WATER PARK LIVE 2019
WATER PARK BLOG and JOURNAL
Below are entries from our live blog, followed by our photo journal of this week. Please keep checking back this week to see and additions. The daily journal and photos will be added between 11pm and 12pm each evening.
MONDAY 3RD JUNE
We arrived safely at Water Park, dumped our bags and met our group leaders, settled into our rooms and within half an hour we were kitted out and ready for an afternoon on Coniston Water. All groups joined together in rafted canoes, where the children embraced their new challenges with enthusiasm and before long, they were able to master the skill of paddling with confidence. The highlight of the afternoon was seeing the children delight in ducking their heads into the freezing, cold water and jumping off the jetty!
After a long day the children enjoyed their pizza, wedges, salad and doughnuts. We were impressed with the children’s willingness to participate in the domestic chores.
The day rounded off with orienteering and hot chocolate!
Water Park staff have been very impressed with the children’s teamwork skills and overall positive attitude.
To be continued…
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WETHERLEM
SWIRL HOW
CONISTON
BROWN PIKE
TUESDAY 4TH JUNE
MORNING
After having to wake the children up, we made sandwiches for lunch and then enjoyed cereal, toast, eggs, bacon and beans for breakfast.
ACTIVITIES
During the day all groups had the chance to travel to Church Beck for ghyll scrambling, where they managed to clamber up the challenging terrain. The children were very supportive of each other and demonstrated great team spirit as they encouraged one other to climb the ghyll. Ghyll scrambling was an exhliarting experience, as the children plunged into torrents of freezing water, slid down watershoots and descended rocky waterfalls.
Wetherlem spent the afternoon on the indoor climbing wall, where the children encountered some challenges involving climbing blindfolded and climbing up backwards!
Swirl How paddled across the lake in their individual kayaks, where they played a variety of games and were launched off the jetty!
Brown Pike had the chance to learn how to sail across Lake Coniston and the children learnt how to steer their vessel in accordance with the wind current.
Coniston had a great time windsurfing on the water. The children learnt how to paddle, stand up and balance on their board, and manoeuvre the sails.
WETHERLEM
SWIRL HOW
CONISTON
BROWN PIKE
EVENING
After unpeeling our wetsuits and having a warm, refreshing shower the children enjoyed homemade chicken burgers, chips and salad, polished off by a delicious vanilla sponge with chocolate custard (most had seconds and thirds.)
Due to the wet weather we stayed indoors for mini Olympics which comprised off 15 mini challenges where they had to work in partners scoring as many points as possible.
To be continued…
WEDNESDAY 5TH JUNE
MORNING
After a restful night the children rose early, made sandwiches, ate breakfast and were ready for the adventures that awaited them for the coming day.
ACTIVITIES
Brown Pike and Coniston embarked on their journey day which entailed trekking through the spectacular mountain scenery. Finally, they reached the Cathedral Quarry where they explored a man-made mined shaft by candle light. The children were enthralled by the magnificent caves and were curious to explore the network of dark, mysterious tunnels that linked them.
Wetherlem spent the day exploring the bays of Coniston water, where they completed several water sport challenges in kayaks and Pico sailing boats. They enjoyed a variety of fun games and we are also pleased to report that there was only one minor capsize in what were tricky conditions.
Swirl How mastered the skills of sailing to the waters of Coniston and it was great to witness their increased confidence in the ability to steer and control their sailing boats. In the afternoon the children ascended up the indoor climbing wall using different climbing techniques.
BROWN PIKE
CONISTON
WETHERLEM
EVENING
This evening the children thoroughly enjoyed their dinner which was scrumptious chicken enchiladas, wedges, salad and sour cream, followed by jelly and ice cream. Both of these dishes proved very popular.
Shortly after, Waterpark staff kept the children entertained by playing a game of ‘Aliens’ which involved the freedom to run around Water park grounds in the hunt for ‘Aliens’.
To be continued…
THURSDAY 6TH JUNE
After a good night’s sleep and hearty breakfast, the children prepared themselves for the fun challenges that awaited them.
ACTIVITIES
Brown Pike spent the morning on the high ropes at which time they conquered an array of challenges. Later that day, the children took to Coniston Water once more to experience Kayaking. With newly acquired confidence, they found themselves heading deep into the Lake to undertake fun tasks in their individual canoes. The highlight of the activity was being launched from the jetty in their canoes! Later, it was wonderful to see the children jumping from the jetty into the water when exuberant screams of delight could be heard by all in the vicinity.
Wetherlem journeyed from Tilberwaite Ghyll through the farm yards and began the steady ascent to the summit of Blackrig Fell. After taking in the spectacular views we began our descent to Langdale Caves, where we were set the challenge of exploring in the pitch black.
Coniston, successfully rigged up their sailing boats and sailed downwind towards Peel Island. The children used tacking as a technique to travel across Coniston Water and managed to work well in pairs steering and controlling the boat. In the afternoon, the children completed a more challenging orienteering course in the grounds of Water Park. The final activity of the day was spent enjoying the challenges of the indoor climbing wall.
Swirl How trekked up one of the highest mountains in the Lake District. The children walked and clambered up rocks to reach the summit which only took them 3 hours to achieve! Whilst ascending the mountain the group appreciated the stunning scenery and enjoyed having a picnic with a majestic view.
Overall, St Peter’s staff have said that it has been remarkable to observe the determination and resilience the children have showed throughout the week. Staff have found it particularly heart-warming to witness the support and encouragement the children have given each other.
WETHERLEM
SWIRL HOW
CONISTON
BROWN PIKE
A sumptuous roast dinner was enjoyed by all, along with an indulgent sticky toffee pudding dessert. The children spent their last evening partying during Disco Night.