Treetop treat for young volunteers
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Young people who helped with a community litter pick have been rewarded with an activity day.
The group, from Coombe Farm, visited the Treejumpers activity centre at Paddock Wood as a Thank You for volunteering earlier in the week.
Community Involvement Manager Steve McGlen went with the group, along with local youth workers Leslee and Andy. Steve explains what happened next…
“The two instructors made sure all the safety equipment was fitted properly and then the kids scrambled up the tower for the first challenge, the zip wire. Once a couple of them had gone down they raced along the ground to see if they could beat their airborne mates above.”
“Next was the climbing wall...a test of skill, strength and planning. Once at the top, they abseiled down to the ground. There was much chatter and support for the climbers.”
“The next two obstacles proved a real test of nerves and determination. The challenge was to climb up and then along a telegraph pole, and then up and along the one above. The top pole was about 35 to 40 feet up. For those who made it to the top (not everyone could), they had to lean back into empty space and trust the instructor to lower them safely to the ground.”
“It was now time for the 'Leap of Faith', shinning up a telegraph pole, balancing on the tiny platform on the top and then jumping off to catch a trapeze! The instructors and spectators offered plenty of encouragement and those of us who completed it felt a great sense of achievement.”
“We had time for a final go on the zip wire, said a big 'thank you' to the instructors and then headed home.”
The young people were Georgia Oatley, James Gillingham, Tyler Symonds, Jason Morley, Duncan Palmer, Andrew Palmer, Benjim Palmer and Jason Sadler.
date published: 22/02/2008