Ipswich Outdoor Group

Who We Are
YHA Local Groups	Ipswich Outdoor Group
We are affiliated to YHA as a local group. These are groups of like-minded people who meet regularly to enjoy hostelling trips and other social activities such as barbecues, slide shows, badminton, pub trips etc. The YHA stands for Youth Hostels Association - a registered charity providing accommodation for all. There is no age limit and, yes, you can drive to hostel.	We currently have around 70 members including single members and families. We are always keen to welcome new members of any age. Although many of our members live in Ipswich, we are open to people from all over Suffolk and surrounding areas. Members live in the towns and villages of East Suffolk and North Essex.
Activities in the week ...
Our programme is full and varied - generally there is at least one event every week. We hold regular day or evening walks/cycles in the local area.
... and at weekends ...
We also arrange trips away - for example weekends to the Peak District, or longer holidays in the UK and overseas. In addition we offer a supporting programme of sporting and social events. All events are arranged by our members, who are encouraged to suggest new and interesting ideas. On many of our trips we stay at Youth Hostels.
... for all ...
We try and offer walks and cycles of a range of levels, such that there is something suitable for everyone. Few of our events require more than an average level of physical fitness. But if you are after something a little more strenuous then you will meet members of similar interests to keep you company. In either case the emphasis is on having fun and meeting people.
... including you
New members are very welcome on almost all of our events. Our monthly local walks or cycles are especially suitable first events to try. Alternatively why not come along to one of our monthly social meetings in Ipswich? Once you have attended a few events you will be asked to complete one of our membership forms and pay an small annual subscription. What joining means: If you have filled in an interest slip, or given your details to our membership secretary, then you will receive the events programme and newsletter for a further 9 months or so by post. Once you join you will then be on our normal membership list and will receive a monthly newsletter and four full events programmes per year. These are sent by e-mail unless you request otherwise. Late changes to the programme and other items of possible interest are sent out to the group’s e-mail distribution list which you can join when you become a member. The AGM of the group is held in November (members only), and elects a small committee which runs the group. However events are organised by everyone, and new members are welcome, in fact encouraged, to suggest and run outdoor and social events. We offer such great value because we rely on everyone getting involved. You do NOT have to be a member of the YHA (England & Wales) to join the group. Many of our trips away are based at Youth Hostels. We also camp and occasionally book cottage or B&B accommodation, if going to an area where YHA accommodation is not available. YHA offers comfortable accommodation, with family rooms, or single-sex small bunkrooms, self-catering facilities, laundry/drying room, and sometimes a full meals service. They vary from tiny cottages or buildings converted from other uses sleeping 14 or so people, to ultra-modern facilities open 24 hours and accommodating 300 or more. You do not need to join the YHA to go on hostelling trips, but if you do, you get a discount, and typically three nights in youth hostels per year will pay for your membership fee. You can enrol by ‘phone, on the internet, post, at the Ipswich Tourist Information Centre, or any branch of Millets Outdoor Shops. (There is a branch in Ipswich Town Centre, near Woolworths.) Many retailers give discounts to YHA members including Blacks and Milletts (10%) and the group can also obtain the following discounts: 15% off chalet accommodation in Chamonix (www.mountain-highs.com), 10% off summer bookings in Bulgaria http://www.walkingbulgaria.com , Slovakia www.slovakski.co.uk , Lanzarote www.holidayslanzarote.net and mainland Spain www.sheilaspanishwalk.com 2 members in a group of 6 go free on walking holidays in mainland Spain at www.ibextrex.com 1 free place in 5 on catered stays at a ski chalet in the French Alps www.hostsavoie.co.uk Reductions on walking tours in Italy www.walkandwalkuk.com Low rates on an apartment in the French Alps www.skichamp.co.uk

Site last updated on 22/06/2008