Event : LACYP Highland Challenge

The 10th April saw 12 brave adventurers head off on an 8 hour journey to deepest darkest Scotland for the Highland Challenge, all packed up with cold and wet weather gear only to be greeted with beautiful sunshine which lasted throughout the week.

This was the first time in over 10 years a group had visited CYP’s Glenborrodale Outdoor Activity Centre from LACYP and the leaders were just as excited as the group especially when they passed Jimmy Saville’s house in Glencoe, Now then Now then!!!!

After a long day a travelling the first day was `spent at Sanna Bay, a beach highly recommended by County Director Alan Donkin from his previous visit to Glenborrodale many moons ago, and weren’t let down. The beach was beautiful and sea crystal clear but absolutely freezing. The girls put the lads to shame as they swam and carried on in the water. A great time was had building sandcastles, exploring the rock pools, playing frisbee and holding a beach Olympics.

Early starts were the order of the week to ensure our time was maximised and one of the highlights was on Monday with the group being pirates whilst Sea Kayaking on Loch Sunart. After getting kited up and getting used to paddling the group headed of on a day long paddle. Along the way star fish were spotted and we were joined by a seal and dolphins much to everyone’s amazement. Other activities involved team exercises on the Low and High Ropes course, Archery, an 8 mile hill trek which everyone really enjoyed and a service day where the group left their mark and helped to build a spider’s web for the centre.

 

Another important part of the week was developing the cooking skills of the group otherwise we’d waste away. An excellent menu was cooked by everyone which included Chilli, Hoi-sin Chicken Stir-fry, Fresh Fruit Salad and HAGGIS, mmmm! 

 

All in all it was a really good week with lots of personal and group development and classic moments including moths and the question, are still we still in Scotland? After less then 1 hour and a further 7 days to be spent in the country.

 

A big thank you goes to Pirate Mike (Glenborrodale Warden), Kayly Blenkinship (Bolton L&G Club) our female volunteer member of staff and Adam Bennett of Ormside Mill.