Bath and West Crew - Day 1.  Only eight dogs found today, which is actually a good thing.  Let’s see how it goes as the weather gets warmer later in the week.

Glastonbury drama students using the Volunteer Network’s Secret Meeting Room to rehearse their for their GCSE exam.

Hello, we have 2 paces on an emergency First aid course at Glastonbury tomorrow 30/1/2012. Start at 9:30am sharp and finished at 4:30pm. It’s accredited and open to any interested volunteers new or old. Not available to organisations sorry. Get in touch. You also need to be 16 to 25. Get in touch pronto ring: 01458 836130 to grab this place. 

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If you like, friend or follow us on any of these pages we’ll be contacting you very soon with the latest volunteering news from right across Somerset.

We’re back in Trowbridge today for the last Kick Start session this week but don’t worry if you’ve missed out because over the next three weeks we’re in Salisbury, Yeovil and Devizes so head over to the Kick Start page to book your place now.

The NCS Summer Fun Project Movie and photos from Wookey Hole celebration event are now available on our website.  Check it out. 

After at least 5 change of plans the team leaders at Princes Trust finally decided on the days activity. So although we were no longer going sufing today the whole team was excited to get started.

Breakfast was energetic. Last night we had an awards ceremony and this morning each team member got a standing ovation at least once.

First thing we did after our full English was orienteering around the Lily Ponds, man-made lakes that were built hundreds of years ago. The weather was against us, so it was waterproofs all round. The instructors explained what we were meant to do: follow the map, using the compass, to find certain points around the landmark. We had photos of these places with us as well. We were put into groups off 3 or 4. I was with Dani (17) and Zoe (16). We decided to do the track backwards which worked out really well. We did manage to miss a couple of sites, but by the process of elimination, we managed to figure a solution out. All teams made it make to base by mid day, just in time to drive back for lunch.

After lunch we met up with the instructors to prepare for our afternoon of coasteering - an activty involving swimming and climbing the rocks in the ocean just off the coast. Struggling our way into wetsuits was the first challenge - a fairly unpleasant experience but definitely worth it in the end. Kitted out, we arrived at the seaside ready to go. Majestic bellyflops took us from the beach into the water then we were off through the waves, over the rocks and into caves in the cliffside. The whole afternoon was great fun with fantastic views and, very surprisingly, equally fantastic weather. Some of the best moments included diving (or bombing) from high rocks into the waves below and swimming through white water. The white water was really exciting. The waves were powerful and they pushed us all around - it was a bit like wild, natural rapids. 

The thing about swimming is that it makes you very hungry. So once we’d travelled back to the centre we were all very definitely ready for dinner. The other thing about swimming is that it also makes you very tired! So after we’d eaten we spent the rest of the evening relaxing in the common room; chatting, reading and playing board games. We’re all really looking forward tomorrow when we finally get to try out surfing!! Provided the weather holds… fingers crossed!              Written by Emily (17) and kate (17)

100 new NCS photos from week 2 now available on the Volunteer Network website at www.volunteernetwork.org.uk as well as on Picasa Web in the gallery belonging to info@somersetyouth.org.uk and on The Volunteer Network Facebook page.

Check them out and see what fun we’ve been having then sign up for Wave 2.