Sunday, February 8, 2009
Sorry for not updating my blog for a week due to my hectic and tight schedule. I'll update my blog every Sunday if I can. Insya Allah. Anyway...
Recently, I got an email regarding photos of Ounward Bound Singapore (OBS). I would like to tell my experience at OBS. I hope it will inspire you and spur you be an active for an outdoor activity. Enjoys!
My Experience at Outward Bound Singapore, Pulau Ubin
Hi! Greeting to you! I am Nurul Humairah Bte Omar from Balestier Hill Secondary School. Anyway, I was pleasant surprised when I was asked to write down my enrichment experiences at Outward Bound Singapore, Pulau Ubin.
However, please kindly allow me to introduce the YouthBeat Leo Camp 2008 and its mainly objective for this camp first.
YouthBeat, one of the volunteer groups of SADeaf, organized the first-ever YouthBeat Leo Camp. This leadership camp is collaboration between the SADeaf and Outward Bound Singapore (OBS), and it is designed to help deaf youths develop life skills like leadership, teamwork and communication. It also helps deaf youths to build self-confidence and self-esteem through valuable challenges.
This camp was held from 12 to 14 December 2008 during school holidays at OBS, Pulau Ubin.
Now I would like to share my enrichment experiences from this camp…
When I think of Pulau Ubin, what strikes me immediately is fun and adventure. I was given a golden opportunity to participate in OBS held in Pulau Ubin.
It was the most memorable moment that I had ever in my life. I have learnt a lot of new things provided by OBS. The instructors from OBS patiently taught me basic climbing rope techniques of how to belay* properly before proceeding to “The Challenge Rope” so that the person was brought up and down safe and sound.
I was given a chance to climb “The Challenge Rope”. My partner and I were attached as a team so that we could climb together. As we climbed up, we stopped halfway as my partner could not able to proceed to the top of the height due to difficulty of climbing. To my partner, you did your best. I knew you can do it! =)
I was told to carry on without my partner. My heart thumped wildly as I have phobia of height. However, my heart and mind told me that I should not give up so easily. So I continued to climb with perseverance despite of my phobia…
As I was reaching to the top of the height, I could not believe in my own eyes. Do you know what? I could be able to see an island of Singapore! It was very beautiful and the other word I could not able to describe.
It was my first time to reach the top of the height, unlike the other times that I would give up so easily due to my phobia. It was a pleasant experience for me and other campers.
The next day, the other campers and I had to wake up very early so that we can pack up all necessary things such as rations, camp tents, life jackets, cooking utensils and personal items into each oversized bag that bigger than normal school bag for camp out. We have to carry each bag weighed about 2-5kg.
My schoolmate and good friend, Chua Kim Leng, and I were given a chance to lead all the campers through tropical forests with two important things, compass and map of Pulau Ubin.
We had to walk in the forest within one day to reach our destination 4 km away. We were expected to reach our destination at about 2 hours but we exceeded our expectation due to unreasonable stoppages.
What about toilet? I knew there was no modern toilet in the forests. Toilet was a hole dug in the ground with a shovel! We had to accept the fact as we have to learn to survive in any situation in the future.
As we reached our destination, our shoulders ached. While rubbing shoulders with each other, we grew to accept the differences in personality and developed close bonds.
One enjoyable water activity awaited us. We had to build two rafts ourselves in order to proceed to the quarry lake or otherwise we were not able to enter lake without rafts. After the rafts were built and able to enter lake, we were given chance to enjoy this activity.
We had an opportunity to experience outdoor life, pitching tents and cooking food in pitch dark night.
The next drizzly morning, we had to pack up the tents and other necessary things and went back to the OBS as soon as possible. In spite of a drizzly, it did not dampen our team spirits. What’s more? We had met our expectation! *Claps*
As the last day approached, we reflected on this camp and realized it was not just being one with nature. It was about the dynamics of team work, resilience and perseverance.
The trip to OBS was really once-in-a-life experience. I was very thankful to the YouthBeat and OBS for giving me and other campers this wonderful and golden opportunity. The lessons I will bring back with when I leave… to lead and give my good example to my junior and to apply this experience of perseverance and resilience to the challenge of learning through Secondary 5 this year and in real life.
Belay*: (in climbing) to make a person safe while climbing by attaching a rope to the person and to rock, etc.
I'll upload the OBS photo next Sunday. Don't forget to stay tuned. Enjoys! =)
♥
