Four staff and eighteen students headed up to the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) at the end of the Half Term break for our Tanzania Team Selection and Skills weekend. The students were put through their paces to assess their suitability for our two-week outreach trip to Tanzania in July 2024 with the weekend also serving as an opportunity to bond with teammates.
The students camped out under canvas and had the use of an old shepherd’s bothy situated right under the gaze of the highest peak, Pen-y-fan. The 24-hour period was packed with activities. On the first afternoon, having set up camp, we headed out on a walk to find Cwm Llwch lake and some nearby waterfalls. Many of the team took the opportunity to cool off with a paddle in the lake but the resident leaches soon put them off!
Evening meal was a barbecue courtesy of the staff and there was time either side to try out some student-led activities, including balloon relays and piggy in the middle! With the Tanzania trip to be fully funded by fundraising activities, the students were split into small groups and given time to plan the details of a fundraising event. They then presented their ideas to the staff and other students while sat around the campfire. This also presented the opportunity to enjoy S’mores and Cocoa before bedtime!
On day two, we were up early for breakfast prepared by the students – bacon baps and Cornflakes was the order of the day! The day then continued with more student-led activities, including various command task style activities and the odd magic trick thrown in for good measure. At the end of the weekend, the students reflected on a very positive weekend in which they had all made new friends and all put themselves outside their comfort zone, learning a great deal about themselves in the process.