Epsom Phab Holiday Blog 2011

Our last day and home safe!

2011-04-25T09:28:00.000-07:00

The sun was still shining, this is our third year of Phab holidays with no rain.

Last night we enjoyed a great disco and some fabulous performances in 'Phab's got talent' show, very late night for all.

This morning it was time to say goodbye to Calvert and head of home on our lovely coach.

We were well into our journey, with the volunteers sleeping it was time for the kids first film, Toy Story 3.

We then stopped at Bristol for lunch. We made good progress on the journey back and before we knew it we were on the M25. Some rather tired Phabbers, but also a few still very lively. So for those awake it was time to watch Hairspray for a good Phab singalong.

Then it was onto the last leg of our journey and then home to Epsom.

A great big thanks to all the leaders and young volunteers and the kids for a great holiday. Watch out for our thoughts on the holiday coming soon.

Day Three - Bring on the fun!

2011-04-24T14:06:00.000-07:00

"I did rock climbing and it was really fun because I got right to the top of the climbing wall", blog from Rhea.

Today started with lots of certificates being awarded for daring, entertaining and helping. Everyone works hard to get those Arthurs, Carries & Edgars....oh yes, and then there's the Rodneys!?

Pictures speak a thousand words, so here are a few pictures....and words:
Some intrepid adventurers.

Then a leisurely paddle around the lake watching the jumping fish. Imagine the tranquility, except of course for the famous "Singing Phabbers"!!

"The L'oreal Moments! We had to dunk our heads into the Reservoir, whilst counting to a certain number to get ready to your head really fast above the water when you would be saying when you get above the water "Because your worth it!.", blog from Meghan.

Plenty more team work.

"Today we did crate stacking. Me and Liz got to 15 in 10 minutes. My favourite bit was when it fell.", blog from Sophie.

If you go down to the woods today.

"Today I did archery, it was good fun, I didn't get a gold, but I got all the other colours", blog from Charlie :)

Oh yes.....and then there's the unusual possibility today of a rare double Rodney (yes indeed a double Rodney!!)!? Always ensure you wear more than a towel if you are going to lock yourself out of your room...ooh Phil.

Thanks to all todays bloggers.

A Sunny Second Day Full of Adventure

2011-04-23T15:00:00.000-07:00

After a good nights sleep, all awoke, ready to embark on our first Phab holiday adventure!

Wow, what a day! All had great fun in the lovely Exmoor sunshine - abseiling, climbing, canoeing, archery and building forest shelters.

Then it was time to cool down with a Swim. Just to cram even more into the day there was a quiz and an egg drop.

Hhmm, I wonder if there will be any eggs tomorrow of the chocolate variety??......please Easter Bunny??

At the end of the day there were many tired but happy faces yet again.

Happy Birthday to Phil, what better way to spend your 20th birthday!! Thanks to you and all the other young volunteers for your help.

Nite nite till the morning.

A fantastic first day!

2011-04-22T13:24:00.000-07:00

The journey started early and we had an easy coach trip down to Devon, lovely sunny weather.

Everyone enjoyed Exmoor Zoo The 5 teams were given names : meerkats, wallabies, gibbons, lemurs and penguins.

Some people got a chance to hold a snake.

The groups were challenged to take a photo of their animal at the zoo and they all succeeded. Here are the Wallabies lookie likeys!?

A short journey round the narrow lanes and we arrived at Calvert. Everyone found their rooms then it was into the swimming pool .

After tea there were games in the sports hall, fun on the playground and even a sensory room. Happy but tired faces all round and many asked to go to bed and there were no problems getting to sleep.

Looking forward to another busy day tomorrow.

Calvert 2011

2011-04-20T13:50:00.001-07:00

Getting ready for this year's fantastic Phab holiday at the Calvert trust on Exmoor.

Our Final Holiday Blog

2010-04-13T13:01:00.000-07:00

Each day our blog has been written by different young people. This is what a few of them had to say on the coach back to Epsom:

We’re on our way home from a phabtastic holiday (: filled with new challenges, teamwork and a whole lot of fun. The Phab holiday was brilliant and I would definitely recommend it to other people. We did so many different activities which helped us get to know our team mates. The Phab holiday was cool and full of surprises and fun, fun and even more FUN!

Another young person wrote: This was my first Phab holiday which I really enjoyed. We had fab weather, good company and great activities which stretched us all. Now we are on our way home for a well earned rest! It was brilliant doing the canoeing then I jumped into the water and it was very freezing then we had an ice cream then we came back. This Phab Holiday is one of the best Phab holidays ever. I can’t wait to get on the coach for the next Phab holiday to Calvert Trust!!!!! It has been a Phab (fab) trip to Bendrigg.

