Tiny steps into the big wide world

I've said often that I'm a fan of things that put mankind in perspective, this shot kind of does that.

The groups headed out from camp in surprisingly good spirits considering that temperatures had been just above zero overnight and this was every ones first time under canvas.
For day two I was hoping to see some consolidation of skills introduced on day one - and for some that was true. For others simply getting through another tough day in a scary environment was challenge enough. At one point we could see no sign of man anywhere, wonderful to me but terrifying to some.

Parts of Burnley are amongst the most deprived in the UK. It was inspirational to see that every child was given opportunity to take part and all were praised for doing so at whatever level they could with whatever kit they could. I see a lot of snobbery in the outdoors about "suitable kit" and conversely about "just getting it done". Yes you can adventure anywhere with anything if you try, but if you only have one pair of shoes and you know your parent can't afford to buy more, then it's very scary to ruin them walking through a field. Teachers and support workers have done their very best, cleaning kit and kids, begging and borrowing, some won't be home till very late tonight, and back in early tomorrow.
How, when or why this stopped being a valued (funded) part of education I don't know. But I've spent the last two days with 21 reasons why it should be.

Footnote; 22700!