In September, almost a hundred girls from year 7 spent three days and two nights at PGL Lydington, an outdoor adventure centre near Swindon. I didn’t know many people when I came to Tormead, so this was a great way to get to know different people and bond in a fun and exciting way. 

We were all excited to get there as soon as possible but the journey for coach number two didn’t go quite according to plan, as we spent an hour keenly observing an unexciting car park near Reading as the mechanic came to repair the coach tyre. 

When we finally arrived, the other group had already started their activities and we were sent straight to our dorms to put our bags down before going to our first activity. We were in rooms of four or five girls, which was nicer than one big dormitory. 

My first activity was aeroball, a game that involves flat squishy balls, hoops and trampolines. The aim of the game was to score in the other person’s hoop while bouncing up and down on trampolines. It was great fun! 

After a quick campfire song, it was on to the vertical challenge.This involved being put into a harness and told to climb up a vertical assault course. Which was “NOT a race”. Well, at least that’s what they told us, but we all wanted to be the quickest. However fun this was though, the time came for us to be back on the ground. 

After a lovely dinner and glass of flavoured water, it was time for our evening activity which on day one was a good old fashioned campfire. We sang many songs, listened to some stories and had roasted marshmallows expertly cooked by our very own teachers. Then after a long day, it was finally off to bed. 

After a good night’s sleep (or not if you’d been up chatting) it was an early start as we were given the earliest breakfast slot at 7am and after a scrumptious full English, we were ready for an action-packed day of activities. 

My group’s first activity of day two was laser tag and after putting on some alien head gear, we were ready to go. We played several games and some of us were better then others at dodging people’s shots. I speak for myself, it was really hard not to get shot

Soon enough, it was on to the next activity, the giant swing. This was probably my favourite, however you did get a giant wedgie from wearing the harness. But better safe than sorry!

After lunch, the adventures continued: with an afternoon of trapeze and canoeing. Two very different and fun activities. 

Before long, it was time for our evening activities which included a PGL night of games: battleships and can off were two of my personal favourites. Also games which included throwing beanbags at targets. It was so fun. 

In the morning, it was time for our final two activities axe throwing and zip line. Axe throwing was  really fun as we learned a specific way to throw it at the target. We also learned about the different types of axe and had a little competition. 

Our final activity was zip wire, we got to run off it and go flying down the wire – this was amazing although the stairs to get up so high did seem to go on forever.

Overall, we all had a successful trip, bringing home many funny stories and memories and hopefully a new friend or two as well!

Martha, Year 7