Here we will try to answer all the questions we often get asked when preparing for this field course.
Are there any shops at/near Dale Fort?
The short answer: no. You should bring everything you want for the week with you, including snacks and medicines.
Technically, there is a shop in Dale village, but it is only open seasonally, and never when we have been there. So we don’t know whether it stocks surf boards or sandwiches, and it will probably be closed for at least most if not all of the time we are there.
The field centre does have a tuck-shop where you can buy a few snacks or drinks, but it is not open for most of the day. The field centre does operate a bar, and you can pay by cash or open a tab using a card.
Is there a cash point at/near Dale Fort?
No. The Field Centre will let you open a tab at the bar by taking your card details on arrival. You must settle the bill before leaving. Otherwise, bring all the cash you need for the week.
Can I choose who to share a room with?
Dale Fort has dormitory style accommodation with rooms for 3 to 10+ people in single or bunk beds. Rooms and toilets/showers will be separated by gender, with some gender neutral bathroom facilities also available.
We will do our best to bring a sign-up sheet to the compulsory pre-course briefing (usually held on the Tuesday of week 0) so that you can choose which room to sleep in, but this depends on the field centre having prepared and allocated us the rooms already, and on how busy week 0 is for our teaching staff, so we cannot guarantee to be able to do this. Please be aware that we may need to assign your rooms for you and please talk to us if you have any questions or concerns about who you share your room with.
How big a bag should I bring?
For your luggage, you can bring a large bag. We will be traveling by coach with a luggage hold for bags, and there is not normally any trouble with you bringing a large case: we will be away for several days after all!
For day-to-day activities, please bring a good sized backpack (25-35 litres should be enough). You will need to carry equipment; your lunch, snacks and water to drink; and any spare clothes or extra layers you want to take out with you.
You said we need to bring a lunchbox…?
Yes! Every day you’ll need to make your own packed lunch. The field centre provide the facilities and food, but they do not wrap the sandwiches or give you anything to put them in. So think about how you want your lunch to be stored, the size of the box to hold (together!) your sandwiches, and maybe bring a few sandwich bags as well, just in case. You can buy a large lunch box from the kitchen or bar at Dale Fort for a few £s, though students often find that their sandwiches rattle around a bit in these.
Why is the catering mostly vegetarian?
This is the best balance we could strike between what our students want and need, and our commitment to reducing our environmental impact (supporting the University of Leeds’ campus wide efforts in sustainability and pledge to become carbon net zero). The evening meal on two days a week will have meat options, and the packed-lunches will also have meat options. Please be advised that everything else will be vegetarian.
What is it actually like at Dale Fort?
Take a look at the FSC’s dedicated webpages on Dale Fort, there’s even a virtual tour of the facilities and a short aerial video showing you the field centre and the local area we will be working in: https://www.field-studies-council.org/locations/dalefort/
You can also check out our Gallery pages for photos from previous field courses, this shows the kinds of activities you’ll be doing and in what settings – useful when thinking about what clothes/footwear to bring.
Will we be outside mostly during the field course?
It’s quite a mix. There will be lots of outdoor time whatever the weather (so bring appropriate clothing), but note we will also be spending time learning in the classrooms at Dale Fort, and there is a student lounge for you to relax in at the end of the day.
The field centre can lend you a waterproof coat and waterproof trousers as well as wellies, but do bring plenty of warm layers for working inside and out.
Are there any fees or associated costs with attending the field course?
Currently all costs for field instrumentation, as well as accommodation and meals at the field centre are covered by your tuition fees. You will not need to pay any additional cost or fee for attending the field course. You will need to bring/purchase food and drink for our journeys between Leeds and Dale Fort.