Goodbye High Adventure!

After last night's talent contest (picture above depicting a rather convincing singing dog impression!) we had a final pool competition before bedding down for another good night's rest. I have been so proud of how well the children have behaved and settled on a night.

Morning soon rolled around and it was time for some domestic chores - yes that's right, it's a hoover!

The action hasn't stopped yet though. As I type this, the pupils are completing team building activities and those who didn't have time the other day are ending on the tremendous, terrifying 'Leap of Faith!'
As you can see, it really has been a week of adventure. Year 6 have done themselves proud this week and the centre staff can't say enough good things about them. Not only have they really pushed themselves out of their comfort zone, they have all been courteous and polite throughout the week. Well done Year 6! What a week to remember.

Raft building!

The children were split into two teams this afternoon to compete against each other to build their own raft. The equipment we had was just a bag of ropes, six poles and four barrels. We were shown several knots but we were only allowed to ask our group leaders four questions!
Team B cleverly trapped the barrels using the poles which meant the barrels stayed at the bottom.
Team A didn't and were up to their knees in water from the offset! Perhaps they should've used up all of their questions?! Anyway, it didn't stop them from attacking and sabotaging Team B's raft though just to make sure everybody got at least a bit wet....

Admittedly it was a little chilly but it wasn't long before the usual requests of 'Can we jump in?' started. I wonder if you can guess the answer?
Yes!

Abseiling and the climbing wall!

Year 6 have really impressed this morning with their climbing skills! As you can see, some even made it to the very top of the climbing wall which is quite a long way up.....

Eek! Hang on tight!

Similarly impressive was the confidence with which the pupils tackled the abseiling wall!

Look! They even managed to smile on the way down!

What a superb morning! Our instructor Mitch commented that the Harewood pupils were outstanding climbers and that they were quicker to 'learn the ropes' (quite literally in this case!) than most of the GCSE students they teach here - wow!

Also, the weather looks ideal for the afternoon raft building challenge! We'll keep you posted so keep checking the blog.....

Blind Line!

The 'Blind Line' activity was amended slightly last night due to horrendous weather (!) so that it took place indoors rather than on the low ropes assault course. This was a sensible move as most of the children's clothes were still drying in the drying room from the canoeing activity and we soon realised that even the most familiar surroundings become an assault course with a blindfold on. Children (and staff) did their best to follow the rope around the building.....
.....although that wasn't always easy!

Anyway, another successful night. The children have behaved brilliantly and all slept well. Today is our final full day so keep checking the blog to see what we have been up to - the weather looks good!

Canoeing!

Here are Year 6 preparing to enter the water - just look at the excitement on their faces!

This photo was taken some time later.....already much wetter!

We played a lot of different games but the pirate game was the most dramatic. One team had the treasure and the other team had to seize it (from its position at the back of the canoe) and hold on to it for as long as possible! This involved splash attacks and even canoe invasions! However, some of the pupils were still not wet enough......

So they just jumped in instead!

Splash! Another fantastic day at High Adventure. Tonight we have the 'blind line' activity.....more posts tomorrow so keep checking the blog!

The Leap of Faith!

The morning session ended with this.....the dreaded, much feared, but very exciting 'Leap of Faith'.

This is an action shot of a 'Leap of Faith' - a jump from a tiny platform ten metres in the air onto a hanging bar! This is not for the faint hearted....

HIGH adventure!

This morning we have been well and truly putting the HIGH in 'High Adventure'! Don't look down.....
Hold on tight to the 'dead ropes' (don't worry parents - it's perfectly safe!)! Pupils on the ground have to feed any slack through so that the climbers do not fall if they let go.

It's a long way up! Pupils here are climbing up a pole by placing metal rods in holes as they climb - teamwork and bravery essential!

It has been a superb morning so far. The weather is a little windy but thankfully dry so there's no complaints there!