The Hazelhut
Be friends with the Hazelhut on Facebook
  • Home
  • Summer Camps and Weekends
  • Prices
  • The Hazelhut Blog
  • The Hazelhut Story
  • Ottavia and James
  • Contact the Hazelhut
  • Getting to the Hazelhut
  • Health and Safety
  • Working with schools
  • Under 8's
  • Holidays at the Hazelhut
  • The Hazelhut and the environment
  • 2019 Prices
  • Prices

Boy it has been a hot day!

31/7/2017

2 Comments

 
Picture
Thank goodness we have this lovely bunch of organised children at the Hazelhut this week because the thermometer is sky high and only due to get higher!
Picture
Their rooms were immaculate at inspection time and then we headed out into the sun to do some sports.
Picture
Picture
Picture
There was the usual mix of land games and water games, serious sporting skills and chance!
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
But one thing was different, the children could not wait until the afternoon to cool off during the Pool Olympics, so we headed straight to the water after snack!
Picture
There was a lilo race, a hoop grab and the breath holding contest and then everyone just wanted to have fun!
Picture
Picture
Picture
The children demonstrated their independence and good organisation skills again when making sandwiches.  We took the sandwiches out for a shady picnic and then tried to cool off with an ice lolly.
Picture
Picture
But it was too hot to think, so we came back indoors and kept busy in many different ways.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Later James brought the children together for a quiz and a song.  Then we headed out to gather potatoes for dinner and pears for jam.
Picture
Picture
Picture
The children were very good about helping to prepare the fruits and vegetables.
Picture
Picture
Thanks to them, we had a lovely dinner and we have something special to take home to our families.
Picture
2 Comments

Welcome to ten new Hazelhutters!

30/7/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
Here are this week's ten new Hazelhutters at the start of the week's adventure.
Picture
After a quick dip in the pool, it was clear that they were most interested in the art room, first designing boxes and signs to take home and then sewing.
Picture
Picture
Picture
We discovered that they have good appetites and they enjoyed the fruit at snack time.
Picture
We also discovered that they are good chefs as some of them made a very delicious ice cream, which we all enjoyed after the classic Sunday night lasagna.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Just before our dinner, we went out for a walk in the grounds and to say hello to the animals.
Picture
Picture
Picture
This group of children is very calm and well behaved and we enjoyed an uncharacteristically peaceful dinner.  No doubt they will open up as friendships grow and the week progresses - watch this space!
0 Comments

A fond farewell

28/7/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
This has been a sad day at the Hazelhut as we have had to say goodbye to a super special group of Hazelhutters!
Picture
Some of these children have been coming for the past 4 years, others have been here for the first time, but all have been treasured for their kindness, friendship and the fun they have brought.  We are missing you already.
Picture
Picture
Picture
It was a super day, buying gifts for loved ones and eating lovely food.
Picture
Picture
The walk up the hill was hot, but then there was the hat game to play indoors.
Picture
Picture
After the parents arrived we enjoyed prize giving and finally it was time to say 'arriverderci' and we hope not addiò.....
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Whatever happens, we hope that you will all return to see us soon.
0 Comments

A day at the lake

27/7/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
We had some eager fisherfolk today who couldn't wait to get their rods out on the lake.
Picture
As soon as they had understood the instructions, they headed off in pairs to try to catch as many fish as possible.
Picture
They started slow, but as soon as some kids had success on the far side of the lake, it was like the fish were jumping out of it themselves!
Picture
Picture
One pair even landed a 'boccalone' - a highly prized lake fish.
Picture
Picture
Lunch was delicious, especially as it ended with a very tasty watermelon.
Picture
Then Gigi kindly let the children use the table football and gave us ALL the fish an more to take home.
Picture
Of course this meant that there was work to do back home..... but luckily we had just the right team to take care of it!
Picture
Picture
Picture
While these kids toiled others swam....
Picture
Then the Italian boys and one long suffering girl took over the kitchen to make the best tiramisù ever - it took a lot of arguing, created a lot of controversy (English cookery book!!!) and made a lot of mess, but was highly entertaining and most importantly sooo tasty.
Picture
Picture
Next the girls took over to cook for all the families tomorrow - expect some tasty gingerbread!
Picture
Then it was time for our party and to fry all those precious fish.  Who would have thought those little guys could be so good to eat!
Picture
Picture
The party brought smiles and also moments of reflection on the amazing week we have spent with these inspiring, thoughtful, funny and positive young people.  Can't believe they are leaving us tomorrow!
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
0 Comments

What a day!

