Making Waves, Changing Lives: 50 Years of Outward Bound Singapore by NYC Singapore

Making

Waves, Changing Lives 50 years of outward Bound SIngapore

To Serve, To Strive and

Not To Yield

Published for the National Youth Council by: Straits Times Press (A subsidiary of Singapore Press Holdings, English/Malay/Tamil Media Group) Mezzanine Floor, Information Resource Centre, Level 3, Podium Block, 1000 Toa Payoh North, News Centre, Singapore 318994 Tel: (65) 6319 6319 Fax: (65) 6319 8258 stpressbooks@sph.com.sg Online bookstore: www.stpressbooks.com.sg Copyright © 2017 National Youth Council All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the copyright owner. Printed in Singapore First printed in November 2017

National Library Board, Singapore Cataloguing-in-Publication Data Name(s): Koh, Leslie. | Pang, Kelly, author. | Chen, Ted, photographer. | National Youth Council (Singapore), issuing body. Title: Making waves, changing lives: 50 years of Outward Bound Singapore / authors, Leslie Koh and Kelly Pang; contributing photographer, Ted Chen. Description: Singapore: Published for the National Youth Council by Straits Times Press, [2017] Identifier(s): OCN 1008553515 ISBN 978-981-47-4776-9 (paperback) Subject(s): LCSH: Outward Bound Singapore—History. | Outward bound schools — Singapore. | Youth—Training of—Singapore. | Outdoor education—Singapore. Classification: DDC 371.384095957—dc23 Front cover: An Outward Bound Singapore (OBS) watch sailing on board a cutter. Picture: OBS Inside front cover: FreeImages.com/Yucel Tellici Back endpaper: Youth on a nature walk at Pulau Ubin. Picture: OBS Inside back cover: OBS alumni (in yellow) and staff (in red) marked its 50th year at a Homecoming on 16 September 2017. Picture: OBS Back cover: The artwork is a digitally manipulated composite of pictures belonging to OBS and taken by Ted Chen for the National Youth Council.

Making

Waves, Changing Lives 50 years of outward Bound SIngapore

A sketch from Mr Lim Joon Hiangâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s logbook. Picture: Courtesy of Mr Lim Joon Hiang

contents FOREWORD

MESSAGE

PROLOGUE

THE OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE JOURNEY

1 SETTING SAIL 2 FORGING AHEAD 3 TOWARDS NEW HORIZONS EPILOGUE

THE TIME CAPSULE

MILESTONES

120

160

Making Waves, Changing Lives 50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong officiating at the 40th anniversary celebration of OBS on Pulau Ubin on 12 April 2007, accompanied by OBS director Nicholas Conceicao. Picture: Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore

FOREWORD

n 1967, I attended an Outward Bound Singapore (OBS) camp together with fellow secondary school students. Over 17 days, we were put through tough challenges and expeditions that stretched us to our limits. We learnt important values like resilience and determination. More importantly, we worked as a team, cheering on and helping one another. For 50 years, OBS has brought similar transformative experiences to generations of young people. It continues to play a critical role developing youth to be physically and mentally strong. Through an adventure learning journey at OBS, our youth learn to help one another, strive together, and not yield to the obstacles ahead of them. These are important qualities that define us as a country. Singapore will be strong only when our citizens are stout of heart, and united in purpose and action. Ten years ago, I set OBS a challenge: reach out to young Singaporeans with new and innovative programmes. Today, I am heartened to see OBS doing just that. Under a bold National Outdoor Adventure Education Master Plan, OBS will be expanding its programmes to Coney Island and mainland Singapore, giving every Secondary 3 student the opportunity to undergo this learning adventure. In time to come, OBS will be a rite of passage and a shared experience for all young Singaporeans, regardless of race, religion or background. As OBS celebrates its 50th anniversary, I would like to challenge it once again to strive

for ever-higher standards in outdoor adventure learning. Just as OBS changed my life in 1967, we are all counting on it to nurture more rugged and resilient young people who can confidently venture forth and succeed in our ever-changing world. I wish OBS the very best in their endeavour. MR LEE HSIEN LOONG PRIME MINISTER

Making Waves, Changing Lives

MESSAGE

50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

utward Bound Singapore (OBS) has come a long way. From a small school set up in an abandoned quarry on Pulau Ubin just after Singapore’s independence, it has transformed into a premier outdoor adventure institution, well known internationally for its purpose-built facilities and innovative programmes. For the last 50 years, OBS has played a key role in nurturing a young citizenry ready to meet the challenges ahead. Indeed, generations of participants have emerged from OBS programmes with new-found confidence that has a lasting impact on their lives. In the next 50 years, Singapore will be facing new challenges in an increasingly uncertain and volatile world. OBS will therefore play an even more significant role in preparing the next generation for such a future. The bonds forged through shared OBS experiences will build social cohesion, one of the cornerstones of Singapore’s success. It will bring people together to face future challenges, regardless of race, language or religion. Under the National Outdoor Adventure Education Master Plan, all Secondary 3 students will get an opportunity to experience an OBS course, together with their peers from diverse backgrounds. OBS is thus expanding into Coney Island, and making use of mainland Singapore’s green and blue spaces. It will also stay at the forefront of youth development, by harnessing new technologies. This will ensure that more Singaporeans can benefit from its signature outdoor learning journeys. I am confident that OBS will continue to develop rugged and resilient youth in the next

