[Ed]: I recently found this post I wrote eight years ago. It’s relevant every year and worth a quick read (sadly not good news for fans of Halloween and bonfire night)
It was originally published on 16 October 2010:

We leave for North Wales on Halloween. I’ve already been asked a couple of times about dressing up and “Trick or Treating” and the situation is this: (more…)

These were the daytime activity groups (each known by their instructor’s name).
Evening activity groups were different and varied each day.

3:00pm: Currently south of London on the M25.
Many have had a good sleep on the journey after a late night which included Mr Taylor’s quiz (becoming a welcome tradition on these visits) and a slide show of the week’s photos.

Well this blog is nearing its conclusion. I have been impressed by the response; both from volunteer posters and visitors to the site. It’s been hard work keeping up with the already hectic schedule of activities but great support from KMC and Dane Court staff (along with numerous budding photographers) has resulted in a unique record of our visit.

The blog has become a centre of interest for the participants here too. Our blogging press office (the KMC lecture room) has been an increasing attraction for those unable to contribute to the unfolding story with numerous group member popping in to see what has been written about their adventures that day.

With groups of students and adult leaders working together over an extended period towards a common objective, many of the reports give a sense of the great relationships that develop on a trip like this. Everyone involved in the week has had a great time despite less-than-ideal weather. They have learned a lot about the area, new activities, each other and, not least, themselves.
I hope this blog shows at least a little of the value a week like this can have for young people.

This site will remain available until at least the end of December 2010 and may even receive further posts. Registered visitors (parents and participants) are very welcome to continue commenting and I will, of course, keep an eye on the site myself.

Mark Alderson

Today we had a long drive with some beautiful scenery. We had a lunch break at the service station in which it started to rain. Then we had another long drive to LLanberis, The kent mountain centre. When we arrived we were sat down and were talked through some instructions and rules. Some of the groups went to get some equipment from the store and others laid the table for tonight’s dinner. Once sat down for dinner we had Chips, peas and a chicken burger which was very delicious. The desert was a berry cheesecake. When we had finished dinner another group went to get equipment and the duty group cleared up the dinner plates and glasses. After dinner we got on all of our kit and were split into two groups. We went on a walk through the village of Llanberis and went to Dolbadarn castle, through some rocky and hilly forest tracks. This was a two hour trip which was very interesting and fun. On the way back Mr Alderson’s group were led back trough a track by the handy GPS. On the last leg of the journey we past the DMM factory making karabiners which made a lot of rumbling. When we got back we enjoyed some hot chocolate and biscuits. After this we went to our dorms to get ready for bed and lights out is at 10:30.

From Dom and Shayan

3:20pm: West of Chester on the A55 North Coast Expressway.
Men in Black II went down well.
Everyone managed to miss the “Welcome to Wales” sign.
Less than an hour to go.

12:02pm – M1/M6 junction.

As you can see below, I have asked Dominic to write our first blog post by a pupil (and note that he has asked for your responses so feel free to reply).
During the trip we will be looking for volunteers each evening to write a short report about their own experiences during the group’s activities. If you think you would enjoy being involved in this way, let me know by replying to this post.

Hello, looking forward to the KMC. Especially the gorge walking and going to the Beacon climbing wall. What are you looking forward to most? 🙂

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