Unleashing the Pack: Wilderness Wisdom for the Young Wolves of Dover Court
What if I told you that your youngest students are already telling themselves things about themselves?
Things like,
“I’ve never gone out into the wilderness, I will never survive out there.”
“I can’t work well with people.”
“It doesn’t matter whether I put in effort, other people in the team will get things done.”
And then, what if I told you that with intentionally designed experiences, we can delve beyond the mechanics of outdoor skills and leave a profound impact on their self-conversations?
“I am capable of learning to do new things.”
“I can learn how to work well with people.”
“My contribution to the team can make a difference in the result we produce.”
Back in November, amidst nature’s embrace, Beyond Expeditions embarked on a transformative journey with Year 4 students, the ‘Wolves’ of Dover Court. With 90 students for the 27th - 28th November run, and over 80 students for the 30th November - 1st December run, these are Beyond Expeditions’ youngest participants yet.
From mastering firelighting to crafting stools, our team of experienced trainers helped the Wolves hone crucial skills, and concluded with a tribal survival challenge that tested their mettle and teamwork. This article will bring you through the different messages that I foresee these students picking up from the various segments of the camp, rather than the details of the various segments themselves. Because… as teachers, I’d imagine that what matters for you would be not only the honing of skills but the way these outdoor experiences can shape the way they grow and develop.
** disclaimer: Dover Court International has given full permission for the use of all photos taken during the camp, thus the photos you see here would not be censored like how they usually are for our articles!
Who can I be?
“I can do things on my own.”
This camp was a ‘first’ for many Wolves;
First night away from home. First time out of their comfort zone; family, and creature comforts. First time being in a space of ‘new’, where everything is not what they are familiar with.
At such a young age, they haven’t been on their own much. But this camp took them out into nature, and allowed them to be on their own. Our trainers teach them skills and let them practise with as little trainer intervention as possible, allowing the Wolves to practise different survival skills on their own.
Students were constantly trying new things on their own; learning to start a fire, using tools they’d never seen before.
“I am capable of making something useful.”
Let’s use just one segment of the camp to illustrate how the students could be guided to see this of themselves;
‘Stool making’.
In just this one segment, our Wolves were taught skills and techniques they can use to create a stool. They also had to be focused and practise controlling their strength when using the tools. Stool-making also required them to trust their fellow teammates to work on different parts of the stool, that will eventually come together to produce a masterpiece.
The result of this segment?
A beautiful piece of furniture that can be used, and each student walking away with evidence and a new set of beliefs around what they are capable of.
Who says young students can’t make furniture on their own?
Who can WE be?
“I can contribute to the team’s success.”
For the tribal challenge, students divided responsibilities amongst themselves and each set out to complete their part. Some students got the fire going so that they could boil eggs, some took charge of decorating and building their ‘tribal village’, some students used their creativity to come up with the tribal dance, and some went out to forage for natural materials.
Each Wolf had the opportunity to see that, “...Hey, it makes a difference to what the team can achieve, when I step up and contribute.”
“I can learn how to work better with others.”
The various survival skills workshops conducted on the first day, especially the tribal challenge at the end of the camp; each required our young students to work together with other teammates. Whether it was learning how to use the axe, stool-making, or water filtration, different parts of the camp were set up in ways to facilitate teamwork. Students got to firsthand experience what it can be like to work with others, to then figure out what works and also what they can do differently when working with others in a team.
“We can all be winners.”
These two days sent out this message loud and clear, and not just by announcing to everyone that “We are all winners!” At the end of the camp, there’s a big prize presentation that acknowledges every single group for the hard work they put into their tribe. Everyone was given an ice pop, a way of appreciating each child for the way they’d each played a part in their team, a way of affirming the entire team’s performance regardless.
A way of telling the child that, working together with others can bring results beyond what we can achieve on our own.
A way of telling each young student that we don’t need ‘losers’ to be winners.
This camp was important in the realm of outdoor survival skills, because Beyond Expeditions will be hosting this same cohort of Dover Court students again next summer in Malaysia when they become Year 5. This camp was also important in the way it created opportunities for students to venture beyond just mastery of outdoor skills; they got to change the way they see themselves and the way they see teamwork.
So if you’re an international school teacher whose students are taking on challenges of outdoor expeditions in the years to come, and you believe in the power of experiential learning and the importance of shaping mindsets and fostering invaluable life skills beyond the wilderness, drop us an email here. Our trainers will be with you the moment they can, to discuss how we can tailor our program to best benefit you and your students, empowering your students to thrive not just in nature's embrace but also in the classroom and beyond.
And we also have some exciting news for Year 2-5 students; we bring specialized programs right to your school! It's our special treat for the younger ones.
If you’re keen to read up on other school programs we have conducted, you’re in luck;
Here’s a recent Amazing Race we conducted for Year 7 and 9 Dulwich College students that had them exploring important heritage sites around Singapore,
Enjoy the reads!
And who knows?
Your students may just be the next cohort of survival skills masters after spending time with Beyond Expeditions.
Article written by: Valerie
Valerie, a freelance writer with a quirky infatuation with steamed buns and slightly bizarre food combinations.
(“Try soft-boiled eggs and hot milo!”)
She wishes to keep writing stories that bypass typical food reviews and appreciation of scenery, stories that inspire readers to pursue curious conversations about the unique cultures and lifestyles of every country.
