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Jaslin's 21 day OBS journey
1.
2. By Jaslin Kong, Final Year Real Estate undergraduate, National University of Singapore.
Journey completed in December 2010
3. “Outward Bound” signifies the moment when a
ship leaves its moorings and commits itself to the
open sea, with all of its unknowns, hazards, and
adventures.
It is a reoccurring demonstration of human nobility
— out of desire to seek and determine our own
destiny, no matter what the challenge.
Anonymous
4. An Experience of a Lifetime!
I always wanted to challenge myself with a 21-D program.
But when this opportunity came, I must admit I was hesitant.
I didn’t know I had so many fears e.g. away from home for so long, no
handphone, no Internet, no newspapers, mosquitoes, sunburn, my part-time
work, CCAs etc…
But the appeal of what the program has to offer was too great that despite all my
fears, I decided to take the plunge.
5. This is an important path! It is part of the 2.4km route which I will take every morning for
Physical Training (PT)!
We assemble at the square at 5.55am for morning PT every morning when we are
stationed at OBS Base camp. The rest of the day would include a veriety of activities and
challenges. We never have a boring moment.
I must admit after mugging for the exams, I was simply not in a good shape physically and
mentally.
I can still remember 3 days into the programme, whenever we have to wake up in the
morning at 5.55am, I was already missing home and asking myself why I was putting
myself through this torture?
6. Sharing Session every morning Morning PT with fresh air and sunrise
We shared through debrief about what
happened everyday and wrote them
down in our personal journals.
Daily morning runs in preparation for
the 15km run on day 20
10. High Elements are not there to challenge your physical abilities.
They are the ultimate test of your mental strength and your
sense of determination as an individual.
11. One of my favourites! This is designed
to simulate an actual wall of a mountain Inverse Tower Challenge
e.g. water fall, via ferrata.
14. “There is more to us than we know.
If we can be made to see it, perhaps
for the rest of our lives, we will be
unwilling to settle for less”
Kurt Hahn,
Founder of Outward Bound School
15. Orienteering Expedition @ Pulau Ubin
This is something which I hated. Carrying
close to 20kg on my back and made to trek
for hours!
Trekking day and night and even in the rain!
19. Walking in the night!
It really challenged my perceptions of walking in the dark.
We were told not to light our torch so that our eyes can
get accustomed to the darkness!
Instead of just seeing 1 lighted spot (from our torch) in the
remote darkness, we could see far more just using the
subtle ambient light of nature.
21. My personal favorite!
My 1st time on a cutter. I didn’t know there were so much to sailing!
Commands, teamwork, dependable on external conditions. There is
nothing we can control other than our own personal attitudes and
beliefs. Getting used to be under the circumstances.
Sometimes we cannot do anything but to keep rowing when wind and
tides are against us!
23. Toilet in the sea
Our trusty rubber raft towed behind the cutter
24. All on board!
We had to sail in the day and get on shore to cook, using a small rubber raft.
25. Sleeping on the cutter, under the night sky!
It was an unforgettable experience.
Every 10 min, I could see and hear the
planes flying off from Changi Airport.
The cold wind, the starry night sky and our
tired bodies!
31. Solo Expedition! My most challenging part of the camp!
We were dropped off individually at different locations of
the forest and we had to build our own shelter.
We were to be alone for 3D2N, doing reflection and
resting! We were given just 6 solid fuel, dry rations,
water, a matchbox…
No handphone, no watch!!!
I had to overcome my fears of being alone in the dark,
getting used to unusual noises at night, getting used to
the mosquitoes and ants
AND going to the “toilet” in the forest!!!
33. 4D3N Kayaking expedition! A total of 40+ people.
Packed tents, food, water and belongings in the kayaks.
The round-Singapore journey:
Pulau Ubin=>Causeway=>Sembawang=>Changi=>East
Coast=>Back to Pulau Ubin
34. From someone who knows nothing about pitching tents,
I am now a pro @ pitching tents.
35. This is not all!
Sometimes we have to face our worst fears!
36. The Pamper Pole.
4 storeys above ground level…
Objective : Catch the dangling trapeze bar as you jump
37. 2nd time I cried in the span of 21 days!
I realised later that I was not as fearful of getting hurt that I did not jump at my
1st attempt, but the innate fear of failure that caused me to hesitate.
My 2nd attempt, I did jump but still did not manage to catch the trapeze bar. I
have no regrets about trying. In fact, I am very glad that I have learnt to
overcome my fear and just TRY.
My 1st cryig experience in OBS? While Kayaking… the arduous journey and
38. It may be tough but it is not all
this programme has to offer!
39. That is not all. Life in OBS is more than challenging. The physical strain on the
body and mind was something I had never experienced before. The feeling of
homesickness after 1 week, the “scream for sleep”, the physical activities and
sharing sessions!
By going through this programme, I now have a better appreciation and
understanding of myself and what I can do.
Sometimes the worst fears are just an illusion, and when all the circumstances
seem to be against us, there’s always a rainbow behind the clouds!
40. If you take the time to notice, you will discover beautiful scenery…
41.
42. Making a difference in the lives of this group of special needs kids!
(or perhaps it was the other way around…)
43. Sometimes, with time in our
hands and no distractions
such as handphones and TV,
we were back to basics! We
would chat a lot and get
creative! (That’s an apple by
the way…)
44. Most importantly, it is the friends I made during the 21 days.
People who met as strangers on Day 1 and are now my friends
who have literally gone through thick and thin together!
45.
46. What to Bring?
• A can-do spirit!
