At the start of the summer a bid was sent off to the Greggs Foundation for funding to take our young people away on a residential, taking part in a variety of activities. The aim: to provide an opportunity for personal growth and development, reducing isolation and increasing self-confidence through team work, and have fun! They awarded a grant of £1,000 to go on a three day residential to Lakeside YMCA, on the shores of Windermere in the Lake District, and after a lot of planning and paperwork, off we went. Below is the tale of our trip, with more photos available here.
The bus arrived early on a Monday morning with the cheerful driver, Kevin. After loading the bags, and jumping on board, we were on our way to Lakeside YMCA on the shores of Windermere in the Lake District. We arrived with just enough time to drop our bags off at the place we would be sleeping for the duration of our stay 'Lodge 5', before being taken to the dining hall for lunch by our course director Ruth.
After a quick change, we were ready for our first activity, Initiatives. The idea of initiatives was to get us all working together as a group, as well as make our brains hurt!
The first task was called Moon Walk. The objective was to get from one side to another going over and under a metal bar without touching the bars or the floor. As we were unable to levitate our way across, we were allowed one milk crate each to help us on our way. The one problem was that, being on the moon, if a crate wasnt being held down by hand or foot it would float away (helped on its way by Ruth). After several attempts we became more adept at hanging on to our crates (see pic), and finally we made it across.
Our second task was more of a mental challenge with a number of large plastic pieces which we had to assemble into one large square. Although we came close on several occasions, it wasn't until the hint of 'two triangles make half a square' were we able to complete the challenge.
Task 3 was a combination of physical and mental. The first difficult decision was choosing the length of pieces of plastic guttering. Then we discovered that we needed to guide a marble along the guttering across a basketball court, up some stairs, across a picnic site, down a second set of stairs and back across the basketball court without dropping it. After a couple of false starts we were on our way and surprisingly (to me) it was going down the stairs (not up) that caused the most difficulty. Luckily there was a 'checkpoint' at the top of the first flight of stairs and so we didn't have to return to the start when the marble dived down the stairs quicker than we did.
Our final task was to get all 8 members of our group through an elastic band within 12 seconds. Initially we tried having all 8 of us in a circle (it was a very stretchy band), but decided that it was just too difficult. After splitting into two groups of four the task was quickly achieved and it was on to raft building.
 We were alloted a quota of 4 barrels and up to 10 wooden poles for our raft. Having discussed what we wanted the raft to look like, we were shown (by Ruth) how to tie the Japanese Square knot. This knot ties two poles together at right angles, so the first thing we did was tie 4 poles together into a square. After being told that we didn't need to actually tie the barrels to the raft, we used another four poles to create 'boxes' in the corners slightly smaller than the barrels. Then it was time to launch the raft!
The frame was dragged into the water, and the barrels tucked underneath into their boxes as we went. The barrels were then 'pushing' upwards and the frame was pushing them downwards. After climbing on board we set off across the lake. Our aim was to reach a white bouy, swap places on the raft, and return. After nearly losing one of the barrels on the way it was decided that only the two people at the back would swap places. After much discussion and careful sliding, this was achieved and we set off back to shore.
Despite a lot of effort taming the one wild barrel, it finally broke free when we were nearly back to shore, tipping it's rider into the lake. We quickly reached the shore, and dismantled the raft. Four of us then took up the offer of a quick paddle in the lake, before returning to our lodge for a quick shower and change before dinner.
 After dinner, we donned our walking boots and set off up the steep hillside for our evening fell walk. With plenty of rests to admire the trees, and wildlife, we finally emerged into the sunshine at the top.
After admiring the view, having a rest and taking several pictures, we set off back down the hill to the lodge.
Tired but happy, the first day was over, and after a night time trip down to look at the lake, it was off to bed.
Our first activity the next day was the High Ropes. Despite some thoughts that it would be similar to Go Ape, we were surprised to see a single frame. This was quickly forgotten however when some of the options were shown to us. Our first challenge was to walk up a sloping wooden beam, a short climb up a post, cross the postman's walk (with a wire for feet and a somewhat looser rope for hands), another short climb up a second post, and a traverse with a wire for feet and 'toilet chains' for hands, before being lowered back to the ground. After being kitted out with harnesses and shown how to protect the person on the frame, we were ready for action!
One by one we made our attempt and whilst not everyone made to the end, fears were faced, encouragement was given and everyone did really well.
After a short break there was just time for the brave to attempt a further challenge. This involved a climb up a single (and increasingly wobbly) post to the top. Then standing up on a small wooden platform. A few deep breaths and then a leap, attempting to touch a white ball, before being lowered to the ground.
After a visit to the dining hall for lunch, we donned our walking boots once again and set off for Brows Crag for our next activity of rock climbing.
After a walk passing by a group of youngsters preparing a bivi that they would be sleeping in that night, we arrived at Brows crag. The leaders, Ruth and Phil, set up both a climb and an abseil for us to try. The abseil (see pic) was down the middle of the rock, with the first rock climb up the left hand side. Once everyone who wanted had attempted the climb, a second climb was set up on the right hand side of the crag. Finally once everyone had completed the abseil, this was altered so that the keen could have a go at a slightly more difficult climb.
Then it was back to the dining hall for dinner, and the lodge for the evening's entertainment. This began with quiz consisting with several rounds, including two picture sections, and prizes for the winner of each round. This was followed by the Logo Game, a board game with questions on well known (but hard to remember) brands, logos and products.
The final day started with Nightline, an obsticle course completed as a group wearing blindfolds. This involved a lot of trust and communication, with each person relaying what was happening to the person behind. Each person had hold of a rope in one hand, and put their other hand on the shoulder of the person in front. This kept everyone as a group and able to shuffle along the rope like a giant catterpillar. Although tree roots and rocking stones almost seemed like challenges in themselves, various obsticles were placed along the way including a series of 'windows' (square, triangle and round), a giant step and a rocking bridge. Having completed the course, we were then allowed to view where we had just been. Although it felt as though we had walked quite a long way, it was amazing to find out it was only about a hundred metres circle and that the ginormous tree roots would be walked over without thinking once able to see them.
The last activity was Archery, and after being shown how to use the bow and how to keep ourselves safe, had several chances to practice hitting the target.
Then the gauntlet was laid down, and after splitting into two teams, The A team and Plan B, a competition was held to find out which team could score the most points. Every person managed to score valuable points, with several people hitting the all important 'bulls-eye'. The final scores were close, with only 12 points between it, but in the end Plan B squeaked victory.
Then it was time for lunch and a last quick change, before Kevin appeared with the minibus to return us to Newcastle.
Comments from those on the trip ranged from 'LOVED IT', to 'amazing experience with great company and fantastic staff', with almost everyone saying they would have liked to stay longer. Success?
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