50 years and beyond. Just like its participants, OBS is a courageous, resilient institution — ready to embrace the challenges of the future and serve the nation as a leading youth developer. True to its motto, it will continue to serve, to strive and not to yield. MS GRACE FU

MINISTER FOR CULTURE, COMMUNITY AND YOUTH

AND CHAIRPERSON OF THE NATIONAL YOUTH COUNCIL

Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Grace Fu (right) and Lisa Giam of Kranji Secondary School climbing the 18m-high Inverse Tower at the OBS campus on Pulau Ubin on 30 March 2016. Picture: OBS

Making Waves, Changing Lives

Prologue

50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

A CLARION CALL

outh at the Centre. At the National Youth Council, our vision is for our youth to grow into a fulfilled and engaged people, build a cohesive and caring society, and forge a confident and resilient nation. Outward Bound Singapore (OBS) plays a critical role in building up the pioneers of the next generation to be tough, cultivate a growth mindset and have a heart of service, so that they can bring Singapore forward and make a difference to others around them. Shared Experience at the Core. The OBS experience is a unique one that can seed that sense of shared responsibility and shared endeavour. In a world increasingly polarised and beset by uncertainties, this opportunity for a shared experience amongst youth from all walks of life and backgrounds in the social commons of the Singapore outdoors is preciously vital. People at the Heart of OBS. As we set out to undertake this challenge, the OBS of the future hinges fundamentally on the values and commitment of our people. The OBS instructor seeds positive change in young people and this, when transferred back into the family, school and workplace environments, can grow into an enduring impact on the individual, society and Singapore. I know our people will embrace this calling with passion and tenacity, and we look forward with great hope and optimism as OBS ventures boldly to the next frontier. MR DAVID CHUA

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, NATIONAL YOUTH COUNCIL

NYC Chief Executive Officer David Chua (rightmost) running with former participants of a 21-day OBS Classic Challenge Course and para-athlete Shariff Abdullah (second from the left) to raise money for charity at the Miles for Good movement in 2016. Picture: OBS

Making Waves, Changing Lives

THE OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE JOURNEY

50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

f the Outward Bound Singapore (OBS) experience could be summarised in one word, it would be this: Journey. From the very moment an Outward Bounder steps into the purpose-built school on Pulau Ubin, he embarks on a voyage that promises to transform his outlook, character, and life. This journey will be a time of self-discovery, as he learns to work with strangers in his team — or in OBS parlance, his “watch” — and to put others before himself. It will be a time of development, as he takes on various physical, mental and emotional challenges, from learning to cook outdoors

and scaling a 28-m high tower to spending a couple of nights in the jungle alone. And finally, it will be a time of self-awareness, as he begins to gain confidence and realises there is no obstacle in life but that in his mind. This is the learning journey that OBS seeks to take every participant on, and it is perfectly encapsulated in the Outward Bound motto: “To serve, to strive and not to yield.” It is an adventure that gets every Outward Bounder to discover for himself the value of teamwork, service and resilience as he pushes himself beyond his comfort zone. Over 50 years, more than 500,000 youth have accepted this challenge, and emerged with a greater willingness to serve, a clearer sense of purpose,

and a new ability to dig deep within themselves and overcome whatever obstacles they may face in their lives. This is what makes OBS the pioneer and leader of adventure-based experiential learning in Singapore.

The lessons that are learnt at OBS also go far beyond the shores of Pulau Ubin, and beyond each individual. In taking generation after generation of young Singaporeans on a learning journey each year, OBS has helped

to nurture a more rugged, resilient and confident citizenry, empowering them to serve and contribute to the community, and ultimately to help build Singapore. This is a key role that OBS has played in nation-building over 50 years, preparing the next generation of Singaporeans to boldly face the challenges of the future and take the nation into the next lap. It is also a journey that OBS itself has gone through. Since it was founded in 1967, OBS has been on a learning journey of its own. Born at a demanding time, the institution has learnt to accept and conquer formidable challenges, adapt to an ever-changing world, and discover its strengths and potential. Yet the heart of OBS has not changed over 50 years. While its people, programmes and policies have evolved over the years, its vision of building â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Inspired individuals, transformed communitiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; remains the same. This is the OBS journey, and it is its future: To serve, to strive and not to yield.

