PGL- A great way to start half term

Some say PGL stands for Parents Get Lost although the real reason for the name is co-founder Peter Gordon Lawrence and the staff call it Pretty Good Laughs. Regardless of the name the outcome is still the same and I spent the last 3 days of term at the one in Liddington, Swindon. 

Over 40 children and 5 adults (including both my Head and Mentor) embarked on an M4 journey and upon arrival met one of the main organisers who promptly showed us around the main parts of the camp before our Group Leader took over and ensured we went to lunch and filled our hungry bellies.

Mountain Biking and Rock Climbing were first up the group I was in charge of and these were two things I looked forward to, firstly because I currently don't own a bike and secondly I used to rock climb with my old Scout Troop all the time and we even had a permanent wall outside our HQ.


I was super impressed by two of my group because they ascended up the wall quicker than Spiderman would have been able to. There were a few children who needed their confidence boosting and I was able to climb up to a safe distance without a harness and give some words of encouragement. The one thing I do notice about the many residential trips I have worked on is that children are put out of their comfort zone and it takes a lot to come out of their shell.

Our Group Leader from PGL showed us our very own building afterwards and this meant that with the main doors locked only members of staff from my school and students were able to roam. It was extremely safe and even had its own garden area for the children to play football. There are rumours of it being haunted with the ghost of King Edward (name of the house) and an adjoining Conservatory was out of bounds for all, which made it all the more secretive. My room was ground floor, as was my mentor and another adult. Being spread out among the children's rooms meant that we could keep an eye on them and listen out for any shenanigans (which of course there were bound to be, with it being the first time this year group had gone away together). 

During the evening, we were lead to a big field to play something called Wacky Races. Beforehand we were told to wear our clothes in strange ways: back to front, inside out, shorts on our head, onesies, etc. I put my running hoodie on back to front and this meant I could cover my face if needs be. It turned out that each race had us running to a cone and then back again in different ways/actions/positions.









Some of the funny ones included: acting like a granny to the cone and changing into a ninja on the way back; being a chicken to the cone, laying a square egg, running back with it but accidentally drop it on the way; do a crazy dance move at the cone; grab a stick, hold it by your head and running around in a circle 6 times to make you dizzy before running back.

Random virtual points such as a wooden spoon, 5 gold coins, 1 million points and a spork (spoon and fork combined), were given out for best individual performance and quickest team back. One of the best moments of acting was a new boy to the school who gave an impressive Zombie impression. With the Year 6 play coming up in a few weeks, I hope he auditions for it because this would be a great boost for him before leaving to go to Secondary School.

On the second day in the morning, I had to change which group I was in charge of due to one of the children in my group not feeling well so the Head stayed behind with them. It showed I could adapt quickly and was prepared to change plans at a moment's notice. We went Tree-Top walking (similar to Go Ape) and it was my first time and certainly not my last.


 For 3 hours we learned how to get into the harness, use the Safety Belt, move along the wire and ascend up a series of obstacles to proceed through the trees until a zip wire that lead us back to the ground again. Yet again I was impressed by some children who took to it like a duck to water and others who despite being afraid of heights tried it and thoroughly enjoyed it. So much so they went on the course again, second time round.

In the afternoon I changed back to my original group and this meant Tree Top walking again, the only downside was being among the trees for 6 hours caused my nose to explode and hay fever kicked in. I am usually not susceptible to pollen but on this occasion I couldn't escape the outdoors. This time round I was next to two boys in my group who were very quick on the ropes and we all managed to get around the course 3 times. On the 3rd we even timed ourselves and it only took 18 minutes from start to finish.

Disco was on the agenda for the evening and I am sure this is the main reason the children can't wait to go on a residential. Hair and clothes were immaculate and dance moves by one boy ensured our school walked away from a dance-off with a huge pat on our backs. Another I hope who auditions for the Year 6 play. I love to dance and when Macarena and Uptown Funk came on, I led the group to a dance routine. It was noticed by the other staff members that I can choreograph a dance so I won't be surprised if I am to assist with the play.

Finally, the last day arrived and the two activities were Giant Swing and Aeroball. I took the same group as I had done so the previous morning because one thing I really wanted to do was Giant Swing. Teamwork is key in pretty much everything at PGL and Giant Swing even more so because the children were in control of pulling a rope that was attached to metal bars. 






On these bars, a pair of children were harnessed in and pulled higher and higher into the air until the event leader said to stop. The rope was then fastened and those sat in the swing had to pull a cord to release themselves. I was last to go up on the swing and on my own. It was quite high up so I plenty of empathy for all who had been before me.

Aeroball was simply four trampolines attached to each other with nets surrounding them and the aim of the game was to bounce high, grab a ball and throw it into an opponent's goal. Different variations of the game took place and despite some rain that fell, everyone had plenty of fun and some astounding goals were scored including one boy who managed 4 in a row. 






Finally, after 2 days and 2 nights our bags were packed and we set on our way back home. New friendships were made, adventures shared and I am sure the many experiences will be retold once the new term commences in June. This week has given me the opportunity to show a new set of skills to my colleagues and add more proof as to why I am the right man for the job next year, with whichever year group I am entrusted to teach. My mentor said I suit residential trips and next year hopes I am part of the team again.