Gilwell Residential 2026
We have arrived! Everyone has settled into their rooms, eaten plenty for dinner (plus LOTS of their own sweets and crisps!) and have finished the evening with a game of bingo.
We all went and enjoyed our first group activities this afternoon, including archery, climbing and low ropes.
They should all sleep well tonight (but we know they won't... they'll be up chatting and giggling and then be up at the crack of dawn tomorrow, guaranteed!)
Wi-fi is very sketchy, so we'll update when we can!
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Day 2:
We were very lucky with the weather today- we had some rain this morning but it cleared to just drizzle by the time we went to our first activity.
The children have challenged themselves today on the zip wire, climbing wall, 3G swing and low ropes, as well as channeling their inner Robin Hoods with archery.
The children cooked their own pizzas for dinner and loved them!
We had a VERY entertaining evening with some ‘fashion’ items on display and finished with a hot chocolate before bed. Everyone should sleep much better tonight!
We also had an overnight visit from our first mystery guest!!
Wi-fi is almost non-existent. Mrs King had to hold an antenna up the top of the zip wire pole just for enough signal to do today’s update. We might let her down tomorrow.
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Day 3:
Mrs King finally made it down the pole, very conveniently just in time for dinner.
The weather has been much better (bar for a couple of quick showers) and we've enjoyed lots of time outside with our group activities as well as lots of football, dodgeball and cricket.
Some of the boys have shown how great they are at washing and drying up- parents take note!
We ended the day with a roast dinner and then a little karaoke before bed time.
Looking forward to another fun day tomorrow, with some more mystery guests!
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Day 4:
The week is starting to draw to an end and we have mixed emotions- we've loved being at Gilwell but also many of us are looking forward to coming home to see our families as well.
Our morning was brightened up further by the arrival of our next two mystery guests- Mr James (returning for his 839th residential trip) and Mrs Boyland (who hasn't been on one for over a decade!) They helped with room inspections.
The weather has been lovely today and we've had a wonderful day full of fun, laughter and overcoming fears. Many who thought they wouldn't even attempt the 3G swing or the zip wire ended up having a go and loving it!
Jess and Isla helped serve hotdogs for lunch. And helped to eat them...
We ended the evening around the camp fire with hot chocolate and s'mores, where we shared our favourite moments... we've made so many memories and can't wait to share some of them a few weeks after half term when we have our Gilwell celebration meeting.
And in final news, it turns out that there is now a croc in the pond at Gilwell! We know it isn't an aligator because we saw it in a while rather than later.
