Open Day

Once again it was time for our (now) annual Open Day. A day where the Centre opens to the general public so they can come and see what we do.

Each of us was given a specific activity to run all day, without a break, from 10am to 5pm. Some people had to stand up all day belaying masses of people up trees and telegraph poles, the cook had to supply an endless quantity of burgers and food. One poor person rode the three mile mountain bike circuit four times in one of the hottest days of the year. Another person sat for seven hours on the big field doing archery.

I got to sit outside a “camp” with a fire. Supposedly I was to demonstrate campcraft, but having no real idea I ended up being a source of marshmallows for people to eat and a place for kids to run riot and set things alight. I can’t moan too much, it’s quite fun burning things, but after four hours it gets a little dull. It would have all run a little better if we had to switch around every hour instead.

Feeling a little burnt out and in need of a change? Oh yes. September can’t come too soon. It’s not that I dislike working here, I can do my job and everyone here are good to work with, it’s just that it’s not that varied or exciting. I feel “stuck”. I know that moving to another centre would fix most of the problems (I’d go to one that didn’t have so much lawn or driveway) but ultimately it’s the nature of the job. I guess I’ve just outgrown the desire to do seasonal work that requires me to live on site. You know it’s time to change when the prospect of having your own washing machine is exciting.

Still, I’ve done this for four years and it’s been useful and I’ve had a lot of fun along the way. Now it’s time to do something else that, while harder, has more rewards for my efforts. Also it’s not like the mountains are going to dissolve any time soon.

Tags: Boredom, Event, Lake District