Y8 Lake District 2010

After completing their Common Entrance exams the children in Year 8 enjoyed a week in the Lake District, at the YMCA National Centre. This is an annual trip that the School runs. The children and staff took part in a range of activities. Everyone had a great time and completed activities that were physically and mentally challenging.

This is what the children thought about various aspects of the trip:

Fell Walk

The fell walk on the first day of the trip was very interesting and acted to a pre-cursor to the far longer mountain walk. We had a chance to get used to our groups, meet our instructors and get a view of the surrounding lakeside scenery.

The hill or 'fell' was quite steep to begin with and after a short time we were already complaining and wanting to stop. We were granted a rest at the point when the path levelled out slightly. We then chose a leader who lead for 100 paces and then swapped with someone else. We stuck with this method for the rest of the walk. After around half an hour we reached the top where there was a bench which was only big enough for the first three people to sit on so the rest of the group had to make do with the rocks. We had a short rest at the top and a group photo was taken with Windermere in the background. You could also see the many towns and villages on the lakes.  Marcus Annegarn

Once we had dinner, we were given some waterproof jackets and trousers as well as walking boots to put on.  The walk itself was quite fun, mainly because we had the chance to lead and navigate the group in turn if we were to get there.  When we were leading, Sally gave us a map and a compass, and we were only helped if we really needed it or if we got lost!  During the walk, we were shown a plant that we could eat. It tasted a bit like sour apple, but it was delicious. The walk was mainly uphill, so it was quite tiring for most of us.

Instead of going back the way we came, we went up a steep path in order to get to the top of this mountain like hill. Most of the group crashed out, and others were walking really slowly. Even though the climb itself was torture for our legs, I think that it was worth it. All of a sudden, we could see a rainbow spreading across the entire lake. It was pretty, and I could clearly see all the 7 colours glinting in the sunlight.  Overall, the walk was tiring, but I thought it was worth it, because of all the fun that we had on the way up there. I would like to go on that walk again someday.  Mirabel Laczko-Schroeder

Caving

In my opinion, caving was the best activity. We had two leaders from Lakeside and we travelled to North Yorkshire’s famous Long Churn Caves. We were given waterproofs, boots, and helmets with lights and a belt tied around our waist so the leaders could lift us out if we fell into a pool! We first entered into a cave after climbing a hill. The temperature was 8 degrees permanently so it was quite cold. The caves were made of limestone with many stalactites and different routes to get you lost! As soon as we entered we were forced to crawl on our tummies along a little stream, we really needed our lights as it was so dark you couldn’t see your own hand in front of you.

We got to a little cave with the world famous cheese press that is just 22cm in height and about 3 metres in length. We had to slither through it and it was quite scary! Then we progressed to what was known as the plank pool which was a really deep pool of freezing water, you could either choose to go through it or take the tricky path round it which involved rock climbing-one wrong move and you fell! I just managed to get round without falling in! Then we got to a steep bit of rock where we had to climb up it by a rope which was really fun and a bit scary. After a while we came to a section called baptistery crawl where the leaders went a different route and we were left on our own to go through a tunnel where we had no idea what was coming up-and I was chosen as the leader! We went through a deep freezing pool called the font, and had to crawl at some points. Finally we got to the end but we were faced with more challenges! We sat in a cave and switched our lights off so we couldn’t see anything and broke a polo mint. Because of the tightly compressed particles in a polo it created a blue flame!  The roof of the cave glittered like diamonds as the water droplets reflected off our LED lights, it was so beautiful.  Finally we reached a big pool with a waterfall. Our leaders tied a rope to a piece of rock and we had to climb up this waterfall, getting very wet! Overall, our time in the caves was about four hours but the time went by very quickly! We all thought it was over when we were told there was another challenge! Anyone who was brave enough could do one last cave and a few of us volunteered! We went to another smaller chain of caves called Wilson’s caves where it started off without any water but ended where the water rose to just below neck height and the height of the cave was less than a metre! We all got so wet but it was an extremely memorable experience.  We all got back to the bus, soaking wet, and went to a little village nearby called Ingleton to buy some provisions for the journey back.  Susan Fuller

We then walked to the cave entrance, sat down and our instructor, Andy, who was really fun and supportive, talked to us a bit about what we would do. We then went in and because everyone was a bit nervous, the start was very slow and very small which meant you had to lie down and crawl for about 10 metres. Once in the cave it was amazing and the instructor talked to us and gave us some facts about the cave, such as a stalactite which took 500 years to grow 1 centimetre.

