We were really pleased to have the opportunity to organise residentials for Years 5 - 8, after two years of disrupted trips due to the pandemic.
The focus of the Year 5 residential was to have fun with friends, to play and bond with each other and to connect with nature and be away from screens.
Mrs Pollock said: “They were so excited to be there. It was such an adventure to go off with your friends, even the coach journey was brilliant. When we arrived, the enthusiasm of the tribe leaders swept them up straight away into lighting fires, upon which they cooked their burgers."
Mr Tyrrell said: “Everywhere I looked, there were happy children – it was lovely.”
As well as being great fun, these outdoor trips away give children the chance to explore their strengths and see the power of fantastic teamwork. The Bushcraft leaders were full of energy and passion for being outside which was infectious. They organised many entertaining and interesting activities and the children also had time for free play.
“Sitting around the bush fire in the evening evoked memories of Scout and Brownie camps – with singing around the campfire and traditional clapping games; the children loved the funny penguin song with actions. The circle that evening was quite magical all lit up by the firelight and with lanterns dotted around,” said Mrs Pollock.
We were sad the trip was cut short due to the extremely windy weather, a decision that the Badminton Estate has only had to make three times in the last 20 years. However, we are so grateful that Year 5 were still able to go on their special adventure and we thought they coped admirably with the sudden change of plans.
One parent wrote: “My daughter was full of chat about the trip this morning. After this last year, it was wonderful for the school to organise a trip for them.”
On their return, the Year 5 children were talking about the bits they loved best.
Logie said: “I loved the game predator.” Millie added: “I really liked the ‘leave no trace’ ethos.”
All the children agreed that they thought the camouflage activity was ‘epic’, which ended in a big game of hide and seek. And there was lots of chat about the first aid challenge, which – after some basic training in the recovery position and CPR - was to imagine coming across someone in the wilderness and planning how to get them out safely.
