Uniformed Protective Services students from Stratford-upon-Avon College ventured into the great outdoors for their latest excursion.
Students visited the Peak District to take part in a range of practical activities to test and build a range of skills relevant to roles in the Uniformed Protective Services (police, fire service, armed forces), including communication, teamwork and problem solving.
Trip Diary
Day 1: Students were split into groups to provide a working party to assist with the cooking and housekeeping for the evening meal and breakfast the following day. The evening session was a night hike that allowed the students to work together with minimal information given and under the cover of darkness (although, it was a full moon!). The route was approximately 5km.
Day 2: An early start and a brief on the day was given by staff. Students were given tasks as part of a search and rescue training course that consists of route planning, communication (including morse code) and an element of scrambling and working in confined spaces. Upon returning to base camp, the duty group showered and went straight into the kitchen to prepare dinner for hungry staff and students. The next activities consisted of a blind trail, working on communication in the dark, trust building and following instructions. There was a team challenge to cross a dry river with planks. It was another long but rewarding day.
Day 3: Students were up early and worked well in the kitchen to get breakfast ready. The students have been able to hone in on their maths skills, working out measurements and ingredients for all of the cooking during the trip. This, along with reading and following instructions just shows that although some students don’t enjoy maths/English in a classroom, when faced with everyday problem solving, they are able to do it and do it well. The morning activities consisted of more team challenges further building on teamwork, communication and following instructions.
Check out some pictures from their trip!
The final part of the trip consisted of an extraction yomp (4km) from the outdoor centre to a pickup point.
A very successful trip and very rewarding for both staff and students with a big thanks to staff Oli Wilkins, Kim Jones and Natalie Parker for running the trip.
