GIRLS enjoyed being active and building friendships on a camping trip.

The Year 8s from Farlington School had a three-day bonding trip at Blackland Farm in East Grinstead as part of the Key Stage 3 PE curriculum and to develop peer group relationships.

The camp is run every year for the 12 and 13-year-olds.

It develops and enhances their team-building skills, initiative, independence and self- confidence.

The girls have to work outside their usual friendship sets as they are divided into different groups for outdoor activities, doing chores and sleeping in tents.

The outdoor challenges included low ropes, an assault course, tunnels, orienteering, rock climbing, kayaking, abseiling, bungee jumping and a crate challenge.

These activities were in addition to the worthwhile, and for some, first, experience of camping: having to pitch a tent, cook on an open fire, wash up for themselves and sleep under canvas.

One Year 8 student said: “Our favourite activity was abseiling, where we had to walk, or jump, down a wall while wearing a harness.

“Those of us who were too scared to abseil were soon motivated to do it by a little singsong to the theme tune of SpongeBob SquarePants and we all managed to jump our way down independently.

“We also enjoyed tunnelling, memorising our way to each different numbered exit, even though it smelt like a cow was living in there permanently and it felt like we were crawling through the Thames at some points.

“Most of us got out with only wet arms, however, some of us got out with T-shirts that had turned from white to brown and had mud in their hair but that didn’t ruin our fun.”

The teachers were ably assisted by sixth formers doing their gold Duke of Edinburgh Award, who gained great leadership experience.

Sara Whittaker, Farlington’s director of PE and games, who organised the trip said: “This trip is an invaluable experience before the girls enter Year 9.

“It builds relationships and co-operation across the year group.”