What do you do at a Gaitherin?
You make Choices of instruments/activities. At Easter for the primary school aged participants you do your first Choice activity twice a day and your second and then have the opportunity to try 4 different choices over the course of the week once a day, Monday to Thursday. In October the third choice is gene and that leads to Battle of the Bands on the Thursday. Groups are of mixed abilities and you will be taught how to play according to the level you are at. In between Choices there are activities, crafts, games and lots of interaction with our youth workers. On the Friday evening there is a concert where your first Choice group performs to family and friends.
I would like to change my choices
The new booking form will have shown you the choices which were available when you were completing it. Please choose carefully but if your favourite choice is not available please email info@gaitherin.org and we can see what we can do. There is some movement between choices at the beginning of the week up to Tuesday lunchtime but this is subject to others moving about too.
What is the food like?
We provide lunch which will a choice of sandwiches, ham, jam, tuna mayo, egg mayo, or cheese, vegetables and fruit, and a biscuit. There is a tuck shop where you can get extra snacks and drinks in case you still have space! If the meal doesn’t appeal to you then there is the option to take a packed lunch as long as there is no nuts in it as we are a nut free zone.
On the Friday tea time before the performance we will provide dinner for everyone.
Evening meals for those staying residential are hot two course meals. Varied breakfast options are also provided.
What is staying residential like and who stays residential?
There are places for 28 participants and 6 youth workers this year at SAGS. There are 2 rooms of bunks beds with 14 in each and social areas for the children to gather and take part in activities in the evening. Residential places are usually allocated to the older participants who apply. However if a participant from Aberdeenshire would be otherwise unable to attend then their application will be considered. Participants are bussed to and from the Residential Accommodation and in the evenings there are lots of fun and games. Doing the Gaitherin as a residential participant is pretty full on but very popular!
Who are the workers?
As well as the team of parent volunteers who organise the Gaitherin there are a lot of paid staff. The tutors lead the Choices and are all enthusiastic and excellent musicians. The youth workers are selected for their excellent skills in working with young people, their knowledge of the Gaitherin and their enthusiasm to embrace the unique Gaitherin spirit. Each team of staff is led by a Coordinator who makes sure everyone knows what they are doing and works closely with the committee to make sure everything goes safely and smoothly. Many tutors and youth workers have been to the Gaitherin as participants in the past and this is what helps achieve the special ethos and atmosphere of a Gaitherin.
What are Shadows?
The Gaitherin is committed to developing young people and once our participants reach S4 they can volunteer at the Easter Gaitherin to shadow either a tutor or a youth worker to help with the primary aged participants. Shadows receive training in youth work and some even move on to be paid staff once they are too old to be participants or Shadows. When you attend the October Gaitherin you will have the opportunity to sign up for shadowing at the following Easter Gaitherin.
I am worried that I won’t fit in
This is perfectly understandable if this is your first Gaitherin but the staff and volunteers are brilliant at making everyone feel valued and appreciated. Very quickly you will feel like part of the great Gaitherin family!
How can I as a parent be involved in the Gaitherin during the week of the Gaitherin?
There are many jobs which the Gaitherin relies on parent volunteers to do during the week of a Gaitherin. These include helping prepare and serve the lunch every day at the Gaitherin, serving the evening meals at the Residential accommodation, clearing up on the Friday morning/afternoon, serving tea on Friday and a multitude of other small tasks. If you would like to help out please fill in our volunteer form.
How can I as a parent be involved in the Gaitherin all year round?
The Trustees of the Gaitherin are all parents of participants past and present. They ensure the charity is run according to its constitution and aims and is governed correctly. The committee is made up of trustees plus other parent volunteers involved in the practical organisation of the Gaitherin weeks. New volunteers to be on the committee are always welcome and will always be found a job! There are about 6 meetings a year usually held on an evening that suits everyone. Parents can also significantly help the Gaitherin by volunteering in the Garioch Charity Shop on the occasional Saturday morning or afternoon. The Gaitherin receives a share in the profits from the shop which helps keep the price of the Gaitherin down.
Will I ever be able to take my family away on holiday during a Gaitherin week again?
Good luck with that.