Ru'a Fiola Expedition 2011
Between 16 to 23 August, 22 intrepid explorers from Year 5 to Year 7 went to Ru’a Fiola, a remote archipelago of islands 20 km south of Oban off the West Coast of Scotland. There we were the guests of Torquil Johnson-Ferguson and his team at the fantastic outdoor survival and activity centre called Wild Island. Whilst we were there we fished, lobster-potted, kayaked in the Atlantic, climbed and abseiled. We saw all sorts of wildlife including sea eagles, basking sharks, dolphins, seals, otters, red deer, octopus, lobster, crabs, prawn and much more. The whole week built up to the survival night where all the children were to be landed in groups from boats on different parts of the islands with nothing but sleeping bags, spare clothes and a box of matches! They were expected to survive for 20 hours alone, collecting drinking water, foraging for food on the shoreline and lighting fires to cook on. All are now experts on cooking limpets, fish, winkles as well as various edible plant roots, stems, berries and leaves.
In preparation for this we had an expedition where we learnt what to eat, where to collect water, how to light a fire and how to survive. This ended by us all sleeping in a cave or bivvy overnight together with our instructors. We also had lectures on first aid and safety and survival tips from the excellent staff. We all survived and had a fantastic time. It was very challenging and at times daunting, facing up to a week away from home and two nights out in the open (one of them without any grown ups) but we all returned better and stronger for having got through it together.
Special congratulations must go to Josh, Elliott and Harry for successfully completing a 2 night (40 hour) survival and to Josh and Elliott, again, who now hold the all-time Ru’a Fiola record for the biggest number of swims during a one week course. This now stands at 32!
This poem was written by Grace Kripgans (age 11) :
Ru'a Fiola - what I love about here
The way the trees blow
The way the seas flow,
The way the kettle screeches
The way that no one can reach us,
The way the seagulls call
Like on rock climbing when you fall,
The way that everyone makes you feel at home,
The way you know you're never alone,
Everything, including the pier
Is what I love about here.
Keep your eyes open for information about the next Rua’ Fiola expedition taking place during the equivalent week in August 2012.
Question: Give five uses of sphagnum moss in a survival situation.
Answer: Ask someone who has been to Ru’a Fiola!
