The NCS was such a fantastic experience, getting to meet so many new people and getting to do so many things you never would usually get to do.
Heres how the four weeks went:
Heres how the four weeks went:
Week 1
The first week was a residential trip to an activity centre in the Isle of Wight called Little Canada. As it was in the IOW, it meant we had to get the ferry across so we met up at the ferry station. I started the experience not knowing one person at all who was doing it too, so I stood with some girls when I first arrived. After a few minutes, I looked around and spotted someone I knew from school, so I soon went over to say hey. Its fair to say I felt so relived that I actually knew someone! And after not long, another girl arrived who I knew from school who I also stayed with on the school ski trip, so I felt much more relaxed. They both arrived with other people, but I soon became friends with them.
After a half an hour ferry ride and a 15 minute drive, we arrived at the activity centre. We were told about the week and taken to our rooms. I shared a room with the girl I knew from school and her friend so that was good fun!
After a half an hour ferry ride and a 15 minute drive, we arrived at the activity centre. We were told about the week and taken to our rooms. I shared a room with the girl I knew from school and her friend so that was good fun!
We were split into 4 groups and each group had one of the adult leaders and we stayed in the groups for the four weeks. They just ment that the groups for each activity were reasonable sizes. Thankfully, the group I was in was with the two people I already knew and their friends and 4 others.
Throughout the week we did different activites such a rok climbing, absailing, tunnel trails, zip wires, giant swings, kyaking, dragon boating and matrix. I went to this activity centre when I was in junior school and matrix was my favourite thing ever so to get to relive that again was incredible! But every activity we did was incredible!
Inbetween activities and in the evening we had time to chill with eachother so I was able to make friends with a lot of other people. One of the great things was standing in the area infront of the huts and all standing in a circle throwing a rugby ball to eachother playing one-knee-two-knee.
Week 2
The second week we spent living at Reece Halls which is a set of university living halls in Portsmouth for students but because it was the summer holidays, it meant that we were able to stay there. We each had our own room which was great, but I ended up sleeping in my friends room for the week anyway.
The rest of that day, we were in our groups and had a little survey to go and do around Portsmouth. But we didnt have a out original team leader, we had a different one because they other one had to go back to work unfortuantly, but this one was fab too! We all discovered that apart from 4 of us in our group, we all went to the same senior school including our team leader!
Throughout this week, each day we did a different thing.
The first day we went to the study centre which was next to Portsmouths football ground. Throughout the day we did three different activites with people from different companies. One of the activities was to go and look around Portsmouths football ground, Fratton Park, but instead of looking round, we just sat and watched the team train on the field which was great!
Another of the days we went to Portsmouth University where we did a day of team building activities with some of the students there.
In the evenings, we would either have chill out time in the living area and garden in the university halls or a small evening activity. One of the activities was first aid training and another was learning about STI's, but they were both done in a fun way. After we went out for dinner at a diferent restaurant every night which was really nice!
Week 3 and 4
The last two weeks were spent in the study centre where we worked as groups to organise a fundraising event for a charity of our choice. We had a few ideas such as a blind walk along the beach for Portsmouth's Blind Association but in the end we made contact with a curry restaurant where we held a curry night with a raffle where we raised around £500 for the Beneficial Foundation who give support to people with disabilities in leading a normal life and finding work.
This week was really interesting because where everyone was doing a different charity, we found out about so many different charities and the amazing things they do. Also throughout this week I made some new friends as I worked with people who I hadn't really spoken to originally in the last two weeks.
Graduation
If you complete the whole four weeks of NCS, you get to graduate with a certificate.
The graudation was great because it meant we got to dress up all fancy and meet up with everyone again and just have a really good night!
Overall the NCS was a great experience for me and I'm SO glad that I said yes to it!
You can get involved with your local NCS trips by just going to the NCS website!
If you have been on NCS trips, you are on one currently or you are going on one this summer, let me know how it goes in the comments! I'd love to know what you get up to in your local area with the NCS!
Throughout the week we did different activites such a rok climbing, absailing, tunnel trails, zip wires, giant swings, kyaking, dragon boating and matrix. I went to this activity centre when I was in junior school and matrix was my favourite thing ever so to get to relive that again was incredible! But every activity we did was incredible!
Inbetween activities and in the evening we had time to chill with eachother so I was able to make friends with a lot of other people. One of the great things was standing in the area infront of the huts and all standing in a circle throwing a rugby ball to eachother playing one-knee-two-knee.
Week 2
The second week we spent living at Reece Halls which is a set of university living halls in Portsmouth for students but because it was the summer holidays, it meant that we were able to stay there. We each had our own room which was great, but I ended up sleeping in my friends room for the week anyway.
The rest of that day, we were in our groups and had a little survey to go and do around Portsmouth. But we didnt have a out original team leader, we had a different one because they other one had to go back to work unfortuantly, but this one was fab too! We all discovered that apart from 4 of us in our group, we all went to the same senior school including our team leader!
Throughout this week, each day we did a different thing.
The first day we went to the study centre which was next to Portsmouths football ground. Throughout the day we did three different activites with people from different companies. One of the activities was to go and look around Portsmouths football ground, Fratton Park, but instead of looking round, we just sat and watched the team train on the field which was great!
Another of the days we went to Portsmouth University where we did a day of team building activities with some of the students there.
In the evenings, we would either have chill out time in the living area and garden in the university halls or a small evening activity. One of the activities was first aid training and another was learning about STI's, but they were both done in a fun way. After we went out for dinner at a diferent restaurant every night which was really nice!
Week 3 and 4
The last two weeks were spent in the study centre where we worked as groups to organise a fundraising event for a charity of our choice. We had a few ideas such as a blind walk along the beach for Portsmouth's Blind Association but in the end we made contact with a curry restaurant where we held a curry night with a raffle where we raised around £500 for the Beneficial Foundation who give support to people with disabilities in leading a normal life and finding work.
This week was really interesting because where everyone was doing a different charity, we found out about so many different charities and the amazing things they do. Also throughout this week I made some new friends as I worked with people who I hadn't really spoken to originally in the last two weeks.
Graduation
If you complete the whole four weeks of NCS, you get to graduate with a certificate.
The graudation was great because it meant we got to dress up all fancy and meet up with everyone again and just have a really good night!
Overall the NCS was a great experience for me and I'm SO glad that I said yes to it!
You can get involved with your local NCS trips by just going to the NCS website!
If you have been on NCS trips, you are on one currently or you are going on one this summer, let me know how it goes in the comments! I'd love to know what you get up to in your local area with the NCS!
