Aberdovey 2025

From 10th to 14th March, twenty two Year 6 children, Miss Walk, Mrs Murdock and Mr Corkery will be away from school at the Outward Bound Centre in Aberdovey. You will be able read about and see images of our adventures on this page.

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Monday 10th March 2025

Twenty two children and three adults; Mr Corkery, Mrs Murdock and Miss Purkiss,  left school at 9.30 a.m. and set off on their adventures at the Outward Bound Trust Centre at Aberdovey. We arrived for a toilet stop and lunch in Welshpool at 11.20 a.m. After this break we set off again at 12.00 noon. This part of the journey was more challenging due to a road closure on the A470, resulting in a interesting fifteen minutes in a coach on a single carriageway!

We arrived at the centre just before 2.00 p.m. and met our leaders for the week; Dobby and Beth. The children were put into their two groups; Hameister and Ramsay. The groups had an orientation of the key areas of the centre, including the 'cages' with essential equipment, the canteen and  our block for the week 'Tan-Y-Bryn' (Below the Hill). Once the children had been allocated their rooms, put the fitted sheets on their mattresses, the pillow cases on their pillows and the duvet cover on their duvets, it was time for some team building activities.

The groups met up at 5.30 p.m. for our first meal, which coincided with Miss Walk's arrival at the centre. After dinner, their was a little bit of free time before the evening activities at 7.00 p.m. After getting kitted out with helmets and head torches, both groups did the on-site gorge walk and got wet. We can vouch for how cold the water in Aberdovey is!

This activity ended at 8.30 p.m. It was then a rush to dry off, change into dry footwear and then to the canteen for toast and a drink. The children returned to their block for 9.00 p.m. and began getting ready for bed.

Tomorrow, we are heading to 'The Wharf' in the town centre and we are to be dressed for getting wet! 

Here's hoping that we all get a good night's sleep and are ready for action in the morning after a hearty breakfast at 7.30 a.m.

11th March 2025

All children were up and ready for breakfast at 7.30 a.m. After a hearty meal the two groups set off and got themselves organised for a day at The Wharf, which is on the beachfront at Aberdovey town. 

Once equipment for the day and packed lunch items were collected. Both groups walked from the Outward Bound Centre alongside the estuary's edge to Aberdovey. We had the opportunity to enjoy the views, skim some stones and see some wildlife.

Once we arrived, we had to get equipment specific for the activities and ate our lunches. The Hameiser group then took on a Jog and Dip activity. The Ramsay group arrived for the same activity. Then the Ramsay group were taken out on the estuary on a powerboat. On their return, the Ramsay group were jumping from the powerboat and swimming to shore. 

The Hameister group went into the Wharf building to warm up and then went out on the powerboat. When they returned they also jumped off the boat and back to shore. 

The children  returned to the Wharf and began the process of returning equipment, warming up and getting clean.

Both groups met up at the adjacent ice cream shops on the front and tried to clear them of all stock!

The groups were taken back to the centre by minibus and went to dinner at 5.10 p.m. We had the use of a games room and then went to the evening activities at 7.00 p.m. 

The Hameister group organised clothing, footwear and safety equipment of a day in the hills tomorrow. This was done effectively and the group had time to go up the hill at the rear of the centre for star gazing. The Ramsay group went star gazing at the back of the centre then returned for team building and problem solving activities.

The groups had toast and a drink at 8.30 p.m. and were back in their block to begin showering, getting ready for bed and sharing their day's memories. 

Wednesday 12th March 2025

After a quiet night, albeit with a couple of children not going to sleep when they should, we were ready for breakfast at 7.30 a.m. The groups had different activities planned for today. Ramsay group, with Beth, were at the Outward Bound Trust site in the morning for abseiling. Well done to the vast majority of the group who took on this challenge and very well done to the seven children who abseiled from the top to the ground. After having lunch at the Centre, the group set off on a walk over the ridge, where the Ramsay group and the Hameister group met up, as the Hameister group were returning to the Centre.

The Ramsey group were picked up by minibus and taken to the beach at Aberdovey for a game of 'Sniper' and a roll on the beach. Dinner time had already started when the group returned to the Centre.

