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| Golden Eagle Year 5 2011 |
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Year 5 Golden Eagle Week 2011 Manor Adventure Abernant Lake Hotel Llanwrtyd Wells, Powys, Wales Monday 20th June After, thankfully, a very uneventful coach journey, we arrived at Abernant Lake Hotel shortly after 2.30pm today. The children were clearly excited about their week ahead and couldn’t wait to see their rooms and start the activities. A quick tour of the Hotel and site followed, before the children were soon in their activity groups and either on the Low Ropes course, Obstacle course or completing a range of initiative exercises. It was great to see the children already start to bond within their groups as teamwork is going to be so vitally important on many of this week’s tasks. As you can see from these photos we managed to complete one activity in the dry! Initiative Exercises
Obstacle Course
Low Ropes Course
After a hearty dinner of either Southern Fried Chicken, Braised Steak or Pork with potatoes and vegetables the Year 5s were ready for their next activity. Unfortunately the weather was not on our side and it was pouring it down with rain for the duration. Fabulously this did not dampen spirits and the children were soon kitted out in their waterproofs and heading up for a spot of High Ropes or Abseiling or down to the lake for Raft Building. Raft Building
The children returned to the hotel at 8.45pm after a visit to the drying room with all their wet clothes. The powerful hot showers in their rooms were used to great affect and everyone was in their PJs by 9.15pm feeling far more warm and cosy! We had a quick chat about our day and it was clear from everyone that this was going to be a great week with lots to look forward to. Even more impressively the children were quiet in their rooms by 10pm. Tuesday 21st June The children were fantastic this morning, staying quiet until a very reasonable hour indeed - THANK YOU! After a hearty cooked breakfast, the children have set off for their first activity of the day - Obstacle Course, Zip Wire or Fencing. Then after a short break there were further adventures high in the air as children descended the abseiling wall, completed the crate stack challenge or shot for their lunch. Those who were learning to use an air rifle had to draw pictures of a knife, fork and spoon on the back of their target - those which they hit they were allowed to use for their lunch. It was rather interesting to see some each Spag Bol for lunch with just a knife! Zip Wire
Obstacle Course
Abseiling
Fencing
Rifle Shooting
Crate Stack
After lunch it was great to get the group together for some silly team games. Everyone really entered into the spirit of the occasion and there were many amusing sights to be seen. Mini Olympics
This evening we are meant to be heading out for our Camp Out, but with heavy rain forecast for the night and a maximum temperature of 12 degrees we have made the decision to return to our cosy dorms later tonight. We will have our camp fire, toast marshmallows and enjoy some singing and spooky stories, but I think we are all damp enough!
Wednesday 22nd June The children all clearly appreciated sleeping in their beds last night, rather than cold tents, as we had to wake most of them up at 7.45am! As we did not have tents to pack away the children had an extra session of Wide Games first thing. After a short break we were back on track and the groups headed out to the Low Ropes course, down to the lake for Raft Building or threw themselves off the high platform and down the Zip Wire. The instructors have commented on many occasions this week how well the children are listening and following their instructions - they are certainly doing Eagle House proud. Also their teamwork and communication on activities has been excellent and improving all the time, and these are some of the most important objectives of these visits. Low Ropes
Zip Wire
After a delicious lunch some of the groups experienced some new activities for the week. For the first time, one of our groups tried Canoeing/Kayaking, whilst another group went off site for a 6mile Hill Walk. The remaining group stayed on the main site to complete the Obstacle Course and Crate Stack. Wonderfully the sun shone for at least an hour this afternoon and everyone had a much needed dose of Vitamin D. The drying room is still stocked to the rafters, but spirits are high and the children are wonderful company. Hill Walk
Canoe/Kayak
Crate Stack
This evening the children have headed out to test their initiative, or dangle from either High or Low Ropes! There are a few weary faces amongst the group, but generally it's smiles all round as they are constantly being challenged and motivated to try new things and be responsible and independent for themselves. High Ropes
Initiative Exercises
Thursday 23rd June This morning the children awoke freshed-faced (they are certainly the best year group at going to sleep quickly that we have ever had!) and keen to start today's challenges. The end of the week has seen the children complete the 'double sessions' which last 3.5 hours and include canoeing/kayaking, biking and hill walk. Two groups headed to the lake whilst another went out on the bikes. Unfortunately I had got everyone's hopes up last night with the news of blue sky and sunshine all day today, so when it was chucking it down all morning there were a few unimpressed faces looking in my direction - and yes that was from the staff! Nevertheless, everyone kitted themselves out appropriately and were soon all having a great time. Mr T was the first to fall in the lake off his kayak and then I think it didn't really matter whether the water was coming from the sky or the lake - everyone was going to get very wet and sure enough they did! Canoeing/Kayaking
Off-road Biking
Once everyone returned to the centre there was a quick lunch and a chance to have showers, warm up and rehydrate. There was, however no time for a rest as for those who had just spent 3 hours on the lake they were now either off for a 8 mile bike ride or a 6 mile walk! Expect some rather tired people at home tomorrow! The biking group had it a little easier with the more sedate activities of rifle shooting and fencing and had a great time. Hill Walk
The Birthday Boys and Girl!
This evening gave the children an opportunity to complete their final high level challenges - either the crate stack, high ropes or abseiling. Walking between all 3 groups it was incredible to see how well they have adapted to this environment. Children were getting more than one turn on the activities (a sign that they have listened well and not wasted any time) and were being thoroughly supportive of each other. As the children have been in the same activity groups all week (and not necessarily with their friends) it was clear that new bonds have formed and they were mixing together as a unit so much more effectively. Abseiling
Friday 24th June Bags are packed, the drying room is empty (well nearly) and the sun is shining. The children are either out for their 8 mile off-road bike ride, on a 6 mile hill walk or completing a series of initiative tasks and rifle shooting. Once again spirits are high and the the camaraderie amongst the group is excellent. The children have been wonderful this week; organised, well-behaved, fun, enthusiastic and positive throughout. The staff at Manor Adventure have been equally as impressed with your children, and considering there are 3 schools at the centre this week that is high praise indeed. A very special thanks to Peter Whalley, Mark Pearn, Jonathan Turner and Maxine Brewster for all their hard work this week too. It has been a great week and once the children return from valley and hill later this morning we will head to the coach after a quick lunch, hoping to be back to you around 5.30pm today. Mum and family - have we missed you? Of course!! Have we had a brilliant time? Of course!! See you later..... Many apologies for the state of the kit bags - the washing machine will probably be on overdrive tonight!! We have taken over 800 photos this week! Bring in a named high capacity memory stick to school on Monday to receive your copy - you can then edit them at your leisure to those that are appropriate to your group. |
