The Leeds Rhinos Foundation along with 40 kids from community clubs across Leeds visited Carlton Lodge Outdoor Centre in Thirsk last week for an Outdoor Adventure Week sponsored by Irwin Mitchell Solicitors and Geoff and Gill Caplan.
The programme, now in it’s fifth year, was organised by Community Clubs Development Officer for the Leeds Rhinos Foundation, Sam Horner, providing an opportunity for young people from 10 clubs aged 12 to 14 a chance to experience a week of outdoor recreation.
The trip was based for the first time at the Carlton Lodge site in Thirsk, following three years in Abergavenny in Wales and a year in Woolley Edge, Wakefield, with the all purpose activity centre providing a range of on site activities including kayaking, raft building, archery, bushcraft, wall climbing and orienteering, as well as on site catering and residential accommodation.
Also available to the young people during the week was the chance to experience caving and gorge walking at How Stean Gorge and some bouldering, rock climbing and abseiling activities at Brimham Rocks, making the most of the North Yorkshire countryside located near to the site, to provide a busy week of activity on offer.
Sam Horner commented:
“We have had another successful trip again in 2015, largely down to the fantastic facilities at Carlton Lodge but also down to the attitude of the young people on the trip again this year.
“I’d like to thank all the centre staff who put on the activities for us, my Leeds Rhinos Foundation staff who have worked with the kids all week but also our partners Irwin Mitchell Solicitors for making this all possible again along with Geoff and Gill Caplan for their generous donation that has helped provide this life changing week.”
Another highlight for the boys was a visit from Leeds Rhinos Head Coach Brian McDermott who spoke to the group on the Tuesday of the week, just three days after successfully defending the Challenge Cup trophy at Wembley on the Saturday.
Brian spoke about what it takes to be a rugby player, from the right values and attitude, to the commitment needed to play at the top level as well as providing some stories about coaching the Rhinos team and creating the right environment for success, focussing on issues such as work ethic, respect, practice and togetherness.
For many of the young men on the trip, it was the first time away from parents for a whole week and the character building activities the group took part in left a lasting impression on many of the group.
Mason Travis from Catterick Crusaders commeted:
"I've really enjoyed the week, I feel like i've learnt a lot about myself and as a 14 year old going on to scholarship level Rugby League soon, i'ts made me think more about leading by example and working as a team, my favourite activity was definitely gorge walking."
The week will now be followed up with an Industry Day during the October half term at the offices of Irwin Mitchell in Leeds where staff from the Solicitors will provide advice on practical life skills including CV writing, interview skills and money management.