The Hameister group were dropped away from the Centre with equipment required to find their way back. The route was uphill and challenging to start with, lightened by several moments such as Harpreet seeing a lion - in reality a Shetland pony, then all searching for the perfect walking stick and Thomas having a staring competition with a sheep!

As we went higher, the wind picked up and the temperature dropped so we turned of the main route to view the Bearded Lake and had lunch. From there, we found the Echo, a natural bowl shaped feature where the group tested if the name was appropriate and were delighted to discover it was.

The group made a turn to return back to the Centre and encountered a flypast from jets, rain which we could make out in the distance, a lot of undulating terrain and 'wild wees'. After having been out for over six hours we returned to the Centre having met up with the Ramsay group on their walk out from the Centre.

After dinner, a group were in the Games room, perfecting their table football and pool skills. For the evening activities the Ramsay group had sorting out to do following their late return to the Centre and the Hameister group prepared for a wet day in the gorge tomorrow.  The group also learnt about group dynamics and considered if they were a pilot, a participant, a passenger or a prisoner.

Toast and a drink followed the evening activities at 8.30 p.m. and the children returned to their block for 9.00 p.m. after a busy and tiring day!

Thursday 13th March

After a calm night the children were ready for breakfast at 7.30 a.m. After breakfast the Ramsay group had to make a prompt start to catch the train from Aberdovey to Barmouth. The group then had a beautiful walk to reach a rock face where they were challenged to ascend and descend this natural feature. The children worked wonderfully together, ensuring each others safety and well being. The group were very successful in this challenge. 

Later in the day the group came down off the hill side and returned the the Outward Bound Trust Centre late in the afternoon.

The Hameister group were taken by minibus to The Wharf to be kitted out with wet suits and socks, blue cagoules, boyancy aids and helmets. The group were joined by Callum and Mark, two other Outward Bound Trust leaders. The group were then driven to Abergynolwyn for a Gorge Walk in the river. The team had a challenging but enjoyable experience in the water. They had to climb, scramble, slide and work out routes in the water. They scaled small waterfalls and worked together wonderfully.

Towards the end of this challenge, one of the children was unwell. Given the circumstances, the leaders made the decision to end the activity, remove the group from the water and called for an ambulance. The group quickly returned to the main road to be there when the ambulance arrived. The Hameister group realised the potential seriousness of the situation and responded excellently. Although they were cold and wet, they put their friend's needs before their own. 

The ambulance crew assessed the child and were able to deal with the situation. Once they were satisfied that all was well, he rejoined the group and we were driven by minibus to The Wharf to return equipment, get clean and get warm. The group then returned to the Outward Bound Trust Centre. 

Thank you to the Hameister group for their mature response. Thank you to Dobby, Callum and Mark for their prompt actions.  thank you to Andy and Jo, the ambulance crew for dealing with the medical needs. All was well in the end.

In the evening, the Ramsay group had sorting out of their cage equipment to do. The Hameister group went up the the hillside at the back of the Centre and searched for wood for a fire. The Ramsay group joined with the Hameister group to have toasted marshmallows by moonlight. 

After this the children had toast and a drink and returned to our block at 9.00 p.m. to being settling down for the night. 

Friday 14th March

After breakfast, the children finished their packing and vacated their rooms. the children were then driven to the Wharf. after being provided with the kit they needed and a bit of a soaking to acclimatise to the cold water we went to the edge of the jetty. 

Kianna was the safety lead and was in the safety boat with Beth as individual children went to the edge of the jetty and stepped off. Well done to everyone who took on this challenge. Just standing on the edge of the jetty was daunting. As Thomas later said, "The jetty jump was horrible but I loved it!" 

Once the children had returned the equipment and showered we returned to the Centre, loaded up the coach and set off for home. 

Thank you to all of the Outward Bound staff, particularly Dobby and Beth for making out visit so memorable. 

We left the Centre at 1.30 p.m. and after a stop in Welshpool were back at school at 5.30 p.m.

Thank you to Miss Walk, Mrs Murdock and Miss Purkiss for their care for the children for the week and thank you to the twenty two children for being such a wonderful group.