WILDSIDE
Children at St John’s Primary School, Wellington, went wild at Wildside in Hemyock last week.
As a residential, Year 4 students enjoyed a one-night stay, while Year 5 & 6 spent two nights at Wildside.
The time away included a huge number of activities and food freshly made on site, including a picnic in the woods.
All children and staff had the opportunity to do archery with treats for those who got the bullseye, river walking and pond dipping which was very cold! They did orienteering around the whole area, which included walking through some very boggy fields and muddy paths in the woods. A few Wellington boots had to be rescued, along with some children!
The children were taught how to make fires using various twigs and branches foraged from the forest floors and those that were successful were able to toast marshmallows on their fires.
Year 5 and 6 had a Bird of Prey display where some were able to hold an owl. The children also had opportunities to feed the sheep, chickens, and piglets.
The first night of camp was a very long one as the children and staff did a night walk. They waited until darkness fell, and relied on following a path of glowsticks, ropes and touch alone to make their way through the forest in pitch black.
Many games were played while in the woods, including being blindfolded and working out different trees, games of camouflage and hide and seek. There was also a long zip line that nearly all the children had a go on.
As well as enjoying the area around them, activities were put on in the converted barn, including Jenga, badge making using saws to cut the wood, and card games.
Year 5 and 6 were also treated on the Wednesday night as a member of staff set up a projector and screen so they could watch England play in the semifinals!
“The atmosphere for this was amazing, and it was a real privilege to share that moment with the children” said Harry Foster, Yr 6 teacher. “Thank you to Alan Mitchell, who made it all possible by providing all the equipment so that the match could be enjoyed by all”.
For those that didn’t want to watch the football, they had the opportunity to walk to the local abbey to enrich themselves in the local history. Some of the school musicians even tried out the church's organ, and it’s probably the first time the pipes have played the theme tune to Star Wars!
The whole week was an absolute success, and all children and staff had brilliant fun and returned to school with lots of memories, a few less socks and very sleepy heads.