A Weekend to Remember: Hindleap Warren Residential, Sussex (6–8 February)

 

What happens when you take 70 young people, mix in 15 different schools, throw in a whole lot of mud, adventure, laughter, and remove WiFi and plug sockets? You get a weekend residential that none of us will forget anytime soon.

From 6–8 February, we headed to Hindleap Warren in Sussex for an unforgettable outdoor education adventure. Thanks to the incredible support of Jack Petchey and Adventures Away From Home, we were able to subsidise the trip to just £45 per person, making this experience accessible to as many young people as possible.

Mud, Mayhem & Major Adventures

Armed with wellies, waterproofs, and a sense of excitement (and maybe mild fear), our group quickly discovered that Sussex had a lot of muddy puddles waiting for us. What followed was a weekend packed from start to finish with:

• Trekking upstream through waterfalls and ditches
• Forest trails that tested stamina and teamwork
• Climbing and abseiling down rocks
• Axe throwing (yes — safely!)
• Leap of Faith challenges that pushed confidence sky-high
• And even an activity room with a table tennis table for downtime

There was never a dull moment — just muddy clothes, big smiles, and constant encouragement.

 

Dorm Life & Digital Detox

Sleeping in dorms with bunk beds was a brand-new challenge for some, especially with no WiFi and no plug sockets for charging phones. But what started as a shock turned into something special — a healthy pause from social media that led to more talking, more laughter, more games, and new friendships forming between young people who had never met before.

Pyjama parties, whispered chats, and the excitement of being away from home made bedtime… negotiable — but memorable.

 

Silent Disco Magic

Saturday night brought one of the highlights of the weekend: a silent disco that was so good it attracted other groups at the centre to join in. Dancing, laughing, and then heading off on a “follow my leader” trail back to the dormitories was a brilliant moment of togetherness — a shared experience that bonded the whole group.

 

 

Food Worth Talking About

Fueling all that adventure was some seriously good food. Catering covered all dietary requirements, and the hot croissants quickly became a firm favourite. Special mention must go to the hot chocolate machine, which definitely kept staff morale high ☕😉.

Outstanding Young Leaders

A huge shout-out goes to the 11 incredible students from Haringey Sixth Form Centre. They were absolute stars — supporting and leading groups, mentoring young people who were nervous about heights, offering reassurance to those feeling anxious, and helping reinforce bedtimes when midnight feasts got a little too exciting. Their kindness, relatability, and leadership made a massive difference.

Leadership That Made It Happen

This fantastic trip was led by Will, who took on the challenge of organising and managing the largest group he has ever led — and did an outstanding job. From logistics to leadership, he held it all together with calm, care, and commitment.

This weekend at Hindleap Warren was about confidence, connection, courage, and community. Muddy, tired, phone-free, and smiling — our young people returned home with stories to tell, friendships formed, and memories that will last a lifetime.

And honestly? We’d do it all again in a heartbeat 💚🌲