An aerial view of the OBS campus on Pulau Ubin. Picture: OBS

The beginning

Making Waves, Changing Lives

OBS was born in 1967, when the call went out to build a “rugged society”. Dr Goh Keng Swee, then the Minister for the Interior and Defence and the Deputy Chairman of the People’s Association, suggested that an Outward Bound School be set up to strengthen youth physically, mentally and emotionally so that they would be able to help lead the fledgling island state through the early years of nationhood. It is significant that this proposal came just two years after Singapore gained its independence. Right from the start, Singapore’s pioneer leaders had seen how OBS could play an important role in nation building by developing individuals. With few natural resources, Singapore needed citizens who were resilient, courageous, and unafraid to push the limits. As founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew noted in a speech in December 1965: “If you want a nation and a society to flourish and to prosper, it must produce leaders. And leadership is not just being clever and writing essays. You need men of action: sportsman, gymnasts, rugger players, boxers, Outward Bound school types, rowers, sailors, airmen, leaders of debating societies, organisers of men. In other words, the whole orientation of your education is different. Your purpose is to breed a fighting, THE OUTWARD BOUND SPIRIT effective generation with the guts and the will to survive.” The institution of Outward Bound was founded in Likewise, Mr Lim Kim San, who took over Dr Goh’s portfolio 1941 by German educator Kurt Hahn. Asked by in 1967, stressed that the Outward Bound School of Singapore the owners of a shipping line to help train sailors, (OBSS) could play a key role in developing the country’s only Mr Hahn launched a 28-day course designed to 50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

toughen up sea merchants. It eventually evolved into a programme for youth that taught teamwork, resilience, tenacity, responsibility and empathy through adventure and outdoor activities, such as kayaking, sailing, rock climbing, orienteering and abseiling. “There is more in us than we know,” Mr Hahn once said. “If we can be made to see it, perhaps for the rest of our lives we will be unwilling to settle for less.” Today, there are more than 50 Outward Bound institutions around the world globally. The name itself comes from the term used to describe ships leaving the safety of harbours for the unknown — a fitting term for the journey that every Outward Bounder finds himself on.

natural resource — its people. “How do we bring out their full potential, how do we instil in them a sense of community service and how do we train them for future tasks ahead?” he said. “To this end, we have [established] OBSS as the latest addition, to complement other youth organisations to produce better citizens.” Fortunately, OBS had a running start. Through the late 1950s and early 1960s, the British Far East Command had been running a holiday-adventure camp for students on Pulau Ubin. In 1966, the courses were extended along Outward Bound lines. Local volunteers were seconded from the civil service to help; they would soon form the core group of OBS leaders. (One teenager who took part in one of the courses was a certain Lee Hsien Loong — who would become Prime Minister of Singapore in 2004.)

In typical Singapore fashion, things moved fast. In November 1967, two Outward Bound veterans were flown in from New Zealand to help set up OBSS under the People’s Association. Mr Hamish Thomas and Mr Al Cameron became the school’s first Warden and Chief Instructor respectively. Both men were experienced: Mr Thomas, a keen sailor, had

set up an Outward Bound school in New Zealand five years earlier, while Mr Cameron was a good motivator who became an icon to young instructors. In January 1968, OBSS’ first board of governors, chaired by Mr Lim Kim San, was convened to discuss the work plan for the year. Singapore’s first Outward Bound course was conducted soon after, on 17 February 1968. The two New Zealanders’ mission, however, was to hand the school over to local staff as soon as they could. In 1969, Assistant Superintendent of Police Christopher Oh became the first local Warden, while teacher Henry Sng took over as the first Chief Instructor. They were aided by a handful of instructors seconded from the Ministry of Education, People’s Association and Vigilante Corps. Taking over a brand-new adventure school even as the nation itself was still finding its feet, they plunged into uncharted waters, ready to explore unfamiliar territory. They were Outward Bound.

With few resources available in the early days of OBS, obstacle courses were improvised using materials on hand, such as oil drums and planks. Picture: OBS

Making Waves, Changing Lives

Pioneering, innovating

50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

A boy attempting a rope crossing at OBS in 1971. Picture: Courtesy of Mr Lim Joon Hiang

Tasked with building up the fledgling outdoor adventure school, OBSS’ pioneers immediately went to work. With few resources available, instructors had to improvise. They cut down trees to build new obstacles, floated materials across from the mainland, and came up with innovative ways to challenge the next intake of participants. In doing this, they personally exemplified the spirit and ethos that they were seeking to cultivate in others. Mr Mathias Chay, a pioneer instructor who became Chief Instructor in 1972 and its Warden from 1974 to 1978, recalled wandering into the mangrove swamp in the school’s backyard to look for trees to build the obstacle courses, making use of oil drums, pipes, and bricks left behind by contractors, and even salvaging tyres and planks washed ashore. “The ‘pioneering spirit’ to build something out of nothing but ideas in our heads was the motivation for most of us,” he said. In 1970, OBSS was handed over to the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF). Seeking to prepare young men for their National Service stints, MINDEF gave the programmes more focus on physical and mental ruggedness and deployed army officers to take over the role of Warden. The instructors, however, remained civilian, drawn from the Civil Service. Participants who went through OBSS during this time recalled how MINDEF gave the courses a touch of the military. Mr Lim Joon Hiang, who took a 21-day course while he was in pre-university in 1971, recalled three activity-packed weeks that included physical training and a swim in the mornings, canoeing, sailing, map reading, first aid, climbing, and abseiling. “It made going through

