Outdoor Adventure Academy students enjoy Wales residential

Northumberland College Sport and Active Leisure students took on the great outdoors during a recent residential trip to Wales.

The students took part in a range of activities including climbing and mountaineering which sharpened their skills as well as improving their confidence and knowledge of operating in challenging environments.

During the week, the group lived together in a bunkhouse where they were responsible for their own cooking, cleaning and household tasks.

Chris Scott, Outdoor Education Lecturer, said: “Our residentials are an essential part of our Outdoor courses and a fantastic opportunity for students to visit places they may have never been to before.

“As part of their development they are required to have experience of navigating mountainous areas which challenge and motivate them. This was the first opportunity since lockdown that students have been able to take part in a residential, and they all proved they have what it takes to be Outdoor Instructors.

Their personalities shone through as they lived together and worked together on climbs, walks and scrambles they had to undertake.”

The students were led by Northumberland College alumni and qualified Mountain Leader Rob Simpson who graduated from the Outdoor Academy in 2015.

On returning to campus, the feedback was very positive as the group enjoyed an experience they will never forget, with students commenting: “Our tutor gave us all a chance to push ourselves during this incredible experience while having so much fun. Not only has it given us a chance to climb one of the highest mountain ranges in Britain, but it has also given us some stories to tell.”