Outdoor Education Week: Dover Court Year 5 Students Discover Growth and Values in Malaysia
It's the middle of the year, and we're back to Malaysia for another spectacular 3D2N adventure with the Year 5 students of Dover Court International School! Last year, we had the pleasure of hosting the Year 4 batch at our Singapore campsite, but this year, we're cranking up the excitement with a bigger, wilder experience in Malaysia!
Dive into the thrilling experiences our students had in Mersing, Malaysia, and discover the incredible values they picked up along the way.
Are you an educator seeking a unique, hands-on learning experience outside the classroom? Don't hesitate to contact us at discover@beyondexpeditionssg.com. Whether you're looking for a half-day program or an overnight adventure, we can curate a program tailored precisely to your needs!
With our students' education at the forefront, we aim to provide an expansive activity space where they can immerse themselves in learning and outdoor experiences. Beyond our planned activities, we prioritize creating an environment that strikes the perfect balance of comfort and adventure, allowing our students to explore, roam freely, and fully embrace the wilderness.
The campsite provides rooms and dormitories designed to help Year 5 students comfortably transition to independence away from home. With a 4-hour bus journey separating our students from the comfort of their homes, we want to offer a safe and exciting space for students to explore, learn, and enjoy unforgettable days with their peers outside the traditional classroom setting.
Additionally, the beach at our campsite opens up a world of water activities, introducing our students to the thrill of the great outdoors and helping them build confidence in all environments!
Want to delve deeper into our residential camps? Check out these exciting stories:
SURVIVAL’S JUST A HIKE AND A CHOP AWAY FOR THIS INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL!
** Please note that the faces of students and teachers are blurred out to protect their privacy.
Last year, we hosted Dover Court International School Year 4 students at our fantastic campsite in Singapore, where they enjoyed engaging activities and experienced their first night away from home. This year, we're excited to welcome them back for an even richer and more adventurous experience, designed to push them further out of their comfort zones. Read more about this exciting adventure here!
As part of the Beyond Expeditions experience, we provide pre-camp briefings to ensure a comprehensive education for our students. Two weeks before the camp, we organized a session at their school to build excitement and educate the students on essential preparations. Covering risk assessments, backpacking essentials, and the natural wonders of Malaysia, the briefing provided valuable insights to ensure the students were ready for the adventure. Our aim was to foster a sense of independence and preparedness. As they left the briefing, the students were visibly excited and well-informed, eagerly anticipating the camp and ready to embrace the challenges ahead.
We are always excited to host overnight camps for Year 5 students, as the age group of 10-11 years is an ideal time for value education. At this age, children are in the concrete operational stage of cognitive development. They begin to think logically about concrete events, understand cause and effect, and can classify objects and grasp concepts like conservation. This cognitive maturity makes it the perfect time to introduce value education, as they can comprehend and internalize abstract concepts like honesty, empathy, and responsibility. Their developing reasoning skills allow them to understand the importance of these values and how they apply to everyday situations.
Emotionally, preadolescents are becoming more self-aware and beginning to develop a stronger sense of identity. They are learning to manage their emotions better and can reflect on their feelings and those of others. This increased emotional intelligence makes them more receptive to value education, as they can appreciate the importance of values in building positive relationships and fostering a sense of self-respect and empathy.
Socially, children aged 10-11 are becoming more peer-oriented and are starting to form more complex friendships. They are learning to work in teams, cooperate with others, and resolve conflicts. This social development is crucial for value education, as it provides a practical context for learning and applying values like cooperation, fairness, and respect.
And so, experiential learning activities, such as what we provide in our outdoor education programs, are particularly effective during this stage, as they allow children to practice these values in real-life scenarios, reinforcing their understanding and commitment to them.
Outdoor education plays a pivotal role in fostering growth and adding value to students' lives by immersing them in nature and challenging them to step outside their comfort zones. At Beyond Expeditions, our outdoor education programs are designed with specific goals and objectives to ensure a comprehensive developmental experience. We aim to equip students with new outdoor skills, making them comfortable with natural elements and environments.
Additionally, we focus on imparting developmental values such as teamwork, resilience, and self-reliance that will last a lifetime. This article will delve into how each activity at our camps is centered around a specific value, demonstrating how these values contribute to students' growth. By highlighting one key value for each activity, we will illustrate how these experiences not only enhance practical skills but also nurture character development, helping students build a strong foundation for their future!
RESPONSIBILITY THROUGH FIRE LIGHTING
Our fire-lighting activity is a standout favourite among students, offering a thrilling mix of excitement and challenge. The ability to create their own fire, a natural element that can both fascinate and intimidate, provides a profound sense of accomplishment. At Beyond Expeditions, we emphasize self-sustenance, and mastering the art of fire-lighting is an essential skill we teach using traditional methods: a ferrocerium rod, along with materials found in nature.
Interestingly, many students are already familiar with the ferrocerium rod from Minecraft, which helps bridge their understanding of the concept. During the activity, we educate them about the fire triangle and how to start, maintain, and safely manage a fire. As a rewarding treat, they get to roast marshmallows over the fire they’ve created themselves!
Safety and responsibility are paramount in this activity. We stress the potential dangers of fire and ensure students understand the importance of handling it with care. Equipped with gloves and guided by our trainers, students learn to take responsibility for their own safety and the well-being of those around them. This activity not only builds practical skills but also instills a crucial sense of responsibility, reinforcing that fire is a powerful tool that must be respected and managed wisely.
PROBLEM SOLVING THROUGH WATER FILTRATION
Creating water filtration systems in the wild offers students a stimulating problem-solving challenge that highlights the importance of clean, drinkable water. Once students grasp the significance of water filtration, they dive into a hands-on activity where they must design and build their own filtration systems. This exercise not only reinforces their understanding of why clean water is crucial but also hones their problem-solving skills.
We start by introducing the concept of a filter and then set students loose to forage for materials from their surroundings. Using natural elements such as rocks, sand, and charcoal, they must brainstorm and construct an effective water filtration system using a water bottle. This process encourages them to think critically, experiment with different configurations, and test their solutions. By working through these challenges, students learn to apply their knowledge creatively and practically, demonstrating how problem-solving can turn theory into functional solutions.
EMPATHY THROUGH FIRST AID
Our first aid activity is not just about bandaging up our peers and role-playing; it’s a journey into the heart of empathy! While students may initially focus on the fun aspects of dressing wounds and playing out emergency scenarios, they soon discover the deeper significance behind these actions. As they learn how to provide first aid, they begin to appreciate how their skills can truly make a real difference in someone’s life.
This hands-on experience helps them understand the true impact of their care, transforming the activity into a meaningful lesson in empathy. Students come to understand that their ability to provide care can truly make a difference, turning each bandage and every role-play into a meaningful gesture of compassion. By the end of the session, they don’t just acquire first aid skills; they gain a deep appreciation for the value of supporting and connecting with others in their times of need.
PATIENCE THROUGH WOOD SAWING
For our Year 5 students, sawing wood might seem like a daunting task, but it's a fantastic exercise in patience and perseverance. The physical endurance required to saw through a piece of wood can be quite challenging, and it’s here that students truly learn the value of patience. Each student takes their turn at the saw, carefully and steadily working through the wood, while their peers cheer them on, creating an encouraging atmosphere.
Once they've successfully cut their pieces, they get to unleash their creativity by decorating them with paints and markers. These finished pieces, transformed into coasters or key chains, become cherished mementos that they can take home and proudly present to their parents. Through this activity, students not only gain practical skills but also discover the importance of patience and the joy of celebrating each other’s efforts and achievements!
SELF-RELIANCE THROUGH NAVIGATION
Navigation isn't just a skill for the great outdoors—it's also a fun and essential tool for city adventures! Our students get to experience the excitement of finding their way by learning to read maps and spot landmarks, which are crucial for both wild and urban exploration. They dive into the 5 D's of Navigation (Destination, Direction, Distance, Duration, and Description) discovering how these key concepts can guide them through any journey both in the wild and in the city.
They get hands-on experience with a compass and tackle exciting puzzle challenges that make the learning process both engaging and interactive. As they master these skills, students build a strong sense of self-reliance, feeling empowered to find their way and take on new adventures with confidence. Through these activities, they not only become savvy navigators but also gain a fun and practical skill that will serve them well in many future journeys.
