WILD ADVENTURE

Day 1

Welcome to the Pyrenees! Our camp sits at 1,900 meters high surrounded by pine trees.. It’s mid-afternoon and the camp’s parking lot begins to fill in no time at all. Families start to unload their bicycles, helmets, enormous backpacks… and the gears start to turn. The majority of you will be here for a week, with the more daring being here for two in different camps. We get situated and place ourselves in groups. Some of us already know each other from other summers and some from the winter. We meet our instructors and play games to get to know each other.

Day 2

First morning. The singing of the birds will rouse even the sleepiest among us. The campers are bursting with energy. -What’s the plan for today, Connor?- Someone asks from the sleeping bag. In the morning we will attend an orientation run, exploring the campsite and surrounding area. In the afternoon: Community Service. The benches need a little painting and in Arànser we’ll lend a hand with the henhouse. After having dinner, night gymkhana (field day). Careful, it’s cold! Jackets should be zipped up tight!

Day 3

After yesterday’s long adventure, a big breakfast is the best way to start the day! And what a breakfast it is! Delicious food filling our bellies, eating in the woods with the grass in between our toes and the sun warming our faces. There are all kinds of meals for everyone; cereal, cold cuts (ham, turkey…), jam, juice, chocolate, fruit, bread, milk… Today is BTT day. Some bring their own bikes from home, others rent them at the camp. Once everybody is ready, let’s ride downhill! We arrive at Martinet and follow the Segre river until the Hípica de Prats: bridges, cows, mud and nettle. Before lunch we take a quick swim in the river. Be careful not to get too comfy, we still need to ride back. We will ride a total of 25 kilometers on two wheels! In the afternoon our legs will be begging for a break, so a nice horse ride will suit us well.

Day 4

Today we get up early. The Wild Adventure, Aventura Jr., Minairons, Equitación and Bike camps are going to Estanys de la Pera. The bravest among us will take a dip in the lake to relieve themselves of the heat. Afterwards we continue our ascent to Perafita’s peak (2,752 meters). From there we jump to Andorra. What a trek we have done today! At Claror park everyone organizes themselves and helps set up camp for the night. Some help set up the kitchen and make soup, others might go and purify water. As night falls we play games, tell stories and bask in the light of the stars.

Day 5

Breakfast time! Time to give our legs a well deserved rest. Afterwards we pack up our bags and follow the GR-11 trail to Refugi de Prat Miró, and from there to the campsite. After a two day hike traversing over 28 kilometers and 1,400 meters of accumulated incline, we are all thinking about taking a hot shower. Prepare the solar panels! At night the camp terrace is transformed into an outdoor cinema.

Day 6

Today is the highlight of the camp as we descend to el Barranc de La Vansa. Despite it being the middle of summer, the water is still cold. Thankfully, we have wetsuits. We spend the morning leaping from rocks, swimming, and sliding down the natural rock slides. A unique adventure that few get to experience. After a morning of swimming we break for lunch. We devour pasta salad and fried chicken under the shade of the trees at Parc del Segre in La Seu d´Urgell. In the afternoon we visit the Romanesque cathedral in the old town while we have an ice cream.

Day 7

Today all of the camps share their last moments together. We form groups and go on an adventure raid where we will put all our skills to the test: archery, orientation, BTT… At midday our families begin to arrive. Hugs are given, tears are shed, and phone numbers are exchanged. Some stay another week and continue their adventure, others will remember it back home reading our blog posts with their siblings and friends. Until next summer!