Monday
Well, we made it here in one piece after a leg-stretch and lunch stop at Tarbet. First on the agenda was a snack of juice and biscuits, start as we mean to go on! Then we were shown to our dorms before being kitted out in waterproofs and heading out to explore the local area. Needless to say, the pupils found lots of mud very quickly. Once we had our bearings we returned to our dorms for a bed making tutorial.
Then it was cake o’clock, chocolate crispies this time and, after a short presentation from the staff, it was time for fish and chips for tea followed by ice cream and jelly. Suitably full up we then all headed out into the darkness for the night walk. Everyone enjoyed themselves despite a few wobbles at the start. I’m so proud of the pupils who really pushed themselves outside of their comfort zones tonight and of those who supported them.
They are all so excited for the day ahead. Everyone is now in bed, or at least in their dorms, so I’ll sign off here because I feel like it could take some time for everyone to fall asleep…
No photos tonight because the wifi isn’t strong enough but I’ll keep trying.
Tuesday
In an effort to stop this turning into a food blog I’ll give you today’s menu first and get it out of the way.
Breakfast
Cereal, porridge, toast, bacon/ egg roll
Lunch
Vegetable Soup, filled rolls, 2 x chocolate biscuits, fruit
Cake of the Day
Ring Doughnuts
Dinner
Spaghetti Bolognaise, garlic bread, salad, jam sponge and custard
We began the day with some very impressive scores for room inspection; the lowest being 9/10 and all girls’ dorms scoring full marks. Let’s see if they can maintain those scores for the full week…
Group 1’s first activity was mountain biking where they were playing games, having races, fording rivers and splashing through puddles. In the afternoon they explored the gorge and challenged themselves by going ‘through the keyhole’ and down the slide.
Group 2 enjoyed a walk up the gorge this morning tackling the challenges that ‘through the keyhole’ and the ‘Rock of Africa’ offered with ease. After a thorough soaking, we went back to base to get changed and refuel before hitting the high ropes. They showed amazing team work as they battled through the low ropes challenges and were absolute super stars on the high ropes with everyone who tackled the trapeze enjoying success.
Group 3 explored the forest this morning and had a go with flint and steel to make a fire, which was eventually successful enough to toast marshmallows and heat hot chocolate. They also made dens and walked up the mini-gorge. In the afternoon they canoed on Loch Eck and the girls were triumphant in the boys v girls race.
Group 4 began with canoeing, again on Loch Eck, where they played a game trying to throw balls into each others’ canoes. This was very successful, once they had learned how to stop their canoes going round and round in circles! In the afternoon they went on a Forest Adventure where they explored a gorge, made dens and fires and enjoyed hot chocolate and marshmallows.
Group 5 followed group 2 up the gorge and also managed to overcome the challenges that the ’Rock of Africa’ and ‘through the keyhole’ offered. In the afternoon they went orienteering which was a great success. They completed the small course in pairs/ trios, but all worked together for the bigger course.
Group 6 went rock climbing and abseiling in the morning and each pupil managed to get to the top and abseil down, even those who thought it would be impossible. Their success was due to the support form the rest of the group. They also had a go at the very responsible task of belaying. In the afternoon they went mountain biking along roads, mountain bike trails and through a river stopping only briefly to skim some stones.
Group 7 tackled the high ropes in the morning with Mr Wood showing them how it was done. The pupils followed suit, and some battled their fears and successfully jumped to catch the trapeze. In the afternoon they explored not one, but two caves known as the paper caves because they once contained the deeds to some local land. They were lowered into Cave X which involved some tight squeezes and lots of squealing. The were convinced that they had found gold, but it turned out to be moss and lichen. They did see three mini stalactites though.
That’s it for tonight, tune in tomorrow for some more tired ramblings!
Wednesday
Breakfast
Cereal, porridge, toast, sausages and beans
Lunch
Lentil Soup, filled rolls, 2 x chocolate biscuits, fruit
Cake of the Day
Flapjacks
Dinner
Chicken curry, rice, Arctic roll and peaches
Group 1 started their day orienteering around the centre. Some treated it like a race and some like a leisurely walk, but they all had fun. In the afternoon they explored the forest, or rather they explored the mud in the forest. After almost losing some wellies, they made it safely back to base to be hosed down.
Group 2 challenged themselves on the mountain bikes this morning. They rode on roads, tracks and through the wilderness which also involved a short spell of carrying the bikes. In the afternoon they ventured into the forest and successfully made fire.
Group 3 really challenged themselves on the high ropes this morning and they supported each other to navigate the low ropes course. They pushed themselves out of their comfort zones and enjoyed the feeling of success that it brought. In the afternoon they went out on the mountain bikes, passing the Golden Gates, traversing a river and zipping along some single tracks. They stopped briefly to skim stones and paint their faces with face paint made by rubbing stones together. This really helped them to play a fantastic game of camouflage.
Group 4 went caving today with everyone making a successful descent into Cave X. Cave X is a compression cave which was created during the ice-age. They also sampled a local delicacy called wood sorrel on the way which tasted like sour apples apparently.
