Summer Days!
What a ramped up Summer our Legends have had! Here's our highlights...
Back with a bang!
This Summer, Legends wanted to come back with a bang! With lockdown restrictions eased and the young people craving social engagement with their peers, we wanted to make sure that this Summer made up for lost time and face to face fun. And it certainly did! With more than 30 activities and three overnight residentials, over 100 young people have benefitted from our Summer programme – racking up over 700 hours of face-to-face fun and support!
Here’s an overview of our exciting activities:
>> Kidzania >> Inflatable water assault courses (not once, not twice, but three times!) >> Paddle boarding >> Kayaking (twice!) >> Southend day trip >> Fitness sessions >> Airsoft >> Crazy golf >> Alpaca Feeding >> Picnics >> Tobogganing >> Clip N Climb >> Weekly group in Thanet >> Summer BBQ >> Overnight residential trips away (three of them!) >> And soo much more!
Want to hear more...
Ever wanted to experience different careers to help you decide what you want to do in life? Well we did! Some of our Legends headed to Kidzania in London for a fun-filled day. And for some of the group this was the first time that they had ever headed to London too!
After checking-in to their very own airport lounge our Legends travelled through to what felt like a new land – the world of Kidzania! Everyone received a bank card and were set the challenge of heading off to explore different careers! They got to dabble in the retail, hospitality and public service industries and once they had completed a task successfully they received ‘payment’ on their bank cards which they could then use to spend in the gift shop afterwards! If you are aged 4-14 years of age and wondering what cool jobs are out there, definitely head to Kidzania, we hope it will inspire you like it inspired us! Immerse yourselves in the world of being hoteliers, pilots, editors of newspapers, supermarket employees, paramedics, delivery teams, and more!
“My child said he had such amazing time today – said it was the best day of his life.”
Our Summer residential trips were also experiences not to forget! Not only did we spend longer away than we usually have done in the past, we offered three overnight trips! More than we have ever done before, giving over 60 young people the chance to experience time away from home and build confidence, new skills and a great bond with the group friends! These trips take place at activity centers around the country. Travelling and camping out as a group allows the young people to develop strong peer relationships, learn about each other and to live together, develop new skills, overcome fears, push themselves out of their comfort zones and try new experiences! The groups got to try climbing, paddle boarding, laser tag, team assault courses and soo much more!
“It was great to try abseiling! It was sooo scary but I am sooo pleased that I did it.“
Our Sittingbourne Legends had a jolly good time as they headed to Bluewater for a competitive game of crazy golf! Ahoy there mateys! Donned with golf clubs (and umbrellas!) we felt like we were right at sea and ready to battle the course to see who could win the pirate treasure! Was it to be the Smugglers or Pirates for the win?! After 18 holes and a paaarrfect score for some, it was time to announce the winners… The Pirates!!! We celebrated with a McDonalds and I think we can say everyone was Mc-Lovin it!
The Sittingbourne Legends gang also had the opportunity to swing themselves into a tree top challenge, visit Southend for the day, reach new heights on a climbing adventure, and experience an overnight residential! We even had the BBC Children in Need team come along and capture the young people working together to climb heights and overcoming fears on large swings for some filming! It was great to see the young people working together and looking out for each other. We look forward to seeing the BBC Final edit!
“I loved climbing Jacobs Ladder, my heart was racing, it was epic!”
Paddle boarding with Kent Surf School in Broadstairs was just amazing! A great day out that saw one young person with a fear of deep water stand up on the paddle board for the first time and even surf a wave – WOW! It was brilliant to see the young people finding their feet – standing up and falling off but never giving in! A great way for them to learn something new and build their self-confidence.
“I loved the paddle boarding – this is the best thing I have ever done – thank you!”
Our Thanet Legends regularly met at their hub over the summer for group games and individual activities. They worked on developing their craft skills creating stunning art pieces by melting crayons onto canvas!
“This was so fun to make and they are so pretty! Will be hanging this up when I get home!”
The young people were also given an army-style Personal Training Fitness Session to exercise their minds and body- and the rain didn’t put them off in this outdoor challenge at Betteshanger Park! They worked as a team and conquered individual goals! One young person thought they couldn’t get up a wall that they had to run up to, but with some help he got all the way up with a great bit of team work!
“The funniest moment was when I lost my shoe in the mud when running through the trenches.”
Airsoft – well this was a new activity for the Legends! Airsoft is a fun team building activity a bit like paintballing in which participants eliminate opposing players by shooting with their mock air weapons called airsoft guns. The young people had to be quick, think on their feet and use their communication skills to win the game. A fun-filled, energising day for all at Quex Activity Centre!
“Wow this was such a good summer thank you!”
It was a brilliant experience to take 14 young people to a PGL Activity Centre in Surrey for 3 nights away! Almost half of the group had not done this before either due to their behaviour, anxiety or covid.
The trip was amazing, the young people made new friends, conquered fears, learned team and leadership skills – and of course had tons of fun (despite the heavy rain!) They’re already asking about the next one!
“I’ve learned something this weekend… to believe in myself”
“This weekend has been fun and I haven’t missed my xbox much. I’ve got to be with friends from my old school which has been nice too. Oh and the food is good too!”
Thank you
We have had a jam-packed summer activity schedule with over 100 young people from across Kent being supported in what has been our biggest summer programme to date!
A huge thank you to BBC Children in Need, the Masonic Charitable Foundation and The National Lottery Community Grant for funding us to provide an extra special summer this year for our Legends! It has helped prevent isolation and rekindle social interaction, allowing our young people to build positive healthy relationships as well as self-confidence, and self-esteem. Thank you.