National Service much easier,” he said. “OBS gave me a good foundation for National Service, academic studies, and my career.” Ms Saparila Binte Ali, who joined OBS in 1986 — and is still with OBS — remembered how instructors would make sure that participants completed the activities — even if it meant returning late. “There were no excuses. Whether participants liked it or not, they had to complete the activities. This could affect their meal times, as it depended on the whole watch completing an activity.” This approach, she said, went a long way in inculcating teamwork and teaching Outward Bounders to be responsible for their actions.

UNDER THE PA, WE WANTED TO GIVE MORE FOCUS TO EDUCATION, LEARNING AND DISCOVERY, TEAMWORK AND LEADERSHIP.” MR WINSTON LIM, THE FIRST OBS DIRECTOR UNDER THE PEOPLE’S ASSOCIATION (PA)

A new home

By 1990, OBSS was training several thousand students a year, but it was set a larger goal. The government was then planning to redevelop Pulau Ubin into a modern adventure centre under a national blueprint called Vision For 2000, and put OBSS at the heart of this plan. What was needed was a radical transformation of OBSS: Bold plans were laid out for the adventure school to play an even bigger role in inspiring individuals and nurturing the nation. First, after two decades of growth under MINDEF, OBSS was returned to the People’s Association (PA) in April 1991 and in keeping with its national identity, was renamed the Outward Bound Singapore (OBS). Mr Winston Lim, the first director of OBS under the PA, oversaw a transformation that turned OBS into a modern, world-class outdoor learning centre. “MINDEF did a good job, and we built on their success,” he said. “They concentrated more on fitness and ruggedness, but under the PA, we wanted to give more focus to education, learning and discovery, teamwork and leadership.” Plans were then launched to expand and modernise the OBS centre on Pulau Ubin. The government acquired some 830,000 sq m of land and embarked on a $20-million upgrading plan that promised to enable the centre to train 17,000 people a year, several times its capacity then. New procedures, safety protocols and programmes were established, more staff were hired, and instructors sent for further training. All these moves

had one aim in mind: to toughen Outward Bounders and empower them to discover values and skills that they could apply in their daily lives, such as self-belief, leadership and teamwork.

Making Waves, Changing Lives 50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

As in the earlier days, innovation marked the modernisation of the OBS centre. An exciting range of obstacles that promised to push participants to their very limits while keeping them safe were conceptualised, designed and built — with many of them thought up by the staff themselves. Over the next few years, these innovative structures would put OBS firmly on the international Outward Bound map and seal its reputation as a premier adventure-learning institution in the world. There was the 28-m tall Peak Ascent Tower that simulated alpine segments of Cerro Torre, a mountain in South America’s Southern Patagonian Ice Field. The ingeniously designed combination of climbing panels, rope ladders, rolling logs and wobbly islets simulated traversing across ice crevasses and river crossings before letting participants zip some 236m down to the ground across a mangrove swamp. There was the Inverse Tower, a radical, first-ofits-kind team obstacle course, which was inspired by a brainstorming session involving wooden chopsticks. And the Ubin Rescue Course, with its intricate network of undulating platforms and logs, challenged participants to employ teamwork to execute an alpine rescue simulation. And the Tunnelling and Caving System, a network of containers that gave participants the experience of navigating through an underground cave system in total darkness. Former Deputy Director Leng Chin Beng, who joined OBS in 1990, recalled how the unusual Inverse Tower had come about. Instructors were looking at building a pyramid-shaped tower for the high rope courses, a standard structure in many adventure schools abroad then. “But Mr Lim challenged

us: why not do an inverse tower?” he said. “It was a twist in the thinking, and it gave a different perspective.” But the pride of the school undoubtedly went to the Indiana challenge ropes course, a replica of the tall-ship that brought the founder of Singapore, Sir Stamford Raffles, to the fishing village in 1819. More than a showpiece of history, it was packed with features that offered multi-element challenges, from sail rigging and rope traversing to climbing its 16m mast. OBS’ brand-new centre — the first purpose-built modern Outward Bound centre in the world — was completed and opened in 1997. Apart from the creative, unique training facilities, it also featured 10 modern dormitory blocks for 320 participants, a multi-purpose training hall, learning rooms, a dining hall, a fully equipped medical centre, self-sufficient power and water supplies, and a fleet of sea craft for training and transport.