• Sunblock
• Cap
• Insect repellent
• Mosquito coils
• Plastic bags
• Powder (Lots!!!)
47. When I came to Outward Bound, I could run four miles.
When I left, I could run 13 miles.
Why could I run so much farther?
Where did I get the extra nine miles?
Three miles came from increased strength.
The next two miles came from pure determination.
The next mile came because I knew my limits.
After that, another mile came because I knew I could
surpass my limits.
Another mile was the result of undefeatable spirit.
But, the last mile came from a new source deep within; I'm
not sure where.
And that new source of inspiration, determination and
personal strength is what I am bringing home with me from
Outward Bound.
- James White
Good afternoon, Ladies and Gentlemen! Thank you for your presence here!As some of you may know, I am Jaslin, a final year RE student.I am here today to share my experiences of the 21-D OBS camp programme I attended last Dec.
Put it simply, to me, it was an experience of a lifetime!I had the opportunity to apply for the programme, which was highly recommended by Terence, my CCA advisor.This was a golden opportunity for me because I always wanted to challenge myself with a 21-D program. I have heard so much about it, in terms of the activities. But when this opportunity came, I must admit I was hesitant.I didn’t know I had so many fears e.g. I haven’t been away from home for so long, 3 weeks w/o contact with the world, no HP, no Internet, no newspapers, mosquitoes, sunburn, how will happen to my part-time work, CCA … It was simply back to basics, where technology didn’t matter at all.But the appeal of what the program has to offer was too great that despite all my fears, I decided to take the plunge.
Why did I show this path? An important path! This is part of the 2.4km route which I will take every morning for PT!We wake at 5.20am and report at the square at 5.55am for morning PT every morning we are stationed at Base camp.One typical day: We will start our 2.4km run at 7am, do our jetty jump and then go for breakfast by 8am.Sharing at 9am. Followed by Activity of the day. Then evening PT, wash-up, dinner, debrief after dinnerPrepare for the next day’s expedition…Rotation of I/C duties everyday! Quite stressful!!!Very often, our bunk will turn in for the night by 11am, guys and girls included because we are simply too tired!I must admit after mugging for the exams, I was simply not in a good shape physically and mentally.I can still remember 3 days into the programme, whenever we have to wake up for morning PT at 5.55am, I was already missing home and asking myself why I was putting myself through this torture?
The pic on the top left hand corner is an example of our sharing session every morning, using the journal.Morning PT and run!Our running route every morning and evening!In preparation for the 15km run on Day 20!
Jetty jump!
Jetty Jump!It signifies a new beginning!!!
Debriefing and sharing every night! We shared about what happened in the day and wrote them down in our personal journals.We are made to challenge the High elements!
High elements!
High elements!One of my favourites! This is designed to simulate an actual wall of a mountain e.g. water fall, via ferrata.
This is something which I hated. Carrying close to 20kg on my back and made to trek for hours!Trekking day and night and even in the rain!
Trekking under the heavy rain in the wilderness.
Trekking through the forest! Imagine big spiders, spider webs, angry ants, mozzies!
During rain!
Walking in the dark!It really challenged my perceptions of walking in the dark. We were told not to light our torch so that our eyes can get accustomed to the darkness!
A 3D2N Sailing expedition! My personal favorite! My 1st time on a cutter. I didn’t know there were so much to sailing! Commands, teamwork, dependable on external conditions. There is nothing we can control other than our own personal attitudes and beliefs. Getting used to be under the circumstances. Sometimes we cannot do anything but to keep rowing when wind and tides are against us!
Learning the commands!
All on board!We had to sail in the day and get on shore to cook, using a small rubber raft.
Sleeping on the cutter, under the night sky!It was an unforgettable experience. Every 10 min, I could see and hear the planes flying off from Changi Airport. The cold wind, the starry night sky and our tired bodies!
Sleeping on the cutter! Too tired!
Jetty Jump off the cutter!
The community service project:We have to design a programme for a group of kids with special needs.
Solo Expedition! My least favourite!We were dropped off individually at different locations of the forest and we have to build our own shelter, with ground sheets and cotton twines.We were to be alone for 3D2N, doing reflection and resting! We were given just 6 solid fuels, dry rations, water, a matchbox…No hp, no watch!!!I had to overcome my fears of being alone in the dark, getting used to weird noises at night, getting used to the mosquitoes and ants AND using the “toilet” in the forest!!!
4D3N Kayaking expedition! A total of 40+ people.Packed tents, food, water and belongings in the kayaks.Pulau Ubin=>Causeway=>Sembawang=>Changi=>East Coast=>Back to Pulau Ubin
From someone who knows nothing about pitching tents, I am now a pro @ pitching tents.
That is not all. Life in OBS is more than challenging. The physical strain on the body and strain on the mind were something I have never experienced before. The feeling of homesickness after 1 week, the “scream for sleep”, the physical activities and sharing sessions!By going through this programme, I have a better appreciation and understanding of myself and what I can do.Sometimes the worst fears are just an illusion, and when all the circumstances seem to be against us, there’s always a rainbow behind the clouds!
Beautiful scenery too!
Making a difference in the lives of these group of special needs kids!
Sometimes, with too much time on hand, (no HP, no TV, it is back to basics! We will chat at night and play with our food rations!
Most importantly, it is the friends I made during the 21 days. People who were strangers to me in Day 1, now we are friends who have literally went through thick and thin!
I was very homesick for the first 2 weeks.It seems to be the longest 2 weeks of my life.There are many 1st time…Sailing- Build my own shelterSleeping in a cutter….
