South Wales Police outward bound trip Storey Arms Brecon Aug 2010 Camp report
The Bridgend division’s annual trip to the storey arms outdoor centre Brecon took place during the week 16th-20th August 2010.
A total of 68 young people from 5 of the boroughs comprehensive schools took part in the event involving pupils in year 7 aged 12-13.
The week was split in to two with the first group being picked up from their respective schools and transported to Brecon by the four schools liaison officers for the Bridgend division. Once at the Storey arms rooms were allocated then it was off for a walk to the top of Pen-y-Fan, a feat which the majority of pupils had never done before. After a lot of huffing and puffing, and a few red faces we returned to the Story arms to clean up and get ready for tea and the evenings activities.
The evenings consisted of DVD’s, games and quizzes. Pupils were also given the chance to do a night walk through a prepared course in the woods at the back of the centre. This provides them with the opportunity to build on their communication and teambuilding skills and involves a great deal of trust between pupils.
Once back at the centre it was time for bed,(not that any of them slept).
The next day pupils were offered a choice of three outdoor activities including canoeing, gorge walking and caving with a qualified instructor from the centre. After a long and enjoyable day they returned to the centre for tea and another evening of activities.
On the Wednesday morning pupils have breakfast and then commence the cleaning of the centre to leave it as they found it. Once this is done they are returned to their schools by about 11am.
The next group of pupils are then picked up to return to the Storey arms and commence the same activities as the previous group.
Some of the comments made by pupils on Facebook after returning from Brecon were as follows:-
Megan Parrott Had the best time ever in Brecon with Ellie Jones , Gemma Williams , Maiya Evans , Soph 'Will Carter' Rees , Alex Bennett , Scott Hodgson , Holly Stuckey and moreee!:) Catrinaa ;D x You are a ledgendd! x
Top of Form
Holly Stuckey i love brecon i wanna go back
Megan Parrott :L !
Samee !
I like being home to see my family it was just so amazingg !
Gemma Williams I looved it in the night's, they werre so funnnny! xxx
As you can see from the comments made by pupils on Facebook and the feedback we have received from teachers and parents, the trip was a great success. At times there are barriers between young people and the Police. This type of activity helps break down these barriers and build bridges.
Pc 3930 Steve Carpenter