Course participants climbing the Inverse Tower during the official opening of the new OBS campus on Pulau Ubin in 1997. Picture: OBS

OBS instructors unfurling a sail bearing the OBS crest on a replica of the Indiana, the ship that bore Sir Stamford Raffles into Singapore, at the OBS 40th anniversary celebration on Pulau Ubin in June 2007. The Indiana Multi Element Challenge Course was commissioned in September 1997 by OBS for use as a challenge rope course. Picture: Singapore Press Holdings

Making Waves, Changing Lives 50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

Spreading wings

The completion of the campus on Ubin allowed OBS to build on its experience in providing adventure-based experiential learning. By this time, it had developed a tried-and-tested journey for Outward Bounders, which started with throwing them into a group of strangers and getting teams to agree on their own goals to putting through increasingly difficult physical and mental challenges. Throughout, there would always be ample time for self-reflection, so that lessons could be internalised and brought home. This was equally true for OBS itself. Former Head of Adventure Education Programmes and Development Abdul Kahlid s/o Abdul Mutaliffee, who joined OBS in 1990, recalled how OBS staff would meet regularly to review their programmes, so that they could quickly make changes to improve them. One significant move was reducing the length of the courses so that more students could attend them. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Research showed that there was more value in longer expeditions. But we saw that schools had limitations, so we came up with courses of shorter duration too.â&#x20AC;?

Participant climbing the Indiana Multi Element Challenge Course at the OBS50 Homecoming on 16 September 2017. Picture: OBS

Whether they targeted younger secondary school students or older youths in leadership positions, the programmes allowed the activities to be the ultimate teacher. In doing and reflecting, Outward Bounders discovered for themselves the value of teamwork and communication, found that they

could push through perceived limits, and discerned the importance of interpersonal relationships and trust. They learnt to think for their teammates and serve one another, built courage and confidence when they succeeded, and developed resilience and determination when they failed. As a result, student after student came back from OBS programmes more confident and positively motivated. School principals and teachers reported their charges being more engaged, resourceful, motivated and disciplined. As one teacher noted, those who went through OBS appeared to have undergone â&#x20AC;&#x153;a mental metamorphosisâ&#x20AC;?. This in turn gave OBS the confidence to venture into new territory â&#x20AC;&#x201D; far, far beyond Pulau Ubin. Aware that the tropical island could challenge the toughest participants only so much, it launched the Overseas Youth Programmes (OYP) in 1993, sending Outward Bounders on expeditions

Then Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong (first row, left) surveying the new OBS campus on Pulau Ubin during its official opening in 1997. Accompanying him was Mr Winston Lim (first row, centre), then Director of OBS and Mr Nicholas Conceicao (first row, right), then Assistant Director (Training) of OBS. Picture: OBS

Making Waves, Changing Lives 50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

Participants of Overseas Youth Programme Classic Challenge Course — a 25- to 27-day programme launched in 1993 and conducted in Australia and New Zealand — riding the rapids in canoes in Australia. Picture: OBS

overseas, so as to expose them to different cultures and a more varied experience of the outdoors. Drawing on the global Outward Bound network to offer adventure-learning activities, expeditions and community service projects, OBS introduced a wider range of programmes, from kayaking on the nearby Indonesian island of Batam, whitewater rafting in India and ice climbing in China, to alpine climbing in South Korea, trekking in Mongolia and jungle expeditions in Malaysia and Brunei. Since then, OBS programmes have gone further afield to cover expeditions to South Africa, Japan, Slovakia, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Oman, which promise an enriching immersion experience as they interact with peers from other countries and push their limits in unfamiliar, challenging environments. The next step was to open its doors to a wider audience. OBS was building such a reputation for nurturing teamwork, confidence and leadership in its participants that soon, companies and government organisations were asking for a chance to give their employees the same experience. They could see the value of the OBS journey and the benefits that their people could gain from the experiential learning that the outdoor programmes offered. So began OBS’ professional development programmes, under which adventure courses for corporate participants were organised for a more mature crowd. While the principles and ethos of the programmes remained the same, they were designed from scratch and customised according to corporate clients’ specific needs. Some instilled team bonding and high performance team dynamics, while others focused on leadership development for senior managers and corporate leaders. Over the years, a huge number of executives and business leaders from the private, public and people sectors have come through OBS’ doors. Hailing from government ministries and departments, uniformed groups, oil and gas industry players, banks, universities, IT companies and others, the participants have found the adventure courses a refreshing way to build bonds in new teams, strengthen working relationships, and develop the confidence to take on new positions and responsibilities at their workplaces. This in turn raised the profile of OBS even further, and showed how valuable its learning journeys were.

