AA 2015 schools - Adventure Ardeche

adventureardeche
School
Adventures
Welcome
Adventure Ardeche provides a bespoke and professional
service, offering exhilarating, challenging and educational
activity holidays for schools and groups.
Our Adventure Ardeche site is located in the picturesque
area of the Chassezac Gorge, surrounded by beautiful
paleolithic forests and wild life. The family-run site we use
is fully equipped with large modern chalets with their own
toilets and showers.
As we operate our school season outside of the
traditional family holiday period we have an almost
exclusive use of the site and its facilities. There is a
restaurant area with bar, a table tennis area, boules
courts and a large pool. The River Chassezac is just
two minutes walk away and we are ideally placed to take
advantage of the many beautiful footpaths and nearby
climbing sites.
We offer a multi activity program that allows your group
to enjoy new physical challenges and experiences. As
well as climbing and abseiling locally in the Chassezac
Gorge, we also provide a three day canoeing descent
of the Ardeche Gorge. Students will paddle in pairs
through some 37 Kilometres of one of the most dramatic
landscapes in France. There will be many opportunities
in which to play, swim and picnic. One of the highlights
for many is the overnight bivouac with barbeque. We
also provide a day at a nearby High Ropes facility and
almost always manage to squeeze in a trip to one of our
local, bustling markets.
All meals for our groups are freshly prepared on site by
Tammy and her team using local produce. Wheat and
lactose alternatives are provided and Halal meat can
dietary and nutritional requirements before you arrive and
supply you with the menu for the week.
There are several established companies here in the
Ardeche providing Activity Holidays for schools. The
difference with Adventure Ardeche is that we take a far
more bespoke approach to delivering activity programs
to schools. We believe that we are in the unique position
of being able to offer hand tailored and exclusive trips
to schools, managed and organized with our partner,
Voyager Schools Travel. The advantage of working
closely with party leaders is that we can produce an
activity package that recognizes curriculum needs and
learning whilst aiming to make the experience as much of
a French adventure as possible.
All of our activities will be instructed in English by UK
to learn and absorb language and culture through
experience. Our program reinforces the importance of
learning outside the classroom, incorporating language,
geography, history, PE, citizenship, creativity, individual
and collective responsibility and social skills.
We have a high level of experience in providing activity
programs for groups, especially within education
complementing the work carried out in Schools.
Phil and Tammy Gasson
I don’t think I can thank you enough
for providing such a fantastic
experience for the children.
Your staff were top notch and were
the icing on the cake.
Their experience, knowledge,
enjoyment and the way in which they
related to the children was second to
none.
Thank you.
Mr Wilde
Queens College
adventureardeche.com
tel:
0207 193 2117
Typical Itinerary
Saturday
Depart school for your journey to the Ardeche
Sunday
On arrival to our Adventures Ardeche site you will be met
by our staff who will introduce you to the site and to your
chance to unpack and unwind before taking a swim test
in the pool. The afternoon is a time when the group is free
to just rest or go down to the river with our instructors.
After dinner there will be a chance to trek through the
These ancient forests are minimally managed and give
students a real chance to see how much of the landscape
would have looked centuries ago.
Monday
We spend half a day weisling, whilst the other half of the
day you can be climbing and abseiling amongst the scenic
crags in the limestone cliffs above the Chassezac Gorge.
There are lots of opportunities to push your personal
climbing abilities as well as developing team skills.
Thursday
After an early breakfast, the group returns to the river to
pick up from where we left off. Today we will enter the
Gorge proper, fully equipped for the two-day descent.
The depth of the gorge has earned it the nickname of
“The Grand Canyon of Europe” and only whilst paddling
through it can you fully appreciate why. As well as
negotiating the many rapids along the way we have time
to swim and have lunch by the rivers edge.
By late afternoon we arrive at the bivouac site, prepare
our sleeping area and light the BBQ. The site is equipped
with a shower block and toilets and there is time to
freshen up before eating. Beach games and guided walks
down for the night.
Friday
This evening we will test your knowledge of all things
French with a Quiz!
descent. As we continue towards the town of St. Martin,
the rapids become less vigorous and there is more
opportunity to play and to take in the spectacular scenery.
A picnic lunch breaks up the journey to the bottom of the
gorge where a coach will be waiting to take you back to
the site for your evening meal.
