We have reached our final day at High Adventure and it has been absolutely excellent. However, Friday means one thing at High Adventure - the High Ropes! Even Derrick (our mascot), who is usually as cool as a cucumber, was looking a little apprehensive!
The first challenge was actually the highest one! The children raced (!) in teams to try to reach the top of this course which looks harder than in the photos because everything moves - the ladders bulge out as you climb, the poles spin around, the tires sway and the ropes swing! It didn't deter this bunch though and many of the group made it to the very top, touching the beam of the frame.
After that was the turn of the 'crate challenge'. We were handed crates which we had to add to our base and keep building as high as we possibly could. We were told that ten was a good height but the record was something ridiculous like twenty-three or twenty-four!
Soon after the group photo one member has already fallen by the wayside! I'm not really sure what was happening in this next picture although it looks like we might be mid-macarena!
Then another fell! Now it was time for one bold, brave warrior to continue alone. Some people seek out greatness, it is said, while others have it thrust upon them.....
Easy does it.....
Woah! Steady!
Oh no! My legs!
Aaaaargh!
This is such a fun game!
That's it! After a point, the instructors had to throw the crates up to the top. The other children made up songs of encouragement like 'Jerram on a crate, Jerram on a crate, wibble wobble wibble wobble Jerrram on a crate!'
Another one bites the dust!
Not sure if Dave was helping here or sabotaging!
Not sure this sitting down / cuddling technique is going to work but I've been wrong before....
Oh no!
One stands victorious!
But not for long....
Slight 'wardrobe malfunction' here....
With the jumper/skirt off it was time to get back to serious business....
Mrs Wraighte was determined to beat the previous best height of the session (the first group managed thirteen crates)....
She took a few children out on her path to victory. Nothing would stand between her and success (n.b. this is not exactly what happened!).
A proud moment of triumph....today's record looked within grasp.
Quick break to sing a power ballad....
...then back to the task in hand.
Getting a bit too confident now! Well you know what they say? Pride comes before a....
....FALL!!! Arrgh!
Awesome work! A new record! The final crate team took to the platform.
Looking solid so far!
Oh no! Why are you running that way?!?
Somehow he managed to get back to the tower!
But it wasn't long before their dreams of topping Mrs Wraighte's tower came crashing down!
The in was time for ...... dun dun duuuun.....(drum roll please) .... the LEAP OF FAITH. Just you and a ten metre platform with a trapeze to attempt to catch if you would like to - scary stuff. Oh and did I mention the pole wobbles?
I'm not sure any photo does justice to how high it feels when you're on the platform but hopefully this sideways panorama gives you a sense of what a challenge this really is!
Time for a little rest on the platform to compose yourself. Certainly not a bad idea...
You did it!
Meanwhile on the other ten-metre pole, children were going up in pairs for an equally challenging task - to get two people on the platform, lean back holding hands and then finally let go!
Some were so confident they could look down and smile for the camera - wow!
Really, this is an incredible achievement. I love this next sequence of photos because it captures the fear, relief and exhilaration of pushing yourself out of your comfort zone and finding success.
So well done! Go Harewood!
This captures the scariest part of the two-man challenge well!
Ha ha!
Go on! You can do it! Look at that steely determination....
The leap of faith!
Amazing job! Look at that proud smile - rightfully so. What troopers!
Ha ha - a cheeky salute on top of this platform!
Oh no! He'll pulling me the wrong way!
Really brave! Well done!
The expressions really show you how challenging this is....
Brilliant - go for it!
Double fist-pump! Well earned!
After a quick discussion about who will jump first, they're off!
Well done!
Mrs Wraighte's leap of faith - good effort!
Well done! You made it to the top.
Mr Sturgess's (not very) graceful flight towards the bar (no drinks on offer though).
Miss Bowden getting stuck in. Well done!
These pictures are insane! Look how high up they are!
Wow - incredible work guys!
Mr Sturgess feeling quite pleased with himself that he'd reached the top in the two-man challenge....
....before the realisation that he would have to wait there for a while until Mrs Wraighte had made her way up.
This was one of the more dignified photos of this part of the challenge so it stays in for now....
Another brave leap of faith jumper!
Made it! Whoop!
One handed - oh my goodness!
Some people even sang on their way to the top....
.....and had done the jump within seconds of leaving the ground!
Absolutely incredible! I am in awe of how brave this group of children have been. Excellent work!
And they just kept coming. Another volunteer for the leap of faith. Look at the concentration and determination in that expression - this is a real challenge for some and I'm so proud of them for pushing themselves so hard.
Yes!
High Adventure 2016
What a wonderful trip it's been. I've just about broken the exclamation mark on my keyboard now so it's a good job this is my final blog really! The children have been so up for the challenges this year and many have surpassed my expectations of them in the most wonderful of ways. We've had no drama or tears at bedtimes and everyone has pushed themselves beyond their comfort zone (including the staff!) in the activities. What a great, positive group - I think we really are set now for the year ahead and prepared for whatever challenges we may face and I would like to thank you for approaching the week with such a great attitude - you really got the very best out of High Adventure this year. Thank you also to all the parents who have been reading the blog and leaving amusing comments throughout the week too. A superb trip.
If you are in Year 6 and reading this - why not take the time to go through it with your family over the weekend. I'm sure they'd love to hear your tales!
And finally, something tells me we might not have seen the last of Derrick the Door Knob.....
