News

Report and Evaluation

Residential to Rock UK

Whitehaugh Park, Newcastleton, Scottish Borders

10th – 12th Aug 2012

     

Friday Night!

When we arrived at Rock UK everyone put their bags into the rooms and we headed to the kitchen for dinner and the managers meeting.

We then met with James one of the workers, who took us to a field full of long grass and stacked tires to play team games. This brought out everyone’s competative side coming out and no one wanted to give up, however the midgies won the day in the end.

The activity allowed the young people to Socailise, have some fun and develope their team work skills!

After completeing the task we all headed back for some Social time and well earned hot chocolate before bed.

Saturday – a very busy day ahead!

Having so much on thw agenda for the day most of us were up at 7:30am for some breakfast.

Our first activity was the Low Ropes!

There was 20 challenges in total which required many skills such as team work, strength, endurance, critical thinking skills, reflection, co-operation, problem solving, and communication skills. The young people worked very well together to complete most of the challenges – although time was against us and we had to move onto the next activity.

 

 

Abseiling 

The second activity was abseiling and at first some were slightly nervous about this at the beginning. However by the end most did not want to come off the wall. This task required a strenght of character, determination and lots of confidence. The young people learned the safety precautions required for this type of activity. The workers were very informative and illustrated different types of equipment and knots used.

  

 

Kayaking

We then quickly headed back for some lunch before heading for our next acitivty which was cayacking. We played batman and robin and the who ever was batman had to catch all the jokers. We were then given the opportunity to go down a slide in our Kayake.

All the staff at the centre were very supportive, clear safety instructions ensured everyone knew the most effective ways to paddle, a soaking for anyone who didn't listen!!

  

Most of the young people had managed to get soaked anyway, even after following the advice.  So at the end they all decided to do a group run and jump into the water!! Some said this was the favourite part of the day.

After getting some dry clothes we all headed onto the next activity – The High Ropes!!

Nerves of steel required for this very challenging activity:

Everyone managed to complete each of the challanges and should be VERY proud of what they acheived.

After completing the rope tasks a short game of "stacking crates" was enjoyed. This required team work and trust in others, stacking as high as possible with two people on the crates…..

Still going after all these activities – we moved onto the zip slide!

After some dinner first – this was hungry work…

  

Each team member got 2 go's and this really was a great end to what had been a fantastic day.

Sunday – another early rise

Our time was coming to an end – more information on the centre can be found at

 http://adventures.rockuk.org/centres/whithaugh-park

 

After some breakfast, everyone helped clean the kitchen and load the minibus.

9:30am was the dealine for heading to Moffat – for some fishing and SHEEP RACING!!!!!

  

 

After some fishing it was into Moffat for some lunch and to see the big race. Everyone loved the Sheep Racing and the weather was a bonus….

 

  catch the video footage at