The first steps to independence

The first day for this group of youngsters.
With a cold start everyone was very happy the sun started shining.
Warming up cold hands and putting smiles on faces.

The groups took on new challenges and started their first steps towards becoming independent.
Especially for this age group that is a massive challenge. As for some this might be the first time away from home. Bringing a full change of clothes as well as lunch drink and a towel is a lot to think about when you are used to your parents packing it all for you.

Belaying at Lion Rock

Is the raft staying together?

Wet and wild in the Gorge

Who turned off the lights?

Climbing waterfalls in the gorge

Which way to go @ Rihwbach mine

Bedfordshire Day

Bedfordshire Day is a day to celebrate the county and all its virtues. The residents of Bedfordshire wish to share their pride with other Bedfordians. The 28th November is the anniversary of the birth of John Bunyan, one of Bedfordshire's most well known historical figures, author of A Pilgrim's Progress and a Methodist preacher.

The date was decided by public vote earlier this year and therefore is the first Bedfordshire day, so we want to get started with a bang and really promote it well. 

http://www.friendsofbedfordshire.org.uk

Eggstatic

Eggeryone had an eggstremely eggsiting day today. Egging each other on to an eggselent performance all round. Like an egg. 

Eggstreme follow the laider

On the e(d)gge of falling in

Egg on their faces.

Nestling under the bridge.

The mine eggsit.

Finished the day with the egg drop challenge, resulting in a few cracked eggs, a lot of scrambling and two survivors!!

Cast Away

After the wild night of weather had subsided our teams here at Blue Peris were feeling optimistic for another jam-packed day of activities.

Today saw two of the teams head down to the Padarn lake to explore the lagoons using their impressive & imaginative creations.

Both groups worked fantastically well together, securing their Cast Away style rafts before embarking on an exciting journey into the unknown. Challenges awaited them with both teams partaking in many games to secure points. By the end they were all soaked from having too much fun and splashing one another!

Following this the teams separated, one heading back to the centre to complete Orienteering courses in quick succession, with another team heading for the crag for some sunny rock climbing.

20 students found themselves deep underground, exploring one of North Wales' finest mines. Twisting and turning the groups negotiated their way through the darkness, luckily to see the light at the end of the tunnel nearer the second half of the afternoon!

Our final group ventured to the Gerionydd Gorge. Steady teamwork throughout ensured the group managed to complete the whole gorge from top to bottom, bum-sliding and scrambling effortlessly along some slippy terrain.

With the weather looking better as the week goes on we are set to have a cracking last couple of days.

A great first day

Today was the start of a week of adventurous activities for a group of 7 to 10 year olds.

With some heavy downpours forecast for the afternoon, 2 groups made good use of the morning sunshine to have a go at rock climbing. For some this is a big push out of their comfort zone.

But after a few goes everyone felt like they had achieved something.

In the afternoon they had a go at Orienteering.

Two groups visited the gorge. With good teamwork they managed to get through and there were even a few good slides to have a go at.

Group 5 visited a slate mine. In groups of 2 they were given a survey (map) of the mine, and they were challenged to take the lead, keep the group together whilst finding their way through.

All groups were buzzing when they got back, which makes for a good start of the week.

Group 5 finding their way through Rhiwbach Slate mine

Belay instructions

Gorge walking group 2 

Gorge walking Group 1 checking out the waterfall

Scaling the wall with Llyn Padarn in the background

Wonderful Wet Wild Wednesday!

Today the groups were excellent at working on their independence and were kitted up quickly.  Half the groups headed off  to the the coast for some sea level traversing at cable bay whilst the others headed inland for some gorge scrambling in the fantastic Gerionydd gorge.

Learning about the sea and our impact on it, as well and jumping around in it!

  Lots of new skills were learned today and the groups capitalised on the dropping tide to examine the many rock pools and the wonders hidden in them including a star fish!  The young people worked together well to move swiftly along some breathtaking scenery and were rewarded with some great challenges such at the Tyrolean traverse pictured below.

Smiles before the Tyrolean Travers. Nerves or excitement? You decide!

 The groups not only looked at the plant and animal life there but talked about the impact humans have on the coast.  The groups were very responsive to this and a fantastic job of a litter picking the beach was done. The students came back to centre with lots of litter and smiley faces knowing the good they had done to the local environment, not to mention having a load of fun too!

Excellent teamwork working thought the gorge.

Meanwhile, in the gorge things were getting slippery and the groups did a fantastic job of helping each other down the beautiful gorge flowing out of Llyn Gerionydd.  A gentle start to allowed good movement to (and splashing) be practised. The ground soon steepened up however and the fun came thick and fast with lots of slides and waterfalls to keep the group entertained.  As you can expect teamwork is paramount in this environment and the groups did not disappoint.

Having a blast on one of the many slides - Smiles all round.

The groups will be heading to bed tonight full of praise from their teachers and instructors for their excellent team work and organisation they have displayed today.  They have learned lots about them selves, how they work with their peers, the natural environment, and how we can make sure its a wonderful place to visit for many year to come - well done all!

Sunny and rainy and everything

Groups 3 and 4 went down to porthtrecastell for some sea level action. Groups 1 and 2 kept it local to pack in two different activities in, canoeing on Llyn Padarn and climbing down at Fachwen. Different activities, different weather too, sunshine on Anglesey, showery in the mountains.

Big splash for group 4

Don't look down!

Don't slip there group 3!

The most dangerous game of follow the leader in the world.

Paddle, paddle, paddle your canoe, gently down the lake.

Another big splash for group 1.

Climbing come rain or shine.