Wild Readers Trip to T.S. Resolute at CYE

Books give a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.” Plato

Wild Readers is an initiative that pairs reading with being active and outdoors. In addition to weekly paired reading in the school library, involving student mentors, student librarians, passionate readers, students who don’t speak English at home and those who might need a nudge to enjoy the world of books, it incorporates an optional residential trip at Christian Youth Enterprises (CYE) in beautiful Cobnor.

This year’s two-day Wild Readers trip was a whistle-stop adventure: reading “The Glorious Race of Magical Beasts”; head-torches at the ready for a spot of reading whilst tunnelling (CYE have the second longest man-made tunnel in Europe); and many tranquil moments of reading, from resting in your kayak on the water to devouring the next chapter whilst sailing a longboat in the harbour. Then, after dinner, everyone enjoyed a beach walk in the gloaming with the latest instalment of the book read aloud by students and staff to the group, culminating with a campfire and stories.

Here are a few of our students’ thoughts on wild reading:

“I’ve made new friends on this trip.   Enjoyed being read to and reading to others…this trip has allowed me to open myself up to make new friends and has also made me realise how fun reading was.”

“When we were taking part in the activities it was relaxing to have a little read and a check in on what’s happening in the story.”

This was an exceptional couple of days for all involved, leading to huge achievements, such as facing fears, making new friends, trying new activities and learning new skills, but, most importantly, igniting a spark for a new-found love of reading.

Mx George Thomas, Librarian