Courses Available

2010 Courses

Graftin' in the Gorge, Ironbridge March 1st - 5th, 2010.  Karen Colebourn is our lead tutor as we explore the birth of the Industrial Revolution with the help of the Ironbridge Gorge education department and visits to the museums that bring the industrial archaeology to life.  We will stay in the recently refurbished Youth Hostel, many rooms have en-suite and all students will have their own room with comfortable bunk beds.

Hands-On Science Course. Bristol March 8th - 11th 2010 This course includes a tour of At-Bristol, the famous hands-on science and discovery centre, an evening at a Scince Cafe, and a tour round Concorde 216—Alpha Foxtrot—which made its final flight home into Filton on 26th November 2003. We will stay in Burwalls, the University of Bristol's Conference Centre in single rooms, many of which are en-suite.

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LURKING IN THE LAKES A course for visually impaired adults July 12th – 16th 2010 Tutor: Karen Colebourn

AddVenture in Learning is holding a week in the Lake District focussing on the Lake District National Park and exploring its geology, landscape, history and wildlife. We will be staying very close to the Park and will visit it daily. Local speakers will explain how this beautiful part of England, with its lakes and fells came into being, through the interaction of nature and humans. We will also consider the issues that are affecting its conservation and future.

The course will be intellectually stimulating as well as enjoyable and is totally accessible to visually impaired adults. No expert knowledge is required: all you need is enthusiasm for the subject and a desire to learn. All course materials are available in accessible formats and each student will have a sighted guide to help them get the most out of the course.

Field trips will involve moderate walks over rough ground so walking boots and waterproofs are essential. We will be out for most of each day with picnic lunches eaten in the coach in the event of wet weather.

The tutor, Karen Colebourn led the first ever AddVenture course in South Devon in 2007 and in 2009 took us foraging in the New Forest.

VENUE

The course will be based at Sedbergh School, Sedbergh, Cumbria. The school is set in extensive grounds. Accommodation for students will be in single rooms (twin rooms for couples) but washrooms, toilets, showers and baths are in communal areas (with private cubicles). Some sighted guides may have to share rooms.   

COST

The cost for students is £400.

Guides are asked to make a donation of a minimum of £130.

There may be a limited number of bursaries of 10% available. (Dependant on funding.)

If you cancel your booking with more than 4 weeks’ notice, your deposit will be refunded, less an administration charge of £30.  For a cancellation made with less than 4 weeks notice before the start, a charge will be made unless we can fill the place.  Joining instructions and further information will be sent prior to each week.

ARRIVAL

We will organise transport from the nearest station: Oxenholme. Oxenholme station is on the west coast main line and is about 10 miles from Sedbergh. A buffet lunch will be available from 12.30 on Monday July 12th, with the course starting at 14.00 and finishing after lunch on Friday 16th July. For anyone travelling a long distance, it will be possible to book bed and breakfast on the night of July 11th for an extra charge.

Guide dogs are welcome but may have to be on leads for most of the field trips so as not to disturb wildlife, including nesting birds.

To book a place: Download the form here and return it to the address at the end of the form. For help with completing the application form or additional information about the course, phone Claire Wickham on 07964 727 322.

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About Previous Courses

Add Venture in Learning ran its first course at Stover School at the end of July 2007 with ecology tutor Karen Colebourn. In a summer of very poor weather we had a perfect week and even managed to get sunburnt! Karen took students to a variety of habitats including the coastal sites of Dawlish Warren, Berry Head, and Slapton Ley.

We visited the Dartmoor and saw both the natural habitat and also the influence of man in the medieval village near Houndtor and the granite tramway and quarry at Hound Tor. We visited the lakes and woodlands of Stover Country park and also the ancient woodland of Yarner Woods and undertook a bat survey in the grounds of the school with the Devon Bat group.

In addition to Karen's guidance we had the assistance of the wardens and education officers at all the sites. It was a week packed with interest and variety maintaining the high standards set by the earlier courses run by the University of Bristol, and we look forward to building on this success.

 During 2008 we ran 2 courses with the help of National Lottery Awards For All scheme.  One was an archaeology course in Devon with Dr Tina Tuohy and the other was an art and architecture course with Adrian Tinniswood. We also ran a wood carving course at Hawkwood College with tutor David Lovemore. Some pictures on view in our Gallery.