Kayaking with Kilve Court NCS Students

Today I was back at Wimbleball Lake on Exmoor working for Exmoor Adventures delivering sit on top kayaking to 2 groups of NCS students from Kilve Court. 

The day started overcast and drizzly with a consistent off shore breeze which made it tough going for the first group but they persevered and got the most out of their session. Ben was also working alongside me delivering Raft Building to another group. After lunch the groups swopped activities and were blessed with a drop in the wind and a break in the cloud allowing the sun to shine through.

Both groups learned some of the basics, forwards and backwards paddling, sweep strokes and stopping as well as playing lots of fun games to encourage team cohesion and trust.

A really good day with some good students and good assistant instructors from Kilve Court. 

A wander with Frank along Stanage Edge

Lou and I had a couple of days off at the end of this week so we decided to head up north and visit friends and family.

We travelled up on thursday night to Sheffield to see my cousin and then on friday while Lee (my cousin) was at work we offered to take Frank (his cocker spaniel) our for the day. We headed over to the eastern end of the Peak District National Park and went for a walk along stanage edge and the surrounding area. The sun was shining but at times the chilly north westerly intervened and made is second layer weather. Frank enjoyed his long walk and we enjoyed some nice views across the Peaks. The flowering Lyng (heather) covered the Peak District in a sea of purple, the photos dont give it justice.

The following day we travelled across to Manchester to visit Lou's friend for a cuppa before travelling back home to Somerset.

Adventure Courses for 8-13 year olds at Kings Hall School - Week 2

This week I have been delivering the second week of our Adventurous Activity Courses for 8 - 13 year children based at Kings Hall. The Courses are run during the Easter and Summer school holidays and are open to external students as well as Kings Hall students.

Our programmes are left as flexible as possible so we can change at a moments notice to deliver activities appropriate to the weather conditions and availability of equipment.

Over the four days of this course the students were given the opportunity to try the following activities: Climbing, High Ropes, Open Canoeing, Raft Building, Archery, Power-kiting, Orienteering, Ultimate Frisbee and Bushcraft as well as a getting to know you session delivered through team challenges. 

At the end of day three and four the students also had the opportunity to use the schools outdoor heated swimming pool for a fun swim session.

These courses give the young people an opportunity to try new activities, develop their self confidence and learn through the outdoor environment.

If you would like more information or book your child onto one of our courses next year please get in touch by e-mailing discovermoor@gmail.com 

Adventure Courses for 8-13 year olds at Kings Hall School - Week 1

This week I have been using Kings Hall School near Taunton as a base to deliver Adventurous Activity Courses for 8-13 year olds. The 4 day course running from Monday to Friday gives young people a taster in lots of different Outdoor and Adventurous Activities as well as a few alternative team games.

We had 11 students on this weeks course and mainly females which is really nice to see in a commonly male dominent course. All the students had a great time, some returning following the Easter Course and some booking on for next week as well. 

Thanks also to Josh, a work experience student from Richard Huish College who worked hard all week sorting kit, keeping an eye on students and joining in the activities.

This weeks programme went as follows:

Monday

AM - "Get to know you" and "problem solving" challenges 

PM - Archery and Alternative Invasion Games

Tuesday

AM - High Ropes at Vivary Adventure

PM - Orienteering and Slack-lining in Vivary Park

Wednesday

AM - Open Canoe trip on the River Tone

PM - Stand Up Paddle-boarding session on the River Tone

Thursday

AM - Bushcraft Session (Shelter Building, Campfire Cooking etc)

PM - Power-kiting and Ultimate Frisbee 

I try and make the programme as flexible as possible so we can change activities depending on the days weather and student input. On our Easter courses we included Mountain Biking and on future courses may include Raft Building, Kayaking and Rock Climbing.

The course is priced at £120 for the 4 days and includes lunch. There are still places available on next weeks course starting on Monday 11th August. If you would like to book your child in please see the poster below for booking details.

Coasteering at Anstey's Cove

Back working with Active Adventure South West today delivering a coasteering session at Anstey's Cove for a stag party of 10 down from Northampton.

The weather turned out better than forecast with little wind and blue skies. We made our way along the coast scrambling, swimming and jumping from various points.

On the return journey as the tide dropped from the morning high tide it opened up the opportunity to go through on of the swim through sumps.

All the guys enjoyed their session, i've no doubt they'll be back again for more.