Paddles at the ready (and some dry clothes)

The first full day at Marchants Hill began with a bright start, the sun quickly clearing a thin mist shrouding the outdoor activities.

After breakfast, groups get started with the first of four daytime sessions, each lasting one and a half hours.

A short walk away from the accommodation, a small man-made lake sits in a clearing, flanked along one side by a giant zip line and abseiling tower. This was the setting for the first brave group of children to tackle the raft building challenge. Having agreed their design for a raft, some great communication and teamwork rapidly produced three platforms for having some water based fun. All three teams made durable craft that stayed afloat through several games, each requiring teams to work in a coordinated manner together in order to win.

Later in the day. two groups took to the air via a treetop zip-line. With the help of two instructors, each child put on a safety harness and helmet before learning a the basics of climbing rope safety. Once complete, they were allowed to climb up a large tree. Here, they attached themselves to the zip line pulley before taking a leap of faith from the edge of a small platform - resulting in joyful screams and giggles on the way down.

It wouldn't be Marchants Hill without mud. Tales of the Challenge Course are passed from year group to year group and for some 'lucky' children, they experienced the course today. It's a simple recipe - an obstacle course, plus lots of muddy puddles and is a firm favourite for children every year - this year is no exception. Lots of muddy, smiling faces have been drying off, cleaning up and getting warm before another day of fun and challenges on Wednesday.