Typical questions asked by new members

What is the age range of Group members ?
Most people are aged between 35 and 50, but there are no age restrictions and we have members of all ages. Our member profile is a mixture of singles, couples and a some families.

How many people in the group ?
We currently have over 100 members.

Can I come along on some events before I join ?
You can come along to two events before joining. The only exception is if you wish to come away on a hostel weekend where you will need to be a Group member as well as a current member of the National YHA.

How much does it cost to join your Group ?
Currently the yearly cost of membership is £8 for individuals, £2 for unwaged and £10 for couples/families at teh same address. If you are interested in joining us then download the membership form. This membership fee is used to cover costs for hire of the meeting room, payment of guest speakers, printing and postage costs for the program, deposits for events and other costs associated with events.

Do I have to join the National YHA ?
The Group is affiliated to the YHA of England and Wales. We encourage our Group members to become members of the National YHA, especially if you join us on one of our hostel weekends.

How can I join the National YHA ?
There are a number of ways of joining the National YHA:

• At any YHA hostel
• Online at YHA web site http://www.yha.org.uk
• At Millets outdoor shops

How long are the walks ?
We try to offer a number of walks of different lengths each month. Our year-round Sunday walks can be anything from half-day walks of 5 or 6 miles, up to full-day walks of 12 or more miles. There are usually at least two Sunday walks of different lengths each month.

During the Summer we also organise short evening walks during the week, generally ending at a local pub.

What outdoor equipment do I need ?
If you join us on weekends away or to more mountainous areas we suggest that you check our recommended equipment list, as you are more likely to encounter adverse weather conditions and terrain on one of those trips. Good waterproofs and walking boots are essential even in Summer. Group members benefit from discounts at local outdoor shops, should you need to purchase outdoor gear.

The Group also owns some equipment that it hires out, such as tents.

How do I get in touch with an event organiser ?
When we send you a copy of the current programme it contains the phone numbers of the organiser for each event. We don't display those phone numbers directly on our web site, in order to protect the privacy of those members who have volunteered to lead an event. If you need to find out about an event and don't know the organiser’s details then send an email to the address listed at the top of the Contact Form.

I don't have a car, can I still join in events ?
We try and organise events that are relatively easy to get to by public transport, or local walks may start at a meeting place in Reading in order to share lifts to the start of the walk. For weekends away the organiser will try and match car drivers with passengers. We ask that car drivers offer lifts and passengers offer to share fuel costs.

What are the benefits of joining ?

• An event programme is handed/sent to you every 3 months. There is are an average of 12 events organised each month including at least one weekend away at a hostel. A copy of the programme is usually available in advance to those with Internet access.
• Longer trips away at Easter, New Year, during Summer and Bank Holidays.
• Group newsletter called 'Group Reading'
• We currently benefit from discounted bookings at YHA hostels
• Access to the private Group mailing list
• Discounts at local outdoor and bike shops
• Access to Group equipment that you can hire such as tents, caving helmets etc.

What is the 'Social' ?
The Social is the monthly meeting at the RISC centre. It usually takes the form of a slide show or talk, starting shortly after 19:30 and finishing by 22:00, with a break for refreshments and announcements. There is usually no cost for people attending these Social events.

Who runs the Group ?
The Group is run by a voluntary elected committee of between 5 and 8 members. The program will be co-ordinated by a member of the committee with many non-committee members volunteering each time to organise events.