This week we welcomed a new group to the Grendon Study Centre. We looked at the different Olympic sports and continents. Due to adverse weather conditions we had to cut the orienteering session short. Bradley has returned as mentor to assist with sessions.

This week the group took part in a quad biking practical led by Grendon Hall instructor Kirsty. This is a reward for their hard work and good behaviour over the last 6 weeks. Everyone enjoyed the session and perfected their skills in controlling and maneuvering the bikes.

Here is some feedback from the group about their experiences at Grendon Study Centre:

Kenan: I enjoyed doing the activities and earning points. I was waiting and waiting to do quad biking. You get to learn something by using your hands, not by writing. I didn’t know about the Olympics before but now I know loads.

Jason: I liked working with mixed ages, doing the outdoor stuff, the fire lighting was the best.

Connor: I like coming with this group, talking to them and doing firelighting with them. I have learnt about the Olympics, the countries.

Nathan: I liked doing the activities, having fun, different to school. Its easier to behave here because you’re always busy and have things to do.

After ‘winning’ tickets to the Olympics and having nowhere to stay, the group were challenged to build shelters for camping in Hyde Park. The two sets of pairs showed great teamwork to complete the task: to build a free standing structure that fitted both of them inside and that would was water proof. (Tested by buckets of ‘rainwater’!)

They showed great determination too, trying out various designs and the wind made it much harder. They then had a go at constructing a shelter in the trees using a different structure. Back in the study centre, each student made a flag for their tent so they could easily identify their camping spot.

Reflections on the session:
Nathan: I had already done this in cadets, using a bit of rope. I knew the design I wanted to do, it was windy so it was harder. The one in the trees, I slept in something like that before. My flag and tent is called “Sleeping tents experts”.

Kenan: It was pretty difficult with the wind but we got there in the end. We worked well together. My tent is called “P.Money”

Jason: I was explaining how to do it to my partner. I used a triangle shape because there is more space to get inside.

Caylum: It was stressful with the wind, but we did it in the end.

This week our group tried fire lighting, using igniters, cotton wool for fuel and oxygen. Then they learnt to cook bread on sticks over the main fire. In pairs, they filmed instruction videos covering all the steps they followed to do these activities.

They also talked about who they would choose to be a torch bearer and what route they should take locally.

Evaluation comments:
Connor: I learnt that every hole in the Olympic torch is for a person who carries it. I learnt how to cook bread with tinfoil and a stick and fire. I knew some already so it was easy.

McCauley: I enjoyed making burnt bread, it was still delicious. The video was pretty easy, I am used to being on camera. I am Gandalf with a stick.

Kenan: It was easy for us to do the fire lighting, it was hard for Anna and Lynn to light the fire because it was damp and they cheated by using the blowtorch.