21 SHE JIE MAGAZINE – AUTUMN
A Taste of the Outdoors
2016 H ighlights – E O T C
The annual camps in primary and secondary are Education Outside the Classroom opportunities that allow students to develop valuable skills in non-academic settings while having a memorable and fun time with their peers. Students build strong relationships with their classmates while developing their own sense of maturity, independence, and teamwork and cooperation. Year 3s were the first primary students to experience an overnight camp. This year the young learners stayed in dormitories in San Shek Wan; for many this was their first night away from home. They tried new foods, played team games, and handled challenges with enthusiasm and a very positive attitude.
Year 4s also ventured out to San Shek Wan with a two-night stay. With high enthusiasm and zest, the group enjoyed themselves on Mui Wo Beach, participated in various activities, and
were particularly entertained by the skits organised by Mr Burrows. The visit to Ark Eden in Mui Wo allowed students to learn about organic farming, using some tools to build planters out of recycled materials, and making compost. The three attitudes of focus were grit, enthusiasm and consideration. After having the camp postponed for two weeks due to rainy, the weather could not have been more favourable for the Year 5 campers, who headed out to Cheung Chau for three days. The students enjoyed the hands-on and physical activities, which included sand-castle building, biking and hiking, temple studies and beach rescue. Students displayed impressive maturity and independence, and showed great respect for each other and the local surroundings of Cheung Chau. Year 6s headed out to Sai Kung for three nights. Navigating around the area allowed students to build teamwork and learn the importance of listening to each other and incorporating each other's ideas to solve problems. Having the camp less than two months into the school year and presented with unfamiliar tasks where teamwork and cooperation were essential, the students learned a great deal about themselves and their peers, and more importantly, learned to accept and appreciate each other's unique personalities and differences. Year 8s attended a four-day camp in Sai Kung, staying at the Po Leung
Kuk Pak Tam Chung Holiday Camp. Not carrying their mobile devices with them was the first thing many students had to get used to! Students had a chance to camp overnight in tents (no showers), hike, kayak, and were presented with challenging tasks designed to build confidence, teamwork, communication, independence, leadership skills and outdoor technical skills. Year 9s went to Tai Po this year to the Tung Tze Scout Centre. Following the EOTC structure, these teens faced more demanding challenges compared to their younger peers to build confidence and resilience. Their activities were no walk in the park and included map reading and navigation, building fires, kayaking and kayak rescue, trekking and abseiling. Teamwork and perseverance paid off, and students developed fundamental outdoor and survival skills in a short amount of time. This is the last local camp in secondary. Next year these students will select from a diversity of locations and head overseas for No Boundaries. Whether it's a one-night experience for seven-year-old Year 3s, or four adventurous days for the young teens of secondary, students all return with their horizons broadened, knowing a lot more about themselves and their peers, and better equipped with skills that can only be acquired outside the walls of their usual classrooms. Margaret Lee Activities Coordinator