“People began to see the need for our programmes,” recalled Mr Lim. “It elevated OBS from a small adventure outfit into a national institution.” The Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) is one example of an institution of higher learning that has embraced the value of OBS courses in building bonds. While most universities have student-run orientation-induction programmes for freshmen, SUSS conducts team-building programmes for its students in partnership with OBS. Staff and faculty members are also sent for such programmes. This practice had been in place for years in the SIM University, which was restructured and renamed SUSS in March 2017. Its Provost, Professor Tsui Kai Chong, noted the “significant transformation” seen in tertiary students previously sent for OBS courses in the 1990s and early 2000s, when he had been working in the National University of Singapore and later, the Singapore Management University. “They were more motivated, cohesive and hardy after OBS,” he said. As its confidence grew in serving and training students and adults, OBS began to look even further — to a younger crowd. In 2001, it built an adventure training centre for the 10- to 13-year-olds, believing that they too could gain from an early exposure to outdoor adventures and its experiential learning journey. Cultural Medallion recipient Ong Kim Seng lent a big hand, donating part of the proceeds from 45 watercolour scenes of Pulau Ubin that he had painted over 14 months to the development of the centre.

OBS programmes have been applied in team-building programmes in schools, companies and other organisations. Here, participants in a September 1997 exercise found that teamwork was needed to keep afloat using oil barrels in the waters off Pulau Ubin. Picture: Singapore Press Holdings

Making Waves, Changing Lives 50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

Called SPARKc, the first-of-its-kind adventure centre for young children in Asia was set up at East Coast Park and packed with innovative facilities and activities designed just for younger adventurers. They included cosy tree huts based on an astrological theme, age-appropriate maze obstacles and rope courses. To cultivate in young climbers the independence to support their peers and a realistic outdoor learning experience, SPARKc introduced innovative safety features, such as a continuous belay system and automatic fall-arrest systems adapted from industrial applications. It was the first local adventure school to use such features. For its innovative programmes, training facilities and safety features, SPARKc gained local and international acclaim when OBS was conferred a Special Commendation Award in Innovative Programming from Outward Bound International in 2001. It cemented OBS’ standing as a benchmark for other local and regional adventure centres.

GLObal recognition

The award for SPARKc is just one of the many that OBS has won for its innovations, quality and service. International reviewers have consistently given OBS top marks after assessing its facilities, programmes, systems and safety procedures. More than once, in fact, they declared OBS one of the best in the world. Mr Ian Wade, a former Executive Director of Outward Bound International, once said of OBS after leading a safety review: “In the two decades that I have been engaged in safety audits of OBS and adventure and skills training programmes around the world, I have never seen such a centre with such exemplary safety practices and

Then Minister for Education Tharman Shanmugaratnam scaling the rock wall at SPARKc during the South West Community Development Council’s Family Adventure Camp in June 2007. Picture: Singapore Press Holdings

results as Outward Bound Singapore. Concern for safety is woven into the entire fabric of the organisation.”

OBS has also won many awards for service — something it has always been doing in keeping with its motto. Since the 1990s, Outward Bound Singapore has been giving many groups in the region and beyond a helping hand in setting up their own Outward Bound centres. Staff have been sent to Brunei, Sri Lanka, India and the Philippines, among others, to train instructors and help kick-start local programmes. Such efforts won OBS the Distinguished Service Award from Outward Bound International — the highest award given out by the Outward Bound community — in 2000 for its role in helping to set up new Outward Bound centres around the world. The same year also saw OBS winning the Excellence for Singapore Award for developing the country’s young and promoting goodwill through collaboration with Outward Bound centres worldwide. Two years later, OBS Director Winston Lim was conferred the Outward Bound International Distinguished Service Award — becoming the first Asian and only the third person in the world to receive this accolade for his inspiring leadership in the Outward Bound community. One of the biggest feathers in OBS’ cap came in 2002, when it hosted the 10th Outward Bound World Conference, graced by then President S R Nathan. Held on Pulau Ubin, it drew 500 delegates — a record in the history of the Outward Bound event — and put Outward Bound Singapore firmly on the global Outward Bound map. It was one of OBS’ proudest moments. In 2010, OBS made Olympic history when it hosted the inaugural Singapore Youth Olympic Games (YOG)–Cultural and Education Programme’s Island Adventure. Over a week, more than 1,000 YOG athletes, national coaches and Olympians, including 100m sprinter Asafa Powell and pole vaulter Sergei Bubka, participated in a specially designed Outward Bound Friendship camp at Pulau Ubin that aimed to instil the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect. As a model Outward Bound centre, OBS has become the venue of choice for several regional Outward Bound International training programmes, the 2012 Outward Bound International Staff Symposium and the 55th Outward Bound International Board Meetings in April 2017. In 2016, OBS gained the distinction of having its cutter sailing programmes accredited by World Sailing, the world governing body for sailing. In 2017, the OBS Medical Centre was accredited by the Singapore National Resuscitation Centre to conduct certified training in CPR-AED — a first for an Outward Bound centre.

