Outward Bound 2013
Eighteen S2 pupils along with two S4 mentor pupils attended The Outward Bound Trust Loch Eil Centre which is just outside Fort William from Monday 25 February until Friday 1 March 2013. Their first task was to jog from the centre to the nearby Loch Eil and then take a dip in the dark cold water. Every student and one of the accompanying staff as well as their instructors all met the challenge.
The pupils were put into two groups; Campbell Clan & MacKay Clan and they are seen below straight after their first challenge.
On Tuesday both groups took part in Canoeing, Rock Climbing and the MacKay Clan even managed to get in some Abseiling. In the evening they all took part in an orienteering challenge with the MacKay Clan gathering the most points. The points raised will be traded for materials to be used in the Raft Building Event on Friday morning.
On Wednesday both groups got prepared for their expedition. Each group then headed off with full 60L rucksacks for an adventure in the wild which involved a long walk, setting up camp, cooking meals and staying in tents. The groups arrived back at the centre on Thursday – all safe & well but exhausted from their expeditions. They cleaned and put everything away and it was then back to business as normal with each Clan taking part in activities.
On Friday the raft challenge was a huge success with both teams building rafts and then paddling them around a course set out by the instructors. The MacKay Clan won the challenge by completing the course in just under 19 minutes whilst the Campbell Clan took just over 21 minutes – well Done MacKay Clan!
Whilst the activities were the highlight of the week all 20 pupils were awarded with an SCQF Adventure & Challenge Course having completed the required workbook. They also completed a John Muir Discovery Award by discovering wild places, exploring them, carrying out conservation tasks and they then shared those experiences with the other group on the Friday before leaving. They will also share their experiences with the school’s S1 pupils soon.
The S1 pupils will be offered the opportunity to do the same thing next year.
