Trip Planning

Bag and water

• A good day pack — large enough for a packed lunch, two litres of water and a waterproof jacket
• Reusable water bottle, minimum 1 litre capacity. Bottled water is not given out except on extended hikes; students without a bottle will need to purchase one for the week

Footwear

• Trainers or sports shoes for walking — preferred over hiking boots as they dry more quickly. Most activities require closed shoes; please do not come with sandals only
• A second pair of old trainers that you do not mind getting wet, dirty, or leaving behind — for rafting, kayaking, the confidence course and other water activities. This is one of the most often-forgotten items
• Sandals (no heels) — sport-style sandals such as Tevas are ideal. Crocs are not appropriate for water activities as they come off easily and are routinely lost

Clothing

Long trousers (×2)

lightweight cotton or quick-drying synthetics. NOT denim/jeans (too restrictive, slow to dry, uncomfortable in heat)

Long-sleeve shirts (×2)

for sun protection and insect cover

Shorts (×2)

Vegetarian, halal, and most other dietary needs can be supported with notice.

T-shirts (×4)

please, no offensive slogans. Girls: this is a conservative rural area, so spaghetti-strap or revealing tops should not be worn outside the centre

Fleece or sweater

(cool months — November to February and MRV/SEEC/KVEEC; less critical at SRY)

Lightweight waterproof jacket

Swimming gear

Underwear and socks

sufficient for the trip length

Sun hat with brim

Sun, insect and personal care

• Sunglasses
• High-factor sunscreen / sunblock
• Insect repellent (DEET-based or equivalent)
• Wash kit / toiletries (towels are provided at all centres)
• Any personal medication and sanitary items
• Torch / flashlight — a head torch is most useful, particularly for cave visits at MRV and night-time fieldwork at KYEEC and SRY

For fieldwork groups

• Clipboard, pens, pencils, notebook
• Calculator
• Camera (waterproof or with waterproof case recommended at SRY and MRV)

Dietary & Medical Issues

Schools are asked to share dietary requirements and medical issues before arrival. A request-for-information form will be sent several weeks ahead of the trip. Where information is confidential, it can be shared on arrival with the relevant instructors so that students can take part in activities safely.

We can cater for most dietary requirements (vegetarian, halal, dairy- or gluten-free, etc.) given reasonable notice.

Risk Assessments

All activities are risk-assessed; assessments are available on request. Climbing and high-ropes elements use only CE-rated equipment, the worldwide industry standard. All equipment is checked prior to use, logged, and replaced on a regular basis. All water-based activities require students to wear buoyancy aids that exceed the minimum buoyancy requirement. Each trip carries a full rescue kit.

All off-site treks and activities are accompanied by guides and instructors equipped with two-way radios or mobile phones. Most trek routes are within a few kilometres of vehicle-accessible tracks. Specific evacuation procedures are available on request.

Transport

Transport between the agreed pick-up location and the centre is by 10-seater minibuses, all of which have seat belts. A guide-instructor will meet the arriving group and organise the transfer; an additional vehicle will normally be on hand for luggage. Larger groups may travel by 44-seat coach (also fitted with seat belts).

All vehicles are instructed not to exceed 80 km/h on highways, and at least one adult is present in each vehicle in addition to the driver.

For local transfers, regional taxis (Songthaews / similar) may be used. These vehicles do not always have seat belts; an adult will travel in each vehicle and drivers are instructed to keep below 50 km/h. Schools may request seat-belted minibuses for local transfers at additional cost — please ask.