed in groups with a member of our staff and a Min-y-don instructor. The will perform activities with their group throughout the day. Children will be together at breakfast, lunch, dinner and in the evenings.

Examples of activities Trail Biking Zip Wire Low Ropes Course Kayaking Campfire/survival activities Rock Climbing High Ropes Course Orienteering Trail Biking Hill walking

Safe Hands! All staff at the centre are fully qualified and hold the relevant accreditation for the activities being offered. As well as Min-y-don instructors being First Aid qualified, Bickerstaffe team are too! Please let us know if your child is on medication, including inhalers.

What happens when they’re not taking part in activities? Between activities the children will have some free time and sports equipment is available for them to borrow. After supper the gift/tuck shop will be available for a short amount of time. In the evening the staff at MYD organise some games and later on (around 9pm) they finish with an informal epilogue followed by supper.

Duties All the children will be expected to give a lend a hand in the dining room. A rota is created. Each team will serve tables, clear/clean tables, wash/dry dishes and set tables up for next meal. Each day, children will also make own lunch – sandwich, crisps, fruit, snack.

Sleeping arrangements The bedrooms are of varying size and each contain bunk beds. Room sizes range from 2-6 children. Usually boys are in one part of the building with the girls in another. Bickerstaffe team will be allocated a corridor and staff bedroom will be on that corridor so that children have known adult if they need anything. Children have to manage own belongings and keep bedspace/room tidy. Points are awarded

What do they need to take? Please find in the kit list of suggested items. One small case or holdall. DO NOT OVERPACK! Needs to fit on bus. Children get overwhelmed if they have too many belongings. Keep it simple. Label everything!

No aerosols – roll on deodorant only. No jeans for day wear No mobile phones Any medication clearly labelled and handed to myself or Mrs Aitken. You must have completed a school medication form. Must have sleeping bag and pillow case. Packed lunch for Monday, including drink in a re-usable named bottle – no fizzy drinks. Watch and torch Spare shoes and socks Small teddy Bear!

Forms Forms: return ASAP One set is a Lancashire (EA) requirement. One is a Min-y-Don Centre requirement. School medication form will be supplied if required.

Behaviour School rules apply. Children are expected to behave in a responsible manner throughout their stay. We will be reminding the children of what those expectations are before we leave. Children must have good conduct prior to trip. Please read the enclosed ‘Code of Conduct’ with your child, both sign and return. If however your child’s behaviour is deemed to be highly unacceptable we would have no choice but to ask you to come and collect them.

The Return Journey We expect to return at 3.00pm or before. We will phone Mrs Wafer on departure and again as we get closer to home. She will text an estimated time of arrival during the afternoon. If we are going to be very late she will then use the text messaging service to update you. And finally…

On a lighter note Enjoy your week of peace and quiet!!! Try not to think of all the dirty washing that will be returning with your child! Follow us on Twitter!