Donnevann field trip
The very special trip was about to start on Monday 9th May. Everybody from our outdoor education group was wondering how the trip will be. Our task there was to prepare, organize and present multiple outdoor activities for more than one hundred Norwegian high school students. It was completely new experience for most of us.
Monday 9/5
We all met (traditionally) in front of the Spicheren at 9.15am and had a brief organization there. Then we had finished packing our stuff, took car and went to the Donnevann area. Donnevann is a lake approx. 20 km south-west from Kristiansand. The lake is more than one km long and one hundred metres wide in average. It has nice clear drinkable water and its south east edge is just around 500 m from the sea. Our and students’ camp was at north-west coast of the lake. There are three Gapahuks (Gapahuk is a small low shelter with nice flat ground closed from three sides with possibility to close entrance with joint) with capacity around 50 persons in total, several fireplaces, canoes and toilet. The environment there consist of quite dense forest where are a lot of small rocks.
We arrived there just before noon. The students were supposed to show up around half past five. We had a lot of time for preparing the activities. We had planned 9 activities and we were divided into pairs and each pair was in charge of one activity for one day. We had organized program for 3 groups of approx. 50 people in total. Each of these groups had program in afternoon and in the morning. I was in pair with Julian and our task was to organize canoeing. We prepared an obstacle race consisting slalom, paddling thru narrow spot between two islands and reverse paddling. Our plan was to introduce activity, instruct them about safety and show them how to paddle (first dry practice and then practice in canoes on water). Then they were supposed to race/relay race (according to size of the group) on the obstacle track. We had three groups that evening and we were very surprised how unexperienced the students are. However everybody made a great job and huge leap forward with paddling. Some of them were scared but we were probably good motivators and had a good entertainment with Julian so it was great fun.
Tuesday 10/5
I woke up at 7am because the activities start was planned for 8.30. The place I had slept was beautiful, just next to the lake. The only thing which was disturbing me, were frogs and mosquitos. Some of the students had a dreamless night so it took them a little more time to wake up. We started with activities at 8.45. We had continued with canoeing till the noon. What we found out during this activity was that the 40 minutes we had for it was quite a short time so we didn’t spoke much about other stuff than just paddling with students. It also required a lot of our instructions all the time. After we had finished with this group, there was a winner ceremony and briefing with our teacher. Plan for another group was to switch activities so we didn’t need to be in charge of same activity, the pairs were the same. Another activity was called “Mine field”. It was blind folded obstacle race with 3 rounds. In the first round students were supposed to go blind thru the track dragged by their friend. In the second round they had to go thru led by word of mouth and the third round was same as a second one with the difference that it was a race. Organizing of this game was a great fun. Guys really enjoyed it and everybody was laughing out loud.
In the afternoon between activities we had a lot of time so we took canoes, paddled across the lake and went to the spectacular sea side. The weather was awesome and we had a great time at the beach. Afterwards we took our climbing shoes and tried some shallow water bouldering at the sea which was a great fun.
We went to the seaside with Mike again in the evening and slept in one of the Gapahuks which are there. It was nice and comfy and we had a beautiful view on the shore.
Wednesday 11/5
After we had paddled back with Mike we continued with our activities. The blind folded game was again a lot of fun and we also had enough time to talk more with Norwegians about their school, about Russ and all their other interests. The activity for last, third group, we were in charge of was “Emergency shelter building”. Our task was that time super easy. We just had to explain the situation, describe what they are supposed to do a then just watch them and give some small advices while building. We had also a huge amount of time to speak and make fun with Norwegians which was great, because most of the guys were very talkative and also interested in us and our stay in Norway.
There was again long break while switching groups so we went climbing with Mike to Tangval (Tango wall). We’ve climbed several routes and we wanted to try one long route but after quite a long briefing (risk management) in the wall we made decision that’s probably better to put it on our wish list and leave it for next time.
Thursday 12/5
It was the very last day of our stay at Donnevann. We continued with shelter building with Julian. There were five groups that day. It was interesting to watch different techniques of building and also group dynamics. It was possible to see stages of solving the problem, from storming to performing.
I am very glad that we had the opportunity to teach Norwegian students. It was a great experience and nice possibility, how to get know more about Norwegian culture. The students were very nice and most of them enjoyed our activities. That made me proud and happy.
