Year 9 enjoyed the beautiful weather during June, heading out to tackle various challenges during their Adventure Week. A variety of activities were available for each member of Year 9 to try their hand at, from canoeing to raft building.
Split into small groups, the boys spent each day during the week partaking in different challenges, which were both physically and mentally difficult. Groups set off on a long route, walking from Shiplake College to Longridge Activity Centre. Carrying with them day packs, which contained everything necessary for camping overnight, the boys led themselves along the Thames path to the activity centre in Marlow. On arrival at Marlow, the boys had the difficult task of setting up their own tents and cooking an evening meal, preparing to spend the night under the stars. Exhausted from walking to the centre the previous day; the boys woke to find little respite – the walk back to Shiplake loomed ahead of them, and it was entirely up to them to navigate back to the College!
Sailing was also on offer for pupils. Travelling to Dinton Activity Centre, the boys arrived at the sailing centre ready to try their hand at the burgeoning sport. The centre is a council-run park, offering many different sports and activities for people of all ages to experience, and the boys enjoyed taking a dingy out onto the water and learning just how complex sailing is!
Making the most of resources and locations closer to home, other groups were tasked with building a raft and getting it out onto the river, just by the College. Using ropes, poles and plastic water barrels, the boys set to work creating a raft that would not only float, but support the team when they took it out on the Thames! Donning helmets and paddles, the boys took to the water to launch their rafts, paddling upstream and back.
Canoeing was also on offer around the river; Head of Outdoor Education Mr Stephen MacPherson took groups on a journey upstream and around St Patricks Stream, to below the Shiplake weird, before paddling back up to Shiplake. Whilst many boys from Year 9 have experienced rowing before, being in a canoe is a very different experience!
Mr MacPherson was incredibly impressed with the week, which was a resounding success. He said of the event that ‘the boys behaved very well and all seemed to really enjoy the experience, taking advantage of trying new things and getting out of their comfort zones. It was wonderful to see bonds being built and friendship groups made over the course of the few days.’
