Hi
On Monday - I'm going away for a week. I've been roped in by work to help with a residential. 2 of my colleagues have already gone and are camping for the weekend in the Lake District. (NW England) They were going to be climbing mountains and things. They are with an organisation who runs out door activities for people in the borough I live in.
On Monday they are packing up camp and moving to an old station house that is apprently now owned by the boy scouts. The outdoor people are still going to run daytime activities but will be leaving the group and 2 workers alone in the evenings. The two workers really decided that 3 or more would be better as the group we are working with are what is termed as 'high risk'. 4 have ADHD, all are troubled and one of the ones with ADHD has ODD as well. (Oppositional Defiant Disorder) Oh joy!
So I am driving up on Monday evening to join them. How I am going to cope with outdoor activities for the rest of the week remains a mystery. I did suggest that I just remain at base and peel potatoes but that apparently is not a good plan as cooking for themselves is all part of the residential experience.
I told the outdoor workers that I am NOT rock climbing but am prepared to take photos. What I make of mountain biking and canoeing remains to be seen. POOH - if you read this - I may be on a bike yet! (I may also have another impossible encounter with a wetsuit. I'm not sure) I don't know exactly what the programme is yet. Roll on next Friday!!
The weather is set to be good, which I guess is something. Keeping the little darlings occupied in the evening is going to be fun too. The station is surrounded by fields but we are apparently not allowed in them. Wonderful!
We can stick to footpaths though but can't let them loose to play football. I hope the daytimes tire them out. For those who don't know - the kids range from 13 - 15. There are 12 of them. (10 boys and 2 girls)
Wish me luck! Take care - Scottie
