Bendrigg Trip 2018
Well what a difference a month makes! This year we came to Bendrigg Trust in April rather than March and what a difference.
On Friday, we arrived in time to make our beds and sit down for a delicious tea – all dietary requirements fully met. A few children were heard to say – I never make my bed at home, but they were soon doing it. In addition, I never wash up at home – and then we could not get them away from the dishwasher all weekend. The children love doing the washing up and I do not think any adults had to do any washing up all weekend. After tea we had the choice of going into the indoor cave, sensory room or playing games in the sports hall. A new game for me was balloon tennis/badminton using fly swatters as the racquets and balloons as the ball/shuttle cock.
After a late night, we woke up to a beautiful morning. The cavers went off for the day to wriggle through underground tunnels while the other 2 stayed closer to the site. Half went canoeing on the canal, enjoying a drink in biscuit in the sun, throwing and retrieving plastic ducks from the water. The other half were rock climbing and abseiling. After lunch, these two groups swapped over.
Before tea, the children could play on the ropes course while parents drank tea and chatted on the lawn watching them make new friends have fun and freedom.
After tea, we were all back together to go on the tube slide and then have marshmallows and silly songs round the campfire.
Sunday morning consisted of archery and the zip wire and for those who went caving rock climbing.
We all made our way home after lunch exhausted but with a feeling of happiness and achievement. New friends have been made, new skills have been learnt and a very pleasant weekend had by all.
I need to take this opportunity to thank #IWILL youth social action funding, Francis Scott trust, Bendrigg Trust Bursary and the Co-Op Community fund for supporting this weekend so we could make it much more affordable for families to attend and gain the benefits a weekend like this provides.
Here are a few comments from people who came along.
“Meeting and socialising with other families, sharing experiences, seeing the children gain independence and have so much fun”.
“Sharing information about hearing loss and education etc, Having/sharing valuable experiences with your child, doing new things, seeing your child grow in confidence, make new friends etc.”