Day 1 – 30-09-2024

Our first day on the residential trip to the Peak District was filled with excitement and anticipation. As we made our way to Castleton, the rain may have dampened our clothes, but not our spirits! With our minds focused on the adventure ahead, our hungry tummies were already thinking about lunch. However, that would have to wait—we had a mission to complete first. We embarked on a wet but scenic walk to the centre, which helped build up even more of an appetite.

Once we arrived, we quickly ate lunch and settled into our rooms, eager to see what the rest of the day would bring. After meeting our friendly instructors, it was time for our afternoon activities. Despite the constant drizzle, spirits remained high. Many of us stayed on-site to take part in crate-stacking challenges, zipline tests, and a refreshing dip in the lake—though we were already quite wet from the journey!

Meanwhile, other groups ventured off-site for some thrilling weaselling and abseiling in the misty hills. By the time dinner rolled around, we were all starving, and our first meal did not disappoint—delicious jacket potatoes with a range of tasty toppings.

To finish the day, we gathered for Miss Parrott’s legendary games night, packed with fun challenges like guessing the song, identifying Disney characters, and so much more. Laughter filled the room as we wrapped up our first action-packed day, ready for more Peak District adventures ahead!

Day 2 – 01-10-2024

This morning, Hope Valley was full of grey clouds, plenty of rain and even more sleepy heads—some teachers did not get their full amount of sleep for sure! But, on the bright side, some room inspections were very impressive, with beds made so perfectly you’d think they were preparing for a visit from royalty. Other rooms have been getting pointers from these expert tidier to know how to win more points tomorrow.  

For breakfast, we had cereal as a warm-up, before diving into the main event: a full English feast of hash browns, bacon, sausages, beans, and the true crowd-pleaser—toast! With bellies full and spirits high, we were ready to tackle the day’s adventures. 

Despite the rain trying to dampen our enthusiasm, our intrepid hikers scaled the mighty Mam Tor, where we were greeted by winds so strong they could’ve blown us back down. We managed to snap a quick photo at the summit, holding on to our hats (and each other). Meanwhile, the daredevils who stayed off the mountain were busy abseiling at Millers Dale or channelling their inner mountain goats, scrambling over rocks at Higger Tor. 

Lunch was a hearty affair with homemade pizzas and a cheeky white choc chip cookie to fuel us for the afternoon. Even though the weather continued to soak everything possible, we weren’t about to let a little rain stop us. Groups 6 and 8 took to the lake, zipping over it like pros before attempting their best “Titanic” impressions on rafts they built themselves—thankfully, no one went down with the ship! 

After drying off and warming up with a well-deserved shower, we tucked into a scrumptious dinner topped off with Malteser cup cakes (these disappeared faster than a sunny day in England). The evening was rounded off with a cozy movie night, where multiple people watched ‘Despicable Me 3’ with their eyes closed after such a busy day. We’re now all ready to hit the hay, dreaming of what tomorrow’s adventures will bring! Day three, we’re coming for you! 

Day 3 – 02-10-2024

Day three in Castleton and our 7.15am wakeup call was welcomed by a few tired eyes. Nevertheless, the rain had finally ceased, and the sun even made a welcome appearance. Wafting down the corridor was the smell of a full English breakfast but the main motivation for our Year 6s to get down to breakfast quickly was the temptation of Mrs Spencer’s toast. The staff have been very impressed to hear that our children have impeccable manners and have let their light shine in the dining room. Room inspections this morning saw some huge improvements: teachers were greeted with dances and puppet routines in addition to some perfectly made beds.

By now, the kids have their routine down to a fine art and were ready for action faster than ever—some even arrived early enough to confuse the instructors! Over at the lake, raft-building was in full swing. The fish were rudely awakened by our fearless sailors, who despite questionable barrel placements and knots that may have been tied by pirates, managed to keep their rafts afloat. Well…sort of. Most rafts took an unexpected detour in circles before teams mastered the art of synchronized paddling. It was like watching a slow-motion merry-go-round on water.

On the high ropes, there were some gravity-defying moments as kids scaled the infamous leap of faith and flung themselves at trapezes or wobbled their way across the shaky bridge. Down in archery, bullseyes were struck with an accuracy that would make Robin Hood raise an eyebrow. Meanwhile, up on the Tors, kids squeezed through crevices that most adults wouldn’t dream of attempting—proving that children are, indeed, bendier than we thought.

With Thursday on the horizon, we’re expecting even more epic adventures—and possibly even more breakfast courses!

Day 4 – 03-10-2024

The last full day at Castleton was packed with excitement, reflection, and a sense of accomplishment. As the children woke up for their final day of activities, there was an air of anticipation and a buzz of energy as they prepared to tackle the two remaining activities everyone had been talking about all week. Whether it was the thrill of climbing  Mam Tor or the cooling dip in the lake, the children got the chance to experience the much-anticipated events their friends had raved about—and they didn’t disappoint!

Room inspections brought a mix of excitement and nerves, with today’s inspections being the most closely contested of the week. Many rooms were nearly impossible to fault, and the children’s attention to detail was clear—they were determined to finish strong!

The day was filled with shared laughter, supportive cheers, and proud moments as the children worked together, encouraging one another to push their limits and try new things. It wasn’t just about individual achievements today; one of the most touching reflections came as many children shared that seeing their friends succeed was one of the best parts of their week.

In the afternoon, the children spent time with their leaders, reflecting on their week at Castleton. These reflection sessions brought out some lovely moments, as children discussed their favourite memories, the challenges they had faced, and what they had learned about themselves. It was inspiring to hear them talk about overcoming fears, learning to work as a team, and the pride they felt not only in their own achievements but also in the accomplishments of their friends.

As the final full day comes to a close, there is a sense of fulfilment and friendship in the air. The children have made memories that will last a lifetime, and their reflections showed just how much they have grown during this week at Castleton—both in confidence and in the bonds they’ve built with one another. What a fantastic way to end such a memorable trip!