The students enjoyed an incredible week long adventure filled with, climbing, scrambling, beach conservation, raft building, gorge walking, canoeing, mountain walking and much, much more. Yes there was the odd moment of bone numbing cold but the incredible kit provided by Arthog kept us all well insulated and equipped, ready to dive into the activities especially the gorge walking which was the overwhelming favourite activity of this year’s adventure.

“Arthog was really good.” Said Billy Austin “I really liked how we all helped each other through the gorge.”

Richard Gilman said “Everything was fun at Arthog but particularly the gorge walking. It was good to do something we don’t normally get to do and really good to work with people I wouldn’t normally work with.”

Lowri Peirson also loved the gorge walking, “I liked working as part of the team.”

“It was a real adventure particularly the gorge walking” agreed JJ Rippon.

Josh Williams was also a great fan of the gorge walk, “It was challenging and fun all at the same time. I got to walk with people I wouldn’t normally be with in school and so made some new friends as well.”

“It was all really good fun. It was great being out of school doing something different and being with my friends. My favourite was raft building where we got to sail something we had built.” said Rafi Gibson

“It was physically challenging but I did a lot better at some of the activities than I thought I would and I did things I didn’t think I could, like rock climbing.” Said Rosie Garvin

“It was really fun and chilled out” for Paige Hurdman “I did get really cold but it was all part of the experience and I did things I didn’t think I could and the hot chocolate was great.”

“It was all fun” said Oliver Bartholomew, “Walking up the mountain was the best but it was just good being outside and being active.”

The Lakelands students not only gained new skills and experiences out in the wilds of Wales but also took on many personal challenges and excelled in their peer support and their own self-reliance and fortitude. Some of the challenges our students are presented with at Arthog in both the activities and in living in close quarters together for the week, can be very taxing both physically and mentally. Compliments from Arthog staff and other schools sharing the centre with us, gave testament to their outstanding manners and cheerful perseverance and the Lakelands staff supporting the trip, whole heartedly agreed.

“Arthog is such a great way to get to know students better” said Mr Smallbone. “The rare and very impressive cloud inversion we experienced on Cader Idris was epic and we couldn’t have asked for a better team.”

“What an amazing trip.” agreed Mrs Parkhurst, “It was great to get to know students outside of the classroom and to see them excel in areas outside of their normal school subjects. I was so proud of my group for their determination, resilience and team spirit and it was lovely to spend a week with such a nice group.”

Mrs Hughes said “The students behaved wonderfully and were really resilient and self-sufficient. The facilities and food at Arthog was as ever, outstanding.”