The cave was long and took about three to four hours to get through. We had many challenges along the way which we were given, the first and possibly for some the hardest challenge was the cheese press. This was a space in the cave only small enough to wiggle through and your head had to be turned sideways around 3 metres long. Further on we had to straddle around small water holes in the cave which were deep to your hips and had to climb around some obstacles with ropes. The cave varied in size all the way through, areas where you could stand, areas which were thin to areas which you crawled through. Some areas of the cave had amazing structures and great sights to see one being that drips looked like shooting stars with your LED lights. At one point later on in the cave we were sent off by ourselves without instructors on a one way path that was hard and at one point you couldn’t help but go through water and get your welly boots soaked. We also were shown that in a very dark place such as a cave. 

We headed back to the bus where we changed into drier clothes. We then went to the nearest town to the caves called Ingleton. Here we bought ourselves some food from the local café and the town had possibly the nicest sweet shop. After about an hour we headed back to Lakeside.  Oliver Cooley

Mountain Day Expedition

All of Year 8 and the TCH staff were split into four groups. Each group took different routes up the mountains. Groups 3 and 1 ended their walk at Hayeswater Tarn, to set up their camp together. Groups 2 and 4 ended their walk and met up at a different place called Angle Tarn to set up their camp together. Children had rucksacks carrying, poles, pegs, fuel, a trangia and a tent between three as well as a change of clothes, sleeping bag, sleeping bag liner, plastic cup, plate, bowl, spoon, waterproofs, sleeping mat and dinner and breakfast each, which added up to be very heavy, so we were tired by the time we arrived at our campsites!

When it was time for dinner, we set up a trangia between three and boiled some water from the tarn. Once boiled, we added the soup Sally and Tim had given us. We drank this in our plastic cups and then washed them in the tarn. Next, we boiled some more water and then added all three of our pasta and sauce together, for my group of three, this meant a mixture between tomato and chicken pasta which actually turned out to taste really nice! After washing our spoons and plates, we walked around the tarn some more to play some games.

We were woken up at around 6:00am the following morning, the sun could just be seen peeping over the mountains around us. We boiled the tarn water with the trangias again, and Sally and Tim gave us milk powder to turn the hot water into milk so we could at our packed cereals into our bowls.  Some people also ate their flap jack if they hadn’t already eaten it. We washed and packed away the last of our things and checked for litter.

The walk back down the mountain wasn’t as tiring as the walk up, and was more fun as Sally let our group slide down the last part of the mountain! Although I have been camping with my school year before in ASC, the Lake District mountain camp was definitely the best, it was a great, different experience for me and it will be a great memory of mine at Town Close.  Hannah Philips

On Monday, we tightly squeezed everything into our back packs at Lakeside. It was very tricky fitting everything in, and, once we had all squeezed our personal items (which to my disappointment didn’t include my pyjamas and my wash bag) into our bags, we were given a whole load more equipment such as tents, trangias, gas, sleeping bags, ground sheets and a vital survival bag.

Once everything was loaded onto the buses, we travelled around Lake Windermere, to Kirkstone pass, where group four was dropped off. Then, after a short while longer in the mini buses, we arrived at Hartsop village, where the other three groups set off on the mountain expedition.

I was in group one; I was led by Tim, our group leader, and Sam, a guide. We walked up steep paths, and took regular breaks. We all brought lots of food and water. I ate small chocolate bars, nuts and malt loaf in order to keep up my energy. Often, walking up mountains can consume up to 400 calories per hour. Many people ate trail mix, but I didn’t because I didn’t like it.

When we were on the walk, we each took it in turns to navigate the route. Most of us were successful and fine with map reading; however, one of the navigators decided that we needed to cross the river. On the other side of the river we discovered two things, firstly, a carnivorous plant, which ate flies, and secondly we discovered that we didn’t need to cross the river after all. So we crossed the river, back to the other side, and continued along the main path. I continued a lot wetter than I was before we crossed the river!

Over all, the mountain walk was a very challenging experience for me, yet I will remember it for a very long time to come.   India Gill

The Lakeside Centre

The YMCA centre near the village of Lakeside in the Lake District was situated on the shores of Lake Windermere, the largest lake in England.

