This trip involved all our previous experiences over the last few months in order to instruct 3 classes of college students split into different groups over a week using different activities. The Students would stay close to the activities in Gapahuks and we would be able to camp close using Bivi’s and tarps.
Day 1
We all gathered at the Spicheren gym at 0930 in order to sort out and gather all the equipment. After that we set off in the car to head to Donevann where we would set up our activities. I would be in a group with Chris and our first activity would be shelter building. And decided, with advice from Len, that our best location would be based within the forest near to the abseiling. This location had everything we needed for the students to build good shelters. Large rocks, lots of branches and soft ground. In addition to this the students would have a tarp and rope.
Before the students were to arrive at 1700 we had some free time so I, Chris, Stella Dom and Michael decided to canoe on the lake to a nearby island. The students eventually arrived at 1810 which meant that we lost a bit of time in the evening so was decided that there would only be 4 groups in the evening and 5 groups the next morning.
With shelter building we decided the best formula would be to give as little information as possible at the start whist they built them and after 25 minutes we would judge the shelter for the last 15 minutes and give advice. We found that 40 minutes was too long for this so it changed a little bit the following day where the group would still be given no information at the start but would be given a chance to improve the shelters and we would then show other techniques for building.
Day 2
The first group for shelter building were not very motivated and built a really shoddy shelter. This could have been because it was 0830 in the morning and were still tired. We learnt from this for the next morning and changed our style of teaching from a more relaxed to a stricter style to increase group motivation. The last 4 groups where much better and built pretty good solid shelters.
After the first college class had packed up and gone we had a few hours spare to explore before the next class came. For this a few people decided to paddle across the lake to a beach next to the sea and explore the local area. The weather was hot and sunny so I went for a swim.
As the first class arrived at 1810 we were expecting that the next class would do the same and we were proven right. For this evening me and Chris were based on abseiling which was a little more complicated that the shelter building. For the first 2 groups I was to stay at the bottom of the crag and kit the students with a harness and helmet before showing the way up to abseil point where Chris would attach them and instruct them on abseil technique. Chris also had a safety line so if anything went wrong we would be able to get them down. There were a few nervous people so it was great to give them the confidence to go down and see them so excited after they had completed it. After the first two groups it was time to switch roles for the last few.
Day 3
Taking advice from the previous day we were keen to motivate the first group to carry out the abseiling. Though the activity in itself did a good job as it added to the excitement. Chris was happy to take the first few groups at the top whilst I stayed at the bottom. It was good to be able to speak and joke with the college students whilst carrying out the activity. One girl form the third group was scared and refused to carry out the activity. After speaking and joking with Len he managed to get her to go down and even though she didn’t like it, still found the funny side. Another person who really struggled to go down was a guy who had a disability with his hand which meant it was difficult to abseil. This was really difficult to facilitate and we required Len to go down with him. In the end he went down easily and loved it!
Once the group had left we had free time before the final class so I, Chris, Michael, Line and Stella went to the beach for another swim and Volleyball. I didn’t intend to swim but Chris pushed me in!
The last activity that I and Chris were involved in was fire-lighting. Chris was very keen to share his knowledge with the groups but we planned the activity so we both did a share. I would take the introduction where I would explain that they would have 10 minutes to collect material for the fire and 20 minutes to light the fire using just a flint. At this point we would also give a little hint as to what material would be good though we were both keen to let them experiment by themselves. If they struggled we would give advice along the way. After they had got the fire lit we would take time to explain the different types of fires, materials and lighting techniques. We decided, after the first two groups, that we would add an extra element of making a hot drink which added to the competition. All the groups managed to collect material and light a fire successfully within 20 minutes which really surprised us.
Day 4
The morning group was very good at fire making and did not need much motivation even though it was early in the morning. In the end me and Chris worked very well together and we shared the teaching fairly evenly. Chris even gave me a few more ideas on fire-lighting.
The week had been really successful for both the college students and for us. For many of us it was the first time teaching students like this and the international element made everything more interesting. The fact that we had organised and carried this out on our own proved that the outdoor education class were performing highly.
