CANCELLED - Extra Dartmoor Club walk Saturday January 16 - CANCELLED

Unfortunately due to changed minibus availability and continuing uncertainty over the weather and road conditions I have made the decision to cancel the ‘extra’ walk planned for Saturday 16 January.

The next walk will be on Saturday 6 February. This will be open to all students in Years 9-13 who are hoping to take part in this year’s 10 Tors event.

Students in Year 7 and 8 should be congratulated on their enthusiasm and participation thus far in the year. They are reminded that they have the opportunity of joining Dartmoor Perambulation (click here for a link to last year’s photos from this exciting Enrichment Week event) if they wish to experience more of the magic of Dartmoor before Dartmoor Club re-opens to all years in September.

Dartmoor Club is open to all students at SDCC. 

We enjoy a days walking on Dartmoor on a couple of Saturdays each month.  Many students in Year 9 and above go on to train for the Ten Tors event which is held over a weekend in May each year.  No previous experience is necessary, so why not come along and see if you enjoy it!

Dates for the 2009 - 2010 season of Dartmoor Club walks (pdf file) - click here...

• Dartmoor Club Walks - 2009 -2010 season - report and photos...

Ten Tors report and photographs - click here...

Dartmoor Club meetings are in SC4 at 1 p.m. on Wednesday every week. 

Click here for Dartmoor Club Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

10% discount at Trailventure

Need Equipment for Dartmoor Club/10 Tors? - TRAILVENTURE DISCOUNT

Once again our local outdoor supplier Trailventure will offer students participating in Dartmoor Club a 10% discount on most items in the shop.

Details of their services and offers can be found on their advertising flyer by clicking here.

With the onset of winter it is vital that students come properly prepared for walks. As a minimum this must include boots offering good ankle support, waterproof jacket and trousers, a warm hat, gloves and a spare fleece or equivalent.

Staff at Trailventure will be happy to advise on all such items, just make them aware that you are intending to participate in 10 Tors so that they can make sure anything you purchase will pass the army’s stringent checks.

 

Dartmoor Club old-timers will know that in recent years our walks starting from Fernworthy Reservoir have been plagued by really wet weather. On occassions we have even cancelled the walks half-way through!

This year we got off more lightly with some blue skies separating the squally showers. However, as you can see from the photos we did need to be well wrapped up and keep our waterproofs on all day.

 

Nevertheless all the groups seemed to have a good time or though I am a little suspicious as to how far the Year 11 girls actually walked - Mrs Lea and Miss Ratcliffe were keen to point out the 'team building' nature of the day but by the look of all the grass woven head-dresses they had made it looked more like an outing for the 'corn dollies' club than Dartmoor Club.

On a more serious note we are now entering the winter season properly and all students should be mindful of bringing the correct kit on walks. Please ensure your child has adequate spare clothing. A warm drink and a torch (just in case an accident holds us up into the twilight) are also highly recommended though not essential.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our next walk is from Okehampton, enjoying the ruggedness of the North Moor, on Saturday 21st November - meet by the minibuses at 8.45am.

If you want more details be sure to come along to the weekly Dartmoor Club meetings - 1pm on Wednesdays in SC4.

Richard Woodland

SDCC home

Students and staff enjoyed the fantastic weather over the weekend as 10 Tors training stepped up yet another gear.

This time everyone had to carry full (and very heavy!) backpacks as we camped out on the Saturday night. The routes took the teams from Okehampton camp either west to Shilstone Tor or east to Sourton Tors before heading south to our rendevous at Sandy Hole Pass. This meant lots of hard work crossing the very open, wild and boggy parts of the moor.

Thank fully no-one got stuck despite a few near misses leading to some wet and muddy trousers! As you can see from the photos everyone had a fantastic time – even Jess G who celebrated her 16th birthday with the students training for the 45 mile route. Provisional teams will be announced at the lunchtime meeting on Tuesday 31 March, 12.45pm in SC4.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Richard Woodland

SDCC home

Can you be competitive when trying to be a team?

Following the large numbers of students who enjoyed our Saturday walks with Dartmoor Club in the Autumn Term students in Years 9-13 have continued to be out on the moor as part of the Ten Tors Training programme. Competition for places is particular tough this year, especially amongst Y11 students vying for places on the 45 mile route.Interestingly students will be chosen according to whom will make the best overall team rather than on their individual strengths.

This has given an interesting flavour to our training meetings and walks where students are having to work collaboratively in a competitive environment. For me as a teacher this has certainly brought new challenges to the way I work with young people but it has been very rewarding to see South Dartmoor’s students respond so positively.

Whilst I know there will be several disappointed students when the provisional teams are announced after our training camp on March 21 and 22  I hope that all the students, irrespective of whether or not they make it through to the event, will have enjoyed and benefitted from the process. I hope that those who do not make it through this year will join Dartmoor Club again in September and participate in Ten Tors 2010.

Students and parents who want more details of the rules for Ten Tors 2009 should visit www.exeter.ac.uk/tentors

SDCC home

When are the walks?

• Details are published in the College Calendar and are available on the College website. Reminders are given through the daily Student Bulletin.
• We normally meet for walks at 8.45 am in the SDCC car park.
• Return times vary but we normally get back to SDCC about 4pm. You will have an opportunity to confirm this by mobile phone on the day.

 

 

What do I need to bring?

• Clothing suitable for walking (several thin layers are better than one thick layer. Tracksuit trousers or walking trousers NOT jeans)
• Walking boots with good ankle support (sturdy trainers are OK for the first couple of walks)
• Waterproofs (jacket and trousers)
• Warm hat and gloves
• A spare warm fleece or jumper
• Sufficient food and drink for a day’s activity
• A small day sack to carry all of this in
• In summer you may also need  a sun hat and sun cream

 

Do I need extra equipment for 10 Tors?

• Yes. Details will be given out at the appropriate lunchtime meeting.
• You could also look at the official 10 Tors website: www.events.ex.ac.uk/tentors

 

 

Are the Leaders Qualified?

• Yes. Dartmoor Club is run by Mr Woodland who has the Mountain Leader Award, Summer.
• He is supported by Mike Owen (Mountain Leader Award, Summer) and Kevin Obbard (Walking Group Leader Award).
• A number of other staff also help: Miss Morgan (Mountain Leader Training, Summer,), Ms Ratcliffe (Moorland Camping Leader) and Mr Smith (Mountain Leader Award, Summer).
• The minibuses are only driven by staff who have passed the Devon County Council minibus test
• All staff have a relevant First Aid Qualification.

 

Can help be reached in an emergency?

• All groups are closely supervised according to their experience and navigational ability. When appropriate groups do walk unaccompanied on the open moor, but are in regular contact with staff throughout the walk.
• Members of staff will intervene as and when necessary to ensure the safety of all students.
• Mobile phones and emergency shelters are carried by all groups. Students are trained in their use and discuss scenarios regularly with members of staff as to the circumstances under which it would be appropriate to use them.
• In an emergency members of staff would contact parents as soon as reliable information on the situation could be provided. However, their priority would be the safety of students and liasing with the emergency services.
• All students have to complete an SDCC consent form which is used for the entire year. If contact details or medical information changes it is the responsibility of parents to inform staff of this.
• Parents are not encouraged to try and contact students or staff during a walk.

 

Where can I get extra information?

• Come along to the weekly Dartmoor Club meetings: Tuesday lunchtimes in SC4.
• See Mr Woodland in Student Reception.