26/7/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
We didn't want the weather to catch us out again, so, having checked the forecast, we switched the morning activities with the afternoon ones.  That meant that the morning was spent learning survival skills, which started with a safety lesson about using knives.
Picture
Then we moved into water filtration using found materials.
Picture
Picture
Next we considered food for survival and especially the coconut, which has at least 6 different vital survival properties - do YOU know them?
Picture
Picture
Picture
Before lunch the children learned to use a piece of bamboo to make chopsticks and a marshmallow skewer.  This required different knife skills and more instruction.  The kids were super and no one was injured all day - phew!
Picture
Picture
Picture
After lunch the children could hardly wait to try out their new tin can stoves and even the oncoming rain didn't stop them from trying to get their marshmallows toasted.
Picture
Picture
Then the rain came in earnest and we headed to the art room to decorate stones.  As if these kids don't have enough talents, we discovered that they are even great artists.  WOW.
Picture
Picture
Picture
At snack time the children had to eat with their chopsticks - naturally!
Picture
To be honest, it didn't make them eat any slower!  There were more spells of good weather and rain, with children playing football or fantasy football and then it was time for..... PIZZA!
Picture
0 Comments

Sunshine and Showers

25/7/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
It was yet another bright sunny day as we headed out to the horses for our first trip of the week.
Picture
Not all of the children were keen to prepare the ponies for the day, but luckily some of them were!
Picture
The weather held for the riding session and these kids really made progress in a very short space of time.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
They started by following a simple obstacle course, but soon they were trotting, riding above the saddle and then without their feet in the stirrups and even jumping over the ponies all lined up in a row!
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
The ponies needed a good clean and after that it was time for Rita's delicious lunch.  We all sat down in the sun, but before we knew it, the heavens opened and we had to finish the meal in the stable block, under a real roof. 
Picture
Picture
Picture
Then the storm grew even more and we sheltered further into the stables for our dessert as the hail stones and rain fell!
Picture
Back at The Hazelhut the sun returned and some of the children very kindly dug up and even washed(!) the potatoes for dinner.
Picture
Then the sky clouded over again and our karaoke evening got under way - with a wonderful mix of songs and singers.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
The garden potatoes tasted delicious at dinner with fish fingers, garden courgettes and spinach - YUM!
0 Comments

Activity Monday

24/7/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
Today was packed with activities, fun and action.  These Hazelhutters were ready to fight for the title of Sports' Day champ!
Picture
Picture
Kicking, throwing, jumping, running, aiming and firing were all part of the battle....
Picture
Picture
Picture
A new record was set in the skipping: 160 jumps!!!!!
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
The older kids loved using the air rifle - a rare thing at the Hazelhut, reserved for very careful and responsible children!
Picture
Picture
As usual they ate tons - sandwiches, pasta, salad, apples, melon, crisps, ice cream, cheese, salami, olives and drank gallons of water too!
Picture
Picture
To balance out all the sport, we also enjoyed a game of 'Randomise' and some of the children made friendship bracelets.
Picture
Picture
Picture
We have been told to expect rain tomorrow - everyone is looking forward to some kind of break from the heat, but these kids never complain, which is both a rarity and a treat!
0 Comments

This week there are 12!

23/7/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
 We have an older group of children at the Hazelhut this week and they are all very keen on sports.  Today they enjoyed badminton, tennis, swimming, pool, table tennis and, of course.... FOOTBALL!
Picture
Picture
Picture
We have discovered that they have excellent appetites..... but most excitingly they seem to love fruit and vegetables - the Hazelhut is just the place for these twelve!
Picture
In the afternoon James split the children into teams and organised a quiz to discover which team had the best general knowledge.
Picture
Picture
It was very close, but one team - BBB - had the edge..... just.
Picture
Since many of these children have been to the Hazelhut before, they were super excited about Marilena's Sunday night lasagna. We feel very lucky to have 12 amazing, polite and enthusiastic children to share the Hazelhut with this week. Evviva!
Picture
0 Comments

Bye bye Hazelhutters!

22/7/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
All too soon it was time to say goodbye to this week's Hazelhutters.
Picture
Picture
Picture
As usual we set out for the town to look around and buy some gifts to take home.
Picture
As usual the girls were quick to part with their money for things that sparkle, smell and shine, while the boys took their time and went for books, torches, locks and magnets!
Picture
Picture
We all enjoyed our lunch in a new space outside our favourite restaurant; 'Corte dei Prefetti di Vico'.
Picture
Picture
Back at the Hazelhut, James had organised a quiz for all the children before their parents arrived.
Picture
Picture
Then we celebrated the children's success and wished them well for the future.  It's not always easy to say 'goodbye' to a group and we will certainly miss this lovely lot!  Come back soon!
Picture
Picture
0 Comments

Stressful but sentimental Thursday

20/7/2017

0 Comments

 
We were thrown all kinds of curve balls at the Hazelhut today, like a leaking pipe and malfunctioning pizza oven, some more sickness and scrapes as well as trying to accommodate visitors, but these wonderful Hazelhutters made it all pass with ease.
Picture
They behaved wonderfully at the fishing lake.
Picture
Picture
Picture
They also happened to be pretty good at catching fish!
Picture
Picture
It was all smiles at lunch time.
Picture
And their cooperation and love for each other has been wonderful to watch grow.
Picture
Picture
With no hot water it was not easy to make biscuits for tomorrow's tea party, but the boys took care of it.
Picture
Picture
Despite the pizza oven behaving strangely, the children continued to smile and dance!
Picture
Picture
We found new ways to cook the pizzas and no one made a fuss; everyone was happy.
Picture
Picture
Picture
It's going to be hard to let this awesome group go and we can't believe our last night has come so soon.....
0 Comments
<<Previous

    Archives

    December 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013

    RSS Feed

    Categories

    All

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.