A lot has been going on!

Hey everyone, I realised that its been ages since I updated this so I thought I'd post, and let you know about everything that has been happening since last October.

November was a month for learning more, I was now leading both archery and the low ropes course for groups. Which was great fun, but I really wanted to get leading the bikes sessions before Christmas. That didn't get to happen, because I needed to observe more of other people leading first, and learning my way around the forest.

December was a really quiet month, No schools were in, but we had Nursery groups in to have a shot on our caterpillar trails, or the bear hunt. Both of which are great fun, and the kids really love it! I also got two weeks off at Christmas, which was good to be home and see all my siblings for that long.

In January I worked three out of four weekends, observing other peoples bike sessions and learning, and by February I had managed to pass the assessment which allows me to lead bikes. I felt great.

Also in February the schools started coming again which was great fun. The kids are all great laughs and leading the activities is my favourite part of the gap year. March was just the same, leading at both weekend groups and school groups.

April was a change, in the first week of April I was away leading at the first Easter camp at Altnachriche. That was fun, but so tiring, rather than being able to finish and take a break like I would when working with schools I was with the kids 24 hours a day!

Now I'm back at Lendrick Muir and the easter camps are still going on, My job now is just leading activities, and helping with the cleaning. Last saturday for example I spent the entire day cleaning! And this will sound odd, especially to my mum, but I enjoyed it!

I hope everyone is doing well and I'm praying for you all.

Callum =]

Oct 17th

It's been a while since I've been able to update this, the internet at Lendrick Muir just doesn't seem to want to me to keep this up to date.

So since last time I updated many things have happened. I have been signed off on ropes, and am now aloud to lead them on my own. Our first schools been in and they had a blast (as did i). I had this last week off, and I've realised how much I'm enjoying being up there.

I'm looking forward to heading back tomorrow, but I will miss my family while I'm away. I think we have another school in this week, so hopefully a chance for me to get signed off on more things.

1 more week on...

One week further into my Gap Year and now I'm a qualified Archery leader! The assessment was on wednesday and the whole group of us passed it, so were all pretty chuffed. Last monday we had a couple of freelance instructors in to teach us various things, like time filling games which we can use if we finish a session early or were waiting on something to get set up. They also took us down to the Fire pit and tried to teach us how to light a bonfire. We managed to get it lit, but it never stayed lit long. So instead we learned campfire songs around the soggy fire pit(as it had been raining the weekend before). On Thursday we started a two day first aid course, which was really good, although we had to get up earlier and start our day at 8!

But on the whole I'm loving my time there :)

3 Weeks In

Ok thats me just finished my third week, Moved into my little staff house last night so im home for the weekend to get all my stuff.

Last week was really fun, On the monday we worked on how to lead small groups, I enjoyed this part, as we got harnessed up and tied together as a big group and went round part of the ropes course. However while we were working on monday I was slightly ill, and this illness spread throughout the gap years, a couple of people even had to take a day off because they were so ill! Only one of us was completely unaffected though and he is delighted by that.

On wednesday and thursday we did some bike training, which was really fun. We learned about fixing punctures and fixing chains. It was a really interesting couple of days.

Now im just looking forward to next weeks events!

First Week

So my first week was stuffed full of wonderful training events, On the Monday we started by shadowing a Low ropes course session, we then proceeded to learn all the different ways to lead a group on the low ropes course. Later that day we went biking in the forest, and a bit on the north shore track. Then at night we hung out with the other staff and played a bit of disc golf.

Tuesday we went on the ropes course some more, we were getting pretty good at it by this point ;) However this time we were focusing on the different ways to lead, such as democratic, charismatic or autocratic. And in the evening we had a warm up archery session, because on Wednesday and Thursday we were visited by Frank, the senior head coach from GNAS(Grand National Archery Society). He started our training, showing us bow and arrow maintenance and correct ways to shoot. We have a GNAS exam on the 9th of September, Prayer for that would be appreciated :). Friday was our day off, I visited home.

Saturday was the Big Celebration, which was full of masses of awesome praise lots of singing, there were around 500-600 people there throughout the day. It was a tremendous day. At the afternoon meetings I was commissioned for my years work with SU.

Tomorrow I am heading up to Altnachrich to begin another stage of our training, and another step in my journey...

See you all soon =]

Callum

Last update before i leave.

Ok training starts tomorrow morning at 10. I have to be at Lendrick muir at half 9 though. Even though it's a very early start i am still very excited!

Money wise I've got £2100 raised, so only £900 to go to meet the minimum requirement! Im soo close i can almost taste it.

Sponsored swim was a success, managed to complete a 1250 metre swim, this was half what i had origionally hoped to swim, but it was enough to completely tire me out.

Until next time my friends =]

Update 2

Thank you to everyone who donated through just giving, I've managed to raise over £500 already! SU have asked that I raise 70% of the £3000 minimum before I start on the 17th of August! So all help is appreciated. I will be doing a sponsored swim on the 12th of August, sponsors are needed so that I dont just end up swimming :)

Again thank you all, with your help and support my target is reachable!