Watch out Crew Rashford is coming for ya!
First thoughts
- Anticipation
- Nervous
- Excited
- Eager
- Happy
- Oh My Dayssssss… this is going to be epic!
Monday
Crew Rashford kept themselves busy on the coach, we played car journey games together, giggled a lot 😃 and there was lovely atmosphere!
On arrival we were super eager and excited to get started. We began our day with a picnic on the lawn. Some of E27 kindly support and gave Mrs Watson an acrobatics lesson. Cartwheeling pro style!
Then it was time for Crew Rashford to meet our OB Instructors, Dave and Stu, who immediately made us feel welcomed and excited about what was to come!
Our first activity was to get to know each other and play a Crew game. This game built up our confidence and allowed us to settle in at the centre.
Jog and Dip
Once we had unpacked we were set for our first big activity. Somewhere shall we say excited and eager to get started, others were a little less confident and nervous about it. The beach was stunning and the water was let’s say fresh 😂 but inviting.
Stu and Dave, prepped and syked us for our experience and we were good to go, life jackets on! Safety first! When we entered the water, everyone was supporting and encouraging each other, leading by example and showing others that it’s ok and not as cold as they may think once they submerged themselves under. Holding hands, laughing and smiling Crew Rashford showed real compassion towards one another.
It was so humbling and amazing to see them in this way 😊.
Later that evening after a scrummy meal, we enjoyed orienteering around the beautiful grounds at the centre. Some were more successful than others, but together in smaller groups Crew Rashford did themselves proud and managed to navigate themselves through the task.
We could clearly see that they were incorporating our XP character traits, using compassion and courage to support others.
Tuesday
Crew building Activity
Up and full belly’s by 9am. We start our days with a Crew building activity, by climbing The Wall. At first glance we weren’t sure how or if we could do this, it looked quite difficult. Dave and Stu were brilliant in building confidence and guiding us through this one.
We chose 2 Crew, Zak and Callum as lifting aids to start, they worked together, communicated and successfully lifted Keegan up to the top of the wall, whilst Sofiya and Mason supported Keegan over the wall.
What a successful activity. This helped build courage and confidence within Crew, it allowed others to see that it is possible with the support of others 💪.
Mountain Climbing up Howtown and Camping Adventure
It was time to get sorted for our camp out, we packed our rucksacks with all the necessary equipment, roll mats, sleeping bags, head torch, head insect nets, stove, mittens, waterproofs, snacks and food and of course our bivi tent.
We ensured we had our water bottles filled, thankfully the weather was on our side; thank you Mr Sun ☀️
We set about our adventure in canoes, together we navigated down the river to a beautiful beach. Here we had lunch and prepared our mindsets to hike up the mountain.
This was for some a difficult task, some found it a breeze (not me). We began the hike fairly scattered, stopping and waiting for others as the climb got more intense.
We would often wait and circle up as a Crew and get our strength together. We discussed the importance of supporting each other during this time, how others felt when they could see others ahead of us up the mountain 👨👩👧👦.
We arrived at the halfway point, we could see the importance of staying together, the impact this has on others and what this meant to Crew.
Mason, Zak and Callum, kindly offered to support other Crew members with their rucksacks. Keegan, Tara and Jorja were reluctant to give their bags to them, they expressed their worries that it would be too much and felt bad as this would be a lot for them to do. However, with a gentle nudge and reassurance Mason, Zak and Callum took on the challenge and carried 2 bags each for the duration of the hike.
⭐️ Can I just get a round of applause and a massive appreciation for them, please!
Camp set up! Considering our surroundings we careful built our bivi tents ⛺️, using craftsmanship and quality and supporting others Crew Rashford carefully constructed an amazing camp.
Dave and Stu on the stoves, cooking up a storm in the kitchen we ate our dinners and sat down under the stars drinking warm hot chocolate 😋.
What an amazing experience this was. We spotted the Milky Way and Venus.
Wednesday
Solo adventure – Howtown
The next morning we packed up our belongings, we were all amazed that we had walked up the mountain and set up camp for the night together as a Crew.
It was important to reflect on this experience and take some time to appreciate what we had achieved individually. So before we set off back down the mountain which took us less than half the time it took us to climb 🙈, we sat in our own space and reflected on everything we had accomplished so far.
We appreciated the support other Crew members had shown, the compassion, respect, craftsmanship and quality and courage we showed during the last 12hours, it was incredible.
We made it back down in quick time, our transport arrived in the style of a rowing boat 🛶.
Let me tell you this… we had to work hard at this one. We really had to show determination and resilience during this activity. In these times it helps us unpack and understand how we need to work together even when we are tired and irritable.
But WOW, we really did show compassion towards those that grappled with rowing 🤩.
We made it back to the centre in one piece, but what a challenge. Time to get unpacked and get ready for our next adventure.
Cliff Jumping
This was amazing, every single one of Crew broke through their comfort zones, some swam in open water from the boat to the cliff and some even though they weren’t the strongest of swimmers, jumped from the cliff 🙈.
Some found this activity a breeze and it was right up there street. However, when on a cliff face they had to comment out loud on one thing that they had achieved so far and relate this to an XP character trait. It was there they found this part difficult, to formulate a response and consider their week so far.
But you know what, they did it! 💪
Thursday
Presentation Time!
Mixed bag of emotions on this one. But we all showed great strength and courage throughout. The effort, craftsmanship and quality of Crew Rashford’s presentation was incredible.
Every single one of them spoke well and expressed their time at Outward Bound – Ullswater with passion and enthusiasm. They all showed courage in talking to their peers and really dug deep🤩.
Safe to say there were a few tears shed happy and sad by myself 😢 😊
The End!
Crew thoughts on Ullswater.
Sofiya – “I loved ullswater because it created a tight bond between our whole crew. We worked together and helped each other. It was fun spending time with people we don’t usually spend time around”
Tayla – “Ullswater made me grow stronger and bigger bonds and that’s something I’m grateful for’.
Emma – ‘I had a really good experience,one highlight was when my crew helped me jump off the rocks’.
Manveer – ‘I really enjoyed my experience at Ullswater. One highlight of that week was when we all supported each other by going into the lake and jumping off the rocks’.
Holly – ‘Ullswater made me come out of my comfort zone. I stood in front of my year group and spoke about my experience and I also jumped off a cliff at the highest point’.
Jorja – ‘I enjoyed Ullswater so much because I got a lot closer to crew and gained more trust’.
Tara – ‘Ullswater helped me build better bonds with crew’.
Keegan – ‘Ullswater was ok, one highlight was when I noticed Mason help Zak overcome his fear of bobbing his head under water when we went for a jog and dip”.
Mrs Watson – `This has got to be hands down the best few days ever, we will cherish them for a long time”.
Crew Rashford, displayed every single one of the XP character traits to the letter, respected the environment and embraced this experience with both hands.
Let’s remember the lessons we learned from Ullswater and use them in our everyday lives. Crew Rashford you truly are inspirational.
Dave and Stu – ‘You are an amazing bunch of kids, we are very proud of you”.
This statement could not be any more true and I wholeheartedly agree, I am immensely proud of you all 😊.
