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Information for those buying or specifying courses:
Thank you for the chance to tell you more about Ardclinis
and our team building courses. Our service concentrates on
three main areas: |
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Safety and enjoyment. |
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Best use of time - for fun and
achievement. |
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Value for Money. |
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 On this page (and linked to it) is information on various
aspects of our work. We run many styles of team course - those
for induction and as a reward, courses for building teams and
those focused on other specific issues.
Lots of well known organisations will recommend us - a
page of references.
Equality in all forms is important to us.
Women and men are quite equally represented on our staff.
We offer women-only courses and men-only courses when
required.
You are very welcome to visit us, in addition we can
arrange to show you a course in progress.
We are prepared to take advantage of technology to
supply you with information.
We look forward to talking with you and guarantee a
speedy reply to any questions or concerns you may have.
Anne Bowen |
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An example of a Team Building course, Autumn
This two day team building course, was for the sales
department of a international airline.
The programme included:
Programme design, including a preparatory meeting
and site visit, helping us to ensure "a meeting of minds" and
providing an accurate description of the objectives of the
whole initiative.
Setup and delivery of outdoor tasks and challenges by
skilled, experienced and qualified instructors.
Facilitation runs all the way through the event -
not simply a "how did you get on" session before departure! Our
staff meet after each major course to evaluate our own
performance. We have been improving and reshaping courses for
11 years and we will go on enjoying the work and pushing the
standards.
Use of specialised equipment. Personal accident
insurance.
Local transport for participants.
In this instance, transport to and from the course
was arranged by our client, however we are always ready to help
with coach transfers or more detailed travel plans.
Hotel accommodation is most often specified, in
this case our client chose a 3 star hotel, just down the coast
from us, the Londonderry Arms, Carnlough. We arranged the
booking. Other times, our client will choose to make the
booking. Sometimes we will be asked to arrange other types of
accommodation, in tents, guest houses or in dormitories. Of
course, we are happy to help.
We are unique in this part of the world - we are mobile
and site based.
Mobile helps us give you the situations and variety
of activities you want.
Site based means we can provide the concentration
of fixed resources like ropes courses and the links to
facilities that we know well - like a tea room!
We provide what you request - not what we think you ought
to buy! |
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| Advice to participants before they attend a course |
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Safety
Our priority is your safety. Ardclinis
Outdoor Adventure has an excellent safety
record. Our staff are helpful and
experienced, the team is made up of qualified
outdoor activity instructors, partnered by
facilitators who are experienced in a wide
range of empowering techniques. |
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Style
Our courses are designed to create a
supportive, learning environment. We
emphasise enjoyment as part and parcel of
development and training. We will remember
that you value your time.
Ardclinis team building courses use a
mix of warm-ups, games, activities, and
initiatives to take individuals and groups
out of their daily routine and into
challenges which call for cooperation, trust,
problem solving, team building, and positive
risk-taking. Time is taken during the
activities and at the end of the course to
discuss individual experiences and the
relevance or the situations and experiences
to work and to other situations. |
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What to Wear
Participants will be most comfortable in
loose fitting clothes and comfortable shoes
such as trainers or light boots or strong
shoes (with good support and a grippy rubber
sole). Remember that you will be outside
participating in physical activities that may
get you grass stained or dirty! Jewellery
should not be worn. On Summer courses, shorts
are sometimes seen, but in Autumn, Winter
and Spring it's important that you wear warm
clothing. Layering works best. Bring a
warm jacket. Wear more than you think you'll
need (you can always take some off) and don't
forget a hat and gloves. If you have rain
gear, bring it along. We'll hope for a warm,
sunny day and we'll be prepared if it is not.
We provide all the specialist equipment for
the activities. Remember any medication you
may need. |
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The Setting
Ardclinis Outdoor Adventure is based in
Cushendall. Our programmes are mobile, they
can be based almost anywhere. Many of our
team and management courses are based at Watertop Open Farm, between Cushendall and
Ballycastle on the A2. It's 6 miles from
Ballycastle, which is 25 miles from
Ballymena. Directions are provided.
Watertop is a working farm as well as a
visitor attraction in it's own right.
Beside the Carey River, Watertop gives
access to countryside rich in natural assets.
Within 200 metres we have free car
parking, meeting rooms and refreshments, an
archery range, ropes course, river and two
ponds, gorge and abseiling / climbing crag,
orienteering course, sheltered places for
team games, access to Carnamore mountain and
Ballypatrick Forest and, or course, toilets
and showers.
The location provides a perfect setting
for relaxation, reflection and, of course,
adventures. |
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Health and Fitness
Although it helps to have some active
members in each team, personal fitness and
strength is not a issue. |
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Just how fit?
If you have any doubt about your ability
to (for example) help to pull a rope or walk
two miles along a track or lift a medium
suitcase, then you should gain your doctor's
opinion before taking part in this type of
course. We will ask each participant to
complete a registration form which includes a
health declaration. Put simply, if you have
any doubts about your own health in relation
to this event or to outdoor activities
generally, we recommend you discuss this with
your doctor.
Over the years we have worked with
thousands of people from all types of
backgrounds and abilities. You can be assured
that all of our activities are offered within
safe and realistic limits for all
participants and there are always many ways
to participate (verbal, physical,
intellectual, moral, etc.). Expect that some
parts of the program may challenge you in
some way, but understand that the most
important thing on your part is simply to
give your best. Also, know that your level
of participation in any Ardclinis activity is
at all times completely voluntary. Expect to
have fun, learn, and be challenged. |
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What happens on these courses?
Ardclinis courses are designed to address development
issues described to us. The person arranging the course on
behalf of your organisation can provide you with a programme,
joining instructions and kitlist. We provide all specialised
equipment and ask you to bring outdoor clothes, strong shoes
warm jacket and enthusiasm!
The layout of your course, and specifically the type of
exercises that your team will undertake, will be described to
you at the start. Naturally, you will have the opportunity to
voice any concerns then, but please remember that if you need
further information at any stage, just contact us and we will
do our best to help you. |
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