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The Bournemouth Collegiate School United Learning ICE Adventure Challenge teams came together for a testing weekend of endurance, teamwork, fitness, agility, drive and determination. Excited participants were joined by TV presenter and patron of the Adventure Challenge, Ben Fogle, and the Royal Marines.

Hosted by Bournemouth Collegiate School (BCS), which is part of United Learning, the Adventure Challenge also involved Accrington Academy (also part of United Learning), Bournemouth University sportBU staff and students going to Kenya on a sports development expedition in August, a team of scouts who are the first scouts group to attempt trekking to the North Pole and a team of Osprey Pack young adventurers which included Arctic Adventurer Olly Milroy and mountaineer, Alex Staniforth.

Teams with Ben Fogle – hands up (Adventure Challenge Teams pose with Ben Fogle and Royal Marines at the Brownsea Island camp)

Starting at historic Corfe Castle in the Purbecks, the two-day event included a series of exciting challenges; mountain biking, orienteering, trekking through sand dunes in Studland and thrilling high rope challenges tested the participants to their limits. Day one finished with a kayaking challenge when the adventurers paddled from Cleavel Point in the Purbecks across to Brownsea Island.

The Royal Marines, who had earlier in the day set up a field kitchen, fed the exhausted adventurers with a delicious menu of chicken breast stuffed with green pesto and salami wrapped in Parma ham. The Royal Marines Chef said:
“I’m used to cooking for 6,000 out in Afghanistan with a team of 15. It’s really good to be able to showcase our culinary skills in a different environment at a civilian event.”

A culinary challenge set by the Marines then followed after a demonstration on how to make Spaghetti Carbonara using Marine rations. Ben Fogle and BCS Principal, Stephen Duckitt, were delighted to judge the resulting dishes.

Jack Gaskill from Accrington Academy said:
“We were thrilled to win the cooking challenge. We loved trying out so many new experiences. We worked really well as a team and particularly enjoyed the kayaking, despite having capsized at one point!”

Ben Fogle takes a look at team sportBU’s field cooking skills

The teams then sat around the camp fire and listened to Ben talk about his fascinating adventures. Ben told them:
“Adventure has changed me. I am happy to share my stories in order to help other people aspire to their own dreams. Work hard and you will be able to achieve your goals and dreams. You can pursue and achieve anything you want and believe in if you put your mind to it.”

“It’s been really great to be a part of this fantastic Adventure Challenge, where intellectual initiatives balance the physical demands of adventure. I have been very impressed with the hard work and determination that all the teams have shown today.”

The following morning, the adventure teams started on their final challenges, kayaking from Brownsea Island to Studland Bay. Teams then ran to Knoll beach where the National Trust had set them the task of answering questions about the local area and the Challenge finished with a circular bike ride.

BU team at start (left to right: Charlton Clarke – sportBU Facilities Manager, Shrehan Lynch – Sport Development & Coaching Sciences, Barry Squires – Head of Sport Development & Liz Roberts – Sports Psychology & Coaching Sciences)

BU student Liz Roberts commented on her experience of the weekend:
“The event really tested me physically but with the support of my team they helped me through and I felt an enormous sense of achievement after completing the challenges. We all had opportunities to lead and help other members of the team which really showed me the value of how a group can bond in such extreme circumstances.”

Royal Marine Commando demonstrate field cooking techniques

Barry Squires, Head of Sport Development at BU said:
“We were tested to our physical and mental limits as a team on all of the challenges and despite getting lost on the first orienteering challenge we succeeded on the more physical elements winning both Kayak and team running stages. There is a tremendous amount of learning to be had from experiences outside the classroom like this for our students and the event was so professionally run by United Learning staff we look forward to being part of future challenges.”

Charlton and Shrehan walk the tight rope

Bournemouth Collegiate School Principal, Stephen Duckitt, explained:
“When we first began to plan the Adventure Challenge we wanted to create an exciting and innovative programme which would help students develop new skills relevant for the 21st century workplace. The Challenge has engaged students in intellectual, physical and teamwork activities which, we hope, will equip them with business leadership and strategic planning skills.”

Liz and Barry lead the field in the Kayak Challenge to Brownsea Island