Y5/6 Residential
Monday 27th June
We went to school and got on the coach. After about an hour we arrived at Wild Place. We saw monkeys, giraffes, bears, wolverines, zebras and lemurs. We cannot decide which was our favourite animal! After eating lunch, we played in the meadows, then saw some beautiful birds.
Later we got back on the coach and began our final part of the journey to Barton Camp. We arrived and found our dormitories and made our own beds. After gathering in the main hall we had delicious pasta with garlic bread for dinner, followed by scrumptious doughnuts. The tuck shop was then opened and we went to play football.
The most exciting part of the day was when we were allowed to go to the swimming pool. It was epic and the best part was the slide. The water was lovely and warm.
After a good nights sleep, we are looking forward to kayaking and water sports.
Goodnight from all of us at Barton Camp.
Tuesday 28th June
The day started with an early morning playground jaunt followed by a delicious cooked breakfast. The mini buses arrived at 9.30am to take us to the river bank. We have had a great day, kayaking and going on the obstacle course - we all got very wet and muddy! After dinner we had a lovely walk up the hills before heading to bed tired but excited about what tomorrow will bring.
Wednesday 29th June
Wow! what a brilliant day we have had. After another fried breakfast, we headed out in the minibuses to Sandford Quarry to do rock climbing and abseiling. When we got out of the buses and saw the rock, we were both excited and terrified at the same time. Our instructors put us into two groups, one climbed up the hill to abseil, the other went rock climbing.
We all realised that rock climbing was all about team work. Our instructor , Rich demonstrated how to climb the rock and told us what to do and very quickly we were all having a go. Some of us found it hard, but everyone supported each other. There was nobody who did not climb up the rock and manage to abseil down and we (and all the teachers) were really proud of ourselves.
Abseiling was far more challenging for all of us. Some people were amazing and managed to abseil down the rock. But more importantly, every single one of us was brave enough to climb onto the platform.
This evening we have been in the swimming pool again. We had great fun!
Tomorrow we are off to do low rope activity, which we know will fun.
Thursday 30th June 2022
We have had another fantastic day today! We were especially pleased to be woken by the sunshine this morning after such a wet day yesterday. After a hearty cooked breakfast, we were picked up by the minibuses and made our way to Mendip ski centre to begin our days' activities.
The first of our groups went on a challenging walk up into the hills where a low ropes course was waiting. We all tested our balance and courage as we teetered through the trees on wobbly planks and cargo nets. It was great fun and we were all really proud of ourselves for having a go at every obstacle!
Whilst the first group was having fun on the low ropes course, the rest of us were split into two and taken to the ranges. Some of us were introduced to air rifles, which we used to shoot at targets. This was a test of accuracy and patience and we all learnt how to load the rifle and fire it safely. The remainder had a go at axe throwing, which was amazing! Everyone was given the chance to throw up to three axes at a target; it turns out that shouting definitely helps - everyone really embraced it and some of us threw all three at the target in one turn. Great shots!
Tonight's evening activities involved wide games on the football field after our own residential talent show. There were jokes, gymnastics and lots of singing - the perfect way to end an incredible week.