The centre was split into two ‘camps’, North Camp and South Camp. About half of the dormitories were in North Camp, but about 15 boys (including me) and 8 girls slept in South Camp. There was a walk of 5 to 10 minutes between the two camps, and since we ate at South Camp and met for activities at North Camp, there was a reasonable amount of walking between the two. The walk from one to the other was not unpleasant, however, as you were walking you could see lots of the activities taking place and you had a good view of the lake.

There were washing facilities in all dorm blocks, and at least one common room to have hot chocolate in the evening. The dorms themselves were small, but this did not matter that much as we did not spend much time in there. There were football and basketball pitches at both camps.

At North Camp there was a meeting room, and kit issue cupboards with lots of spare clothes and equipment needed for the activities. There was an orienteering course in the large, and mainly forested grounds. This course could be used in lots of activities.

The grounds of the centre were very pleasing to the eye, with their fantastic views over the lake and hills surrounding.  Hamish MacGregor

Rafting

In my opinion, rafting was one of the most fun and exciting activities we did on the trip. Groups 3 and 4 were together, building rafts in our individual groups. To get the materials to build the rafts we had to do orienteering. This involved running around all over campus, reading a map, trying to find hidden letters which gave us the different materials. In the end, our group only had 4 barrels 2 logs and eleven ropes, while group 4 had found 6 barrels and 3 logs and eleven ropes also. We built our raft as two barrels side by side either end held together with the 2 logs and the ropes. It looked sturdy. The other group had done the same but with 6 barrels and 3 logs. We lowered ours into the water, and pushed it out. All 9 of us heaved ourselves on, only wet up to the knee. But that was not to last. There were 10 in the other group but they had a bigger raft and did the same as us, heaving themselves on. We paddled toward the first marker of the race, we were winning! Then someone near the back fell off. Someone reached out a hand but was dragged in too. Then I fell in. The water was freezing, biting at every part of your body exposed. I managed to pull myself back on helping Lorna back on too. Henry also managed to pull himself onto the raft. Then came a sickening cracking sound. We all turned our heads to the back of the raft as the knots in the ropes fell apart. The two barrels at the back, along with their 4 riders were flung into the water screaming as they did so.

We waded and crawled back into shore coughing and spluttering, water dripping from every part of our bodies. We lay in the stones and water, the other team in hysterics at our failure.  James Baxter

One of the best activities in my opinion was Rafting. Highly anticipated before the trip, people expected it to be the best activity, although not many people were aware of the long orienteering beforehand.

Next arrived the challenging task of building our miracle rafts, we had only four barrels not convenient to the other teams mighty six. We got building and agreed on a shape that involved the two barrels on either side connected by poles. We were taught a much more efficient method of tying our knots and eventually set sail for the rather slow race. We got off to a not so promising start in which nobody could even get on the raft let alone get it moving, then I decided we were going nowhere unless I took action. I moved to the back of the raft to power it with long strokes of breast stroke kick. I powered us to the first buoy, Henry then insisted on taking over we swapped and things started to go downhill from there, a strong turn got a couple of people thrown off our raft, I knew our hopes were over as the other (more successful) raft was away on the final straight. So I got a bit more relaxed and decided to have some fun, the struggling people trying to get back on were failing consistently, especially as I slid down off the raft and grabbed some ones head as a handhold in desperation and ended up pushing them in myself. This followed up with a large shift of movement where our front two barrels broke off and spewed everywhere. I climbed back onto the remains of our raft and floated back to shore where a rather dry posse clapped us onto land.  We packed our stuff away and slowly lumbered back to South Camp for a nice warm shower.  Charlie Easter

High Ropes

The high ropes course was a very challenging and exciting experience. Jenny, our instructor, as well as another called Duncan, all encouraged to have a go and experience climbing as well as belaying. Belaying is a way of supporting and keeping the climber safe by holding on to the rope and passing it through a mechanism.

The first activity involved ascending a wooden pole and standing on a tea-tray sized platform. Then, usually after a countdown, the person would jump up and try to touch a white plastic buoy that was hanging in the air. Out of the ten people in our group, most people in were able to reach it. Another activity concerning the platform had four people standing on the wooden square at the same time. This was very hard because we had to climb on one at a time and then assist the others as they climbed up. This proved easier said than done though and Freya and Polly both fell off when helping each other up. We supported and helped each other climb onto the platform at the same time with much difficulty! When all four of us had conquered the challenge of reaching the top of the platform, we held hands, gradually leaning backwards to form a star shape in the air. This was terrifying: I knew I was leaning backwards, with nothing other than a rope holding me and that I was about ten metres high. Fortunately we were able to keep our shape in the star position before we fell.

