Residential organisation, Conway Centres, has revealed images of a recent school trip which took place during the 'beast from the east' as it's becoming known.
The Anglesey centre welcomed two Cumbrian schools, Millom School and Sandgate School, for the week as the easterly airstream brought cold and snowy weather conditions.
The snowy trip highlighted the importance of letting children experience residentials not only in summer months, but winter too, suggesting that going at this time of year offers just as many benefits.
Jim Potter from the organisation commented: “So many schools are focused these days on summer residential visits, but this week proved a hugely uplifting experience for the young people from the Lake District.”
The centre reportedly received about 10cm of snow, which is unusual being based alongside the Menai Strait.
What activities did the children do?
Jim told STO: “This week, with the snow right down to sea level, launching canoes was a fun task for the groups that participated on Tuesday.”
According the residential group, the schools also took part in boat rides, mountain biking and a team building event involving orienteering which culminated with fires with toasted marshmallows.
On different days the groups also walked up to the largest waterfall in the area at Aber Falls enjoying an opportunity to see them frozen and a fraction of their usual size.
Groups also enjoyed completing high level ropes challenges, zip wires and tackling via ferrata.
Jim said: “We also allowed the students some respite from the cold by utilizing our purpose built indoor climbing wall. During the evenings the groups also enjoyed activities such as the nightline blindfold trail and disco dancing in their social areas.”
How did the snow affect the school trip?
With the snow affecting many areas of the UK, many schools and attractions have been closed. However, Potter told STO that the children on the trip didn't let the weather get them down.
He said: “Students adapted well and thankfully, as the centre operates all year round, we were able to wrap the students up warmly and keep the 'beast from the east' at bay.
“Groups also took full advantage of the large spaces we have within our site to watch DVD’s and write diaries of their experiences during downtime. All staff were impressed with the resilience shown by the students who carried on regardless of the weather.”
He finished by commenting: “We are lucky to have huge experience across our well qualified teaching team who adapted our programme to suit those who needed more support and care. They were supported by our committed wider team who kept mounds of tasty food coming throughout.”
For more information about the centres, visit www.conwaycentres.co.uk.
