CAS trip October 2015

IB1 & 2 students took part in an action packed day at Padarn Lake before enjoying a brain teasing and laughter filled evening at one of Caernarfon's poshest hostels.

Thursday morning saw the students arrive at Padarn Adventure's where they were taken, in groups, to the High Ropes course. Thinking it would be an easy, if a little scary, morning's fun, the students were perturbed to discover their Tutor Gemma had decided to add a twist. They would be working in pairs to improve their capacity to communicate, guide and work closely together to improve friendships and group collaboration to complete the course. The twist was that one of the pair would be blindfolded!
Being a two level course with different difficulty ratings, the students quickly analysed the course and chose who would be blindfolded first. Gemma, always maintaining she would never ask students to do something she wouldn't, knew she too would have to take part.

Two nerve-wracking hours later, the students relaxed over a gourmet packed lunch provided by Padarn Adventure's owner Gemma Brook. The students raved about the home made banana loaf and the vegetarians in the group gushed over the (for once) delicious sandwich fillings on offer. Walkers crisps, a piece of fruit, chocolate bars, flapjacks, bottled water, Ribena and a small pack of raisins saw the students full and ready for the afternoon's task.

A 15 minute walk along the lake, with historic interludes provided by our local 'guide' CAS Tutor Cai, the students changed into wetsuits and bouyancy aids and were provided with the brief - to use the equipment provided to build a bridge across the water, strong enough to carry the weight of students. Much laughter and some accidental dunkings later saw the task successfully achieved. Shivering but happy the students made their own way to Caernarfon where they met up with their Tutors at the hostel.

The evenings entertainment was Cai's 'Einstein' brain teaser and coupled with an array of tasty takeaways from Fish & Chips to Chinese Salt and Pepper Chips, the students wiled away the evening playing cards and eating chocolate. 



The next morning dawned drizzly and dull but the students spent a happy two hours touring Caernarfon's historic castle replete with dressing up costumes, a brief history Cinema experience charting Wales' (and most notably Caernarfon's history) as well as clever art installments utilised to show history as it happened. 

The students thoroughly enjoyed their two day residential and not only gained action and creative hours, but also improved their communication skills and cemented friendships.