The Straits Times reported on 18 May 2000 about OBS receiving the Distinguished Service Award from Outward Bound International. Picture: Singapore Press Holdings

Top, from left to right: OBS instructors demonstrating how the 28m-tall Peak Ascent can be scaled, in August 2002. Picture: Singapore Press Holdings OBS instructor Rennie Iskandar Suprayatno preparing for canoeing in March 2010. Picture: Singapore Press Holdings Darren Teo (left), an OBS alumnus from St Patrick’s School, and OBS instructor Nadiah Binte Ahmad Fittri (right) lending some assistance to Muhd Hakim Hamzah, a student from the Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore (Minds) Fernvale Gardens School Adventure Club, on the high elements rope course at OBS’ East Coast Campus during a camp in March 2013. Picture: Singapore Press Holdings

The heart of OBS

One thing has not changed at OBS through the years: The corps of instructors who make sure that every participant leaves Pulau Ubin a tougher, stronger person. While the training of instructors has improved over the years, the core of what makes an OBS instructor remains the same. As educator, outdoor practitioner, counsellor, guide, role model, friend and mentor, the OBS instructor is passionate about his or her work, empathetic, compassionate, and always eager to teach, guide and draw out the best in people. A stringent selection process akin to those used to recruit elite forces has ensured that only those with the right hearts and minds come into OBS. They have to love coaching young people and imparting relevant life skills; they have to be able to serve others even when they are tired and uncomfortable; and they have to be ready to adapt quickly to ensure every teachable moment in the outdoors is well used. OBS Executive Director Nicholas Conceicao, who has helped to select instructors since the mid-1990s, said: “If you have

the right fundamentals, namely attitude and aptitude for the job, the technical and soft skills can be trained.” Trainee instructors receive rigorous training to not only lead people into the outdoors, impart the necessary skills and ensure they stay safe, but also guide them on the Outward Bound journey of self-reflection and self-discovery, said veteran instructor trainer Noor Hisham Bin Mohd Ranny. Trainees start with at least six months of training in hard skills, such as kayaking, abseiling and wilderness first aid, and soft skills, such as facilitation, risk assessment and lesson planning. They have to go through many assessments before they become operational instructors. Safety is paramount — the pass grade in tests of their safety knowledge and procedures is no less than 100 per cent. “In OBS, we call the process ‘turning them from zero to hero’,” Mr Noor Hisham said. “Seeing our trainee instructors grow to become competent and confident always inspires me more to serve them.”

Bottom, left to right: An OBS instructor briefing a group of students at a camp in October 2007. Picture: Courtesy of Mr Steven Yee OBS instructor Kuak Nam Jin, pictured here in April 1999, was part of the Antarctica 2000 team. Picture: Singapore Press Holdings Then Minister for Home Affairs Wong Kan Seng observing a first aid demonstration at the newly launched Challenge and Commitment Park in OBS on Pulau Ubin, in February 1999. Picture: Singapore Press Holdings

Making Waves, Changing Lives 50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

Not surprisingly, OBS instructors are regarded among the most qualified of outdoor instructors in Singapore. Many of them have gone on to contribute to the outdoor adventure community here, taking their skills into the marketplace. OBS has never seen this as a loss; in fact, this is in line with its aim of helping to grow Singapore’s outdoor adventure community. In 1999, it started the Leadership Development Centre for those seeking to deepen their outdoor capabilities and hone their skills in rock climbing, kayaking, wilderness first aid and other outdoor skills. Senior OBS staff continue to advise in some of the national sports associations, while technical proficiency schemes launched by OBS eventually became the forerunners for several national standards adopted by the Singapore Mountaineering Federation and the Singapore Canoe Federation. In 2007, when the Republic Polytechnic introduced Singapore’s first Diploma in Outdoor and Adventure Learning, the programme was led by a core team of former OBS instructors. Mr Conceicao, who serves on the polytechnic’s school advisory committee, said: “When Republic Polytechnic launched the Diploma in Outdoor and Adventure Learning, OBS supported it by offering donations for academic prizes and running training attachments, field visits for learning journeys and student internship programmes. Today, OBS is the employer of choice for its graduates.” In 2017, together with the SUSS, OBS also held the first Outdoor Education Conference to share innovative best practices and collaborate with outdoor educators to enhance their capabilities, so that the entire sector could work together to develop the next generation of rugged, resilient youth. OBS instructors have also done the Outward Bound community proud by achieving a number of firsts for Singapore. In 1998, OBS instructor Edwin Siew summited Mount Everest, and in the following year, fellow instructor David Lim reached the South Pole; concurrently, another team comprising Mr Siew and Mr Kuak Nam Jin summited Mount Vinson Massif, the highest peak in Antarctica. More than individual and national successes, these achievements truly exemplified the OBS spirit of exploring uncharted waters. Conquering Everest and the South Pole would have seemed unimaginable for a tiny tropical country with little experience in mountaineering and polar exploration, yet OBS instructors showed that in never yielding to perceived limits, they had made the impossible, possible.

