By Mrs Whomsley (Head of Year 5)
Year 5 had a fantastic time on our canoeing and camping adventures last week for our residential. After walking to the river, we boarded our canoes in small crews to paddle our way to camp, with instructors and teachers in each boat for support. Along the way up the river, we spotted wildlife and also managed to eat our lunches 'on board.' The peace and tranquillity of the river was often interrupted by games and songs from the boats to encourage each other to keep going and keep in time with the rowing! By the end, we were all experts at paddling!
When we arrived at camp, we found our teepee tents and set up our camp. We quickly familiarised ourselves with our woodland home before enjoying a well-earned dinner around the campfire. Before bedtime, we settled down around the campfire for hot chocolate and s'mores, and then it was time for our camp-out, sleeping under the stars!
The following morning, we enjoyed a host of bushcraft activities, including shelter building, whittling sticks, night-line tracking, and making nettle bracelets. The trees provided the perfect canopy of shade from the sunshine, and everyone used their communication and teamwork skills. After packing away, we began our walk back to school, stopping for a picnic lunch before arriving back at the Junior School gardens.
We were incredibly impressed with the girls' resilience on this trip. For many, it was their first-time canoeing, camping, or participating in their first residential trip. They proved themselves to be risk-takers, and they deserved to feel very proud of themselves for completing these individual challenges.
Akaiya C (5C) said: "I really liked that I could expand my learning in the outdoors."
Izzy M (5W) added: "It was a really fun experience, and it's not every day you can go camping with your friends. My favourite part was using nettles to make rope bracelets, and the canoeing was fun too!"
Leila L (5PW) said: “The canoe trail trip was a lot of fun. I loved being outside with my friends, and camping is my favourite activity. The s'mores were amazing as well, and I enjoyed walking back, taking in the lovely sounds of nature."
Sophie R (5K) reflected: “It was really fun and I loved being with my friends and camping outside. I loved canoeing in teams and also having mini races! I also enjoyed making the shelter from natural materials then testing it to see how waterproof it was.”
View photos from the residential here.
