And so we reached our final day at Hilltop. And the biggest challenge was most definitely getting all those clothes back into the cases!  How did we get the clothes inside in the first place?

We’d all had a very calm night, with children far too tired to miss home. We ate our last delicious Hilltop breakfast with gusto, all agreeing that Hilltop sausages are ‘the best’. 

Well, the sky was grey and there was definitely drizzle in the air. ‘Prepare for the worst’ they say, and ‘Hope for the best’. This we duly did, and kitted ourselves out head-to-toe in waterproofs.

There is a reason there are far fewer photos today – the activity was the high climbing course. This required 100% concentration by ourselves, as well as checking all the children were able to clip and unclip themselves. This activity required agility, technical skill, support from each other and a wee bit of fearlessness!  We needed to learn a ‘clipping and unclipping’ technique, which ensured we were always 100% safe. Half way through, the rain stopped. But nobody noticed. Everyone was so focused on the job in hand. Everybody was definitely in their ‘stretch zone’ today, and a few deep breaths were also needed before tackling some of those more demanding bridges and tunnels. It was so lovely to hear the cheers and encouragement from children to each other. Everybody had done their very best – and then a little more. 

Before we realised it, it was almost lunchtime!  Another delicious meal awaited us. 

We’ve all agreed – it was wonderful.  Lots of us wanted to stay longer. But all of us thought the idea of our own beds tonight was maybe a little better. 

Many thanks to everybody who has supported us with this, to make it so special and memorable for our children, especially parents and carers. 

After rising early to sunshine and blue skies (some of us earlier than others), we all enjoyed a hearty breakfast of cereal, toast, bacon, hash browns and beans. 

Our morning activity focus was climbing and teamwork. The instructors helped us put on harnesses and hard helmets, then we worked in two groups. One group was on the climbing wall, the other playing a crate stacking game. Could you work with your partners to build the crates, climb on the crates and then ring the Bell of Victory?  Climbers had the treat of knocking down the wall afterwards. 

We all learned loads of different climbing terms, including belaying and grigri. We also learned lots about moving out of our Comfort Zone and into our Stretch Zone. This is what Hilltop is all about  – being the best we can be!

After a lunch of the most delicious jacket potatoes with a choice of filling, and then a homemade flapjack, we ventured into the wood for our bushcraft session. Bushcraft is all about surviving and thriving outdoors. It’s also about campfires!  But to make campfires, we needed to collect the wood first. Our leaders explained to us about what a fire needs to burn and also how to light a fire. Caution – always try this at home WITH an adult. 

Once our fire was warm and crackling, we had a veritable feast of marshmallows, hot chocolate and popcorn in an amazing contraption made from two sieves. 

The afternoon was pretty chilled and a great alternative to the climbing in the morning. We also remembered to tidy away and ‘leave no trace’. 

Thank you Hilltop, for another delicious dinner, and a scrumptious pudding. 

We had a really clear evening and saw lots of stars. We also played an intriguing game, which involved finding a chain of UK train stations, running from board to board and avoiding the mole hills and rabbit burrows. Well done, Year 4s – more great team work. 

We are really thinking this group is one of our best ever – they have been such a delight to take.