By Maruba Events.
9-12 November 2012
Whinfell Forest, Penrith, Cumbria
A long weekend with partying, eating, drinking, swimming, hiking in the Lakes, and making new friends.
Price from £145 per person
Add-ons are available such as en suite or single occupancy bedrooms.
It's a simple premise: we take over the best area of the best CenterParcs village, throw parties each night, with a help-yourself bar included, and enjoy the nearby Lake District or the on-site subtropical swimming paradise and other activities during the daytime.
We and our friends have been doing this since the CenterParcs village opened near Penrith around 15 years ago, and we've refined it so there's a full weekend programme of activities - hiking, quizzes, fancy dress parties, tastings, country pub lunches - and a package of meals and bar all included. By necessity our catering isn't posh nosh - we use one of the woodland lodges as our base for the weekend, so feeding 70+ people can be a challenge - but then we also hit the cash & carry to provide an all-inclusive bar throughout the weekend so you've pretty much nothing else to pay.
The event is open to anyone who wants to come and make friends. In the beginning the event was for the Mensa social club but over the years people have invited friends, and they've invited friends, so now it is just a random group of people. Each year we welcome many new faces who often return with their own friends the following year. What better recommendation!
We've limited capacity and usually sell out some months in advance, so book soon!
Friday
1030 Check In Opens
Early arrivals may use the village facilities including the subtropical swimming paradise, activity bookings, shops and restaurants.
1530 Lodges Open
Settle into your accommodation then pop along to the Party Lodge to say hello.
1800 Spud Supper
Hot jacket potatoes topped with butter, cheese, baked beans, tuna mayonnaise or vegetable chilli and accompanied by salad. Plus a choice of desserts. Available throughout the evening, so you'll get fed at whatever time you arrive.
2030 "Icebreaker" Party
Take one lodge, set out a help-yourself bar comprising good quality wines, beers, spirits and soft drinks, add some music and some fun people... and get an instant party! Come and meet old friends and make lots of new ones.
Cocktail of the day: Purple Sky. A mix of peach schnapps, blue curacao, lemonade and grenadine. From 8.30pm whilst stocks last!
Saturday
From 0900 Outdoor Pursuits
Why not book one of the activities offered by CenterParcs? Segway tours, archery, zip wire, pony trekking, abseiling, quad biking, tree trekking and more. Available throughout the day.
0930 Hiking In The Lakes
Meet up to see who else is up for a day's walking on the fells and in the valleys of nearby Lakeland. Don't forget your boots and a packed lunch or money for a pub lunch. Own car/car share. We make an early start due to lack of daylight hours at this time of year.
1000 Splash Party
We'll head as a group to the subtropical swimming paradise to play with the wave machine, lazy river rapids, flumes, slides, waterfalls, outdoor pool, spa pools and bubble seats. Returnable £1 coin required for locker.
1200 Penrith Potter
Catch the public bus to the nearby market town for some pub grub and a potter around the shops. Meet at the bus stop near the entrance to CenterParcs and return when you like.
1230 Light Lunch
Cheese or beans on toast available in the Party Lodge if you're peckish after your swim.
1400 Fun & Games
Challenge your newfound friends to a variety of games - classic, retro and modern - whilst sitting around a cosy log fire. Feel free to bring your favourite game along.
1530 Liqueur Tasting
Ahead of tonight's party there's the chance to sample a range of drinks and liqueurs from around the world. Ever tried Brazilian ciapirinha, Icelandic schnapps or Thai rum?
1700 Dinner Buffet
Fill your plate with vegetable curry and rice or pizza and salads. Plus a selection of desserts. Ends at 1930.
2030 "Around The World" Party
Our big themed party night where fancy dress is encouraged and can be as simple or extravagant as you wish - though not compulsory. Wear a national costume or something representative of any country of the world. A global extravaganza of dancing and drinking with vodka jelly shots at midnight!
Cocktail of the day: White Russian. A blend of vodka, coffee liqueur and milk. From 8.30pm whilst stocks last!
Sunday
0730 Remembrance Sunday Hike - Great Gable
Take part in this special annual event, a hike up one of Lakeland's finest mountains for the 11am remembrance service. It is a simple ceremony of remembrance for those who fell for our freedom, and is not religious, nationalist or militaristic. A fantastic walk in good conditions, but if the forecast is for extreme weather we will not set out! The walk climbs 1600ft in about 3 miles to Green Gable on the NW slopes of Grey Knotts and Brandreth and is mercilessly exposed to any weather. From Green Gable there is a stiff 150ft descent to Windy Gap (an appropriate name) before the stiffer 300ft climb with some easy scrambling to the summit of Great Gable. Then after the ceremony it is all to be reversed. A strenuous 7 mile mountain excursion with 2200ft of ascent and redescent but no major technical difficulties. You'll need hiking boots, waterproof, overtrousers, warm clothing, headwear (hood, balaclava), gloves, packed lunch, emergency rations and something non-alcoholic to drink. If you have them you should also bring map, compass, whistle, headtorch, trekking poles, GPS. Led by Stephen Nelson, there will be a briefing and kit check in Stephen's lodge on Saturday at 1700.
1000 Brunch
Relax with the morning newspapers whilst enjoying croissants, crumpets, waffles, pain au chocolat, toast and preserves with a selection of teas, coffees and juices. Ends 1130.
1130 Lunch In Keswick
Drive to Keswick for a pub lunch before an optional stroll by the lakeshore to Friar's Crag on the edge of Derwentwater. Own car/car share. Back on site approx 1430. Or stay longer and explore the town.
1430 Splash Party
Another chance to visit the subtropical swimming paradise as a group.
1530 Chocolate Tasting
Calling all chocoholics! Can you tell the difference between finest Belgian chocolate and supermarket own brands? Come and sample a range of qualities and flavours. Yummy!
1700 Quiz Time
Test your general knowledge with this fun quiz. Play individually or as a team. Prize for the winner(s).
1800 DIY Dinner
Organise a dinner party with your lodge mates, order a Chinese, Indian or Italian takeaway, or book a table in one of the village restaurants.
2030 "Uniforms" Party
More drinking, dancing and socialising along with some optional party games. Police officers, fire fighters, doctors, nurses, cabin crew, vicars, schoolboys and schoolgirls all welcome!
Cocktail of the day: Blue Light. A combination of white rum, blue curacao and pineapple juice. From 8.30pm whilst stocks last!
Monday
1000 Lodge Check Out
Please vacate your accommodation by 1000.
1030 Splash Party
Last chance for a dip in the pool and a ride down the flumes.
1200 Lakeside Lunch
Say farewell over lunch at the pub by the CenterParcs lake.
For details, a booking form and the small print, open Lakes Party Weekend PDF. Requires Acrobat Reader.
