A damp and dull day won't stop children enjoying more exciting activities today!

Children were up early in the day to have a hearty breakfast before today's activities. In fact, the food has been an exciting topic for many children, with the prospect of hot or cold breakfasts every day, a different hot or cold lunch and another hot meal in the evening, there is something to meet everyones tastes and plenty of opportunity to try something new. With non-stop activities taking place each day, children are encouraged to eat plenty to keep their energy levels high.

Mrs Martin is spending the day at Marchants Hill today and has already been very impressed with the exceptional behaviour shown by all children. Staff at PGL Marchants Hill have been similarly complimentary. Year six are fantastic role models and a credit to you as parents.

It is really pleasing to see all children challenging themselves, trying new experiences and stretching themselves physically and mentally. This has been most evident in the raft building challenge today where children have to work in teams to design their own raft from a limited number of resources and also construct and then ride it on a lake! It's a long process that calls for team work, collaoration and cooperation and lots of peer support. When the rafts eventually float, the whole team must work together and communicate effectively to succeed in a number of water-borne challenges. There's a final 'barrel challenge' for everyone who is feeling confident. The barrel challenge is simple - stay on top of a foating barrel for as long as you can... inevitably finishing with a dunking in the water! Already wet by this time, children have enjoyed the fun of another dip in the water. A taste of what's to come tomorrow when children participate in the mud challenge - something all children are very much looking forward to and are already talking excitedly about.

For children who prefer an adrenaline rush, some groups have also been riding quad bikes. Smaller than adult quad bikes, these nippy four wheelers can be heard throughout the forest. In suitable protective equipment children have been ziping around a figure eight circuit. Inevitably some have discovered that they have a talent for driving and quickly learn that in addition to driving fast, they can also drift aroud some of the turns, much to the delight and envy of their group peers.

Other activities taking place today for groups include climbing, quad biking, orienteering, abseiling.