Rock Frog, climbing classes, west london, outdoor activities, team building, kayaking, walking holidays, climbing club, SPA, GCSE

E-News Update April 2008

				Junior Club News
				It's been a great start to the New Year for the club with attendances up and some brilliant things going on. The bouldering scene @ club has really taken off since we took on our new coach Clare Curling. she has been a spark of inspiration to all the children and her bubbly enthusiasm really has fired up all the children.
				Competition Squad
				With Clare's instruction the Frog Squad achieved excellent results in the SIBL (Southern Indoor bouldering League) and at our own competition which was held at Brunel on 15th March.Pictures from both can be seen on our gallery. After the Easter break we will be looking at allocating squad places for the coming 6 months and we are intending to bring into the squad some more junior members who can train with Clare... What shall we call them?.. the Tadpole Team!!!??
				Real Rock Day
				On the 12th April we will be holding our first Club Day Out of the year to Bristol for some "real rock" climbing. We would encourage all confident club climbers to come and experience the day in the spectacular Avon Gorge in Bristol.You can book online, the cost is £22 per child for the whole day climbing. We would suggest that children over 12 would be fine to travel down with friends if all parents are not able to attend but as this is an outdoor location with no facilities we would suggest that younger children are accompanied to Bristol, even if parents do not stay on site all the time. If you are intending coming down as a family, we will try and let any parents who want to climb have a go but the children's climbing will be the priority. Bristol is a great place for a day out, there's lots to see and do and some great shops and restaurants. If you are making a weekend of it we can suggest some places to stay. Please note that places are limited so if you would like your child to have this opportunity then book asap. If you are unsure of the suitability of the trip for your child then please do not hesitate to contact us.
				School Holiday Climbing Courses @ Brunel University
				If children or their school friends are stuck for things to do in the holiday then they could come climbing @ Brunel in the week of 14th - 17th April. Brunel are running a 5 day course (2 hours per day), presented by Rock Frog. If you would like to book a place then you need to contact Brunel University Direct on 01895 265305. Places are limited.
				Hillingdon Adult Education
				Rock Frog are now presenting courses in May and June for Adult Education. Courses available: Paddle skills for beginners - (kayaking) 11th June a 3 week course @ Hillingdon Lake (evening weekday)Climbing for beginners - 3rd May a 4 week course @ Brunel University Wall (daytime weekend) We hope that, if successful, the provision of active learning courses such as the above will be expanded to include navigation and bushcraft.These courses are open to all adults and if you would like to book then you need to contact Adult Education Direct on: 01895 254766 or check the website @ http://www.hae-acl.ac.uk
				Hillingdon Family Learning Spring / Summer 2008
				The new Hillingdon Family Learning Courses will be advertised shortly (along with the above Adult Education Courses) in the Hillingdon Adult Education Brochure, which will be out shortly on-line and in print from centres and your local library. We are providing a new service to back up our provision of Active Learning courses in the borough which we hope will ensure that course provision is suited exactly to students. Although dates for couses will not appear on our website until they are published by Adult Education, you can go to our website, click on the Hillingdon Family Learning News on the News column and get information about Family Learning and the individual courses including location maps and kit lists. You can also post questions on our online forum either before registering for the couse or during the course. If you have not completed any Family Learning then take a look; the courses are free and great fun!
				Great Courses for Spring / Summer 2008
				We have some great outdoor courses planned for Summer 2008. If you are interested in any of our range of activities then please e-mail us to pre-register your interest (without obligation).
				Harrow Leisure Centre Wall
				Harrow Leisure Centre Wall is now run by Rock Frog Outdoor Activities and since the re-opening of the wall a month ago we have been holding regular junior and family club sessions and school sessions. Our first After School club Session will take place this month and we are advertising adult beginner's courses. If you are interested in climbing at Harrow Wall then you can check out details and book your session via our book online service on our website. At the moment we are trying to set up a regular evening slot where casual exprienced climbers can come and "play" on the wall. If you would fall into this category then please post your interest on our Forum and we will try and get an evening slot up and running.
				Earley Wood
				We are happy to announce that we should take over the wardenship of Earley Wood Scout Camp at some point in April. For a very long time the Scout Association has had difficulty in finding a suitable Warden to manage the site and we have enterred into partnership with the Earley Wood Comittee; this partnership will provide Earley Wood with local people who can manage the site and it will also provide Rock Frog with a great location to present outdoor activity camps, courses and climbing to existing clients and clients from the East Berkshire area. Watch the website for updates.
				Children's Summer Camp
				Our Childrens summer Camp will be held this year at Earley Wood Camp in Sunninghill, Berkshire (for the uninitiated, this is about 30-35 minutes from Brunel university). The camp will be over 5 days and children will have the option to book for the entire period and camp over or come on a day basis for the 5 days or book a 2 day slot. The camp will be a great fun learning experience for children aged 10 - 15 they will learn how to camp efficiently and effectively, light campfires, use tools, recognise trees, plants and wildlife, navigate and read maps, do ropework skills and climb on the great climbing tower at the camp. The provisional date for the camp is 4 - 8 August and the camp is open to all children within the age range. Confirmed dates, prices and details of the activities will be posted on the website in the next couple of weeks and you will be able to book and pay for your place online.
				Cwm Pennant
				We feel it appropriate to give a general update regarding The Cwm Pennant Mountain Centre which. for those who don't know, the centre was run by the London Borough of Hillingdon for over 30 years and closed last year. Many people were aware that Rock Frog bid to take over the centre when it was advertised last year but our bid was rejected. We understand that other bids were unacceptable and the preferred bidder withdrew their offer so the centre's lease was advertised via an estate agent. As yet there is no news of a buyer. Since all business ceased at the centre at the end of August last year, the centre's lease, utilities and it's upkeep is still being paid for by the people of Hillingdon, as is the cost of the 24 hour security, this situation will continue until a buyer is found. For more information contact the Uxbridge Gazette.
				Team Training Spring 2008
				So far we have had 2 team training sessions. Bowles Rock Day and the Snowdonia Easter Weekend. You can see pictures of these trips on our Gallery. We are intending going back to Snowdonia for our Summer Training for a re-run of our 2006 trip which will include kayaking, canoeing, climbing and navigation. the dates for that trip and others will be posted soon.
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