“In some places you can’t even turn your head. But when you do it several times, it’s less scary and it’s funny,” assure Bertille Brudo and Camille Moreau. Aged 11, these two schoolgirls completed without any apprehension an excursion into the bowels of the Earth, in the heart of the Gratte-Chèvre cave, near Agris, in Charente.
Since last year, the François-Mitterrand college in Montbron has taken a daring bet: to take all of its 6th grade students underground, to encounter this millennial and silent universe. Supported by the departmental council and the French Speleology Federation, this year the establishment is supporting three classes and 63 middle school students. Between now and spring, everyone will participate in three outings devoted in turn to the discovery of underground fauna, the sporting practice of caving and then the study of natural cavities.
“The interest is threefold: adding several courses to this practice, such as science or French; offer more physical activity in middle school; get to know the many caves in Charente better,” explains Cyril Billy, the principal of Montbron college.
“It’s technical, fun and very pleasant”
Young people are asking for more. The narrow, meandering passages you crawl through, sometimes upside down? “I like that!” The first time, I was a little scared but the rest is fine,” enthuses Léo Coutant. “It’s technical, fun and very pleasant,” says Léo Dupré. His friend Léo Aubinais was less appreciative of the passage of a handrail, suspended in the air. “There are moments easier than others,” smiles this schoolboy, perfectly at ease over the rest of the course.
“When the material is adapted to young people, it presents no difficulty. They very quickly become independent,” reassures Mathieu Bergeron, experienced speleologist and member of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine regional committee. In this underground world, “mutual aid and solidarity take precedence”, teaches students Jean-Christophe Raymond, one of the sports educators of the departmental council. On a safe section, young people must share a headlamp for two, guide each other and “move forward together”. Advice flows, concentration is total.
Sports practiced in the great outdoors
“Take your time, and always keep your footing on the ground so as not to slip,” advises one of the supervisors. Suddenly, plunged into darkness nearly 200 m underground, the schoolchildren pause: the silence, deafening on this strange natural planet, is only broken by drops of water streaming down the stalactites. .
At the start of the school year, the Montbron college organized an information meeting to reassure parents and aspiring speleologists. Result: “Since last year, all the 6th graders have participated in the project,” rejoices Cyril Billy who even recorded 15% additional registrations in September! Building on this dynamic, the establishment has decided to move fully towards the practice of outdoor sports. 6th and 5th grade students now take part in archery, climbing, mountain biking and orienteering. The Montbron college also hopes to open the very first outdoor sports section in 2024 and provide enhanced training in these new disciplines.
2023-11-14 07:45:00
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