Sunshine, Sea and Scottish Spirit

The past few days at Canford have been full of activity, laughter and warm weather — a perfect backdrop for everything from inflatables to water sports.

Earlier in the week, the mood across campus was electric as students anticipated Fete Day. With seven inflatables set up around the grounds, including a maze, jumping castle, axe throwing, bull ride and sumo wrestling, the energy was high from the start. Despite the hot temperatures, students threw themselves into the fun. Later that evening, the excitement carried through with the Highland Games, where staff added to the atmosphere by dressing up in Scottish bonnets and face paint. Students rotated through a series of light-hearted competitions such as the welly toss, highland cow toss, and ring toss, with a good mix of team sports and sillier challenges like the egg and spoon race. It was a lively celebration of teamwork and summer fun, and brought plenty of smiles across the cohort.

Later in the week, students were ready to take their energy beyond campus as they headed off on excursions. With bright sunshine overhead, the camp was split into two groups for a full day at the beach. One half travelled to Sandbanks, where they enjoyed a more active day on the water. Students took to kayaks and paddleboards — including a giant paddleboard that could fit twelve students at once — and spent the rest of the day swimming, building sandcastles and even crabbing along the shore. There were plenty of beach games like volleyball and catch, keeping everyone moving and laughing throughout the day.

Meanwhile, the second group headed to Bournemouth for a slightly more relaxed outing. They too spent time at the beach, enjoying the sun and sea, but the focus was on unwinding. After time by the water, they explored the shops, picking up souvenirs, snacks and summer treats from places like Tesco, Primark and American candy shops. Of course, food was a highlight, with many students enjoying visits to places like KFC and Five Guys. Everyone returned with stories to share, sand in their shoes and a lot of happy memories.

There were no academic classes on the 11th to allow the excursions to run smoothly, and the break in routine was clearly appreciated. The balance between learning, physical activity and social time has played a big part in the positive atmosphere on site. Even during the more energetic days, staff have been attentive to how students are feeling in the heat, encouraging rest and water breaks while keeping the mood upbeat and inclusive.

It’s been a week that has offered something for everyone — whether that’s running around in sumo suits, kayaking along the coast, or simply enjoying a relaxed shopping trip with friends. Through it all, the spirit on campus remains upbeat, with friendships continuing to strengthen and students feeling comfortable and confident in their environment.

With more experiences ahead, the Canford cohort is heading into the next part of the programme with full hearts, a strong sense of community, and plenty of shared stories already under their belts.