NEARLY 700 adults have taken part in a survey looking at the long-term impact of residential trips to the Lake District when they were at primary and secondary school.

The findings showed the trips were an important and positive part of childhood, said youth charity Brathay Trust which carried out the study. The high response rate to the survey suggested people enjoyed remembering the field trips, it added.

Earlier this year the Brathay Trust invited adults who had visited Low Bank Ground, near Coniston Water, and Hinning House, in the Duddon Valley, with their school to reflect on their experience.

The two outdoor centres are managed by Brathay on behalf of Wigan Council. Since the 1970s more than 2,000 pupils from Wigan have visited the centres each year.

The 691 responses covered visits made between 1973 and 2017. Most of those who took part - 77 per cent - visited with their primary school. A small number of responses came from staff who accompanied pupils.

Questions included, what did people remember most about their visit, what did they learn and what was the long-term impact.

Chris Jeffs, deputy head of centre, said: "The thing people remembered the most were the activities; 95 per cent said this, followed by time spent with friends (64 per cent), being away from home (62 per cent) and the food (32 per cent)."

When asked what they gained from their residential experience, responses included: "How to excel in areas that formal education failed me; I learnt that a girl from a poor background could become successful in the outdoor education field, and be believed in by the amazing teams at both venues".

Another person who came as a primary school pupil said they gained a "lifelong fascination with canoeing, abseiling, rock climbing and walking up and down big hills".

People also reported feeling more independent, with one saying: "I learnt I wouldn’t melt and die if I was away from my mum. The experience taught me the self-reliance and self-belief I needed as I was going to high school in the September."

Another said: "I recall my mother being extremely anxious about allowing me to attend as I never left her side. I, on the other hand, learned to be more independent.”

Meanwhile, the parent of a primary school pupil who attended a residential 30 years ago recalled: "When she came home she was a different child. Filled with confidence and a desire to explore and exceed; absolutely without a doubt the best thing she has ever done.”

To find out more about visiting Brathay's centres, call 015394-41314 or email lesley.sharp@brathay.org.uk or chris.jeffs@brathay.org.uk