Just before the batteries on my laptop ran out (a bit like my energy on the coach, at the end of a great trip!), another young person wrote this about their experience: The Phab holiday was the best , it is my second time. I really enjoyed it. I wish I could say my favourite activity but they were all great. The camp fire was great, all my team mates were fantastic. Next year we are going to CaIvert Trust but I have no idea how they can top this Phab holiday. We are now on our way home, I am sad about leaving.

So that’s it for our final blog entry for our Bendrigg Holiday of 2010. As our T-shirts colourfully depicted, in 20 Years of Epsom Phab Holidays, this was actually our 10^th trip to Bendrigg, so 2010 worked out very well indeed! As our very own Hogwart ends, the magical memories & friendships will continue at club on Friday nights and wherever our next adventures take us.

Thanks to the brilliant staff at Bendrigg, Steve our driver from Eastways Coaches, our own leaders and in particular our young leader team for getting so many of the group through their Youth Achievement Awards. But finally the biggest thank you goes to all the children who came to fill the holiday with energy, friendship and FUN!

Till next time……………

Its our last day

2010-04-12T14:51:00.002-07:00

It’s been a really exciting day, filled with fun which included canoeing, kayaking, climbing, abseiling, zip-wiring, bendy potting and bendy beaming. The night ended with the entertaining sketches from kids, adults and helpers, which we have been practising for the last 2 nights. Afterwards we all enjoyed a fun disco in the hall where we all danced together to our favourite tunes.

See you tomorrow for our final blog of the trip.

Love from
Sara, Ed, Anna, Ellen and Helena

x x x x x

Day 3 - More fun in the sun!

2010-04-11T14:06:00.000-07:00

Hello everybody!

Today we went dry ski slope in Kendal. We got changed into our boots and put on our skis. We then spilt into 4 groups and we had practice moving up and down the ski slope. Wheelchair users in our group had fun going down the slope on a ski chair.

Some young children went to the farm. There were baby lambs which we fed and they were very cute. We then moved on to the piglets. The mum had just given birth and so they were very small and extremely adorable.

Other people went ghyll scrambling, which involves climbing up a rocky stream, and over large boulders, it was fun. We went over and under rocks. Wahoo!

Tonight, we’ve had lots of fun writing and rehearsing our plays for tomorrow and doing volleyball and chilling in the sensory room which is a room full of music, bean bags and flashing lights.

See you soon everyone (:

From Elliot, Laurel, Edward, Lauren, Helena, Harry, Sebastian, Alexander, Matthew, Luke, and Sara. xxxxxxxxxxx

Day Two - Hey everybody!

2010-04-10T14:25:00.000-07:00

We have been having a lovely time on the Phab Holiday, our weather has been really sunny and warm and everybody is getting on really well.

Today, half of us went out to Lake Windermere to do canoeing and kayaking, it was a lot of fun, although we got a little bit (or in some cases very) wet! We had a picnic on a small island in the middle of the lake and enjoyed ice creams back on the mainland…YUM! We have all improved our water crafts.

Meanwhile, back at Bendrigg, the other half of us enjoyed the indoor climbing wall, the zip-wire, abseiling, bendi pot and bendi beam. Bendi pot is a dark (scary) tunnel which you have to crawl around in your hands and knees...We had to watch out for the spiders! Bendi beam is a long tree trunk which you walk up and ring a bell at the end, some of the adventurous ones went up blindfolded and backwards. It was loads of fun and everyone has gained in confidence.

Everybody is working really well in a team, especially in creating a song to perform at the camp fire- an entertaining night where we finished off with marshmallows. Don’t tell the little ones, but some of us older ones are playing volleyball at the moment! Ssh…

See you too soon :-)

Ellen, Sara, Laurel and Lauren

x x x x

Day 1

2010-04-09T15:26:00.000-07:00

Wow. It already feels like we have had two days in one; a great journey starting in the early hours of the morning in a great double decker coach with all mod-cons and fully wheelchair accessible. Then on arrival a full on programme of activities; orienteering, bendy-pots, archery, indoor caving & low ropes courses. In between all of this we had to unpack and face the challenge of bed-making.

The sorting hat worked its magic as this years themes is "Harry Potter", so we all got put into groups; Hufflepuff, Slytherin, Ravenclaw & Gryffindor.

We hear even more magic is on its way as the sun is expected to join us on the lakes tomorrow.

Night from Hogwart Central on our first very full day
xx

Bendrigg 2010

2010-04-05T13:27:00.000-07:00

Hi Phab Bloggers,

Only a few days to go and just a couple of things to tell you...........The theme for this year will be 'Harry Potter' - you are welcome to bring along any fancy dress or wizard hats.

Don't forget we are leaving at 5am on Friday morning!

The blog will be updated each day of our trip with the latest news. You can also follow our adventures at www.twitter.com/EpsomPhab Lets get packing, it's going to be magic!

So, let's get packing, it's going to be magic!

