Think about it, and then do it. You wouldn’t believe the amount of wasted trees are lining my dustbin, having screwed up page after page of note paper attempting to think of a superior slogan to describe Academy Weekend 4 other than “think about it, and then do it.” But I can’t. So, let’s put that to the back of our minds and return to the start of the weekend.

Having been fortunate enough to gain an invite to the Academy Weekend I was jolly well determined and prepared to attend. However after nearly missing the last 2 northern area contests with laryngitis and gastric flu perhaps I shouldn’t have been surprised when I wound up with the local lergy, and very almost missed out again.

We arrived at the picturesque setting of Studfold Park. An activity centre situated just outside of Pately Bridge, surrounded by the rugged exterior of the “Dales” and limited parking. This meant the first true task of the weekend was to load all of our belongings, coats and kitchen sink, into a fellow “Academist’s” pickup truck and head to our dorms.

After our hosts and mentor’s for the weekend had introduced themselves, and we had all learnt something a little embarrassing about each other, it was into our designated groups to design a marble run. Blue Peter meets Big Brother with brains and common sense.

With lunch out of the way it was on to our main activity for the afternoon. Dry stone walling. A little ironic considering the weather had turned from Mediterranean mild into a Middlesmoor monsoon. At first I was a little reluctant, hypochondriac thoughts of pneumonia and wet pants were flashing through my mind, and the realisation that without waterproof leggings, the twenty-four hundred coats I’d packed weren’t going to be of much use.

So I ended up looking worse than drowned rat, but so what? Helping build something unique and bashing rocks with a big hammer proved to be a very rewarding experience. New skills were learnt, and the thought of suggesting this as a club meeting (in this weather) brought a slightly mischievous smile to my face.

Having squelched our way back to the ranch, there was plenty of time to warm up for the night’s entertainments with a comforting shower and a replenishing plateful of proper grub. It was time to relax, kick back with the remote, and put our hosts through a cringe worthy course of Saturday night reality TV.

With preparations and rehearsals finished, it was time to show case our astounding natural acting talent. Ballroom dancers, townies, and farm animals were all on view as the night slurred, sellotaped, and coughed it’s way into daylight.

After a morning of panda eyed “lively” discussion, the weekend drew to a close and as the plaudits settled down for those who’d organised such a fantastic and worthwhile weekend, I was left with an overwhelming sense of reassurance. I was reassured about my role, by the people around me, and convinced that the greatest youth organisation in the country was in very safe hands.

Now back to that bulging bin of mine. Next year this could be you, experiencing hurricanes and hedonism, building walls and building friendships. You could even be sat chewing a biro or tapping at the delete key into the early hours trying to think of an appropriate motto or maxim to describe Academy Weekend 5, but don’t just take my word for it. Think about it, and then do it.

Academy Three
Academy Two
Academy One