The 10th Tema International School expedition camp experience was a resounding success. It provided participants a holistic outdoor adventure while fostering personal growth and skill development. Through physical challenges, teamwork, and immersive learning opportunities, individuals emerged better equipped to navigate wilderness environments and everyday life.
The invaluable lessons learned and memories created during this expedition will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on participants, inspiring future adventures and personal growth. Participants demonstrated commendable physical endurance throughout the expedition. The initial 13km hike demanded stamina and perseverance, especially traversing varied terrain. Despite the challenges, participants displayed resilience and determination, completing the journey to Survival Island.
Effective teamwork was a cornerstone of this expedition camp experience. Participants actively supported one another during the hike, offering encouragement and assistance. Throughout the camp, individuals demonstrated a strong camaraderie, fostering a supportive and cohesive team environment. The expedition provided ample opportunities for participants to develop and hone their outdoor skills. From navigation techniques during the hike to learning kayaking fundamentals, participants acquired practical knowledge for wilderness survival. The capsize drills enhanced their confidence and proficiency in water-based activities, emphasising safety protocols and rescue procedures. Outdoor leadership sessions further equipped participants with valuable decision-making skills and group management skills in challenging environments. This 10th Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award expedition facilitated significant personal growth and reflection among participants. Overcoming physical and mental obstacles fostered a sense of accomplishment and self-discovery. Through experiential learning and group discussions, individuals gained insights into their strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement. The wilderness setting provided a conducive environment for introspection, fostering a deeper appreciation for nature and individual resilience. – David Difie (DoEIA Coordinator)
A lesson I learnt during the expedition camp is the value of perseverance and teamwork. Having gone to the camp before, I knew the distances and terrains we were to walk on. This motivated me to keep walking. One area I can improve on as a Dukie is my perseverance. We encouraged each other to keep moving forward, which was one way we collaborated as a group. I kept resting because I was tired, and my teammates were getting fed up with me. But they encouraged me to keep going, and we all moved together. My challenge was not being able to keep going, but I tackled that by asking the team to take breaks at reasonable times. I learnt that motivation goes a long way to help me perform at my best, a skill I would like to focus on in future camps. I will suggest we do stretches and warm-up exercises before the hike. My best moment was sharing a tent with my friend. We got to know each other better and became closer friends. What is the overall impact of this camp on your personal growth? I’ve learnt about self- motivation and can push myself to achieve more. – Charis Kudiabor, G9. (Bronze Participant)
The lesson learnt during the camp is about leadership and the different types. I think my adaptability is my strength in this camp. An area I can improve on as a Dukie is my communication skills. Our group was Bravo 3, the last group of all the group members; when we were tired, we shared snacks, and when someone was in trouble, we helped them, which also helped our group. That was how we collaborated. I think the challenge for me was my physical strength. I just took rest time to get more energy. My major challenge was sleeping in the tent because it was too hot inside, and I still couldn’t tackle it. I want to focus on communication skills and resilience in future camps. Kayaking was my best moment because it was the most challenging activity for me, but I could do it, and I’m proud of myself. This is my first time going to an expedition camp, and I have learned a lot of things. – Rui (Jerry) Huang, G11. (Gold Participant)
I learnt that teamwork is needed to achieve a goal and to get there quickly. My strength was perseverance, I was able to push myself even when I was tired and wanted to rest. I collaborated with my Bravo group by sharing snacks to boost our energy levels, and we also collectively decided on the best times to take breaks so that we would all benefit from them. Some of my teammates were a bit slow when we were hiking, so we pushed them out of their comfort zone so that we would avoid lagging. I learnt that I can do anything as long as I put my mind to it, and there is nothing I can’t do. My best moment was kayaking with one of the rangers on the journey back home because I enjoy kayaking. The camp made me realise I can do anything and still have strength, no matter how tired. I am glad I got to experience the camp for the second time; it has helped me as an individual. – Kayla Searyoh, G11, (Silver Participant).
The most impactful lesson I learnt was “No matter how tired you are, you cannot leave yourself stranded, so you must push on and finish”. I had to tell myself this repeatedly during the hike on the first day; it showed me I had more strength than I thought. Another important lesson I learnt was that no matter how difficult you think a change will be, you will adapt as long as you are willing. My strengths during the camp were resilience and the ability to encourage others. During the hike, despite some of my bravo members being unable to handle their exhaustion, with words of encouragement, we all pushed through and collectively decided on times to rest. While kayaking from our campsite to the hiking trail on the last day, I was exhausted and felt little to no strength to carry on. My partner, however, was not ready to let me quit. With his motivation and my realisation that I could not leave myself stranded on the lake, I could push through and finish the task. Through this experience, I realised I am stronger than I think I am and that the mind can easily limit the extent to which your body can push itself, but it can just as easily extend that limit. So, as a Dukie, I learnt that with a positive mind and a mind that is ready and willing to endure, you can power through almost anything. My most memorable moment during this expedition was the capsizing drill. At the beginning of the expedition, this drill was what I dreaded most, but once I drifted into the water with that kayak, I knew I was going to love it. It was just something about falling into the cool water a day after a demanding hike that relaxed me. This expedition has been one of the most impactful journeys I have been on. Before the trip, I had convinced myself it would be the hardest thing I have ever participated in. This was an idea I held onto until the last hours of the first hike after realising my mind was holding me back and a big part of my exhaustion. After this idea had departed from my mind, I was instantly energised. Throughout the 3-day expedition, using a positive and encouraging mindset carried me through and allowed me to cruise through the days with ease. Regarding my personal growth, the most significant impact of the expedition camp was showing me the importance of a positive mindset in everything you do. – Breindelle Kusi Boateng, G11. (Gold Participant)
Some lessons I learnt during this camp were the power of teamwork and how working in teams can help achieve so much more. I also learned more about my group members and how we could work together to accomplish a lot. Since this was my second Dukies expedition camp, I felt somewhat used to the activities we would engage in. Compared to the last camp, during this camp, I developed self-confidence and determination, which helped me in various activities. As a Dukie, I feel like I can improve my confidence and know my capabilities because this motivates me to push forward more, which can highly impact my progress as a Dukie. I was able to engage in more group activities and learn more about each other, which helped me overcome some challenges. We played games which helped strengthen teamwork and asked questions about each other. When hiking especially, there were times when we had to wait for a team member when they were exhausted or needed help;. However, it felt frustrating sometimes, as a group, to finish the hike fast and better, we would sing songs or just have conversations with each other to kill the time. A challenge I faced was kayaking with my partner. There were instances when our coordination wasn’t the best, affecting our movement. With better communication and coordination, we were able to improve our kayaking. Through this experience, I’ve learnt that I can achieve anything I want with determination and focus, no matter how hard it may seem. I want to focus more on my attitude towards various activities in future camps since they affect my overall performance. My best moment during this camp was bonding with my group members when we asked each other questions. It made me know about my group members, and I found it entertaining. I was able to talk to people I barely spoke to in school. This expedition camp helped me in terms of my confidence and teamwork. Although I had experience from the previous camp, I was able to push further and learn more about my capabilities. I learnt the importance of teamwork and how bonds within the group helped me overcome challenges. This confidence I’ve discovered will help me in future expeditions as a Dukie. – Rachael-Louise Assan, G10 (Silver Participant)
