Plas Menai CAS Trip 2016

The annual CAS trip this year took place at Plas Menai, allowing students to gain valuable activity hours as well as team building and improving communication skills.

The first 'challenge' was Gorge Walking. It was at this point one student realised she had left her nails on...Thankfully it was the last of the mild autumnal days and Afon Ddu Gorge was spectacular in all its autumn finery. Cai Evans and the Plas Menai leaders Matt and Glyn led the gorge walk reaching the waterfall by mid afternoon. Gemma Campbell with Ava and Alex followed their progress on the gorge's path, taking photographs and exploring the local area on foot, keeping nice and dry (and all importantly warm!)

Upon the return to the centre, students jumped in the shower to warm up before meeting in the dining hall for tea. After debrief a number of students opted to go to the climbing wall  - one of the oldest in Wales! A quick warm up with fun bouldering began the evening's activities before students harnessed up and spent a good couple of hours on the wall led by Glyn, the Plas Menai instructor.
Those who didn't take part were in the Recreation room where Gemma engaged in a close match of table tennis with Alex and Honor snoozed in her room.

After the wall, all students gathered in the bar area to take part in the Board Games Challenge. Cai and Alex had warmed up with a game of Yes and No before all undertook the Harry Potter Trivial Pursuits quiz. It was a nail biting finish with Daisy and Alex reaching a tie break with 6 cards apiece. Alex finally won with his quick buzzing and the giving of the correct answer.

Next up the group split in to two teams - Cai led one team and Gemma the other. Here students and staff pitted themselves against the timer in an attempt to describe the word on the card in Articulate. Amusing examples shall be kept between staff and students to save blushes! Although I do believe stickers may well be the future in positive management! [WORD: Retirement - example: What do you get when you finish working? Guess: stickers!]



The next morning, aching and tired after the previous day's activities, the students made it to breakfast but not all were as willing to take part in the water sports activities lined up. Andy, one of the Plas Menai instructors kindly offered to take one group off to do the Ropes course whilst Keziah, Daisy, Luke and Cai decided to brave the elements and enjoy the morning kayaking on the Straits. Other options were sailing or wind-surfing. Alex continued to photograph and film throughout the morning, documenting the other students' mastery of their respective activities. The photos and films will be made available to students next week.



Finally lunchtime dawned and the students wearily returned to college after their multi-activity residential. The nails were thankfully pretty much intact, with the loss of only one being attributed to the wearing of a wet suit on the first morning! Gemma kindly gave the permission to return home early - to warm up and sleep!

 Although tired, all students thoroughly enjoyed their time, pushed the boundaries of their own limits, scaled new heights and in the process made firm friendships (and laughed a lot!) Huge thanks must go to Cai Evans for gamely getting involved in the cold and wet activities and bringing the evening's board games. Matt, Glyn and Andy, the Plas Menai instructors for making the activities fun and enjoyable and all off the students for participating in the outdoor activities in the (mild) November weather!