Archive for October, 2015
Gilwell Group photo!
Here’s a group picture of us all in the camp square at Gilwell, Wednesday morning. BIG thank you to everyone who made this happen, and for one final time, Mary. we couldn’t have done it without any of you! We’ll see you all tomorrow….. don’t forget there’s still school for all of us on Friday…..
Day 3 : sunny side up
Thankfully the sun was up this morning and some of us had a mini -lie in, with breakfast at 830am. This mornings menu? egg-tastic! The children in Jack Petchey lodge ( we are split between two self catering lodges – Jack Petchy and Peter Harrison ) were keen to make sure their rooms were in order for their first room inspection. In fact so much so, over zealous hovering caused a pair of socks and possibly a vest being sucked up! Up at Peter Harrison lodge Alysha has already carried out several full inspections. Apart from cleanliness, bonus points were awarded for special presentations – raps and songs to impress the judges.
After the room inspections we all walked up to the main camp square to spend our pocket money on Gilwell souvenirs, although I’m not sure how pots of slime fits into that – it hasn’t been that muddy here!! they opened the shop especially for us. Then with our gift laden bags we managed to fit in another activity before lunch……with our final two activities on the rota afterwards. All children will have completed at least 9 activities during their time here ( see previous blog posts and pictures)
Today has been so far, a special day for several reasons. first, Halima was finally able to join us and secondly it is Mysha’s 11th birthday! To celebrate we have sung happy birthday twice and Li Missi made us a special chocolate birthday cake to share. As this will be our last full day and night at Gilwell, we will have a campfire with Monica who will visit us later, and of course go to bed on time full of glorious memories of our time here.
e’ ll not think about the tidying up and cleaning until tomorrow morning…..
Day 2: life at Gilwell
So day two dawns briskly for an 8am breakfast. Already we feel we’ve adjusted to life here at Gilwell park, embracing the team spirit it inspires. Apart from the cold, most of us slept well so we were up and ready for a full day of activities. Each group had the opportunity to complete 4 activities today, including time to play a joke on Alex! (more of that later) The most popular activities have been the 3G swing – pulling your team mates into the sky, and shouting ‘1,2 ,3G …swing!’ as they release the cord and swing into the trees! truly exhilarating! Don’t worry -all activities are led by fully trained instructors ( thank you Gilwell) A close second is the shear face of the rock climbing – the challenge to climb to the top is a real one! Well done Rishat for completing it!
Lunch and dinner have been provided (very tastily) by Gilwell. much excitement was had for the chicken tikka sandwiches for lunch and the tasty meatballs, pasta bake and chicken we’ve eaten in their restaurant. Although we love cooking for the kids it is nice to have more time to be with them rather than clearing up. We do still make the breakfast every day though.
Today Amina’s group and I managed to convince Alex and the other children that we had to use our spending money to pay for lunch ( see photos – we set it up like a shop as it looked very different from our school pack lunches!) We’ve also been foraging in the extensive grounds to build campfires to cook on and create organic art! phew! no wonder we needed a movie night to relax from our new out door-sy lifestyle. ( in progress as I type) until tomorrow ( ooh its a special day for one member of year 6 tomorrow……)
Gilwell Day 1: We made it – woohoo!
Bags were unpacked and door signs made and we were off to embrace our first full day of activities. There was a countryside chill in the air, but we didn’t care – the sun was out, we’re with our friends experiencing new things…. high in the sky on the 3G swing. Bullseye! in Archery. Areoball action. Campfire cooking -building a fire and making our own French toast and toasting marshmallows of course! Crate stacking – how high can you go before you fall? 24 apparently… the shear face of rock climbing – eek! DT with Jenny and helping out in our two lodges – Jack Petchy and Peter Harrison. Thankfully the adults are only cooking us breakfast this year, so we enjoyed our first tasty meal in the grand old house of Gilwell. As I type the campfire with Mary leading the singing no doubt, is in full swing. Go well and safely! until tomorrow……
technical hitch! Apologies! we genuinely have lots of great photos of the lovely year 6 enjoying themselves. However, currently the photos won’t upload themselves. Please watch this space and hopefully they will follow….
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