This can't be the end.......

2009-04-14T13:49:00.000-07:00

Hi Tec central has gone to bed but the kids have the password!

It has been such a great holiday. The weather was fantastic and let us do everything we wanted. Some of the best bits - new indoor activities (sports and party hall, indoor caving, chill out room), being able to jump into the lake twice (it wasn't actually that cold), all the Bendrigg staff were fantastic as usual, the teams worked really well together, it was jokes, excellent party (Go John!)
After we'd all cleared up we even had another load of goes down the tube slide. We watched Cool Runnings then The Simpson Movie on the coach. We stopped and bought drinks and sweets at a service station then watched Grease and the end of Mr Bean on Holiday. The journey went so quick and then we were in Epsom.

Can't wait for a BL09 reunion.

Night all, Courtney Luke and Zoe on behalf of HiTec central

What a day!

2009-04-13T15:58:00.000-07:00

Today’s blog will be a bit shorter than usual, not because we have nothing to report, but because we did so much, it couldn’t all fit into one blog. It is our last full day so that has made it even more special, and yes the sun was out again to ensure the scenery looked at it’s best as we did our activities.

We broke away from our normal groupings as there were so many choices. So, in no particular order there were options to do: Ghylles Scramble, Zap-wire from the top of a 70Ft Quarrey, Caving, a farm visit, as well as the chance to have another go at all the on-site favourites including the new giant swing.

Then it was down to some serious rehearsals and preparation for the last night show and party – ‘Neon’. Hi tec central pulled out all the stops to make it a good one. In a dark hall, everyone glowed in their neon clothing with special lighting emphasising the colours even more. Each group performed some great sketches including some very funny moments, specially written songs and even a bit of Shakespeare!

Pictures from the week and live footage were then projected onto a massive blank wall for all to see. With suitable gentle music it was the calm before the storm. The beat changed and the dancing started. Let’s just say, “We had a right rave!”

Although this is our last full day there is still more to come, so check in tomorrow for a final holiday blog and of course we will give regular updates on Twitter too!

Easter Sunday at Bendrigg

2009-04-12T14:07:00.001-07:00

Sun block was definitely the order of the day as yet another lovely blue sky kept our smiles at full beam. The Easter bunny helped us to celebrate Easter by leaving a trail of eggs for everyone outside their bedroom doors this morning.

After breakfast there were plenty of Edgars and Arthurs handed out, but yet again nobody was awarded a Rodney, much to the relief of most of the leaders.

Tonight, Danny reported into Hi-tec central that he had "climbed, abseiled, canoed, kayaked, played football, and if that wasn't enough, don't forget he also played volleyball and won!" He finished his report saying, "Today was really good and I will sleep all morning tomorrow."

Amy said, "there was the most amazing indoor cave." She climbed the indoor rock and told us that the quarry was good too.

George enjoyed the singing as his Bebo group practised for tomorrow nights show.

Nadia said her highlight was jumping of the jetty into the lake. Zoe reported that the whole Bebo group actually jumped off the jetty into the lake. Zoe said the whole holiday is really good and really bright (neon).

More Tweets and blog updates tomorrow.

Happy Easter to everyone from all at Epsom Phab.

Day 2 & the sun is still shining!

2009-04-11T14:12:00.001-07:00

The day began in glorious sunshine with our customary after-breakfast award ceremony where Arthurs, Edgars & Carries (No Rodney’s yet!) were handed out to all those who achieved successes yesterday.

Reporters from each team (Twitters, Facebookers, Bebos & Myspacers) worked together to bring you the following news in poetical form:

“Ashleigh conquered the zip-wire but George went down the Sssshhh-wire. The campfire was warm & bright, and we sang and stayed up all night. Ali was very clumsy (reported in an earlier twitter), she fell in the water, when she got out she only had one wellie & her other foot was smelly. The tuck shop finally opened today & all the kids shouted hip hip hooray”

Malcolm from the Facebookers told Hi-tec central that they had done canoeing & kayaking with members of the team who were dry, choosing to jump in. Congratulations go to Phil who successfully completed a forward role along the plank between the two canoes

On the new indoor climbing wall the Bebos & myspacers tackled the Chris Bonnington Challenge and completed a free abseil in the sunshine. Nadia was particularly courageous on the vertical challenge.

As the sun went down over Kendal, both Georgia & Amy reported to Hi-tec Central, that the camp fire “was the best! It was the greatest”. Ronan, who had led some great songs around the fire, said the camp-fire “was real fun!”

Another great day ended with a sing-song all the way back to the lodge. Updating tweets will continue throughout the day tomorrow, so be sure to check in on Twitter. Our blog will also include coverage of day 3 of Epsom Phabs Holiday 2009!

Our First Day @ Bendrigg Lodge

2009-04-10T12:02:00.000-07:00

What a great day we have had on our first whole day at Bendrigg Lodge.

