Àban Outdoor

Each year we partner with a local community organisation to deliver the Kessock Ferry swim. This year we're happy to be working with Merkinch Primary School Parent Council, who will receive £1500 generated by the event. They share,

"We are looking to raise funds so that our children can get great experiences while learning. We are raising funds for days out that the kids have not had since pre-covid. We are also looking at getting equipment into the school that benefits all ages from ELC to P7."

More here 🌊

https://aban.scot/kessock-ferry-swim/overview

As part of an Advanced Wilderness Therapeutic Approaches training programme, Nele and Laurie will be running a four-day self-development and outdoor wellbeing programme for young women this summer. The focus will be on supporting young women (18-30 yrs) to develop confidence in the outdoors, learn new skills and reflect on their transition into adulthood.

It’d be great to have as many local(ish) people involved as possible. If money is a barrier, we’re able to offer heavily subsidised places. Here are more details about the programme. Please feel free to share far and wide.

https://aban.scot/news/your-natural-element-2

Six weeks to go until this years Kessock Ferry Swim!

Will you sign up to do the iconic crossing?

https://aban.scot/kessock-ferry-swim/overview

Last remaining places for the Kessock Ferry Swim:

https://aban.scot/kessock-ferry-swim/overview

Sign up as a sponsored swimmer and you'll be helping local teens get outdoors, creating healthy habits to last a lifetime 🧗🏊🌅

Are you an 18 - 30 year old woman who would like to build confidence in the outdoors?

Click here to find out more about Your Natural Element, a four-day, self-development and outdoor wellbeing programme in the Scottish Highlands.

https://aban.scot/news/your-natural-element-2

🌊Could you join our sponsored swimmers in raising money for young people to get outdoors this summer?🌊

Final places remaining...

https://aban.scot/kessock-ferry-swim/overview

It was a joy to visit The Black Isle Brewery this week and hear all about their work with nature and young people. We are looking forward to working together to bring you this year's Kessock Ferry Swim.

*Last remaining tickets available if you fancy joining the fun 🐬🐠

https://aban.scot/news/kessock-ferry-swim-event-sponsor-2024

Fancy a challenge for a good cause this summer?

We have a few remaining places for the Kessock Ferry Swim on the 31st of August.

Choose a sponsored place and you will be fundraising to support local young people get outdoors, creating healthy habits that last a lifetime.

https://aban.scot/kessock-ferry-swim/overview

🍻We are excited to announce our new partnership with The Black Isle Brewery, to bring you the Kessock Ferry Swim this year! 🍻

https://aban.scot/news/kessock-ferry-swim-event-sponsor-2024

Would you like to be part of an iconic Inverness community event this summer?

We are looking for a few more volunteers to help with the Kessock Ferry Swim on the 31st August. A variety of roles are available, you'll be part of a team with full briefing ahead of the event, and celebration meal afterwards.

More info and sign up below:
https://aban.scot/kessock-ferry-swim/overview

Proceeds go to support our outdoor youth clubs for local teenagers 🚵🌅😎🏊‍♂️🧗‍♀️

Click here to apply or find out more:
https://aban.scot/news/your-natural-element-2

Want to do something fun and meaningful this summer? Have a connection with Aban and fancy giving something back to support local community?

We are looking for a few more volunteers to help out with this year's Kessock Ferry Swim on the 31st August. Have a look at the info below and fill out the form to register:

https://aban.scot/kessock-ferry-swim/overview

As part of an Advanced Wilderness Therapeutic Approaches training programme, Nele and Laurie will be running a four-day self-development and outdoor wellbeing programme for young women this summer. The focus will be on supporting young women (18-30 yrs) to develop confidence in the outdoors, learn new skills and reflect on their transition into adulthood.

It’d be great to have as many local(ish) people involved as possible. If money is a barrier, we’re able to offer heavily subsidised places. Here are more details about the programme.
https://aban.scot/news/your-natural-element-2

Congratulations to Angelika and the team from Connecting Carers - it was our pleasure to donate staff time in support of your fundraiser. We've been working together since 2022 to offer outdoor opportunities for young carers in & around Inverness - here's to many more years 😀

Missed our Gold Duke of Edinburgh Open Evening... Don't worry there's still time to sign up! You have until the 19th of August, with our sessions starting on the 26th.

Fully funded places available 🤑 so don't let money be a barrier to getting outdoors, meeting new people and growing your skills.

More info here:

https://aban.scot/projects/duke-of-edinburgh-award

What a summer it has been so far, working with young people in the beautiful Alladale Wilderness Reserve. Big well done to all the participants, and huge thanks to everyone who helped to make this happen! Read all about it below 👇

https://theeuropeannaturetrust.com/rewilding-environmental-education-alladale-wilderness-experience-2024/

Last call for our Gold Duke of Edinburgh Open Evening tomorrow night at The Bike Shed, Merkinch. 6 - 7pm.

"It was a massive achievement and helped make me more resilient and build up my confidence and independence."

More info below👇
https://aban.scot/projects/duke-of-edinburgh-award

Want to see what you could gain from joining our Gold Duke of Edinburgh Open Award Group this year? Come along to our open evening on the 17th June at The Bike Shed, 6-7pm.

