This year, Year 6 went to Tregoyd House adventure centre for their camp which is located in the dramatic Black Mountains, part of the Brecon Beacons National Park.

There were plenty of activities for the pupils to go onto an inspirational journey of discovery.  All activity sessions were led by their well-trained, enthusiastic instructors and were specially designed to motivate, build confidence and encourage development in pupils. Each evening there was a lively entertainment programme to enjoy too.

The activities that the children took part in were:

Abseiling - The tower was over 10 metres high. The task was to walk backwards off the top, gradually working back towards ground level, suspended only on a rope. It was all about trust, courage and confidence. It was also a very dynamic way to learn how to calculate and control risk. Some children dealt with the height more easily than others, but the support and encouragement of the rest of the group was important for each individual’s success and helped strengthen peer relationships.

Aeroball - A cross between trampolining, basketball and volleyball - it was an exhilarating, high-energy sport. Four players, at a time, learnt the basics required - then sprung into action! The aim was to get the ball in the opposing players net. As well as being lots of fun, the children developed team tactics and improved communication skills along the way.

Archery - The archery sessions offered the chance for every pupil to experience success. Accuracy, control and a steady hand were vital for achieving the best results and many children discovered a talent for a new skill. Handling bows and arrows presented a variety of new challenges! The children were encouraged to be safety aware from the outset and were taught the basic skills on an outdoor range.

Canoeing - Canoeing was exciting, challenging and fun. It was also a great opportunity for students to learn new skills, such as paddling and steering in order to control their craft effectively. Communication skills also played a part as students worked together and encouraged each other.

Challenge course - The PGL challenge course was a well-loved and popular activity with plenty of opportunities for everyone to get involved. It was an experience that promoted teamwork, lateral thinking, problem-solving and decision-making – as well as being physically challenging too.

Climbing - The children needed to combine different skills including perseverance, strength, an ability to deal with the height – as well as trust in the equipment. 

Fencing - Fencing was challenging, exciting and involved good eye-to-hand coordination, fast footwork, lightning reflexes and even quicker decision-making. It was accessible and great fun for beginners too. The qualified instructors taught the children the basic principles and safety procedures before they progressed onto outwitting their opponent in this great Olympic sport.

Jacob’s ladder - It was an exercise in teamwork and friendly cooperation. The group’s objective, in teams of three, was to climb to the top of a suspended ladder of logs. The gaps between each log became wider, the higher you went. Pushing up, pulling up, standing on shoulders – it was all about working together to achieve a joint purpose. The activity promoted friendship, communication, discussion, leadership and decision-making as each team progressed to the top.

Rifle shooting - The children were able to shoot the lightweight air rifles which tested individual skill and required high levels of concentration and physical control. Children needed to control their breathing, keep a steady hand, concentrate hard and focus on accuracy. 

Evening activities:

Ambush – This was hide-and-seek but on a much larger scale! Groups were split into small teams; one team hid within the centre grounds, leaving a trail for the other team to follow. Bonus points were available for ‘ambushing’ the opposing team. This was great for developing strategic and team building skills. 

Capture the flag – An inclusive, high-energy game in which teams worked together to capture the opposing team’s flag, while avoiding being captured or losing their own. They key to the game was pre-planning, communication and teamwork. The team capturing the other team’s flag won,

Campfire: We enjoyed a traditional campfire run by our Groupie, Morgan. We enjoyed singing songs and playing games.

This was such an amazing experience for the children!