I got up at 07.00, feeling very excited and looking forward to the trip ahead. We met at the school at 08.00, where we were given our kit by the YVP instructors, Eamonn, Paul, Michelle and Elaine. We gave up our mobiles and packed our bags. The bus brought us to Glenmalure in Co.Wicklow. We were divided into groups of 5 and given maps, compasses and walkie-talkies. They showed us basic navigation skills and the route we would be taking. It was roughly 13 miles, over Table Mountain and into the Glen of Imaal.
We set off in our groups. I found it quite difficult. My bag was heavy and awkward, I had to reassemble it loads of times. The track was uneven and steep, and with the sun beating down I was soon drenched in sweat! But when I looked back at what we’d walked I felt a great sense of achievement. The scenery was stunning, and we had good craic with the walkie-talkies. We had lunch on the top of Table Mountain, where Elaine showed us how to heat water with the Hexi cookers. After that, it was all downhill into the Glen of Imaal.
We crossed a river and entered the forest. We were shown how to set up bivis (where we would be sleeping). I loved the dinner, beef casserole. We played some games. At around half ten that night they took us out to the track and told us about night vision and listening at night, which I particularly enjoyed as I want to join the army when I’m older. We had a lot of fun sneaking around the woods, scaring and being scared by the other groups.
Then we went on our walk to the cemetery in almost pitch darkness. Halfway round the cemetery, there was a blood curdling scream so we ran full pelt back to the lads! Then we went back to camp. The bivi was really comfortable and dry.
For breakfast I had bacon, beans and a sausage. We unassembled our bivis and waded through a knee-deep river. We played more games and then got back in the river. We got completely soaked but it was the best laugh of the weekend. We got into dry clothes (or pajamas in some cases!) and trekked to the bus. When we got to the school we gave back the gear.
I was sad when the trip was over, I enjoyed almost every minute. It was a great challenge. I had such a great experience that it confirmed for me that I’d like to join the army and do more of this kind of thing. I would recommend it to anyone, the fun and the challenge. The feeling of accomplishment I came away with made it all worth it and was great.
by Niamh Richardson
Youth Venture Project would like to thank all the participants from Stanhope St. for a very successful event. We appreciate all the effort that went into writing the expedition reports and can assure you that all the leaders have read them. Your words of thanks mean a lot to us. All the pictures we have from the day are available here. We cannot include all your reports here but have added some excerpts (below) that we though were especially nice or funny.
When I was given all that stuff to pack I was “like my back is going to be in bits tomorrow”.
"it was such a challenge to walk up that mountain and most the time I felt like crying. I was cursing and was in the height of it with everyone but when I realized what I had done I said to myself 'fair play, I made it!'"
" our midnight walk scared me to death. I had about three heart attacks. But it was good they showed us how to navigate in the dark. The stars were unbelievable they were beautiful and shooting stars as well, I have never seen them before."
"As we were walking to the bus one of the leaders, Paul, showed us the mountain that we had climbed and I just looked and said “that’s amazing how we did that” The leaders pushed us and we needed that, even if we hated them at the time and called them names behind their backs it was well worth it. It was unbelievable what we had all achieved and was very challenging but we did it and it was a great experience."
- Robyn Mcconvey
"All during the journey I was seriously panicking, because I am not athletic, at all. Then when we got there I nearly fainted at the size of the mountains, all I was thinking was. “They expect me to climb that! Are they for real?!”
"The hike up the mountain was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I honestly wanted to go home before we had reached the bottom of the mountain! But the girls in my group were really great and kept me going even though I’m sure I probably acted like a whiny little brat."
"the trip helped me mature a lot as a person, to push my limits and conquer some fears. I wouldn’t do it again but I would recommend others to do it, because if I can struggle through it, anyone can."
- Annonymous
"I felt that I couldn’t go any further I just wanted to go home but Paul Eamonn Elaine and Mr Gleeson were encouraging us to go on and that we could do it. It was a beautiful hot day and the scenery was outstanding I could see nothing but greenery for miles it was just amazing. ... . When I got to the top of the mountain I was really amazed and proud of myself as I didn’t think I would have the strength or courage to do it. ... We had our dinner which was stew in a can which was rotten! I couldn’t eat it so for my dinner I had a packet of Mighty Munch an Activia yogurt and a chocolate bar."
"On this adventure I learned I can do anything if I put my mind to it don’t give up easily, how to work better with people and listen to other peoples opinions follow orders and that I am not as fit as I taught I was I need more exercise. I recommend this because it’s a great experience and it gives me a sense of personal achievement."
– Laura Cicova
“We got onto the bus and the scenery was lovely. I have lived in Dublin all my life and I didn’t know that the country was so lovely”
“It’s the best experience I ever had. I would like to thank Paul, Eamonn, Michelle and Elaine for bringing us on this trip”
– Sarah Kelly
“And I saw stars that were beautiful. I’ll never saw stars like them, they were magical and the nature was healthy and gorgeous. It is very nice place that you don’t see every day”
“I really enjoyed it and I’ve got there and had me best fun I’ve ever had. I would tell everyone to try it and enjoy it because yous will have good craic”
- Annonymous
“When we sat down and looked at the stars. I never realised there was so many, living in the city”
“The scenery is very nice but in some parts there were some horrible smells”
- Nikita
“When I was carring my back pack out into my dads car I realised it was heavy and I still had to put some more of the Youth Venture Project kit into my pack. We were to meet outside the school at 0800hrs (as they liked to call it!).”
- Jessica
