Adventure Activity Programme FAQs

Participants should arrive appropriately dressed for outdoor activities and prepared for changing weather conditions.

For water-based activities, participants are encouraged to wear swimwear underneath the wetsuits provided by Ancrum Outdoor Centre.

All participants undertaking coasteering should bring an old pair of shorts to wear over their wetsuit. These provide additional protection against abrasion and damage when moving across rocks and coastal terrain. Shorts may become torn or damaged during the activity, so please ensure they are old or unwanted.

We also recommend bringing:

• A towel and complete change of clothing.
• Warm layers and a waterproof jacket.
• Suitable footwear for outdoor activities.
• A packed lunch, snacks and sufficient drinking water.
• Any essential personal medication, such as inhalers.

Specific clothing and equipment requirements will be confirmed in advance where necessary.

Changing arrangements vary depending on the activity and location.

For coasteering activities based at Victoria Park, Arbroath, we provide separate male and female changing tents to offer participants privacy when changing into and out of wetsuits.

Changing ponchos are also available for all participants and offer an additional degree of privacy or protection from the weather.

Where required, our instructors will make suitable arrangements to support participants’ privacy, dignity and comfort.

Public Toilet facilities are available at Victoria Park.

Photographs may be taken during activities to showcase the experiences and achievements of participating Army Cadets and to promote the Adventure Training Day only to future cadet groups attending annual camp in Arbroath.  

Identifiable photographs will only be used for promotional purposes where the appropriate consent and permissions have been obtained.

Unit Commanders and accompanying Adult Volunteers should ensure that any relevant photography restrictions are communicated to Ancrum staff before activities commence.

We recognise the importance of protecting the privacy and safeguarding of young people. Participants who do not have the appropriate permissions in place will not be included in identifiable promotional photography.

Photographs may also be taken in ways that do not identify individual participants.

All photography and promotional use will be subject to the relevant organisational policies and data protection requirements.

Ancrum Outdoor Centre delivers Army Cadet adventure training across a range of carefully selected outdoor locations.

Our Arbroath-based activities, including coasteering, typically operate from our designated meeting point at Victoria Park, close to the Arbroath cliffs.

Other adventure training activities may take place at suitable coastal, inland water or countryside locations, depending on the programme.

Final activity locations and routes are determined by our qualified instructors, taking account of weather conditions, environmental factors, group ability and relevant safety considerations.

Although we aim to deliver activities at the locations agreed in advance, operational or safety considerations may occasionally require an alternative venue or a modification to the planned programme.

Any significant changes will be communicated to the Unit Commander or designated group leader.

Swimming ability requirements depend on the specific activity.

Coasteering: Participants must be able to swim. Non-swimmers are not permitted to take part in coasteering activities.

Other water-based activities: Participation is subject to the relevant Army Cadet swimming requirements, activity-specific safety arrangements and applicable guidance.

Unit Commanders and accompanying Adult Volunteers are responsible for ensuring that participants meet any applicable Army Cadet swimming requirements before attending.

Please inform Ancrum Outdoor Centre in advance if there are any concerns regarding a participant’s swimming ability or confidence in water, so that suitability for the planned activity can be discussed.