Day 4

Today was a tiring day! A day of getting really wet and having so much fun! Group 2 and 3 had the challenge of Gorge Walking, Canoeing and the high ropes.

Mrs Norton's group began the day on Derwent Water in the canoes. It took us a while to carry all 4 of the canoes to the banks of the water! Eventually, we got to the the step of riding the canoes! We found it hard to be able to row the canoes in a straight direction and kept going round and round in circles! After a while, we sorted it out and successfully paddled to an island where we were allowed to get out off the canoes and explore. On our way back, we kept stopping to play games. The first game was jumping up and down in the canoes. It was so scary; we felt like we were going to fall in! We had a game of fetch the ball! our leader, Chris, threw the ball and we had to paddle the canoes as fast as we could to get the ball first! On returning to the marina, we then had to put the canoes away before walking back to Derwent Hill for lunch.

After lunch, we got ready to face the gorge!! We were driven to Honister Gorge and were soon knee deep in freezing cold water. We climbed our way up the Gorge ducking under trees and dodging waterfalls on the way. We were lead to a 'slide' and we slid down in groups of five with the water behind us pushing us down into a pool of water. It was great fun. We carried on climbing until we came to a deeper part of the gorge where we could stand on the rock and jump in. We had an amazing time but were very wet and our wellies were full of water. Our time quickly came to an end and we had an uncomfortable, wet drive back to Derwent Hill. However, we were soon happy again after nice hot showers.

Miss Rawling's group also started the day off on Derwent water in the canoes. We paddled out of the harbour and played as a group. One of the games was heads, shoulders, knees and toes with a twist. Another one of our games was tig. We took it on turns to catch the other boat.  Our challenge was to race to one of the islands so we could have a cup of hot chocolate. Once we were finished, we got straight back into the canoes and started padling for shore. We even bumped onto Mrs Norton's group whilst we were canoeing. To keep in time, we were shouting out two words..HOT.. CHOCOLATE. When we pulled up at the jetty, we played yet another game. We played Simon says in the canoes and if you got one wrong, you had to do a forfeit! It was a very fun morning and everyone's arms were aching once we were done. We made our way back to Derwent Hill for lunch.

After lunch, we got ready for the Gladiator challenge and the leap of faith. We walked down to the climbing store and got helmets and harnesses. While we waited for Laura, our instructor, to set up the ropes, we were set a challenge. We had to make our way across a large section of gravel using only 5 crates. We weren't allowed to touch the gravel and we all had to make it across together. We found it very difficult, giggled lots and although we failed miserably, we had lots of fun trying. Once the course was finally set up, we started climbing. It was very nervwracking but everyone enjoyed it. Some of us had races and others were helping each other. Only a few people managed to reach the top and of course the competitive Miss Rawling was one of them. On the Leap of Faith, Mrs Smith managed to reach the top. We also had a surprise visit from Miss Hepworth and the the Comenius visitors. Then we raced back up the hill, excited for a lovely hot shower after a hard day....or so we thought. That didn't happen though as all of the hot water was off in our part of the building. Therefore, we had to traipse along to the training side of Derwent Hill so we could mess up the lovely adults showers but it was worth it as we had hot water. 

Once we'd done that, it was time for tea and afterwards, it was time for the..... DISCO!  In the disco, people from the 4 schools were showing off their awesome dance moves! When Happy came on, nearly everyone was singing along. Most of us are worn out but there was still chaos. Definitely another amazing day. One more day left of exciting activities and we can't wait. 

Day 3

Surprisingly, it has been another sunny day here at Derwent Hill and everyone is still having a fantastic time. After having a good nights sleep, everyone was ready to start their activities for the day.

Miss Rawling's group set off nice and early on an adventurous mountain walk. We first got off the bus and walked up a very stoney hill. Although it was extremely steep, we managed to resist moaning - well for most of the walk. We played games along the way, including rolling down the hills. Luckily, everybody managed to avoid the sheep poo on the way down. When we finally reached the top of the mountain, we sang happy birthday to Katie and had our lunch. After walking down the mountain and stopping to tie many shoe laces, we made it back down to the bottom where we caught a ferry across Derwent water. We thoroughly enjoyed this - especially as we knew there was a beautiful ice cream shop at the other side. Our evening activity involved us tackling a whole range of team challenges. We particularly enjoyed dressing each other up in as many layers of clothes as possible and creating our own raps.

