After rising early to sunshine and blue skies (some of us earlier than others), we all enjoyed a hearty breakfast of cereal, toast, bacon, hash browns and beans.
Our morning activity focus was climbing and teamwork. The instructors helped us put on harnesses and hard helmets, then we worked in two groups. One group was on the climbing wall, the other playing a crate stacking game. Could you work with your partners to build the crates, climb on the crates and then ring the Bell of Victory? Climbers had the treat of knocking down the wall afterwards.
We all learned loads of different climbing terms, including belaying and grigri. We also learned lots about moving out of our Comfort Zone and into our Stretch Zone. This is what Hilltop is all about – being the best we can be!
After a lunch of the most delicious jacket potatoes with a choice of filling, and then a homemade flapjack, we ventured into the wood for our bushcraft session. Bushcraft is all about surviving and thriving outdoors. It’s also about campfires! But to make campfires, we needed to collect the wood first. Our leaders explained to us about what a fire needs to burn and also how to light a fire. Caution – always try this at home WITH an adult.
Once our fire was warm and crackling, we had a veritable feast of marshmallows, hot chocolate and popcorn in an amazing contraption made from two sieves.
The afternoon was pretty chilled and a great alternative to the climbing in the morning. We also remembered to tidy away and ‘leave no trace’.
Thank you Hilltop, for another delicious dinner, and a scrumptious pudding.
We had a really clear evening and saw lots of stars. We also played an intriguing game, which involved finding a chain of UK train stations, running from board to board and avoiding the mole hills and rabbit burrows. Well done, Year 4s – more great team work.
We are really thinking this group is one of our best ever – they have been such a delight to take.
