Back at school

This week I was back at the schools with Careers Scotland, catching up with the young people. We shared stories about our recent goals and challenges. I showed pictures of the Greenland adventure, along with the stories of the highs, lows, fears, challenges, ‘WOW!’ moments and, of course, what happened to the gnome.

Everyone got a chance to ask anonymous questions by writing them down on paper, screwing them up and having a snowball fight. I realised we’d been far too boring in Greenland as we never even had a snowball (or iceball) fight.

The most common questions were:

• “Why did you do it?”      Answer - For the adventure.
•  “What next?”      Answer - A scary climb in Yosemite maybe.
• “Would you do it again?”      Answer - Yes, but not for more than a month.
•  “How did you go to the toilet?”      Answer - On the first toilet seat that ever crossed Greenland!

It was brilliant hearing about all the challenges everyone had done. They ranged from taking up new sports, completing running and bike challenges, reading a book for the first time and being nicer to brothers and sisters.

We made lists of the positive things we’ve learned about ourselves - and about teamwork.

Not everyone managed to complete their challenge and we talked about how we should Never Give Up on things if we really want to do them, and how we can do anything if we are determined enough. Sometimes, failing helps us learn lots of things that are useful in the future.

Failure brings us a step closer to success. If we haven’t failed, we haven’t tried hard enough.

"It’s been an inspiration to me and the rest of the Greenland team to work with you all in the schools and hear about all the great things you’ve achieved.

Congratulations! And thanks."

Karen Darke, 29 June 2006