Mrs Norton's group started their morning in the grounds at Derwent Hill. Their nerves were tested on the death swing where almost everyone gave it a go, including Mrs Norton. Everyone encouraged each other and Chris, our instructor, said we were all amazing when we took our turn in the rescue party (the people who helped get children off the swing safely). We had quite an early lunch so we could get ourselves sorted to go rock climbing. Our first job of the afternoon was to visit the climbing store to kit ourselves out with a harness, helmet and climbing shoes. It was then onto the bus for a half hour drive to Sandale where we were to do our climbing. Another instructor, Nigel, drove the bus and joined us for the afternoon. We were soon all ready to go. There were three different climbs to try and we had to try and touch the silver hooks at the top. We all had a go and some of us managed to get to the top. Getting back down the rock was more scary for some of us as we had to lean back off the rock and moonwalk backwards. It took a lot of courage to lean back and trust the people who were holding the ropes at the bottom. However, we all got up and down safe and sound and had many goes. Our evening activity was the night line where we all had great fun trying to guide each other through obstacles while blindfolded.

To end the day we all sang happy birthday to Katie again and she pretended to blow out the candles on her cake as nobody here brought matches or a lighter. We all had a slice of the amazing rainbow cake - compliments to the chef as it was scrumptious. All in all another amazing day. Look forward to reading more comments.

Messages from Year 5

 Hi mum love you loads having a real good time miss you lots 

           Love from maddie xxx

Hi mum, 

Love you loads I am having an awesome time miss you soo much went on the death swing( big swing ) yesterday, and today walked a mountain. So exciting 

                                                                          Love from 

                                                                             Grace xxx

Hi mam + dad, 

I really miss you. I'm really really exited we went gorge walking yesterday. Good news mum I went on the death swing so you have to!

Love you lots

From

Lucy x0x0x0x0

Hi mam, nana, grandad and everyone,

I am having a great time and I have been on the Death Swing. Missing you all so much. See you on Friday.        Love from Erinxxxxxxxo

Hi mam,

I miss u when I get back can I get my scooter dialed?'we Then went George walking it was fun farm Harry xxx

Hi mam, dad (if your there),Bradley and Rebecca,

I'm having a great time and hope you don't miss me to much. I miss you. See you on Friday!!!!

Callum xxx

PS. I did the death swing!!

Hi mam,dad and cal 

Today (Wednesday) I climbed Walla crag and I was out for 4 hours and tomorrow I might be doing canoeing. I did the death swing!!!!!!!!! From Daniel xxx

Hi mam/dad.

I miss you lots and I'm sure melody does to. We went on a ferry today (Wednesday)

I love you lots Devon.

Hi mum and dad ,rocky 

Hope you miss me while your stuck at home I'm here climbing old mines,friends were swing on the death swing and we went on the death swing.

                                                                            Lots of love sam   Xxxxxxxxx    XDXDXDXDXD

Hi mam, dad and family 

I really miss you so much and I hope you could be right next to you right now. And I did the death swing like you said dad. I love you all so much and I hope you had a nice day.

Lots of love Keira xxxxxxx

Hi mum, dad and George,

Missing you so much! Except George- LOL!:) After watching other people, I did the death swing (the big swing!) Also, after lunch, our group went rock climbing. I  didn't manage to get to the top on my first try but managed to do it the second time! Can't wait for tomorrow;gorge walking and canoeing! 

Miss u lots!

Hugs & kisses

Gracie

Xxxxx

Hi mam and dad and Emily,

I'm missing you so much. Today we did the death swing, I even did it! In the afternoon, we did rock climbing. I climbed to the top on my first try! Love u lots. Can't wait for tomorrow, we are doing canoeing and gorge walking. Love Anna xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hopefully many more messages to follow tomorrow. 

Day 2

Another fantastic day at Derwent Hill. Most of us slept really well on our first night and we were eager to get started with the activities. We started the day with a hearty 2 course breakfast and then split up into our groups.

Miss Rawling's group were very excited to go gorge walking. We had to walk up the gorge rather than down it. We crawled under branches, played 'Simon says' with a twist, army crawled through tunnels and slid down waterfalls. All of this ensured that we were drenched from head to foot before getting back on the minibus and heading back to Derwent Hill for a late lunch. Then after lunch, we faced the dreaded 'death swing'. We all worked really well together and encouraged each other to try our best. Even Miss Rawling and Mrs Smith were persuaded to give it a go. 

Mrs Norton's group faced the challenge of climbing a mountain. We were driven to the bottom of the mountain and we crossed the most photographed bridge in the Lake District - Ashness. We climbed Walla Crag and because we did very little moaning, we were rewarded by visiting a shop on the way down  where we bought sweets and ice cream. We had a competition to see who could get the bluest tongue. Anna definitely won!

All of these exciting activities were followed by a scrumptious tea and then straight on to even more activities. Some of us tested our map skills during the night walk while the rest of us stayed at Derwent hill to complete some team building challenges.

Mrs Norton's group:

Miss Rawling's group: