I’ve been quite lucky when it comes to participating in
Outward Bound programmes. First OB experience was as a RSAF pilot trainee where
we went through about 5 days of intensive “shag you out” programme in OBS,
conducted by my mentors Edwin Siew and David Lim, 20 years ago in 1996. I was
19 years old then. Second time in OBS was with the PESS PE teacher trainees in
2002 for a 7-9 day programme. Then came along my first overseas OB experience in
OB Korea where I went as a teacher liaison officer for then Hwa Chong JC.
Probably inspired by the experience, I became an OBS instructor in 2006 and
went through the OBS 21-day Classic Challenge as a rite of passage for trainee
instructors. 5th experience was after I left and re-joined OBS in
2013 and went through the 3-day OBS induction programme for People’s
Association new staff. These more than made up for missing OBS when I was in
secondary school.
So after 10 years in the outdoor industry, I’m leaving for
my 6th OB course in Australia as a participant. OB Australia
programmes are known to be one of the “purest” Outward Bound programmes in the
world, where they stick with traditional OB philosophies and methodology, thus
I’m looking forward to it. Besides, it’s been a 3-year hiatus since I last
attended Outward Bound as a participant.
The destination is Outward Bound Australia – Uki base. It’s
located in Gold Coast, but don’t think it’s all sandy beaches and tourists sun
tanning. In fact we won’t get to see any beach at all, but lots of rivers and
forests. The programme is the 14-day Scenic Rim to River, brief description of
it was lots of trekking, lots of mountain biking and lots of river canoeing.
Plus it’s going to be 11 OBS staff and 4 Aussies, sounds like fun!
Send off at the airport was grander than usual. There were
colleagues from various departments and even our Executive Director was there
to send us off. Well, it was the first time OBS sent that many staff on an
overseas programme/attachment, and we were the lucky 11.
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| Don't you get injured ah! |
