Terms and Conditions

Participation

By its very nature, Forest school offers participants an opportunity to take supported risks appropriate to the environment and to themselves. Forest school may mean that participants will have access to a wide range of equipment, some of which may be dangerous if used incorrectly. Every effort will be made to ensure that the woodland and its contents are as safe as humanly possible and advice on use of equipment will always be given verbally or in written form.

Participants take part at their own risk, and as such Conquer The Woods will not be responsible for improper use of equipment by any attendees, that may cause Death, Personal Injury or Loss or Damage to property other than as a result of negligence by Conquer The Woods staff.

Clothing

If your child is not properly dressed it is a health and safety issue. Conquer The Woods take your children’s welfare very seriously and therefore ask that you bring your child appropriately dressed to each and every session.

A list of appropriate clothing is on our website, Rain or shine they must have waterproofs as the weather is changeable, the temperature is lower in the woods, we use water and mud in our activities and the woodland has bramble and stinging nettle as well as biting insects. This water proof layer will provide your child with protection.

If your child arrives inappropriately dressed Conquer The Woods reserve the right to refuse to take them out into the woods as a matter of health and safety. We will not offer any refunds for cancellations due to being inappropriately dressed.

Your child will get dirty, may get muddy and could possibly rip their clothes. Conquer The Woods takes no responsibility for soiled or damaged clothing.

Equipment

When booking with Conquer The Woods all materials, tools and tuition are included in the agreed cost.

For health and safety reasons, attendees must under no circumstances bring their own tools or knives to use at Conquer The Woods. If they are found, they will be confiscated immediately and returned to their parents.

Lost Property

During regular sessions children do not need to bring anything other than a small drink (and maybe a snack) with them. During holiday/weekend sessions the children will need to bring a lunch and snacks. Please ensure they are all clearly marked with your child’s name. If anything is lost please contact Conquer The Woods at info@conquerthewoods.com. If we have anything left behind we will endeavor to return it, which is easier if it is marked with your child’s name.

Conquer The Woods takes no responsibility for lost or damaged personal property.

Food

During our holiday/weekend sessions your children are required to bring their own food. Please be aware that there are many children with allergies and pack your child’s lunch accordingly. Your children will be active throughout the day so please ensure you give them plenty of food to keep their energy levels high. (A lunch and a couple of snacks for full day session) Although we have extra drinking water on site, please also ensure they have a full water bottle and/or a flask of something warm like hot chocolate during cold weather.

Medication and Medical Information

All Conquer The Woods leaders hold current first aid certification. Please ensure that we have an up to date medical record for your child. Please have all medications (eg epi-pens, inhalers etc) in a waterproof container with your child’s name clearly marked on it. Please apply any sun protection cream and insect repellent before the session starts.

If there are any specific behavioural, educational needs or communication difficulties that your child has, please communicate these with Conquer The Woods staff so that we can ensure that your child needs are met fully.

 Accidents/ Incidents

Sometimes accidents/incidents happen and action to remedy must be taken. In the event of any accident/incident the overall responsibility and decision making process will be solely with the Forest School Leader. All our staff are fully trained and qualified and as such will confidently handle any situation that may arise. However, should an incident/accident occur that is outside of the capabilities of our staff we reserve the right to act without further authority in the best interests of the person(s) affected.

This also includes the administration and application of First Aid, removal by ambulance to Hospital or any other matters that may arise.

 Weather

Conquer The Woods will continue to run the sessions unless there are high winds or a thunder and lightning storm very close by. The leader of the session will check the weather forecast and inform all attendees if the session has to be cancelled. If the session is cancelled you will be offered an alternative session. No refunds will be issued.

Insurance & Safeguarding

All activities conducted under the name of Conquer The Woods are protected and insured under a specialist public liability insurance policy. All leaders have a current enhanced DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service) certificate. Copies are available on request. Conquer The Woods is committed to safeguarding and protecting the welfare of children and young people and as a result we use Safer Recruitment procedures when recruiting staff.

Booking and Reservations

Bookings for Forest School sessions can be made by email or directly. We will send out a booking form on which we require the name of the person making the booking along with the names and ages of the participants. When we have received this an invoice for payment of the deposit will be issued and this will amount to 50% of the initial total, the balance of the account will be payable no later than one week prior to the date of the reserved session.

Should a session be reserved within a one week period of the proposed start date of the session, then the full balance of the account will become payable immediately at the time of booking.

Conquer The Woods do not provide any credit facilities or services on account and no request for the same will be accepted.

All bookings and reservations are accepted on the understanding that should matters outside of our control become apparent, eg extreme weather conditions, illness of staff etc.., we reserve the right to vary, alter, adjust or ultimately cancel the reserved session, all possible steps will be made to inform the customer of any variation and where possible will endeavour to re book at a time convenient to all parties.

Should a re booking of the cancelled session not be possible due to a date not being available from our customers side, then a partial refund of 80% of the amounts paid will be returned.

Cancellation by customer If a customer has to cancel a reserved booking a notice period of 48 hours is required. If this notice period is observed AND the reason is unavoidable by the customer (eg. severe illness/injury, immediate family death), Conquer the Woods will re schedule the session with the customer if possible. A refund (less 25% administration fee) will only be given if the session(s) cannot be rearranged.   If cancelled within 48 hours of the start of the session(s) OR the reason is avoidable (eg. holiday, lack of transport etc.), the session(s) will be forfeited and the customer will be charged in full. No refund will be given.

All activities are subject to a minimum number of participants and we reserve the right to cancel at short notice if there are an insufficient number of participants. If we do cancel for this reason we will offer an alternative date or full refund. We will not be liable to pay any compensation as a result of such a cancellation.

School bookings are subject to the same booking procedures and payments will be invoiced directly with the school.

Client Conduct

Conquer The Woods is committed to providing a fun and professional service to our customers and will always communicate in a professional and polite manner. Should an incident arise where there is cause for concern over the behaviour or inability to follow safety instructions of any of the participants or their friends/relatives during a session, we reserve the right to terminate the session immediately. No refund will be issued under these circumstances.

Photography/Marketing

From time to time we take pictures/videos during activities at Conquer The Woods. By taking part in these activities, you are giving us your permission to use any pictures of yourself and anybody in your party for possible use in Conquer The Woods promotion and marketing (including but not limited to magazine editorials, flyers, web site, on-line advertisements)  We will never sell these pictures and only use them exclusively for our own use. If you object to us using images of you or your party then please inform us in writing to info@conquerthewoods.com when making your booking.

Complaints Process

Any complaints regarding Conquer The Woods activities should be directed initially to the Forest School Leader as early as possible so that remedial action may be taken if appropriate. Any outstanding complaint not resolved at the time of the activity must be done in writing within 30 days of the activity.