Aberdovey 2026

Monday 9th March.

The group of twenty-two children and three staff loaded up the coach and left St. Teresa's School at 9.40 a.m. We were waved goodbye by a group of parents. The journey to the Outward Bound Trust Aberdovey went smoothly with a stop in Welshpool for lunch. 

We arrived at the Outward Bound Trust at 1.40 p.m. and were met by Rowan, Verity and Lisa, our leaders for the week. The room and group allocations were sorted out with Rowan working with the Hameister group and Verity and Lisa with the Ramsey group. The children dropped their luggage to their rooms, had a tour of the site and got ready for their afternoon activity, a 'Jog and Dip' at the beach.

On our return to the Centre their was a rush to the showers to be ready for a fire alarm test at 5.00 p..m. and to dinner at 5.30 p.m. The children had time to make their beds and do some unpacking before the evening activities from 7.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. The Hameister group considered the challenges they will face this week and what success will look like then got their equipment provided by the Outward Bound Trust ready for tomorrow's activities. Then the group were challenged to get eleven children through a hula hoop in less than twenty seconds.   

The Ramsey group also prepared for tomorrow's activities and then a team challenge. Both groups then met for toast and a drink then to our accommodation for 9.00 p.m. with all to be ready for bed at 9.15 p.m. and lights out at 9.45 p.m. It has been a full and busy day with more to come tomorrow. 

Tuesday 10th March

It was an early start for one room who started getting up from 5.30 a.m. - you know who you are girls! Breakfast was at 7.30 a.m. and the groups gathered to meet their leaders for 9.00 a.m. The Hameister group met and were introduced to the mnemonic P.I.E. for the three types of support needed today - Physical, Instructional and Emotional. The children gathered the last of their equipment and their lunches and were taken by minibus to the hills inland from Barmouth. We set off by foot for a day of Scrambling on the rock and rock faces. It was a really physically and emotionally challenging day with the group having wonderful resilience and meeting the challenges put before them with smiles on their faces and at times in hysterics! 

The Ramsey group also gathered their equipment for the day and their lunches and set off on a 'Cabin Break In' the group had to walk a challenging route to reach High Beech Cabin and once inside in the warm and dry had time in the cabin and a chance to recover before their return to the Centre.

Dinner was at 5.10 p.m. and there was a little free time until the evening activities until the evening activities. Both groups were Orienteering on site, but between finding the letter at each point located on the map the teams were set a challenge related to their visit or our school before they could go in search of the next letter.  

At 8.30 a.m. at toast and a drink time it was evident that a number of the children were tired. We were back in the Tan-Y- Bryn block for 9.00 p.m. with lights out at 9.45 p.m. 

We know that whatever the weather tomorrow we have a day on the water and the chance of getting wet!

Wednesday 11th March

A number of the children needed to be woken to be ready for breakfast at 7.30 a.m. After breakfast, the two groups met their leaders at 9.00 a.m. The Ramsey group were taken by minibus to the Wharf and provided with the equipment needed for a day of Gorge Walking. The group were than taken by minibus to Hafotty Gorge and got into the water and proceeded sown the gorge, this included some challenges along the way. The group had a long and active day returning to the Wharf late in the afternoon.

The Hameister group met to discuss what is in our comfort zones, what has challenged us so far this week, what attributes are needed to be ready to take on new challenges and what we have learnt about ourselves this week. The group were then taken by minibus to the Wharf and kitted out for canoeing. The group had to carry the canoes to the waters edge where the canoes were rafted together in groups of four canoes. The group set off up the Afon Dyfi (River Dovey) stooping for a snack in a drainage point for water off the hillside. We then set off again and stopped at a boatyard. Once the canoes were loaded onto the trailer we were driven back to the Wharf and after lunch the majority of the children in the group took on the 'Powerboat Jump'. 

The two groups met up for ice cream from the shop in the village and returned to the Centre for dinner. After dinner, both groups were able to spend money at the on site shop then we went up the hill at the back of the Centre for a camp fire and marshmallows. This was followed by a drink and toast in the dining room. 

We returned to the Tan-Y-Bryn block for 8.50 p.m. and started the process of settled down for a much needed good night's sleep.

Thursday 12th March

Today, after reflecting on the learning from our week so far, the children were driven to Dolgoch Falls for time in this localised temperate rainforest. The scenery is beautiful and the terrain challenging. As well as the waterfalls, there are the remnants of a slate mining industry and space for the children to make their own shelters to protest oneself from the weather one would expect in a rainforest.

The Ramsey group also lit fires and toasted their own marshmallows whist the Hameister group boiled water and had hot chocolate.

After lunch both groups returned to the Centre. The Ramsey group dried off and took on some indoor challenges in the Neumarh Room. The Hameister group took on the on-site gorge walk with half of the group at a time blindfolded!

It was a rush to get to dinner at 5.10 p.m. From their some clothes were collected from the drying room and other clothes taken to the drying room to dry overnight. The equipment loaned to us during the week was returned and the cages put back in some sort of order. Here's hoping that no equipment has been lost!

The two groups then met in the Neumarh Room for team challenges before toast and a drink and our final sleep in the Tan-Y-Bryn block. 

There has been a lot to make all associated with our children proud this week but Miss Walk, Mrs Murdock and myself were particularly proud when a girl from another school who was one of the last children from her school finishing her meal, dropped her plate of spaghetti bolognaise. The staff from that school did not stir to help this child but a group of our children, without being asked, swooped in the help clear up. There have been a number of gestures like this during the week but it just goes to show how wonderful this group are. 

In between all the adventures there has been a huge amount of laughter and no doubt there will be more to come tomorrow.

Friday 13th March

Our final morning at Outward Bound Aberdovey. After breakfast, the children completed their packing and tidying their rooms. The groups then had a time to reflect upon the whole week which included having one card from each suit in a deck of playing cards. The children then decided who to give their card to; a 'club' for someone who was an effective member of the team, a 'diamond' for being a diamond geezer/diamond gal, a 'spade' for someone who dug deep within themself showing resilience and a 'heart' for a kind and positive team member.

The Ramsey group was then taken by minibus to the beach in the village to spend time on the beach and in the dunes. The Hameister group tacking the on-site abseil wall.

The teams gathered at 12.30 p.m. to sum up their week with Rowan, Verity and Lisa and celebrate their achievements. We packed our luggage on the waiting coach, said our goodbyes and set off at 1.05 p.m. 

We stopped at Welshpool for a toilet break and lunch and arrived back at school at 5.20 p.m. to be warmly greeted by parents and staff.

Well done and thank you to all twenty-two children, Miss Walk, Mrs Murdock, Mr Corkery, Rowan, Verity, Lisa, the team at Outward Bound Trust Aberdovey, Fugerty and Sheepie for an amazing week!