Derwent Hill Blog
Monday, 29th June 2015
Derwent hill today! We are now really really really exhausted after our long evening walk! When we got here, we were sent up to our room. Me (Emily) and Kate were chosen to have a room just me and her! We couldn’t be more pleased! Later we entered the woods we found the tall trees and were shown little bugs that created bubbles out their bums!!!! Right now most of our friends are either playing outside or in their pjs. Soon we will be going to bed and waking up to our next amazing adventure at Derwent hill!
By Emily and Kate
This morning we were jittering as excitement. I (Aleena) at first didn’t want to come. Some people may think that the reason was because I didn’t want to be away from home, that however was not the case. After seeing my friends, including: Abi ( who is helping me write this blog) I thought I was missing out on quite a few different activities. I got a bit emotional seeing all of my friends leaving. After waving them off, Mrs Carroll took me to her room and asked me if i wanted some biscuits and a cup of tea. Miss Wight made a phone call and asked me if I would like to go. At first I was thinking, “Is she joking?” then she said she was being serious. I drove to my house and speedily packed everything I needed. The packing took me 7 minutes! We threw the suitcase in the car boot and drove to Washington services. My heart was beating very fast. Was this really happening?



By Abi and Aleena













Tuesday, 30th June 2015
The first thing to say is that we’ve really enjoyed reading your comments! We have shared them with the group at the end of the day and everyone loved hearing from you. Keep them coming!
Mr Charlton
Today my group climbed up a mountain called Walla Crag. First we got dropped off at surprise view and the name is right, it is a surprise you could see all the way over the lake and could see lots of mountains including the fourth tallest in the lake district Skiddaw. When we started our walk we had to go through a herd of fields with sheep and cows. Me and my group were all trying to dodge the poo on the floor as it was everywhere. When we passed all of the fields we started our hike up Walla Crag. At the start it wasn’t very steep but as we made progress it got steeper and harder. The first stop was a quarter of the way up where we could have one snack out of our pack lunch. I don’t think any of us were tired at that point but when we moved further up some people were getting tired. The half way point of our walk was the top of the mountain. I thought the view from there was better than surprise view because we were higher up. At the top of Walla Crag we were allowed the rest of our lunch. After lunch we made our way down and also through more fields leading into the woods which was the way back to Keswick and to Derwent Hill. In the woods Richard the leader of our group showed us a flower that looked like a clover which we could eat, it was very bitter and the stalk was juicy. When we reached Keswick We all went to the sweet shop where everyone got a drink and some sweets. We walked all the way through Keswick and more fields to get back and by then we were all worn out.
By James and Mason
Today my group and I went gorge walking. Just before we went Ellis renamed the activity to goggle boxing. When we arrived we were told to stay in the water. We all liked that idea. As we got further into the walk the water level began to rise and the rocks were getting wetter. We reached a waterfall and were told to put our head under the water. The water was pushing against us and my head was nearing the ground. It was close.
By Matthew
Today my group endured on orientation and gorge walking. In orientation we were given maps and had to find certain objects to complete the challenge. After our morning’s entertainment, we went gorge walking! The water was up to our waists and our clothes were soaked, but it was still a whole load of fun! We were provided with wellington boots and waterproof clothing; but that didn’t stop the water from getting in! After our gorge walk we had dinner and went out for a night walk. We took a bus ride to the other side of the lake. On our way back we had a break on a jetty on Derwent water. It was satisfying and we enjoyed the peace and quiet. Our day was eventful but a whole load of fun.
By Oliver Norden




By Sophie Griffiths and Faye Hunter













Wednesday, 1st July 2015
First today we went orienteering after we had a great breakfast, me and my 2 friends Luke and Alex were on a team and achieved first place each time. However that wasn’t my favourite part as we went canoeing. We sailed to a small island on 4 separate rafts but half way there we stopped to play in the water. After our play we arrived to the island and swam about in the middle of 2 islands. After the instructor challenged us to swim to the furthest island and back as a team I was glad to see the teachers taking part as well. Later we rowed back to the shores and went back.
By Ben.
Today was amazing! First we had a king’s breakfast. Soon after that we met up with Dave (our instructor) at Barry the tree stump. He told us that today we would be canoeing on the morning and then on the afternoon we would be going gorge walking. The canoeing was extremely fun. At the end of sailing the canoes, we were able to swim in the lake! We then headed back for lunch and afterwards we went to the great, gruesome gorge walking. We got drenched! By the end of the day we felt like there were rocks hanging off of our eyelids.
By Thomas and Scott.




By Lewis and Adam.




By Ashton and Caitlin.






Thursday, 2nd July 2015
Today we all had a busy day canoeing and paddling along the Derwent Water and the funniest part of the day was when Caitlin jumped out of the boat and couldn’t get back in. Her welly boot came off because of the water filling it. So we paddled about for a bit to find it. After about 10 minutes , our instructor found it. Hurray!
Later on, we did orienteering. Some of us finished quicker than others, whereas some of us finished later. Also everyone had to go into the forest to find some tools that were on the map.
By Ellie, Rebecca and Daisy.
Its our last night at derwent hill :-[ we had loads of fun rock climbing, canoeing and gorge walking I would stay at derwent hill for another week!!! It was very hot here at derwent hill but when we went gorge walking we came out the gorge FREEZING! Its been the best ever week.
Tonight we are having a disco at 7.30pm in the common room with loads of crisp, mashmallo, chocolate, and sweets.
By Harvey.
Today has been fun we went up a hill and saw the best view you could ever see. We could see derwent hill from the top and the village it was fantastic. On the way down we saw a farm full of pigs, sheep, cows and many more. Yesterday we went to the middle of no where and went up rocks and jack got stuck! Simon our boss helped him down. It was fantastic. Then some one started to get upset in the boat when we were in the lake at the end I done a back flip off. It was fun at derwent hill.
By, Leon



Today, we first did canoeing in the beautiful derwent water after having a delicious breakfast at 8 am. When we got into the canoes we had to paddle to get to the island and that was our challenge. The funniest part of the day was when people were aloud to jump off their canoes and Caitlin jumped in , but she struggled to get back in and then her welly feel off her foot. After that, we had to look for the welly. After about fifteen minutes of searching the instructor found it and then gave it back to Caitlin. Then we paddled back to the end of the water and lifted the canoes out of the water. Next we had to walk back to Derwent hill from Derwent water it took us about five minutes. For some people it was there first time going canoeing in the sea and they were finding it easy , but some people found it difficult.
For our last activity of the day we tried orienteering and it was really good fun. We had to find some pictures outside the building of Derwent hill and tick them off when we found them. After you finished you had to give the sheet back to the instructor. Because some people were good at orienteering so they finished faster than others .
By Sam
Today was our last full day at Derwent Hill. We’d waited all week to go on the death swing but it was worth waiting for. Everyone (with the exception of a few people) went on it. This afternoon we went canoeing. A boy from another school (Anthony) fell out of the canoe. Everyone laughed because it was so funny. We also had a water-fight in between three small islands. Everyone was soaking (even some of the teachers.) It was a great day and we would do it again. We’ll miss being at Derwent Hill – shame we’re back at school next week.
By Ellie and Millie.