I found myself back over in the Berwyns again this weekend with Oswestry School, working on their Bronze DofE training weekend. This has become a regular fixture in the diary over the last few years, and we’ve settled into a formula that works well.

Based out of Carrog Station Campsite, to the West of Llangollen we have access to a number of great opportunities. There’s sufficient space to run a few valley based training sessions on things like putting up and collapsing tents, safe use of stoves and packing a rucksack. Selection of appropriate food is always an interesting concept to get across to those unfamiliar with expeditions. However, this is one group of young people that have become more and more creative with their menus with each passing year. I’m starting to wonder if there’s some competition for the fanciest meal, because these guys are awesome!

On Saturday, we also headed up onto the hill side to the North of the camp site, which offers a good area for an introduction to navigation. Sunday was spent to the South, with a steady ascent of Moel Fferna using a route that requires much more contour awareness.

As I’ve found with all Oswestry School groups over recent years, they were great to spend the weekend with, and most keen to learn and develop.