"🌞I met a lot of great people who i wouldn't have otherwise and made some great friends. I also learned about map reading and going camping which has made me more confident to go camping by myself or with friends.🌞"

More here:

https://aban.scot/projects/duke-of-edinburgh-award

What could you gain by joining our Gold Duke of Edinburgh Open Award Group this year?

"It was my first expedition and I was very anxious about it but I got more confident over the following day and really enjoyed the scenery and playing Uno on the second night."

More here:
https://aban.scot/projects/duke-of-edinburgh-award

Are you...
⭐Looking to meet new friends
⭐Grow your skills
⭐Challenge yourself in Scotland's beautiful outdoors

Come and join our Gold Duke of Edinburgh Open Award Group. We have fully funded places available! Open evening June 17th at The Bike Shed Merkinch. More info here:

https://aban.scot/projects/duke-of-edinburgh-award

We are now open for sign ups to our Gold Duke of Edinburgh Open Award! Come along to the open evening on the 17th June at The Bike Shed, Merkinch, 6-7pm to find out more or express you interest here:

https://aban.scot/projects/duke-of-edinburgh-award

Children who get into outdoor adventures in their teens have a much higher chance of staying healthy, active & confident in adulthood. That's the life changing potential of our youth clubs, and we have just been taken into a whole new era thanks to the power of the Highland Cross.

We're a tiny independent charity and estimate it would have taken us until the year 2030 to save up the funds for our own vehicle. We got by begging, borrowing, hiring for the last few years but now we are fully mobile in our wonderful new Renault Trafic!

The vehicle has already been busy taking children all over the Highlands from our base in Merkinch. As soon as we get our DVLA permit it will also be available for loan to other local community organisations.

Immediate, direct, practical community benefit, this is much more than just a vehicle: it represents a small army of sponsors, walkers, runners, cyclists, organisers and volunteers standing behind us. We will work our socks off to repay your generosity over the years ahead - and with it, the young people whose lives we hope to touch.

Simply - thank you Highland Cross!!!

Great to see Inverness Chamber of Commerce celebrating such a generous donation from Loch Ness by Jacobite - an evening cruise to take all our lovely swimmers along Loch Ness to the most stunning swim spot, going in right under the shadow of Urquhart Castle. The event takes place on Saturday 22nd June, tickets available at https://aban.scot/news/loch-ness-swim

📣 Want to hear what's been happening with our members?

In this month's Executive Magazine you'll find our bi-annual inbusiness pages packed full of Chamber and Member news, plus our CEO, Colin Marr’s column highlighting the growth of the green sector in the Highlands.

In this months edition we feature members news from:
🎭 Eden Court,
🏊‍♂️ Àban Outdoor Ltd & Loch Ness by Jacobite,
🏨 Highland Coast Hotels,
🏗 Mabbett Ltd Inverness,
🏠 New Start Highland,
📃 Muckle Media - a certified B-Corp,
👨‍💼 Agilico,
🥗 Highlands and Islands Enterprise, and
💻 sfG Software Ltd.

Read the full digital version here 👉 https://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/executive-magazine/

Quick update on our Mountaineering Club: 1 space remaining for the new 8-week block, starts this Sunday 21st April , sign up now at https://t.ly/9aRXu

One week to go to sign up for the Spring Term Girls Bike Club Sessions! Starting 18th April...

⭐️Make new friends
⭐️Explore Inverness on a bike
⭐️Be active & healthy
⭐️Learn skills to go on an overnight expedition in the summer

You can come to our open session on the 18th April to find out more (10 places available, email [email protected]) OR sign up for the full block here:

https://aban.scot/projects/girls-bike-club

⭐️Opportunity Alert - Join our Girls Bike Club⭐️

Did you know that sometimes opportunities are disguised as a wee bit scary, nerve wracking things that actually turn out to be really fun!?!

Joining a new group or trying a new hobby can be ALOT. So we are doing an open session on the Thursday 18th April, for new people to come along & find out more. Only 10 spots available so please email us ([email protected]) if you'd like to attend this, rather than sign up for the full block straight away.

https://aban.scot/projects/girls-bike-club

💁‍♀️🌞🌻

Spring is Springing... 🌿☀️

What a perfect time to get out in the fresh air and explore Inverness by bike!

If you'd like to join a group of likeminded teenage girls (or know someone who would) sign up is now open for our next block of Girls Bike Club, starting 18th April:

https://aban.scot/projects/girls-bike-club

We are super excited to be heading off on our end of term bike-packing expedition this weekend! The girls have been growing their skills during this 8 week block, building on the experience from the Cairngorms expedition in the summer...

The big question is - will the Easter Bunny make an appearance? 🐰😍

If you are 13 - 18 and this sounds like fun, or you know a young person who'd be interested, applications now open for the Spring term. We have spaces for new joiners 🙌☀️🙋‍♀️

https://aban.scot/projects/girls-bike-club

Come and join in with this lovely gang! Some availability still for our Easter camp at Culduthel Woods:

Monday 1st - 5 places left
Tuesday 2nd - 2 places left
Wednesday 3rd - *sold out*
Thursday 4th - 1 place left
Friday 5th - 9 places left

Booko here https://t.ly/Z1gRS