Tuesday
High Ropes day is great fun. You literally spend the
whole day swinging and zip lining through the trees at our
fantastic HR course in Les Vans. There are four courses
that get progressively harder with lots of challenges along
the way.
Saturday
The last day is great for a bit of last minute shopping.
There will be an opportunity to visit a nearby town to
stock up on presents and snacks for the journey home.
After lunch its time to pack up and prepare for return to
England.
This evening we will prepare you for tomorrow
mornings market visit by giving you some language tips
and challenges.
Wednesday
In the morning we will take you to one of the many local
markets. There is a great opportunity to taste the samples
of sauissons, cheeses and olives that stall holders put
out, to buy small gifts and also to practice your French.
After lunch the group will be given a canoe initiation
the descent. During this mini descent they will learn basic
has the thrill of the rapids as well as paddling through the
This evening we will give you a brief river talk and show you
how to pack your dry sack before turning in for the night.
Note:
able to plan and design the program around the needs of
your school. The itinerary may be subject to change due to
river levels or weather conditions We will always consider
the safety and comfort of your group above all else.
adventureardeche.com
tel:
0207 193 2117
Praise for the trip has been unanimous.
Some kids have said it is the best trip
they have ever been on! As far as I’m
concerned, this is entirely down to
you and your team.
Mr Hensman
Harrodian School.
adventureardeche.com
tel:
0207 193 2117
Safety
Adventure Ardeche are responsible for overall safety of
every group whilst they are in our care. We operate to
the highest standards and conform to European National
governing bodies’ code of practices. We work to NGB
the guidelines.
We pride ourselves on our selection of staff as we hand
pick and train our teams personally. Our instructors are
chosen ultimately for their maturity and professionalism,
but we insist that they are blessed with a sense of
adventure and fun.
Adventure Ardeche complies with the DFES guide
“Health & Safety of Pupils on Educational Visits 1998”
and the appendices added in 2002.
All risk assessments are available to party leaders. We
operate a policy of transparency, and all staff/instructor
details will be sent to the party leader as part of the
welcome pack.
Thanks for another great trip
the instructors were amazing.
Mr Ashwin Roseland college
adventureardeche.com
tel:
0207 193 2117
Terms & conditions
1.1 All holiday bookings are made with Adventure Ardeche Ltd .
Registered company number 7386638
1.2 Places on Adventure Ardeche holidays can only be reserved by
paying a deposit 10% of the total holiday price.
1.3
1.4 The balance of the holiday fee is payable 8 weeks prior to the start
of the holiday.
1.5 If booking is less than 8 weeks prior to the commencement date,
the full fee is due immediately.
1.6 Booking made by under 18 year olds must be accompanied by the
signature of parent/ guardian giving full permission.
1.7 Under 16 year olds must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
1.8 Before making any booking, we recommend contacting Adventure
Ardeche to fully discuss your requirements.
1.9 Canoeing, Kayaking, Climbing, Caving, and related activities are
inherently dangerous and the risk of serious injury or death cannot
be completely eliminated. Adventure Ardeche takes every care to
ensure the safety of both clients and staff and strives to minimize
any risks during our holidays. Participants should be aware of all
risks involved and take responsibility for their own actions.
1.10 Adventure Ardeche will not be responsible for any injury, illness or
death sustained on our adventure holidays, nor will it be liable for
any uninsured losses or damage to property.
Cancellation by client:
2.1 All cancellations must be made in writing or via email.
2.2 In the event of cancellation, Adventure Ardeche will attempt to
re-sell your place and refund any deposit paid, less 10% to cover
administration fees.
2.3 In the event of Adventure Ardeche being unable to sell your place
the following cancellation fees will be charged.
8 or more weeks prior to the commencement of the holiday: 50%
2-8 weeks prior to the commencement of the holiday: 75%
Less than two weeks prior to the commencement of the holiday: 90%
Cancellation by Adventure Ardeche :
3.1 Adventure Ardeche aims to ensure that all advertised holidays run
on the stated dates, however we reserve the right to cancel any
holiday. We will notify you as soon as a decision to cancel has
been made.
3.2 Adventure Ardeche will give a t least four weeks notice of any
cancellation.
3.2 In the event of cancellation, clients will be entitled to either:
• A full refund.
• A place on an alternative holiday.
Adventure Ardeche Ltd
Company registered in England & Wales, No 7386638