Summer Fun at Calshot!
On Wednesday 30th August ten focus children and their befrienders enjoyed a fantastic summer outing to Calshot Activity Centre.
During the day the children and their grown up friends engaged in thrilling and exciting physical activities including Ringos (sliding down the dry ski very fast in a rubber ring!) and rock climbing up a variety of climbing walls and abseiling back down. Both the children and adults had a wonderful time participating in the activities and there was a lot of laughter throughout the day!
In between the physcial activities everyone also had the chance to go out onto Calshot beach where they could paddle in the sea, paint pebbles, fly kites, play with toys and take part in a scavengar hunt looking for lost treasure!
Sam Hunt, 5s to 13s Befiending Manager said “It was such a privileged to see the children’s confidence grow as they undertook new experiences. One of our focus children was initially very reticent to try the Ringos, but with the encouragement of her befriender she was able to go up to the top of the slope to watch and help push the other children down and it wasnt long before she too was sliding down the slope with everyone cheering her on! It was magical to see her face when she realised she had actually done it! Such a great sense of achievement for her and her befriender and they are now planning a return trip to do the Ringos again!”
Another parent reported that her son had been very anxious about attending the activity day (his first with Friends of the Family) and there had been lots of tears before his befriender picked him up but once he arrived at Calshot he thoroughly enjoyed himself. Later that evening his mum text Sam to say “My son had been so nervous this morning but he was so so happy when he came home! It was great to hear him talking about his time so positively! Thank you so much!”
Funding for the activities was generously provided by the Saint Vincent De Paul Society, Tescos also kindly provided fresh fruit and bottled water and FOTF volunteers Jane and Sharon made delicious brownies and cakes for everyone to share!
