The joys of outdoor learning at Bewerley Park

Year 9 students stepped outside their comfort zone to explore their potential through outdoor learning at Bewerley Park's residential centre, set in extensive grounds in the heart of Nidderdale's Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. GAURAV RAI and JESSICA FORBES-BELL report on the experience

TO contain an experience infinitely rich, to capture moments incredibly vivid, to encapsulate the flavours of hot chocolate so hot and… chocolatey, would be, to say the least, an utterly impossible task, writes Guarav Rai. So, of course, I shall embark on such! Well, up to the boundaries of my somewhat feeble memory.

The day activities varied so much that we didn’t even cover all of them in a single group! From sailing to canoeing, gorge-walking to mountain hiking, climbing walls to mountain biking, each activity provided great amounts of fun and joy. Challenges reared their ugly heads (MTB I’m looking at you), but our individual and collective tenacity bashed it back into the ugly-head shaped holes they came from. Such activities also promoted a great deal of teamwork, and strengthened our character and cooperation, our ability to not just lead a group but be led and to not just contribute ideas but take on board ideas from others. Such are important qualities to have and so these activities provided an engaging and fun opportunity to develop and sharpen them. Of course, what is a team without a leader? And many groups had great coordinators I’ve heard, but none shall top the one our group had the great fortune of having. You know who you are! (As do many other lucky fellows.) I said day activities, as at around 7pm-ish there were some more activities to do, moreso staff-led. Keep your extravagant fashion senses and impromptu creativity on the prowl: a newspaper fashion show will take place and blow your socks off! Tastefully or otherwise…

Reports from others did not have me particularly hyped up for the food, but I was pleasantly surprised at how delectable it was! (Well, most of the time, but we can round up to liberal degrees, shall we not?) Definite showstoppers – relatively speaking – include the mince dumplings, burgers and aforementioned hot chocolate. If you are a youngling who seeks to have a fulfilling (or rather stomach-filling) future experience at Bewerley, I urge you to stockpile on sausage rolls at lunch times. Such surprisingly superb sausage rolls in such scarce amounts. Blast! And if you want sandwiches, be quick off the mark, because once it’s gone, it’s gone!

And let us not forget the dorms. Somewhat cosy and snug, it isn’t a 5-star hotel, but it’ll get you through your stay, bugless and spotless. You may smell though, so make sure to always take hygienic precautions (shower lots!!).

If I were asked if I had any advice for those heading to Bewerley, I would ignore the question and focus on pressing matters. If you demanded advice, I would say eat and drink plenty. They tell you that anyways, but I cannot stress it enough. You can eat plenty of times throughout the day, but it’s also handy to buy some chocolate, etc from the tuck shop if you’re feeling particularly indulgent (or bring your own snacks! You can’t top ALDI Pringles). Sleep is invaluable too, and after a tiring day of energetic activities, it won’t be hard to get enough to brave the next tiring day of restless activities. But above all, enjoy yourself! You’re there to have an escape, so exercise your right to freedom!

ON the eve of the 11 July 2022, half of year nine was frantically running around the house collecting all the last-minute stuff they had forgotten and arguing with their parents about whether they really needed twenty tops, writes Jessica Forbes-Bell. 

The more organised half of the year were falling asleep with the knowledge their kit list was completely ticked off. The following morning, after a good while sat waiting in the heat, we finally set off on the 20-minute scenic, idyllic, and windy journey to reach Bewerley Park. After arriving, we were all split into our dormitories and the race for a good bed near your friends began!

After being shown the ropes, advising us how best to survive a week at Bewerley Park we were sent to be introduced to our team leader. Sat in a small room on plastic chairs, we were told more about the week's activities. Afterewards, my group wandered over to the main hall for our first meal. No more need be said, other than there is a reason Bewerley Park flapjacks are legendary.

Our first activity was the high ropes, which consists of Jacob’s ladder and the climbing wall. This was one of my highlights of the week, but that may be because it was followed by a swim in the river with two other groups. After trying the showers, which were at least warm and not as bad as expected, we had free time until dinner at 5:30pm, when we could play football and rugby with friends. After the standard school food we were briefed on evening activities (rounders, orienteering or 'finding aliens'). After our aliens game, we had free time then until supper and bedtime.

Next morning, we were woken at 7am, an hour before breakfast, and most of us spent the time slowly waking up. Breakfast consisted of cereal and cooked food with fruit juice, which was nice. Our Tuesday activity was a hike near Malham Cove – which I highly enjoyed due to the map-reading and stunning views of the Yorkshire Dales. It was also improved considerably by the delicious ice cream at the end. It certainly helped me recover from the shock of dropping my custard creams down a crevasse! We did some more cold-water swimming in a gorge, and then we were on our way home. Evening procedures were the same as the night before, although we played rounders this time.

Due to an injury, on Wednesday I joined a different group as I couldn’t go mountain biking, so I did sailing which was my favourite activity by far. Once we had finished setting up our boats and were out on the water, I found the whole thing very enjoyable. I had a brief try at the steering, which we found not to be my strong point as it went wrong, and we did a technical manoeuvre called a jibe (and did not capsize)! After stopping for an incredibly overpriced ice cream we headed back to Bewerley Park and, after evening activities, went to bed with some very tired faces in the room.

I think everyone will say Thursday was a very memorable day, for reasons that will become clear later. It started off normally, and we had a good morning at Brimham Rocks doing some bouldering before lunch. Then we had a short drive to the pond where paddle boarding occurred, and safe to say we get very soaked. One girl in my group spent more time in the water than out, and even succeeded in falling off whilst stood still! We had an enjoyable game of Quidditch, and I must apologise to the headmaster as I am certain I may have pushed him off his board at some point. Heading back to Bewerley Park, none of us expected the evening ahead. The activity was a fashion show, using newspaper to make costumes. Each group chose a theme and a song to walk to, and it says it all that Mr Harding and Mr Cox, dressed in miniskirts and tube tops, walked to Fat-bottomed Girls by Queen. Some groups were very adventurous and certainly pushed the limits!

And so, waking up on our last morning, there was a certain air of sorrow, gratefulness, and stress as we all tried to pack our clothes into our bags, wondering how they ever fitted in to begin with. After breakfast, we learned about our last activity: Bewerley Park Business, designed to encourage teamwork and use individual skills. Teams compete in finishing challenges for 'money'. We did not do very well and came a respectable third from last, but we became a team. It was then time to leave, and I have never been so grateful to see my mum, my bed, or a good shower!

Many thanks to all who made that week happen, and a thank you to the Bewerley park staff and chefs for making it all so enjoyable.