Outdoor Pursuits
Sailing, canoeing, fishing, orienteering, climbing, mountain
biking, horse riding, snowboarding, skiing, kayaking, skyriding,
camping, go-karting, river-rafting, scuba diving, archery - and
these are just some of the outdoor pursuits that take place
at Cargilfield because there are other more diverse activities
such as laser clay pigeon shooting and the ever-popular paintballing.
The reasons for having an ambitious and thriving outdoor
pursuits department are varied: we believe that many children
need an alternative activity to the major sport of the term
so that boys and girls do not feel dominated by cricket and
hockey, or rugby and netball. We feel that the challenge
inherent in all these activities is a superb training for
the individuals at Cargilfield; independence and courage,
friendship and teamwork these are all to the fore
every time they go out to take part in our programme.
You only have to take part in one of our weekend or week-long
camps to fully appreciate the benefits of this kind of education:
cooking breakfasts, washing up, pitching tents, organising
routines, preparing supper in pouring rain or hopefully in
bright sunshine; finding out how to dry clothes without a
drying cupboard or tumble dryer; finding out how to complete
a difficult task when it just seems to be a little bit beyond
you; and most importantly it is all tremendous fun!
The Pentland Round Charity WalkOutdoor pursuits are on offer during the week, both in the afternoons and in the evenings and then there is the major attack at the weekend. Paul Laver is in charge of the outdoor pursuits department and he is fully-qualified in the activities in which the children take part. We also have other qualified teachers on the staff and we use expertise from outside. Capsizing the Headmaster’s canoe may well be top of the list when it comes to enterprise and enjoyment but we feel that one of the most important parts of this whole approach is to have enough on offer to satisfy each particular need of the Cargilfield child.