COMMUNICATION THROUGH BUILDING NATURAL SHELTERS
Building a natural shelter with bamboo poles and mastering the tripod lash is a fantastic team challenge that highlights the importance of communication. This activity involves multiple steps and requires coordination among students to create a shelter that can stand up to nature’s elements. Communication becomes key as students work together, discussing each step and sharing ideas to ensure the structure is strong and effective.
After our trainers demonstrate the process, students take charge of their own shelter-building adventure, relying on clear and effective communication to solve problems and make decisions as a team. This collaborative effort not only results in a functional shelter but also strengthens their ability to work together, reinforcing the value of communication in achieving shared goals and navigating complex tasks!
TEAMWORK THROUGH RAFTING
Building a raft is a thrilling team challenge that highlights the power of teamwork. Crafting a raft that can float and endure the waves is no small feat! It requires serious collaboration and collective problem-solving. Students work side by side, ensuring that every knot is tightly secured and every element is properly aligned. Once their raft is complete, the real adventure begins as they take it into the water together.
To support those who might be less confident in the water, we include a water confidence activity, fostering a supportive and inclusive environment. As they test their rafts and engage in fun water play, students experience firsthand the importance of working together to achieve a common goal. This activity not only strengthens their teamwork skills but also reinforces the joy and success that come from collaborating effectively!
APPRECIATION OF NATURE THROUGH OUR EVENING WALK
To conclude our day, we introduce students to a tranquil evening walk through the forest and along the coastline, a highlight of our Beyond Expeditions programs. As they walk in rows with their peers, we encourage them to be quiet and observant, taking in the beauty and serenity of their natural surroundings.
This opportunity to sit and listen to the sounds of the wild fosters a deep appreciation for nature, something we emphasize throughout our programs. By nurturing this connection to the environment, we hope to instill in students a lifelong habit of valuing and cherishing nature, making these moments of reflection and wonder a cherished part of their lives.
SELF-EXPRESSION THROUGH OUR CAMPFIRE
At the end of our camps, we gather students around a campfire for a vibrant talent show, a highlight that celebrates their self-expression. Despite the heavy rain that led us to move the campfire indoors, the spirit of the activity remained undamped. Students take this opportunity to showcase their individual talents, from singing and dancing to storytelling and skits, each performance a unique expression of their creativity and growth over the past two days.
This event not only allows them to celebrate their own achievements but also to appreciate and support their peers' talents. Through this experience, students learn the importance of self-expression and gain confidence in sharing their unique voices and abilities with others, making the camp’s conclusion both joyful and meaningful.
At the end of our camp, the transformation in the students over just three days is remarkable. Many who were initially hesitant about staying away from home discovered the joy of new experiences, while those who were wary of certain activities found the courage to participate and overcome their fears. Even the quieter students grew more confident, finding their voice and sharing their unique talents by the end of the camp.
At Beyond Expeditions, we firmly believe in the profound impact of outdoor education. Through these immersive experiences, we have witnessed firsthand how students evolve, gaining self-confidence, resilience, and a greater appreciation for their abilities. Our aspiration is for every student to emerge from our programs not only with newfound skills and a deeper connection to nature but also with a strengthened sense of self. We are committed to providing these transformative experiences, confident that the lessons learned and values embraced during their time with us will continue to inspire and guide them long after the camp ends.
Explore more about our dynamic outdoor education experiences:
2-Hour Sentosa Program: Unleashing Incredible Values Through Fun
“The Year 12 Amazing Race: Travelling Through Time on an Island Quest”
Week-Long Extreme Adventures for SAS: Fostering Resilience in Students
“BE x Singapore American School (SAS) Outdoor Education Week 2022”
Whether you’re an educator seeking an exhilarating overnight adventure or a quick 2-hour program, we’re here to deliver an experience like no other for your students. Reach out to us at discover@beyondexpeditionssg.com, and let’s discuss how we can tailor a unique and unforgettable experience just for you!
ARTICLE WRITTEN BY: MAYA
With a background in filmmaking, Maya has always been a storyteller. She hopes to bring more stories from Beyond Expeditions to you, the readers!
In her free time, Maya enjoys cycling to the beach and chilling with a cup (or two 🤫) of hot teh tarik.
