OBS 21-DAY CLASSIC CHALLENGE COURSE | LUMEN
Group photo with my watchmates during our last dinner outdoors , at a school in Bintan
Kayaking expedition ! ( Day 4 ) by Outward Bound Singapore ( OBS ) to challenge and hone our leadership skills , as well as build physical and mental ruggedness . This course also aims to develop youth leadership , by empowering us to go beyond our limits .
While this course built our physical and mental resilience through outdoor adventures , the hallmark of the programme was a strong focus on reflection . At the end of each day , we would gather as a group and share our thoughts , guided by our instructor . While our day ’ s reflection was not based solely on the events that occurred during that day , the various challenges we faced helped us be in touch with our mind and emotions . Sharing with each other and being vulnerable also enabled us to open our hearts to each other , allowing me to build even stronger bonds with my watchmates .
Fear was also a constant companion during the course . One of my fears was being inadequate - not being able to keep up or do what was expected of me . One instance where I felt inadequate was when I was trying to navigate our first expedition in Pulau Ubin . I was appointed as the designated navigator for the group , which challenged me as my navigational skills were far from perfect . Another instance would be during an abseiling practice at the OBS campus , where I was initially confident , but realised while going down that it was much harder than I thought it would be ( causing a lot of screaming ). Throughout the course , there were many of these moments where fear took over , and caused me to panic . It forced me to learn how to keep calm during uncertainty and to think rationally . I also learnt to take things slow and breathe , to perform in spite of fears . One of the quotes plastered on the walls in OBS Camp 2 was
“ A ship is safe in harbour , but that is not what a ship is made for .” It is only by exposing ourselves to new experiences that we realise our fears and take them head-on . I learnt that by embracing my fears , and keeping a cool head , I could accomplish so much more …
Naturally , being away from home for 21 days was bound to cause a feeling of homesickness . While I missed my parents and had no way of contacting them for 3 weeks ; 21 days . I reminded myself of the support they gave me , which gave me strength to carry on . Being on this camp made me appreciate the comforts of home more - especially the emotional comfort that interacting with friends and family gave me . Being on a course with seven watchmates ( and 14 batchmates ) also gave me an opportunity to get to know new people . As we were all going through this challenge course , we were able to empathise with each other , and share common emotions . Though we entered the course as strangers , we left as close friends , with a friendship forged by the shared challenges we went through and the memories from this experience .
Reflecting on the entire journey , this was really an experience of a lifetime . While it is difficult for me to express in words the full impact this journey had on me , what I felt throughout this process would be uniquely mine . An experience comprising land expeditions , sailing expeditions , running 15 km , climbing a mountain , and sleeping ( and using the toilet ) in the forest , most of all , I will remember the interactions with all of my watchmates , interactions contained within the confines of three weeks , but bonds built for a lifetime .
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