Treffos Open Garden Day 2011.

Upper's performing a traditional Welsh folk dance called Y Delyn Newydd at Open Garden Day 2011.

Treffos Open Garden Day 2011.

Upper's performing a traditional Welsh folk dance called Cylch y Cymry at Open Garden Day 2011.

Emma's Camp Report 2011

          

Blind as a bat!!!

It was a hot, sunny day at Plas-Y-Brenin when we went to do the Blind Trail. I was excited and a bit nervous as we put on goggles for a blind fold and stood in line holding on to the person’s shoulder in front  and held onto the rope next to you. It was so funny, people were slipping and getting all muddy. We went through a tyre that had mud and water in, I put my foot in it, I felt it getting to my foot slowly, after that my feet were freezing and wet. We went through trees, under a net and finally it was the tunnel! We went in one at a time. It was scary I did not want to be left behind on my own. When I got out of the tunnel I took my goggles off. It was good fun watching everyone else go though.

Emma Cronin

Conor's Camp Report 2011

 Skiing adventures at Plas-y-Brenin

When we arrived at Plas-y-Brenin we got our heavy bags and started to put everything away and got changed for skiing, I was very excited. We went up into the teaching room where we met our instructors so we were off! First we went to the ski room we got all our equipment. It felt good to be standing on a ski slope again. I was excited and hoping that this year we could go right to the top. We clicked on our skis and started to do some stretching. After practising our turns finally I heard the news I’d wanted to hear… the ski lift was working!!! We were going to the top! It was great to feel the wind in my face as I zoomed from the top to the bottom! I was nearly laughing with joy!  Skiing was great fun and exciting this year!

Conor Donsbach   

Margaret's Camp Report 2011

Kite raft

Towards the end of the first day I felt tired. But I knew there was one more activity and I knew that his was going to be a good one. We where going to build a raft. Once we got to the lake near the bottom of the ski hill, we split in to two groups.  On the floor we drew a design and checked it with the instructors. Using four barrels, six logs and as much long rope as we wanted we made our drawing in to a life sized raft! Both groups had completely different designs so group A tested their’s first. Group A’s was quite good once they where on the water and everyone was on it. But from what I saw it looked as if they where sinking. I was almost terrified that our raft would just fall apart or get stuck in one place and sink, but when ours was on the water we were amazed.

Margaret Turnbull

Jodie's Camp Report 2011

Teamwork

My favourite activity was canoeing. It was the second activity on the second day. I reallY enjoyed this activity because we didn’t do it last year and we had to use lots of teamwork to be successful. Our instructors Laurence and Nicola helped us to get the canoes in the water. It was very wet and windy pushing us towards the rapids. I was a bit scared at first because it was really hard to stay away from the rapids. It was also frustrating because the boat kept going the wrong way because you were paddling harder than your partner. Halfway through Emma and Lauren got stuck by the rapids, it looked really scary! My favourite bit were the races at the end they were really exhilarating. We had to paddle from the start to a point by the lake shore turn around and come back again. I would do it again any time!!! (If it’s nice weather).

Jodie Mitchell

Alex's Camp Report 2011

Canoeing Adventure

                                           

This year at camp the first activity on the second day was canoeing. We didn’t go last year so I was really excited. When we had to get into the boat the water was rough so it rocked side to side I was so nervous I could feel my legs trembling. I was with Xander so I knew I would be okay. After we practiced the easy strokes like turning on the spot we got to socialise. Then he asked us to join him and practice a new stroke to move straight sideways, Xander and I got it first time. When we were practicing Emma and Lauren from the other group got sucked towards the rapids. Once they got pulled back we had a race and Xander and I won. it was great fun and I definitely want to do it again.

Alex Benfield

Xander's Camp Report 2011

   Blind trial

On the last day the last activity was Blind Trail. Blind Trail is weird because you are given some glasses that have duck tape on them. It’s so much fun because you don’t know what is going to happen next. You feel excited and a bit scared, you can feel the mud on your feet, it is weird. There is a rope next to you that you find your way around. It was cold and wet, it felt like we were walking for miles but we were walking just around some trees. There were tyres, tunnels and nets that you had to go through. Everyone was complaining about where we were and how muddy it was. Everyone was falling over, well I was. But I think everyone enjoyed it, I know I did!

