Youth Adventure

Based on Pl ay Engla nd's C harter for c hildren's play.

Wilsic Adventure.

Summer 2010

2 day Residential trip.

JCA is part of the TUI group and is a trips provider specializing in activity, adventure, education, and environmental courses across 12 centers each providing different activities with their own style of accommodation.

This type of outdoor learning is highly recommended by local authorities and the government as a successful way of building relationships, gaining trust and raising self esteem for even the most challenging of students.

Gradually without realizing it they begin to work together as a group.

Tackling tough activities builds their self esteem and they learn to trust adults, their peers and teachers.

Chris Sharps Massage Club.

In July 2010 both Activity programme coordinators from Wilsic and Fullerton planned and risk assessed a 2 day adventure in Buxton, Derbyshire.

The students; Marcus, Alan, Liam and Michael

were updated about the trip and were totally up for the experience and very excited.

4 students, Esta, Linford, Mark and Natalie from Fullerton House school were joining us on the 2 day trip.

We were about to share the adventure together, as well as make new friends and discover new experiences.

The preparation now complete; Let the adventure begin………….

We set off at 7am sharp, after packing the bus up ready for the big adventure.

We met up with our Fullerton friends and enjoyed a McDonalds breakfast before our 1 1/2 hour journey to Derbyshire. We arrived in Buxton at 9.45 and we were met by our Instructors, Lee, Aca and Mike. Unfortunately we were unable to camp on the hillside due to the high winds. We were offered the use of the large conference room to put up our camp beds which we fully appreciated. Aca and Mike immediately took charge of the group and before we knew it we were at the climbing wall getting harnessed up.

Marcus was first to attempt the climbing challenge and quickly scaled the wall, he reached the top with sheer

his waiting friends as he reached ground level.

Alan stood cheering on the others in their attempts and supporting the guide ropes working with Mark and Linford as a team.

Alan decided to challenge Ryan for a race up the wall, Ryan agreed on this knowing the natural ability Alan had with these challenges. Mike determination, a fantastic achievement for Marcus as he had to confront his fear of heights. Marcus was really proud of himself as we were.

Michael was next to go and was eager to do his best, he scaled a good height with the support of Aca the instructor who really motivated Mi-

had them in the start position and off they went.

Wow!!! Alan was off to an incredible start and literally ran up the wall, this was amazing to see and the instructors said he was outstanding and should pursue this as a sport. Ryan though put up a good challenge but was pipped at the post by our champion climber Alan. chael with lots of Praise. He received a big cheer from

An excellent start to the day, well done to everyone.

The next activity was the Low Ropes, Everyone had to balance and use their strength and agility while working closely with their 2 team mates to stay on the ropes.

Marcus completed the course and showed excellent balancing skills.

Liam was next and was supported by Heather. He enjoyed this activity and completed this challenge with a smile.

Alan completed the low ropes with the support of his team mates, Michael and Ryan. After two active challenges it was time for lunch. We all went back to the youth Hostel for our much needed pack ups.

in the Conference room with Aca and Mike and they gave us a lesson on the basic stance, lunging and how to aim for the target area.

This was good fun for everyone, we were all shouting YAAA as we lunged forward.

The next challenge was Fencing. We all got together

After all the practicing came the sparring, we all remembered the stance and techniques taught. It was great fun for everyone.

Aca and Mike made it fun for everyone. Thankyou.

Aca and Mike got the team together to tell them about the caves. We all took a clean set of clothes to the shower area ready to get cleaned up after this next challenge. We all changed into our old clothes and made our way to the challenge area. After putting on

supportive with others who were a little apprehensive

It was pitch black in the tunnels and torches on the helmets were used. See for yourself the fun we all had. overalls and helmets we were led to the caves ( underground water pipes 200+ meters long)

Alan and Michael felt at home with this challenge and emerged from every exit covered in mud!!!!

By the end of the challenge we were all wet, muddy and quite proud of ourselves.

Liam watched everyone else first before independently entering the caves and completing the challenge. This was amazing, well done Liam.

Marcus and Alan were really

due to the darkness, this was lovely to see. we saw a lot of team work with the students and friendships were beginning to form between the 2 schools. All staff joined in the fun and there was not a clean person within the group. Aca and Mike joined in the fun as some of the students enjoyed a mud fight at the end of the challenge.