The climbing was really fun but testing. Although the high ropes course was very scary and tough in parts, it is something I would enjoy doing again. Overall we all felt proud of ourselves and felt that we had achieved a lot.  Hannah Carroll

We all took turns at belaying and climbing. For our first challenge we had to climb up a vertical wooden pole using giant staples to help us. When we got to a certain height there was a horizontal pole about seven metres long which we had to walk across. This was quite scary despite the fact we could hold on to a rope which was attached to us and it wasn’t the highest point! After we had crossed there was another pole which we had to climb up and again we had to walk across horizontal pole but this time it was even higher. When we reached the middle we were told to stop and we were given a challenge that we had to do. I had to dance, Oscar had to hop and Thibualt had to do the Egyptian walk. The other two didn’t want to do a challenge (I don’t blame them, it was scary!)  After we had crossed the pole we had to go back into the middle to be lowered down back to the pole underneath. Where we then had to do the “koala” which is when you put your legs both sides of the pole and hang upside down. This was very scary as you are just dangling down from a pole at a great height. While we were upside down we had to release the pole from our legs and just kind of swing down. This was very fun and scary at the same time!

After everyone had finished their challenge we split into two groups of three and one group of four. I was with Mrs. Lewis Williams, Polly and Hannah Carroll.

For our last challenge we all had to climb up another wooden pole stand on an even smaller platform then the leap of faith and all lean out holding onto each other. I was first to climb when I reached the platform my knees were shaking so much. Then Polly climbed up and I managed to help her up to the platform and we were both standing for about ten seconds before we fell off! So we then had to get back on again but this time we did succeed. After that Hannah climbed up and we were all successfully standing. It was now Mrs. Lewis William’s turn to climb and we all managed to help her onto her feet. We then grabbed hold of each other’s elbows and slowly leaned back. This was very scary as our knees were shaking which was making the platform wobble even more! However we did manage to hold on the each other’s wrists and lean all the way out ,then after we had done that we counted to three and let go of each other and were lowered down. It was then the other groups turn who we all watched. Then after everyone had been we put away our helmets and harnesses and went for lunch.  Freya Reid Edwards

Food

The standard of food at Lakeside was excellent, and kept us going throughout the week. The dining room had a main area where people sat and in this area there was a place to get ice cold water or squash. At the other end of the dining room was where the cooks served the food, and also where we put our plates and cutlery when we had finished eating. This system made it easier for the kitchen to run quickly. This was good for when we had to make an early start, as we didn’t have a long wait for our breakfast. Breakfast consisted of sausages, bacon, eggs and or beans. You could also choose to have toast and or cereal. All of this food made sure that we were full of energy for the day ahead. Lunch and tea were always different and delicious every time. Meal times were breakfast at 8:00, lunch at 12:30, and tea at 5:30. Food on the mountain was pasta in a packet that we had to make ourselves using trangias. First we boiled water then put the pasta into the water and waited for it to be ready. The pasta turned out to be very nice, but couldn’t match the kitchen’s food.

On Thursday we went into Bowness to eat away from Lakeside for a night, this was to celebrate the fact that we had all successfully got into our senior schools. We had a choice out of different combinations of sausages, chicken, fish and chips. When we had got our food we went down to the quay to eat. After this we went round Bowness before going back to Lakeside. Overall the quality of food at Lakeside was fantastic and everyone loved it.    Simon Curtin

Problem Solving

One of the best and most challenging tasks was problem solving.  It was tricky as you have nine boxes and ten people.  The rules were that you can’t let go of any box at all, even for a split second or one of the boxes gets taken away.  We weren’t allowed to touch the ground and we couldn’t touch either of the black poles that obstructed our path.  Right at the start of the challenge Oscar dropped one of the boxes and of course we lost it.  The whole team learnt from their mistakes and we started to interact with each other and work as a team. The course was around 5m long and facing up hill.   I’m sure that the whole group felt great triumph when they completed the course.  Toby Ellingham