Bright and early on Monday 29th October, 30 students from Newquay Tretherras departed school heading off for a week’s residential outdoor learning course on Dartmoor. The course was run by Spirit of Adventure and was based at Dewerstone Cottage a remote cottage on the south of the moor.

Students were split into three teams and commenced differing adventures. During the week each team completed:

A two day expedition, when they navigated across Dartmoor, wild camped overnight, undertook a night navigation exercise, learnt how to rock scramble and crossed a deep ravine using a Tyrolean rope system to bridge the gap.

A rock day, when they scaled the dizzy heights of Dewerstone rock and learnt to abseil.

A problem solving and River scrambling day, providing an opportunity for the students to demonstrate their leadership ability and to work as a team.

A bush craft bake off, when the teams lit fires and baked some pizzas as well as some delicious chocolate and lemon cakes.

Following the course some comments made by the students were:

“I had fun, I made new friends”

“I feel from this course I have begun to believe in myself. I have also gained friends.”

“I have learned to listen a lot more”

“This week I feel I have matured in a sense that I can do more and feel that I’ve achieved it”

“So I have conquered some of my fears but I need to work on trusting my own abilities when abseiling”

“I experienced a lot of things I didn’t think I’d have the opportunity to do at my age. I learned more about the world around me and how to stay safe in those environments. I made amazing friends that I hope will stay for as long as possible.”

Representing The Spirit of Adventure Team, Programme Manager for Young Spirit Mark Reeves and Malcolm Wolcott from The West Cornwall Youth Trust, presented students with awards and certificates on Thursday 22nd November.

Teacher of outdoor Learning at Newquay Tretherras Mr Gard, wh coordinated the event commented, ‘ I would like to say a massive thank you to the staff of Spirit of Adventure who provided the students with a great learning experience which is most likely to stay with them for the rest of their lives. I would also like to thank The West Cornwall Youth Trust whose support enabled some students to attend the course.