We walked back to the hostel tired but happy, looking forward to our nice warm showers, clean clothes and our tea. After our BBQ tea, cooked by Sue and Esta we put on warm coats and our walking boots. Aca and Mike were taking us on a night time ramble and ghost walk through he woods.

Everyone seemed relaxed and happy as the light faded and we headed towards the wood for our ghost walk.

The scenery was beautiful and we looked at some places of interest on top of one of the peaks.

We had so much fun, we were all a little wary of the strange noises in the woods.

Michael and Marcus made it their mission to make everyone scream in terror.

Aca and Mike then entertained the group with some very funny games.

2 hours later and we arrived back, tired, weary and ready for bed and zzzzzzzzzzzzzz

A very quiet and settled night for everyone, considering all 19 of us slept in 1 room this was unbelievable but true. It was an early start of 7am for most of the students and staff.

Once up and showered we all enjoyed a bacon and egg sandwich cooked outside on the camping stove,mmmmm Its archery first thing this morning and we all wrap up warm and walk to the challenge area..

Aca and Mike gave us all some guidelines on safety and a demonstration of how to hold the bow. Every one listened to the instructions and we were split into 2 teams, Wilsic V Fullerton.

Let the competition begin.

Everyone had a practice session, then our team Captain Mike totalled our scores, Come on Wilsic we can do it.

We could hear the cheers from the other team and knew they were hitting some good targets, this made us more determined to succeed.

Marcus did really well aiming the bow accurately and hitting the red on the target, he then encouraged the others in the team. Next was Alan, he held the bow well and Mike encouraged him to pull the bow further back before letting the arrow go. A good shot by Alan.

Michael listened to the advice given and accurately hit the target scoring much needed points for the team. Last to go was Liam he followed all the guidelines and also hit the target.

He seemed happy with his performance.

Challenge over, Alas we lost and came a close runner up, both staff and students were outstanding in their effort and team spirit. A team to be proud of. well done everyone and Thankyou.

The next challenge was; Jacobs Ladder. This was a challenge requiring 2 people to work in unison each supporting the other to climb the ladder and reach the top. First up was Alan and Ryan.

They worked well together and quickly understood the technique required. They quickly reached the top to

the cheers of everyone on the ground. Fantastic team work from Alan and Ryan.

Michael stepped up to the challenge with Marcus as his team mate. Michael was a little anxious but with Marcus guiding and encouraging him they did exceptionally well as

a team. Marcus then chose to support Linford in his determination to get to the top. Marcus proved to us how patient and motivating he could be, we were moved by his perseverance and mature attitude while supporting others who were a little fearful of the challenge.

Well done Marcus

Marcus then proved himself to everyone by teaming up with Aca and reaching the top of Jacobs Ladder.

What a fantastic and active morning everyone had. Back at the hostel Sue and Laura prepared a ham and cheese pasta dish outside on the stove. We had an hour for dinner before the next challenge The crates, Again this challenge required teamwork and and a bit of healthy competition was developing between the boys and girls team! The aim of the challenge was to work together with a partner climbing higher on the crates and maintaining a good balance!! easier said than done. Michael and Mark

They worked their way up to 7 crates high which is over half way to the maximum amount achievable.

Next up and in a competitive spirit was Alan and Marcus.

They moved up the crates with ease and confidence working together effectively.

Esta and Sue all geared up for the challenge and aiming only to win.

Oh yes, the girls did it, 13 crates to get the gold, much to the annoyance of the boys.

Before crashing down before the 13th crate, Oh no!!! the boys may not win the challenge. Come on girls>>>>>>>>>>

were first up and proved themselves to be good competitors.

Time for the girls to show what we’re made of.

We returned to the hostel for a much needed break. We then gathered together to play some group games in the conference with Aca and Mike. Aca and Mike the instructors were brilliant in motivating the students and staff , their humour was appropriate and they encouraged everyone to progress to the best of their ability and more. We can’t thank them enough, they made us smile, grit our teeth in determination and prove ourselves to be outstanding team players.

Thankyou to you both.

A big Thankyou to everyone involved in this residential outdoor adventure. Your support, enthusiasm, hard work and dedication was very much appreciated by everyone.