Outdoor Adventure Trips

We will update the below to reflect what will happen in 2022 once next summer's trip plans have been finalised.

Yes and one of the hard but necessary decisions we've had to make is that unfortunately anyone who is in the Clinically Extremely Vulnerable category, as per the Government and Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group (CCLG) guidelines, won’t be able to join a trip this summer.

Other additional amendments to standard Eligibility Criteria means we won't be able to take anyone:

• Who has received an organ transplant and remain on ongoing immunosuppression medication.
• Who has had a stem cell transplant (Allogeneic or Autograft) who is not considered to be immune recovered (e.g. commenced revaccination programme or considered fit to return to school/work/college, etc).
• Is on active (anti-cancer) treatment for any form of cancer or anyone who has completed treatment in the last six months aligning with CCLG and Government guidance. This includes any maintenance treatment.
• Taking steroids as part of systemic anti-cancer therapy (this does not include replacement steroids for pituitary or adrenal insufficiency).
• With unstable or brittle asthma will need more investigation before being accepted on a trip.

We’re so sorry this will exclude some young people who need us this summer, but we’re exploring other ways to support you. Anyone who can’t join us on medical grounds or chooses not to come as you/your family doesn’t feel confident enough will absolutely get the chance to come on a trip again in 2022.

Just as in 2021, we will be asking everyone who is eligible to be three weeks post-COVID vaccination by the time of their trip (unless medically exempt). We know not everyone who is eligible will have been offered the vaccine yet, but we will ask for proof of vaccination ahead of your trip. So, if you haven’t yet had the jab, but do want to join us for a trip in 2022, please book to have the vaccine whenever you’re able to or you are offered it.

If you've not had your first vaccination yet and/or are nervous about having it, have a read of our Vaccinations Q&A - lowdown from the experts and/or listen to our medical advisor, Dr Dave Hobin, and Trust volunteer and pharmacist, Anniela Etheridge, discuss vaccinations on our Sound Waves podcast.

We will update the below to reflect what will happen in 2022 once next summer's trip plans have been finalised.

Everyone taking part in a trip will need to do a COVID test at home that morning and everyone will be temperature checked on arrival and throughout the week. The Trust will supply tests ahead of your trip.

We will update the below to reflect what will happen in 2022 once next summer's trip plans have been finalised.

Everyone taking part in a trip will need to do a COVID test at home that morning (before joining the transport and/or travelling to the site) - the Trust will supply these ahead of the trip - and will be temperature checked when they arrive on the day and on each day of the trip.

All activities will be subject to rigorous sanitisation standards - personal and equipment - including hand washing, antibacterial cleaning, use of anti-viral fogging machines where appropriate, etc. Equipment, including waterproofs and lifejackets, will be sanitised between activity groups with deeper COVID-cleaning procedures between trips.

Hand washing and sterilising will form part of briefings and will be as much as part of the day as putting on suncream and making sure everyone is drinking enough. Antiseptic wipes to be used regularly on all well-used touchpoints. Protocols on distancing and mask-wearing in confined spaces in line with current advice at the time.

We will update the below to reflect what will happen in 2022 once next summer's trip plans have been finalised.

We all have a collective responsibility to keep each other safe while COVID is still with us, and so you should not join the trip if you should be isolating. Missing the trip will not affect your chance to come back in the future - even if this was due to be your last trip. It is more important that you do the right thing and not come, rather than worry about missing the opportunity.