Teamwork, confidence building and communication were just a few of the skills players from Leeds community clubs worked on as they joined the charity for a two-day outdoor adventure visit to Herd Farm Centre last week as part of the Score to Explore programme.
New for the 2016 season, the Score to Explore programme sent one player for every try scored by the Leeds Rhinos at Headingley Carnegie Stadium last season on the outdoor adventure through support of one of the charity’s loyal benefactors Geoff and Gill Caplan.
The outdoor adventure was attended by 40 Under-12s players from a total of 11 community clubs from the charity’s Club Ambassador Scheme. The concept behind the trip, which included an overnight residential, was to offer a unique and unforgettable experience that they may not previously have had the opportunity to do.
Clubs nominated their players who would benefit most from the experience, such as, children with low self-esteem, those that could benefit from role modelling, players who wouldn't otherwise get the chance to experience outdoor adventure along with players who were being rewarded for their efforts during the season.
Over the two days the players took part in archery, assault courses, a giant swing activity and body zorbs as well as a night walk and camp fire activity led by staff from the Leeds Rhinos Foundation and Herd Farm Activity centre.
Leeds Rhinos Foundation’s community clubs development officer, Sam Horner, who organised the trip commented:
“The trip went really well and it was a fantastic two days. We welcomed 40 kids from 11 clubs through the Ambassador Scheme join us for loads of activities and a stay over as well, so it’s been very beneficial for all those involved.
“The food has been fantastic, the staff here at Herd Farm have been great with the kids and the feedback from them has been great, so it’s very pleasing to come and deliver these programmes.
“In a small space of time we can see the children becoming more confident and working with new people with more ease than when they first arrived. As well as having fun and trying new things they are learning skills that will stand them in good stead in all aspects of their lives.
“I would like to thank Geoff and Gill Caplan for helping make this outdoor adventure possible, they been massively instrumental in making this a success. Our Director of Operations Bob Bowman came to visit and he was really encouraged by the feedback from the lads and knows that the partnership with Herd Farm will offer great opportunities for the young people we work with.”
Geoff Caplan said:
“We are absolutely delighted to see that the trip was another success this year at the new venue of Herd Farm.
“Sam Horner does a fantastic job with the kids and has done for many years now on the Outdoor Adventure programme. It’s great to see that 40 more children were able to enjoy a residential again all from different parts of the city, we are very proud to support the programme.”
See the highlights of the programme including interviews with some of the players below: