This was the culmination of several weeks' work with the same small group of youngsters; I was working for Peter de Boer and Claire Corrigan of Bristol City Council.
In the indoor sessions we had covered all the preliminary topics such as what kit to bring, how to load a rucksack, nutrition, campcraft, and the basics of navigation. On 25th June we had all gone for a practice hike to bring it together in the field, especially the navigation.
Because of this preparation, the actual practice expedition was a constructive engagement with the matter of walking and camping, rather then the unnecessary struggle that sometimes happens. It helped that the weather was favourable, especially on the second day, but it also helped that the youngsters were not rushed off their feet, and actually had time to learn and practice the skills I wanted them to develop -- credit to Bristol City Council for allowing the practice hike in June.
Because of the layout of the Mendips, I was not able to travel by road between checkpoints on the second day, so I had to stride out briskly and unseen on alternative and inevitably longer trails to reach the checkpoints ahead of the youngsters -- I made it to the last one with only about 90 seconds to spare.
After the debriefing, my work was done, so I said my goodbyes and wished the youngsters well for the assessed expedition three weeks later.
