Round up of Outdoor Learning

News - Jul 18

Ten Tors 2022

Following six months of winter training, walking and camping in every extreme weather condition Dartmoor could throw at them, on the weekend of the 7^th and 8^th May, 5 teams from Colyton Grammar School successfully completed the ultimate challenge event for young people. All the Colyton teams successfully arrived across the finish line at Okehampton camp on Sunday in quick succession to the well deserve congratulations of family, friends and well-wishers. A fantastic achievement!

Duke of Edinburgh (D of E) Bronze

During three weekends in May, a total of 110 Year 9 students attended a practice expedition for this section of their award. Supported by experienced adults’ volunteers, during the two days with a night’s camp, students walked approximately 16 miles in the nearby countryside carrying all the equipment they would require for the weekend. They learnt a variety of skills including navigation, map reading, basic campcraft and team management. This experience prepared them for the qualifying expeditions which took place during June, again a two day walk with a night’s camp. The groups, with their newfound skills and confidence walked a similar distance independently across a variety of routes in East Devon. They all demonstrated an ability to work as a team to achieve their goal with each student contributing to their group’s success. Whilst a few students have camped or multi-day hiked before, for many this was a new experience. The overwhelming sentiment from students was a sense of achievement and the wonderful memories they had created with their friends.

D of E Gold

During the beginning of the May half term break, 21 Year 12 students participated in their Gold practice expedition on Dartmoor. The three groups contained students who had previously achieved their Silver award and there were plenty of Ten Tors participants who were familiar with the Dartmoor terrain. Across the three days with two nights camping, all the students demonstrated the necessary skills required for them to attend a qualifying expedition in the Brecon Beacons. This expedition was due to take place in July but has now been postponed until September 2022 due the recent extreme weather conditions.

Jurassic Coast Challenge

On Friday 1^st July, 42 Year 8 students along with 80 students from Isca Academy participated in this walking challenge along a section of the South West Coast Path. Following a training walk in May, the nine  teams from Colyton decided which distance was appropriate for their team – three chose Bronze 10 miles, five chose Silver 16 miles and one team chose Gold 23 miles. The route itself is challenging and requires basic navigation skills along with a good level fitness and most importantly - teamwork.

All the Colyton teams were marvellous and achieved their chosen distances, however the following students in Team 1 deserve a special mention: R. Irving Bell, J. Tucker, H. Marks, I. Poole and H. Hopkins -  the first Year 8 group in this event to achieve the Gold distance – congratulations.