The YVP adventure weekend provides students with the opportunity to cooperate and overcome both physical and mental challenges. I think it is essential at the beginning of the year to ensure that pupils learn to work together and overcome the boundaries of established friendships. This adventure experience is an enriching experience for every person involved.
We started the adventure early on Saturday morning as a splintered group but returned a cohesive unit built on respect and a deeper understanding of each other. This invaluable benefit is only part of the experience as the girls acquired navigation kills, camping/survival techniques and an awareness of the natural world. I look forward to working with the Youth Venture Project in the future as their enthusiasm and passion, coupled with their openness and friendliness, ensures an amazing opportunity for both teachers and students.
Thomas Gleeson,
TY Coordinator,
St Joseph’s Secondary school
Some Words from the Participants
- I thought this was a really enjoyable weekend, packed full of fun. It taught me never to give up and I feel it has really brought us closer as a class. All the leaders were really nice. I think I have learned a lot of new useful skills that I wouldn’t normally have the chance to learn. This weekend was a great opportunity to do something new. Even though I was sorry it was over, it was nice to sleep in my own bed at the end of it all! Lisa Curran
- Even though the hike was hard and most of us were half-dead afterwards, it was funny to watch people slip and slide down the hill. Rebecca Bohan
- It started raining and everyone put on the ponchos we were given. I didn’t because I had my raincoat, but everyone wearing them looked gas! They were like walking tents! Tara Curran
- The weekend was absolutely amazing. I have never done anything like it before. It was brilliant because it brought us closer together, we were all talking and helping each other. Tara Curran
- In conclusion the scenery was amazing, the army guys were friendly, the comfort was under average (especially since I slept beside a snail), but the experience gets full marks! I would love to do it again. Alexandra Konieozka
- I also liked when we did a midnight walk which was deadly because they were teaching us how to be a team. Nicole Sutcliffe
- I can't believe yizzer making us do this ... do ye know Im half way to 30!
Expedition Report by Charlotte Ryan
I would regard myself as a person who would try anything once, for the memories and the experience. So at first mention of this trip, I was extremely excited at the prospect of a class adventure. As it neared, that excitement developed into nervousness, but only slightly. Nervous as I was, it was absolutely worth it.
The excitement that day was excellent, even if I was a little sick already. I liked the seriousness of how the army leaders helped us set up our bags as it helped us to understand how to act on the trip. Once we reached our destination and started walking it was easy to keep going, even once it started raining. All of the walking over the trip was fine, I only disliked going uphill but I suppose it was inevitable. Crossing the rivers was something I didn’t expect to enjoy so much! The only thing that made walking difficult was the bags and mats falling off occasionally and they slowed the group down. I enjoyed setting up the camp and staying there. One of my two favourite parts of the trip was the midnight walk. The lessons the leaders taught us were immensely effective but the scenery was magnificent. I’d never seen a sky that beautiful.
The next days walk was easier, although I felt really sick. The weather was much better and the time we spent at Powerscourt was really fun. The last trek uphill was difficult for everyone as we were all exhausted and well aware of how close we were to the bus home. Once we reached it, everyone was literally beyond expressions of happiness. I even recall seeing a white horse in the distance…
Overall, it was a tremendous experience that I would repeat anytime. The support from the leaders really helped and they were all lovely people. I honestly think it brought the class closer than any other activity could have as we all relied on each other for support. It truly was a once in a lifetime opportunity, the memories of which alone make me thankful for doing transition year.
Charlotte Ryan, Student, St Joseph’s Secondary, Stanhope St