Group 5 walked to the forest and up a mini-gorge this morning, making dens along the way. They also found the muddiest sections of the forest and needed to be hosed down on their return. In the afternoon they went canoeing on an amazingly mirror-smooth Loch Eck. The mirror was shattered by the pupils having a swim at the end of the session though, some even putting their heads under the freezing water!
Group 6 started their day in the gorge where they got very wet and all fell in! They all tackled ‘through the keyhole’ with a 100% success rate. In the afternoon they took part in an orienteering challenge where they developed their map reading and team work skills. They showed good observation skills and overcame challenges with gates and fences!
Group 7 started off in the gorge today where they all managed to go ‘through the keyhole’ successfully. They pushed themselves out of their comfort zones and supported and encouraged each other to do so. In the afternoon they went mountain biking, where some worked hard to overcome their fears. They enjoyed seeing their surroundings and the sun almost came out.
Part of the diary task for tonight was for each pupil to compose a tweet about their afternoon activity. Below you will find six excellent examples.
Tweet 1
I walked around Benmore and had to find letters and I nearly missed cake o’clock.
Tweet 2
We went biking and we went down to a shore beside a river. On our way back home we went through Puddle Lane which is literally what it is called and I got so wet.
Tweet 3
We went canoeing on Loch Eck and after we went for a swim. Nearly froze to death!
Tweet 4
In group 4 we conquered the high ropes, first challenge to complete was jumping to catch the trapeze. Then we finished the Jacob’s Ladder with tired arms soon after. Using our friends help we got there eventually.
Tweet 5
Gorge Walk. I was really, really wet. I had puddles in my boots. I wouldn’t be surprised if there wasn’t any water left in the river. I was scared at first and now I am happy.
Tweet 6
This afternoon’s activity was orienteering, it was great. It was good because it was way more calm than all the other activities. My favourite part was when we were working in teams and we were going round the whole centre.
We were joined by another school last night so tonight we will have a joint evening activity which will be a Cluedo style challenge. I’ll let you know how the staff team got on in the morning…
Thursday
Well it was a second elimination for the staff team unfortunately. Something about bribing the pupils for clues…
Breakfast
Cereal, porridge, toast, bacon and eggs
Lunch
Soup, filled rolls, 2 x chocolate biscuits, fruit
Cake of the Day
Iced Sponge
Dinner
Pizza and wedges, Black forest Gateau and cream
Group 1 went to the caves in the morning and all loved it despite a few worrying about feeling claustrophobic. In fact, the most challenging part was the very steep walk up the hill at the start! They then tackled the ropes courses in the afternoon.
Group 2 had a canoeing adventure in the morning with one boat capsizing resulting in the two passengers getting VERY wet indeed. After an adrenaline filled morning they enjoyed a more subdued afternoon of orienteering along with Group 3 and Group 7.
Group 3 went hiking up the gorge this morning and had a great time conquering ‘through the keyhole’ and the ‘Rock of Africa’ despite some doubts at the start.
Group 4 hit the bike trails this morning and enjoyed riding through every single puddle on Puddle Lane. They also enjoyed riding down Digby’s trail and through Narnia to find a secret beach where they honed their skimming skills. In the afternoon they tackled the Gorge but seemed to enjoy the natural face paints the most!
Group 5 began their day on the ropes course and they worked extremely hard and were very encouraging towards each other. They also had the opportunity to practise their dance moves on the highest log. In the afternoon they went on a biking adventure, many of them pushing themselves out of their comfort zones.
Group 6 and 7 enjoyed forest adventures this morning learning about the environment and building dens. Group 6 went canoeing this afternoon and had a great time. The created cata-canoes by tying two canoes together.
Todays diary task was to write an Acrostic Poem about Benmore. Here are a few of fantastic examples:
| Be yourself
Enjoy yourself No negativity More positivity Onward and upwards Roar as loud as a lion Enthusiastic Benmore
|
Biking Activity
Ever lasting memories Nothing to worry about Morning activities are the best Over whelming Roaring fun Exciting
|
Best ever place
Experience 10 out of 10 Never ever leave Made tons of friends Over the moon food Right left that’s all I heard in the caving! Everybody over-came their fears!
|
| Best time of our lives
Even though it was very hard Nobody didn’t try their hardest My favourite was the gorge On the high ropes it was scary Remembering for ever! Even though I struggled
|
Benmore has…
Excellent activities Never give up attitude Mega room inspections Orienteering Rocky gorge walks Epic time!
|
Best bus ever
Enjoying activities Nice food More fun for everyone Over water and rocks Raindrops keep falling Exciting canoeing along the way
|
The big event of today was the hotly anticipated disco. The song requests had been going up on the board for two days, so it was sure to be an epic event. The highlights included the Macarena and YMCA, timeless classics it would seem! After a very sweaty evening of dancing we were all ready for bed, I hope we can get them all up in the morning! It has been an amazing week, but we are all really looking forward to seeing you tomorrow. The school office will keep you updated with our ETA tomorrow.