Only 3 1/2 months to Paddle 09 The SCA home page http://www.canoescotland.com/ has some information about this year's event. The following links give more specific info including:
Details of exhibitors: manufacturers and retailers
Details of the speakers: speakers,
Details of the talks and workshops: talks,

We will be there too so hope to see some of you for a chat and a wee dram as Balvenie are giving us some samples to try out on the stand. It is all good for getting into the 'spirit' of things - ha ha!

Glenmore Lodge and Grangers are now in our second year of The Volunteers Programme. We are very proud to be associated with the training of instructors, leaders and coaches in the volunteer sector. They are a fundamental part of the outdoor adventure education world. They are in a position to inspire adventure in others.

Last year we managed to support over 20 training or assessment places for volunteers. This year we have been able to support nearly 40 volunteers. We dedicated a week to volunteers to come and receive training for outdoor qualifications at Glenmore Lodge. This is so that organisations like the Scouts, Guides, Duke of Edinburgh and the Boys Brigade could get a step closer to getting the qualifications they need to be able to take youngsters out and introduce them to the great outdoors. The training courses they attended were, Summer Mountain Leader, Walking Group Leader, Level 1 paddlepsort and Trrail Cycle Leader.

This would not have been possible without the support of Grangers. As a company they believe they have a responsibility above and beyond the product. This is why they have set up a Community Trust Programme to sustain and support responsible outdoor enterprises like Glenmore Lodge. ( http://www.grangers.co.uk/)

For information on how to eligible to benefit from the Volunteers Programme Fund for 2010, visit the Glenmore Lodge website from September 2010.

Here are some quotes from some of the attendees this year on why they think it is important to volunteer and why they need support from programmes like this:

‘Programmes like this make you feel valued as a volunteer’
‘This programme has been great for meeting other volunteers from around the country’
‘The subsidised price was the push I needed to get this qualification’

Scouts – Jenny Stephens
‘My boys were in the scouts so I joined as a volunteer. Once they left I continued as the number of youngsters has increased but there number of volunteers can’t keep up with demand and I saw how much good my boys got from it.

Sea Cadets –
‘This week has been fantastic value for money. Coaches are brilliant . If we don’t get these qualifications, the kids don’t get the opportunities. It is as simple as that.’



Venture Scotland - Claire Symonds
‘ I wanted to do more outdoor things with youth but did not know there was so much involved. It was intimidating. This ML course had boosted my confidence already and we are only on day 2. Courses like this give you confidence to go on and do more as a volunteer. The instruction is fantastic and the banter among the volunteers is really good. ‘

Step it Up – Elizabeth
‘I have a disabled son and volunteering allowed me to get out and meet other people. If this had not been a volunteers week I may have been too intimidated to attend a training course as I would not feel I was good enough to be on a regular course with people doing it for a career. This programme has been a real confidence booster personally and great to mix with like minded people. The coaches are just great.’

Duke of Edinburgh - Jackie Young
‘We need more leaders to cater for the number of kids that want to go out on expeditions. This is a brilliant course. Fantastic instructors and place to come. I know that I am in touch with about 200 youngsters each year. This will really help me do a better job. Brilliant.’

Scouts – Neil Brain
‘It feels good to put something back when I feel I got so much from the Scout movement and have my contribution recognised too by programmes like this.’


Venture Scotland – Chris Yule
‘Volunteering is an opportunity to make a real difference to an individual’s life.

Teacher – Andy Hodgson
‘At our school there is no mountain clubs and we live in one of the best parts of the world for this. This qualification gives me the experience to take them out and let them choose if they want to take things further in their own lives. It can be a very important first experience that is the beginning of a long journey when it is done properly.’

Teacher – Philip Campbell
‘I volunteer because I need and enjoy sharing my passion for the outdoors with others. It has given me enormous satisfaction and I have seen it help others so we all win. Having a programme like this gave me the extra push to get the qualification which will again benefit me and those I volunteer with’

Boys Brigade –
‘There is a definite difference to what I have done and what I can do now with this training. It is great that this kind of programme is here to recognise what we are doing as volunteers

Following the success of the dry-tooling workshops at the AGM, we are putting on a seriesof dry-tooling events in 2009. Planned for Scotland (Glenmore Lodge, 26 July)Wales(Beacon, 1 August) and the Lakes (Keswick wall, 8 August) you will be able to try outa variety of techniques on boulder and bottom-rope problems.A friendly competition will be taking place at the same time at each venue, with prizesavailable for various categories. Tooling holds from ScottMuir and Grivel will be availableto use, along with some cunning extras!

Never tried it? Been tempted?Come along and have a go. There is no pressure to perform at any standard, just to have a go andenjoy the event with other members and guests. Coaching will be given and we can guarantee a lot of fun! Hopefully you will also want to take part in the competition, which will be aimed more at enjoyment and a good day out rather than steely-eyed competitiveness! Bring family, friends andclimbing pals – all are welcome!

Tried it already?Come along and take part in a meeting with a competitive edge! A number of problems will be set, fromeasy to testing, and a running tally of your scores will be kept. Prizes will be awarded for the top slots ineach category! All great fun and run in a friendly atmosphere. The AMI dry-tooling events are open to all AMI members and their invited guests. The Keswick event will include a BBQ during the day.