Epsom Phab arrived last night at around 9.30pm (You might have read this news on our Twitter page) and were greeted by some friendly and familiar faces at Bendrigg Lodge. After some home made soup it was off to bed to be ready for today’s activities.

We have split into 4 groups: Twitters, Facebookers, Bebos & Myspacers.

Alice from Facebookers reports that “We started off the day on the ropes course and all worked well together - We all got to the end. Once we had a play we moved onto the bendy tubes. Everybody did it at least once and Jo & Leanne, after some encouragement from the team, did really well to get up the bendy beam. After a long day we were exhausted but we all had smiles on our faces.”

Tania from Myspacers said “from the beam to the swing with plenty in between – Michael & Georgia our group ‘novice Phab holidayers’ have been leading the charge. For tonight I wonder what indoor caving might mean?!”

Ashleigh of the Bebos thinks she can’t, but the rest of the Bebos think she can can!

Liz of the Twitters felt “Tatiana and Ciara (two more ‘Phab holiday first-timers’) were full of enthusiasm and inspired the rest of the Twitter team."

As this blog gets published to the web, the group are off to do bendy pot, indoor caving (another new activity at Bendrigg Lodge) and volleyball. It’s been a great day full of personal achievements and successes and to end the day the sun has come out in celebration too!

Don’t forget to check Twitter for regular updates of what we are up to tomorrow.

It's time to go on Holiday!

2009-04-09T01:25:00.000-07:00

Hooray, the day has finally arrived.

The weathers cool, so perfect for travelling and the forecast for the next few days is noisey with a spot of singing here and there.

Hi-tec central is heading off a bit earlier than the main group, so the next blog will come from Bendrigg Lodge. Hope everyone has a great journey and heres a new song to learn whilst on the trip:

"

I don’t know but I’ve been told

The Bebo gang are made of gold

The MySpacers are always friendin’

The facebook gang are always pokin’

Twitters tweet they’re never stopping

We’re Epsom Phab so let’s get rockin.

Facebook – pokin

MySpace – Friendin

Twitter– tweetin

Bebo – Life-streamin

Epsom Phab – Lets rock

1 Day to go.....Yipppeee!

2009-04-08T10:33:00.000-07:00

Only one more nights sleep to go. Tomorrow night I'll be officially of on Epsom Phab's Holiday for 2009. I'm actually waiting by my front door so I can get out quickly to go in the morning. Hi-tec will be in cyber-space for the next 5 days, so hoping that technology is going to work ok!

We've got a new song too, but I'm not going to post it till the morning, so be sure to check our blog as we'll be posting what we have been up to each day. Don't forget we are on Twitter too.

Right, 7pm, I'm off to bed so I get a good sleep and hopefully it will make tomorrow come around faster too!

See you all at Bendrigg!

2 Days to go

2009-04-07T10:59:00.000-07:00

How exciting is this? 2 days to go and we are ready to go.

Hi-tec central has unplugged and closed down ready to be transported and set up at Bendrigg. Well all is unplugged except this one communication portal. We have to stay connected to blog and tweet tomorrow!

Social networking is the name given to how lots of people stay in touch using the internet. So things like, facebook, msn, twitter & bebo are all social networking sites. Manuy of you will be using facebook to chat with Epsom Phab and now we are on twitter too.

A blog is like an on-line diary to share words and pictures of what you've been upto or things that you've been thinking about. Once you have written it, you can post it (without the help of a postman!) onto the web so that everyone can read it and find out what we have been up to!

Twitter is like a mini-blog, it's a quick way to put a short messages onto the web so people know what your up to. Many people 'tweet' (the name given to your message) from there mobile because it is quick and easy to do and it keeps your 'followers' up to speed with your adventures, perfect for our holiday!

I wonder which group I'm going to be in? Only 2 days till I find out!

3 days to go.

2009-04-06T12:13:00.000-07:00

Hi to all from Hi-tec central.

3 days to go and everything is going to plan. I've just been checking the kit list to make sure I've got every thing packed and ready to go.

Now where did I put those neon socks?

Testing our new holiday blog

2009-04-05T12:52:00.000-07:00

With only 4 days to go, we are all getting very excited here at Epsom Phab's Hi-tec control centre. We leave from Epsom on Thursday and head North to our friends at Bendrigg Lodge in Kendal located at grid reference 581892, to be specific. We have a packed program of fun and activities to look forward to and this years theme will be certainly colourful and very up to date with the latest web social networking craze.

We will keep everyone up to date with what we are doing as Epsom Phab go hi-tec with all the latest news as we enjoy our Holiday 2009 at Bendrigg. Lets get packing!

If that isn't enough there will also be shorter messages (or tweets) over on our very own Twitter page (see the link for this to the left).

It's all very exciting and the countdown is now on!