Carrying a 60-litre rucksack full of camping equipment and food is no mean feat but that is exactly what a group of six Form 5 students did on a warm October day. The students had planned their routes using navigation skills learnt during their after-school sessions.
Students had assessed and evaluated risks involved and planned a menu that would sustain them over a 2-day hike. One group chose to start their hike at Olivella and had calculated checkpoint stops and meal breaks. They were also documenting plant species on their journey and planned to produce some sketches on the different plants they encountered on the way.
The second group started at Garraf and were observing the change in tree species throughout the journey and using maths to estimate the height of trees at their checkpoints. Both groups arrived safely at Camping Garrofer some 7 hours later, a little more tired and dusty but in good spirits having covered over 18km each.
They then had the task of pitching their tents and cooking dinner. The menus were varied but nutritious. After a good night’s sleep, the expedition ended with another, shorter planned route to the train station at Vilanova, where the journey ended.
The Kensington Award is based on the UK Duke of Edinburgh Award and the expedition was the final challenge in a series of tasks that the students have been undertaking to learn a skill, take up a new activity and contribute their time volunteering to help others. We have been very impressed with the student’s commitment to the Kensington Award and are really pleased with the communication and group work skills they used and have developed over the past few months.
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