October 25, 2011
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Canoe on the Canal

We have found a local spot with cleaner water than the Union canal at polmont/Falkirk, just over the M9 from School. About 3m deep in points but clean enough to see the bottom. This will be getting closed off soon for the HELIX project which will provide clean water for capsizing and swimming (the whole point fo canoeing fro some learners !).

Sizing up paddles, important for the lverage effect, the longer the paddel the greater the power. But, too long and you tire easily. Everyone grows a different rate so a range of appdle sizes is required.

Rafted up – two canoes tie together in a diamond pattern – and using the fading sunlight as a sign to head back.

Practising turning the canoe in the same space as a circle the same diameter length as the length of the canoe. Otherwise known as ‘turning on a sixpence’.

September 21, 2011
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Just one cornetto…..

A great session in open canoes, borrowed from the Outdoor Learning Team, up at Action Outdoors base last night. The core group of paddlers have been kayaking and canoeing for a few sessions now. Last night we paddled into the wind and then we were blown back. The canal is not as clean as near Linlithgow but is sheltered.

I was showing how to stand up and paddle, singing ‘Just one cornetto…’ and Joshua and Dominik tried to mimic and perfect this skill, but Jack bumped their canoe and Joshua and Dominik went swimming !

Having wetsuits, thanks to Lottery f unding, allowed the paddlers to stay warm but wet. Pupils always want to capsize and having that Lottery funding allows this.

Session aims were – practice forward paddling, tandem work, stern rudders – and of course Challenge and Enjoyment !

The mantra for the canoe coaching at this level is S.E.L – Safe Enjoyable Learning. Most of the core group have achieved Paddlepower Start certificates.

Sometimes it’s hard to be at the front – Jack below at the front – when you are used to being at the back giving orders !

Spot the paddler ?

Megan and Mathew working well as a ateam.

Joshua has tried to paddle solo for a while, since June. Last night he cracked it !

The weather was dry and sunny, low sun early evening as we approach the Autumn Equinox (12hrs day 12hrs night).

September 17, 2011
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Birdbox Week 2

Last week, we measured and marked out the pine for the boxes. We then glued and assembled them. There was debate about what size the hole should be. A quick research check on the web revealed that 28mm was best for Scottish gardens. The lads wanted to make it ‘massive’ so, they won !

The last process is normally some sort of finish. Wood can be – varnished, waxed, painted , olied- the lads chose to varnish.

The boxes were originally for the School Garden, but the lads wanted to take them home. So we will have to make more the next time the weather is inclement.

September 10, 2011
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Birdbox 1

After doing a survey of the school garden, the class came up with some ideas for improvement. Many items were thought to be needed. Brick BBQ, Shelter for winter gardening, more flowers, vegetables, birdboxes, beehives etc etc. So we started with going intot he workshop to make some Bird Boxes.

August 28, 2011
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Kayaking on the Canal

We had the first session with the Outdoor Learning class. We had good weather and a perfect venue at the Union Canal. We had the school kayaks out and also used kit we got from the Big Lottery Commonwealth 2014 fund.

You don’t have to be a swimmer to enjoy kayaking, just water confident. The word Kayak comes from the Inuit language. The originals were made from whale bone with skin stretched over, eastern greenland, and wood with skin from the west greenlanders.

We had modern roto moulded polyethylene plastic kayaks. Designed for whitewater and surf.

First task, set up the backrest and foot rests to allow connectivity with the boat.

Mr T showing the class how to ‘seal launch’ into the canal.

Mrs H was challeneged to tow the group, can she do it ?

A wee journey along the canal under the bridges.

Mr T draining Jack’s kayak after a slow motion capsize.

June 19, 2011
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Recycling

We managed to get some pallets from a local business, who normally pay for someone to collect the used pallets. The class was tasked to create a small tool cupboard from the pallets, even the nails were re-used.

June 9, 2011
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S1 Hillwalk

All S1 were hillwalking this week, split into 4 groups. Great fun and challenge and enjoyment, in the Ochils or Pentlands. The weather was pretty windy but warm.

June 3, 2011
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Bushcraft Skills and BBQ

We were out of school today. Went to the local Woods. Four hours planning for 4hrs of Outdoor learning, paperwork.

We had a short walk identifying – hardwoods/softwoods, bark, brich for tinder. Horses hoof. Then some shelter building. All were engaged in learning, many have never been out of the town/urban area even though they are 12yrs old. Some panicked without a phone signal in the river valley.

Then a BBQ to finish off. The 26degs weather helped.