The Form 5 children ventured to the Jurassic Coast in Dorset during trips week in June. The four day course offered the children an exciting mix of water sports, wild camping and fireside feasts. Trip organiser, Mr Simon Stearn, explained, “We had a lot of fun. There were some really enjoyable outdoor activities in a beautiful park of the country. The pupils were up for everything, from gutting fish to building shelters. It was tremendous fun and full of team building, new experiences and camaraderie. The children experienced the very best of the Jurassic coastline. ”
By day, the children were busy with a range of coastal-based activities: rock climbing, mackerel fishing bush-craft and a water park. By night, they played campsite games and took part in a variety of team building exercises and had the chance to camp in bell tents. They also had the opportunity to cook the day's catch. All the activities were designed to be ‘challenge by choice’ and throughout the week the children were encouraged to step out of their comfort zones and to set personal goals as a way of mapping their progress.
Mr Ben Clilverd commented, “The pupils were able to experience a range of activities and were able to develop valuable skills in a new environment.” A Form 5 child explained, “I think the best part was the water park because we got to push some of the teachers in the water.” Another followed up with “We gutted and filleted the fish we had caught and I ate a fish eye, it was disgusting! At the water park I sat on the end of a big air bag and someone jumped on it and I went really high. We also went rock climbing right next to the sea. It was an amazing experience."
