I would like to try doing the July Bootcamp in Tresaith. I so enjoyed the Luxury Bootcamp with Aran and Catrin last spring. This time, I hope to be able to go to the Eisteddfod the following week, before the return home.
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Just wondering when we will be able to sign up for Tresaith 2015. Should we be looking out for the registration date yet? Hope not to miss out!
Hi, I have only just started learning Welsh in the last month or so and was really looking forward to the possibility of a boot camp next year. It looks like none of the boot camps in 2015 hit a stockport primary teachers school holidays though, the July one comes closest but misses by a couple of days and looking at the responses will presumably be booked out straight away. Are there any plans to have more boot camps in school holidays in the future? Or as an alternative, how do the online bootcamps work?
Thanks susanne
Hi Susanne,
The online bootcamps are a bit of a misnomer - so we’re probably going to be changing their name! - but a good way to give yourself a bit of a kick to push on faster with the sessions you’re working on at the moment.
In terms of school holidays - I rather suspect that Iestyn is avoiding them deliberately, since having his four at home at the same time as a Bootcamp would probably be unworkable, I’m afraid.
Thanks for that! I wonder if you have any alternative suggestion for me to actively speak any Welsh, I don’t think I have ever actually met a Welsh speaker personally and being german and living in manchester, there don’t seem to be many opportunities to practice?.. Is there anybody else offering immerse yourself in Welsh experiences? Thanks susanne
Shw mae, Susanne?
I hope this will help. There is a monthly SSiW meet-up in Manchester, where you can meet other SSiWers who have learnt or are learning in the same way as you are (this mmakes things a lot less scary, and a lot more fun than “meeting random Welsh speakers”)
Here is the link to the discussion currently on the forum: Manchester Welsh Chat/Meetup August
The next meeting is this Saturday.
Diolch yn fawr, iestyn, I have been in touch with Jean who organises the meetup and am planning to go on Saturday! Still hope to make a proper bootcamp one way or another at some point… Susanne
The July bootcamp is in the school holidays - the final week of July, running into the Eisteddfod week (first complete week in August) is the second week of the school holidays in Wales (in Welsh calendar terms, the week between “the Show” and “the Eisteddfod”).
Enjoy the Manchester meet-up: I hope it gives your Welsh a boost to the next level - that of a language that you genuinely use to communicate with!
Dee, just read your thread. I would be prepared to share a rented accommodation with others if the bootcamp in July looks like being overbooked. By the time July Bootcamp numbers are sorted it could be a bit late in the day to book rented accommodation as Tresaith looks pretty busy then. On the other hand if numbers are low for the bootcamp then we returnees would feel ok about not blocking new bootcampers and help swell the numbers. Maybe we all ought to buy the Centre at Tresaith and hold Bootcamps continuously… Pencadlys SSIW !
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Yes, that’s the problem with the busier summer months Maynard - the rest of the accommodation could get booked out or become rather more expensive. It might only be the April and September bootcamps that could possibly have the ‘returnees’ bootcamp happening in parallel.
I’m very interested in the April one. However, I’m sympathetic to the idea that priority should really go to first-timers (although I have “only” done one so far 
), so happy with the idea of joining in renting a cottage nearby, if that idea flies.
I’m quite interested in doing another bootcamp too, and it looks like I could get the time off my work for the April one so it looks like I’d see some familiar faces. So do we have enough to fill a flat yet? Who’s counting?
Polly
The flats nextdoor to the Canolfan sleep varying numbers of people, so it would really be up to those returnees that would like to stay there to see how the sleeping arrangements would work for a particular bootcamp period and agree. The link to have a look is here http://www.tresaith.net/ciliesaes.html. That shows you one of the flats, then there are links to the others. If you go to the online booking part you can see which dates are still available and the cost for 7 days or shorter stays. I’m happy to act as the coordinating person, but I wouldn’t be staying there as I live quite close to Tresaith anyway.
By my count there are 3 of you that might be interested in doing this for the April bootcamp, though we won’t know until bookings open whether the bootcamp is booked out or not. If there are plenty of spare places it wouldn’t be needed, but perhaps those willing to do this could defer to a first-time bootcamper on the waiting list if they do fill up. It’s just an expression of interest for now, but the flats are often still available when bookings for bootcamp open.
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Well it looks affordable. Sleeping arrangements might raise an eyebrow, but I’m a keen hosteller and have slept in quite a few mixed rooms in the independent hostels so hey ho.
The other option would be camping. The site at the top of the hill to the south (Llety http://www.lletycaravanpark.co.uk/ ) is run by a welsh speaker (we stayed there last year - he was happy to do everything through Welsh with me) and has a large field but restricted numbers of pitches, so I’m sure if people got in early enough with a booking, an ‘encampment’ could be set up amongst adjoining pitches to both maximise sociability and lessen impact on other visitors.
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I definitely want to make a boot camp next year! I’m thinking perhaps April would be best for me, before OH starts her new project in June. Will keep eyes peeled for booking info.
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I really, really hope I have the money this time around.
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I am hoping to be a ‘first-time bootcamper’ in 2015 and hope to get in on the July one as it is the only one I can do due to work commitments. Will be practicing hard over the winter and spring in the hope that by then the prospect will not be quite so daunting as it feels now! Will keep a look out for booking in details. Lyn
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hi…my partner and i have are definitely needing to come to bootcamp ( april if possible) - we’re halfway through course two and have done all the available challenges too…we talk to each other in welsh alot ( annoys the noe welsh speaking kids no end !) but of course we often don’t know if we are making mistakes so exposure to proper welsh speaking would be great…we dont get out much to practice !
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Okay. Just throwing some thoughts around. I have just had six months leave without pay approved for the second half of July 2015. Guess where I intend to spend it? I will be living in Corris, Gwynedd, managing a small studio. However, I will also be helping manage a house (in Dolgellau) on air B&B. The owners are Welsh learners and have basically offered a 30% house discount for learners. So, if numbers are tight on Bootcamps there may be an opportunity for repeat Bootcampers to do unofficial group holidays in Dolgellau. I will be looking for opportunities to practice my Welsh. I am basically happy to help coordinate. I believe some of my Aussie classmates are considering making the trip. I am urging them to do Bootcamp and come onto Dolgellau afterwards. Anyway, that’s the plan. Just thought I’d throw it into the discussion as we are starting to make plans.
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