Plas y Brenin has been involved with the DofE for many years and, since January 2010, have been an AAP. We are based in heart of Snowdonia in Capel Curig, the ideal venue for so many adventures. We run courses in climbing, mountaineering, scrambling, walking, mountain biking, off-piste skiing, kayaking, canoeing, orienteering…. you name it. On top of that, we run events, host club dinners, offer corporate training and even hire out instructors for private guiding, coaching or instruction.
Expeditions
We offer various Open Gold expeditions for individuals and small groups, providing training, practice and qualifying expeditions. All staff work regularly on DofE programmes and are fully up to date on the syllabus and requirements of the DofE, specifically the 20 conditions of the Expedition section.
For groups looking for support in delivering the Expedition section, we can provide qualified and experienced trainers, supervisors and assessors to work with your group here in North Wales or at your own venue. Our instructors can help you with your expedition skills training, like expedition planning, navigation, camp craft and emergency procedures. It's your choice we can provide the whole package or simply provide addition safety back up and support.
Running your own Expedition from Plas y Brenin
In addition to our main centre we have two cottages available for groups Bryn Engan and Moelwyn Cottage, each sleeping sixteen people. Bryn Engan also has a small area outside to pitch tents on and its own drying room. Set in the heart of wild country, with plenty of high quality gold routes, up to date weather forecasts and a variety of local campsites, Plas y Brenin is the ideal base to run your expeditions from. You can simply use the accommodation or combine it with instruction, activities and even catering if you choose.
Gold Residentials
Each year during the summer we run two dedicated Gold Residential weeks, each is an action-packed week full of adventure including activities such as climbing, canoeing, gorge walking and mountain scrambling. Our experienced instructors will not only make this a week to remember but will help you to learn new skills and challenge yourself.
If you've seen a another course that catches your eye whether it be climbing, paddling, walking or even a qualification then providing it is five days and you stay residentially with us then this can be counted as your Gold Residential.
Snowdonia Expedition Assessment Service
Since the 1st June 2008, Plas y Brenin and the Mountain Training Trust have extended their support to the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, and are now coordinating all DofE expeditions in Snowdonia and the surrounding area.
The Snowdonia Expedition Assessment Service is managed on behalf of DofE Wales, by Plas y Brenin. Helen Barnard, the DofE Co-ordinator for Plas y Brenin, and the Administration Team, Lissie Smith, Bernadette Redmond and Judith Schneider are available to give advice and support group Leaders in their planning for unaccompanied expeditions in Snowdonia.
The service is available during office hours 9am to 5pm with a message only service outside these hours. Contacting us is easy; we are available on email, telephone and post. Plas y Brenin has the latest edition of Memory Map and therefore can instantly see the routes selected for your groups.