FAQs

When a trip organiser books the group into a stay at Trewern, they choose their own menu from the options that we provide. They might choose to ask the young people that are coming for their preferences, or they may choose things that they think the young people will like. They are offered a range of crowd pleasing, wholesome and satisfying foods, perhaps similar to what is offered in school canteens. When the food served is unfamiliar, diners are encouraged to try a little bit at first, and regularly find that they actually enjoy it. See the accommodation page for more information about the food served on residentials.

When we are informed of a food allergy/intolerance, we will do everything we can to provide suitable foods. Where we are unable to source an allergen-free version of the chosen meal, an alternative can be offered. If there is a specific food for an allergy/intolerance that your young person is used to eating that is harder to source, it may be worth talking to the group leader, and potentially sending some of that food with them. Pease note: Trewern is a nut-free environment. It is of the utmost importance that we know of special dietary requirements in good time, so that we can make sure that your young person has a suitable meal to eat.

Everyone at Trewern will always have enough food to eat, if we are given enough information in a timely way. Where we are not able to offer food that is ok for all to eat, it may be necessary to offer a vegetarian alternative. Owing to the geography of our location this is often the case with halal meat. Depending on numbers, we then may choose to give all diners a vegetarian meal, or just to those with specific requirements. Roast dinners at Trewern are made using halal turkey. Again, it is of utmost importance that we are informed of all dietary requirements in good time.

While we all remember midnight feasts on residentials, and recognise the need for familiar foods to eat, it’s important to realise that food is not allowed in bedrooms for hygiene/pest control reasons. As such, we collect all snacks soon after arrival to keep in a safe place, so that visiting staff can look after them, to give them out at the appropriate moment. Please note, this means that anything that needs refrigeration cannot be kept. It’s also important to realise that your young person will be well fed at Trewern (see above), and opportunities for snacks are limited, so please don’t send too much!

Young people sleep in single sex areas/floors, with dormitories sleeping between 4-10 people in bunk beds, and staff accommodation in strategic locations on each floor. All dorms have easy access to bathrooms for night-time use -shower blocks are on the ground floor.

The majority of their day will be spent on activity (usually from 10.30-4.30) -see the activities page for details. Check with your trip organiser about what activities they’ve chosen to do. Programmes are chosen to help your young person make the most of the opportunity, often giving them the chance to try something they may otherwise never get to do, see our About page for details of the benefits of outdoor learning and our ethos atthe centre.

Outside of this, they may have some free time, which could be spent in our grounds or in the communal areas during winter. There are games and outdoor play equipment for these times. They will also have household duties to carry out around mealtimes. See A Day at Trewern for more info.

Yes and no!

Check the activities page for what’s needed for each activity, but in general, a t-shirt, joggers and a sweatshirt/jumper (even in summer) will do for nearly every day, along with plenty of socks. Extra layers are essential in winter!!

Our advice is don’t buy anything new unless you really have to (young people often don’t recognise them when it comes to packing), and where possible put their name somewhere obvious on it. Please pay particular attention to the footwear needed for the trip, as we often need at least 3 pairs of shoes (indoor/outdoor/old and/or wet). If your young person has wellies or walking boots that might be suitable, please feel free to send them, but we do have plenty in our stores. We supply waterproofs for activities and other safety clothing.

If in doubt, double check the kit list!

That’s not a problem, however, due to the nature of the activities at Trewern and the level of exertion needed it’s not practical to fast during sunlight hours. We can usually find quiet spaces for prayer, just let us know in good time and we’ll do what we can. We are happy to accommodate any religious observances, so long as we can do so in a way that’s safe and practical for all concerned.