Brathay
The class of 2010 went to a trip to Brathay. The intent of the entire course was to develop a learning of working in teams and inculcate leadership roles and qualities.
The *very* good part was that the entire facility is based in British Cottage-style countryside in the heart of Lake District National Park.
The very first day we were ushered into our accommodations, country-cottages, all warm and cozy and introduced to our group instructor. He gave us an outline of the things we could look forward to during the course.
I could write a million words on the experiences at Brathay, but here are some very memorable ones.
During the first few days, there were a couple of exercises given to groups which involved and tested individual and team skills. So we had people strategising to find which house a fictitious Mr. Smith lived on in a row of houses, and people running around in circles in the grass to find the least minimum time of the activity. We had people high up in trees abseiling trees and yet others negotiating freely suspended ropes around rocks.
The third day was the most exciting one. The aim for ALL the groups was to participate in an exhibition. The deal however was that to participate, each group had to raise a minimum of £1200 in tokens by doing different tasks. The task list was CHALLENGING if not DAUNTING !!
The first task was that the entire group would do an aerobics session in front of the main marquee. For this we were given a bonus because of the strength of people participating in it. All 131 of us !!
The second task was to make up your own rendition of the British vernacular folk song – The Manchester Rambler. After starting it off with a marvellous cacophony of EVERYONE singing together (some of us like this (rofl) ) we finished it off pretty well !! We got a bonus on this one too as the Director of events said that for the past ten years this was the largest group to have made an effort to sing this song !!
After this the group broke into teams of 11 or 12 to complete other tasks to raise the money for charity. I climed a 200m summit and the view from there – countryside lakes and all – was *breathtaking* – if you remember to draw your breath that is. The deal was that to prove that you are on the summit you have to empty your lungs out shouting “MANCHESTER BUSINESS SCHOOL”, which would be heard at the front lawn of Brathay Hall !! After our first attempt (19 people), we radioed to the base … “…can you confirm you heard us?” And the reply was “…ya, I could hear some murmurs.” Something not to be taken lightly. The next time not only did we manage to shout at the *fullest* possible audible capacity, we also managed to get a bonus and a comment on the radio saying “…ya all have a nice set of lungs there !!” He he he. We came down from the summit and participated in more tasks, Tarzans climbing and abseiling and shouting of course and what not. In the end we managed to raise around £15000 for charity !! Whoa !! That is half my tuition fee !!
The performances were too good. We had 3D models, canvasses, skits (very humorous ones)… and in the end the prize distribution and departure. Everyone did not get the prizes but the one thing I am sure of is that each of us came back with at least a million pictures. Don’t know whether I shall get the time to upload the same on this blog, but keep a lookout on orkut and facebook !
…and tomorrow I am headed to the Peak District for a mountaing biking trip !!