Xander Mudge 

Huw's Camp Report 2011

The Wet Adventure.

I was wet, cold, nervous and hungry even though I had breakfast.

Jodie and I were sharing a canoe. The instructor told us some safety tips then we got in the water.

I was scared when the instructor told us about the rapids. I didn’t want to get sucked in! 

At first we got the paddling completely wrong, so we spun round in circles.

The instructor told us I have to watch when Jodie paddled.

 Then I had to paddle at the same pace as her.

Suddenly, a current came from known where and we were heading straight for the rapids!

I told Jodie if we paddle in to the rocks we won’t get sucked in.

We saw Emma and Lauran were nearly in the rapids but luckily the instructor saved

them and then came and saved us. We all went back to shore.

By Huw Warren-Roberts 

Callum's Camp Report 2011

Ski Fun

My first activity was skiing in Plas y Brenin. I have done it before. Our instructors were called Olly and Kate, we went into Cromlech cottage where we sat and listened to them as they told us what we would be doing that day. Then we went to a place to put our boots on, my dad helped.  Then we went skiing. My dad helped on the button lift as well.  I felt frightened but I thought it was great fun skiing so fast.  I got off the button lift. I skied from the top to the bottom I was very proud of myself. I rested at the bottom because I didn’t want to do it again!

Callum Gilroy 

Lauren's Camp Report 2011

The Abseil

My favourite activity at camp was abseiling. It was on the first day and it was the second activity we did. Isobel and I were the first two people to walk up the e n d l e s s steps. I was so terrified. When I got to the top Isobel went first, she made it look so easy, however I was still at the top. My hands were sweating, my heart beating. Olly, our instructor, told me to lean back in the harness and walk down the wall, so I did. I heard voices saying, “You can do it!” As I started going down the wall, I was so scared. 
What if I fall? 
What if I let go of the rope?! As I go to the middle my confidence built and it was more fun than I expected and I thought it was quite easy. I finally got to the bottom and I felt amazing.

 Lauren Ombler

Olivia's Camp Report 2011

Climbing Terror!

I gaze up at the climbing wall, a sense of adventure and terror grabs hold of me. I’m not bad with heights just not that brilliant! My heart pounds as I try on my harness. This harness, this piece of material, is all that will keep me from hitting the ground if I fall. I try to stay calm, but there is still a sense of anxiety. I struggle up the wall, my palms sweating, my mind racing, but everyone is really supportive, helping me and guiding my feet to the right grooves. I’m finally at the top, I feel proud and so relieved, but then I realise, I still have to get down… Nicola tells me to lean back and abseil down the wall, but I can’t. My leg starts shaking uncontrollably and I’m so scared I think I could cry, but I did it!!!

Olivia Williams

Isobel's Camp Report 2011

The Steep Face

On the first day our second activity was abseiling. I was looking forward to this the most as I love heights. Lauren and I were first. As we walked up the steps I was shaking so much I started to sweat. The instructor told me to face her (so my back was by the edge). I thought I was going to fall so I asked if I could stand a little closer in. When she had clipped all the ropes on she asked me if I was comfortable to sit in my harness over the edge. So I did. I saw Lauren next to me and knew we felt the same. I smiled at her. I put my first foot over the edge then the other and I was off. When I was near the bottom Lauren had started. I smiled at her. I unclipped my harness and everyone cheered.

Isobel Tolley - Roberts

Miss Boden's Camp Report 2011

The drop!

The second activity at camp this year was abseiling. I have never abseiled before and am terrified of heights. Everyone went before me and people were really brave and encouraging when they abseiled down the steep face. However, when I got to the top I could feel my palms sweating, my body became really hot and my head dizzy… I really didn’t want to do it I was nervous and frightened! However, I could hear voices below shouting ''you can do it Miss Boden!'' So I looked at Huw and knew I needed to be strong for him and after positioning my feet ‘comfortably’ on the edge, we were off!

Going down wasn’t as scary as being at the top. After a few steps you do settle in to it and dare I say… enjoy it! I am not saying that I would do it again though!