Loving the Lake District

On Tuesday 5th July 2016, Year 7 students travelled to Rydal, Ambleside in the Lake District for the annual camp. Selby High School is the only secondary school in North Yorkshire to run such a large scale camping experience with its own school staff.  In total the camp involved 148 students, over 30 members of staff and 7 volunteers.  The camp was set up on Monday afternoon and involved 4 vans of equipment and resources.

Students arrived at Brockhole on Tuesday for lunch, this was followed by activities in the park including rounders, an adventure trail, a quiz in the exhibition hall and a look around the shop.  On this sunny afternoon, students then took a ferry to Ambleside followed by a walk to their campsites at Rydal Hall where they put up their tents. After their evening meal, students had a dance off competition between the three campsites.  It was fantastic to see 148 students and many staff dancing to “Thriller” while music blasted from the camp PA system.

On Wednesday, students had an action packed day enjoying orienteering and team building activities as well as environmental studies at the Rydal waterfall and in the river.  Students also undertook biology & geomorphology surveys and kick tests to study stream life.  The evening entertainment was provided at the cinema in Ambleside, where we all enjoyed the film “Independence Day: Resurgence” with popcorn and pop.  After the film students had an opportunity to spend time in the local park before their walk back to camp and a supper of hot chocolate and marshmallows.

On Thursday students went on one of three walks, some reaching the summit of  Loughrigg, others walking around Rydal and Grasmere.  Lunch break was spent in Grasmere, before walking back via the world famous Grasmere Gingerbread Shop, Dove Cottage and then along the Coffin Route back to Rydal Hall.

The evening saw the final part of the residential, with a sing song around the camp fire.

Throughout the week the weather was great for camping; warm and dry. Unfortunately, the weather did break for Friday morning and the camp break had to be done in the rain.  The equipment was all packed away by 11.30am so that coaches and vans could return home carrying a lot of tired but very happy students.