Imagine spending an entire week climbing, abseiling, paddleboarding, bodyboarding, coasteering, building shelters and even cooking outdoors. This was the incredible experience that thirteen Year 9 students were lucky enough to enjoy during our Outdoor Adventure Week.
We were selected to take part in the trip as a reward for our positive behaviour, while also giving us the opportunity to challenge ourselves, try new things and build our confidence. It was a fantastic opportunity, and by the end of the week, I think we had all discovered that we were capable of much more than we initially thought.
We were accompanied by our school counsellor, Katie Carter, one of our TAs, Mr Horner, and our brilliant activity leaders, Kazz and Jack. We were also lucky enough to have Kazz’s dog, Ella, join us on some of the days. Ella was a much-loved member of the group and certainly made the experience even more enjoyable!
An Action-Packed Week
Each day brought something completely different, with new challenges waiting for us.
Monday – Bushcraft and Shelter Building
We began the week with bushcraft and shelter building. We had to work together and use our problem-solving skills to create shelters from natural materials. It was a great way to start the week and helped us get to know each other better as a group.
Tuesday – Bodyboarding and Rock Climbing
Tuesday took us into the water for bodyboarding before we headed to the climbing wall. Going from battling the waves to climbing high above the ground meant there was no shortage of challenges! Both activities pushed us outside our comfort zones.
Wednesday – Abseiling and Orienteering
Wednesday was certainly one of the days that tested our courage. We tackled abseiling, which required us to trust our equipment and ourselves, before putting our navigation skills to the test with orienteering. Supporting each other was particularly important throughout the day.
Thursday – Paddleboarding and Archery
On Thursday, we swapped climbing and abseiling for paddleboards and bows and arrows. Paddleboarding required balance and teamwork, while archery challenged our concentration and accuracy. It was a completely different experience from the other activities, but just as much fun.
Friday – Coasteering and Wild Cooking
To finish the week, we took on one of the most exciting activities of all — coasteering. We explored the coastline, climbed over rocks and took on the sea. Afterwards, we finished our adventure with wild cooking, which was a brilliant way to end an unforgettable week.
More Than Just Adventure
Although the activities were incredibly fun, the week was about much more than simply having a good time. Every activity gave us an opportunity to develop important skills such as teamwork, communication, resilience and confidence.
There were definitely moments when some of us felt nervous or unsure about trying something new. However, having the support of our friends and the adults around us encouraged us to give things a go. Seeing everyone encourage each other and celebrate one another’s achievements was one of the best parts of the entire experience.
Personally, I finished the week feeling much more confident than I did when I started. I think many of the other students would agree. We had all pushed ourselves, tried activities that were completely new to us and discovered that stepping outside our comfort zones can be incredibly rewarding.
A Huge Thank You
The school allowed us to have this fantastic experience, it was an incredibly opportunity and we are extremely grateful to have been chosen to take part.
A huge thank you goes to Haute Vallée, Katie Carter Mr Horner, Kazz and Jack for making the week possible. Of course, a special thank you to Ella for being such a wonderful adventure companion!
Outdoor Adventure Week was an experience filled with challenges, laughter, teamwork and unforgettable memories. Most importantly, we didn’t just leave with stories to tell — we left feeling more confident, more willing to take on challenges and proud of what we had achieved.
Thank you, Haute Vallée, for giving us an adventure we will never forget!
Scarlette: Kempt House
