After a coach journey filled with equal parts excitement and snack wrappers, we’ve landed safely at Woodlands Outdoor Education Centre and hit the ground running!

The children have been assigned to their activity groups and have successfully located their rooms with only minimal debate about who gets the top bunk. Our instructors, all of whom still seem surprisingly cheerful and patient (give it time), have introduced the children to a series of energetic team games that have already tested cooperation, communication, and who can shout the loudest.

Dinner was a resounding success; a gourmet feast of chicken goujons, chips, and a token appearance from sweetcorn (which some valiantly attempted). This was followed by the triumphant return of apple crumble and custard, which disappeared faster than you could say “second helping.”

After dinner, we donned our head torches and hiking boots for a group night walk. As if ordered specially for us, the clouds parted at the top of the hill for some magical stargazing. We spotted constellations, whispered under the stars, and only one child tried to claim they saw a UFO.

Now, after a jam-packed first afternoon and evening, we are officially tucked in (some more than others), with eyes already on tomorrow’s adventures. Spirits are high, legs are tired, and yes – a few socks have already gone missing.

Bring on Day Two!