OBS instructor Ng Kai Yong leading a group at kayaking in August 2016. Picture: Singapore Press Holdings

Making Waves, Changing Lives

Serving, partnering the community

50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

In line with its motto, OBS has over the 50 years maintained its focus on service — in nurturing young people to serve one another and the nation, as well as serving the community itself. ‘To serve’ remains at the heart of many of its programmes that it has started. The Leadership and Service Award, for example, aims to sharpen leadership skills and inspire recipients to play a greater role in the community. Launched in 2011, the scholarship sends youth with notable contributions in leadership and service on the OBS 21-day Classic Challenge Course. The OBS Alumni, meanwhile, mobilises former participants to take part in community service and environmental projects such as engaging youthat-risk, distributing food to poor families, cleaning up the coastlines, and partnering current participants with special needs at OBS programmes. Launched in 2012, it aims to deepen youth engagement, exemplifying the spirit of “Others Before Self”, as some have fondly referred to OBS. In 2014, OBS also held the inaugural induction programme for pioneers of the Youth Corps, a new national platform for youth volunteerism that provides support, funding and opportunities for youth to contribute to society through service projects in education, environment, health, special needs, arts, sports and heritage. With the National Youth Council (NYC), the national body coordinating youth development, OBS plays its part to develop the potential of youth volunteers by putting them through programmes that are specially designed to train them for local and overseas community service projects.

OBS itself has formed many partnerships in its ongoing effort to engage the community and nature. When plans were made to set up a new OBS facility on Coney Island, for example, it partnered Nature Society (Singapore) on an environment impact study. Both OBS and Nature Society have also run several rounds of Project IsLand-A-Hand, which saw volunteers helping to clean up Pulau Ubin and Coney Island and replant trees. OBS has also worked with green groups to incorporate lessons about nature into its programmes, so as to foster a greater love for the outdoors among Singapore’s young. The Vice President of the Nature Society, Mr Leong Kwok Peng, noted that the OBS campus on Coney Island would give more young people a chance to “immerse themselves in nature” and reconnect with the natural world. In a letter to The Straits Times’ Forum page on 5 April 2016, he expressed his hopes for outdoor adventure education programmes to include elements of

nature appreciation and environmental education. “We should take every

opportunity to bring out the beauty, connections and importance of taking care of the natural environment, including the protection of wild habitats,” he wrote. “I am hopeful that it would instil in our youngsters a sense of wonder and appreciation for the outdoors and nature. With appreciation comes love and with love comes caring and the desire to do something.”

Building the nation

When OBS was founded in 1967, its primary role was nation building, and its mission was to nurture young Singaporeans to lead, serve, and contribute to the community. Fifty years later, the role and the mission remain the same. OBS has been flagged as the cornerstone of the National Outdoor Adventure Education Master Plan, which will send all Secondary 3 students

First-year Catholic Junior College students, Phua Kah Yi (leftmost) and Kwen Jia Yi (third from the left), helping Desmond Tay (second from the left) and Thomas Teo (right), who suffer from muscular dystrophy, during their 2km trek on Pulau Ubin in November 2012. The students, participants in an OBS leadership programme, laid planks over the rockier sections of the forest track to help five wheelchair users from the Muscular Dystrophy Association Singapore cross the trail, which took more than two hours to complete. Picture: Singapore Press Holdings

Making Waves, Changing Lives

through OBS’ expedition camps. The new campus on Coney Island is being built to accommodate the thousands of students who will go through OBS each year, under the national effort to develop rugged and resilient youth. During a visit to OBS in March 2017, Minister for Education Ng Chee Meng noted that students acquire important values and life lessons outdoors that cannot be learnt in a classroom. This helps students to step out of their comfort zone and become more confident and independent, he added. The Master Plan dovetails with the refreshed vision that OBS laid out for itself in 2012, ‘Inspired individuals, transformed communities’. It is a vision that perfectly captures OBS’ role as it goes into its next decade. In inspiring and transforming each individual participant, OBS is helping to nurture the next generation and preparing them to take on tomorrow’s challenges. This synergy between what OBS does and what Singapore needs has won praise from many, including Mr Iain Peter, the Executive Director of Outward Bound International. OBS, he said, is a “model Outward Bound centre” globally and a “mentor” to new centres in the Asia-Pacific. “I am heartened to see the Singapore Government working hand in hand with OBS to impart values of resilience, leadership, empathy and service among Singaporean youth. It would be wonderful if other governments around the world could follow the inspired and enlightened lead of the Singapore Government

50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

Outward Bound International sent a plaque to congratulate OBS on its 50th anniversary. Picture: OBS

and work with Outward Bound to prepare young people for future challenges.” In a congratulatory letter to OBS on its 50th anniversary, Outward Bound chairman Mary Thomson and Mr Peter also praised OBS for advancing the vision and mission of Outward Bound in its “outstanding education” of young people in Singapore, and for being a leader in doing so. This critical role of developing Singapore’s youth was further sealed in 2015, when OBS was restructured as part of the NYC. With this change, OBS is poised to play an even bigger role in nation building. NYC’s Chief Executive Officer David Chua sees OBS as far more than an

outdoor adventure centre that can toughen up the country’s youth. By mixing young people from different backgrounds — whether education or socioeconomic — OBS can build social capital by teaching Singapore’s young to

Paricipant on the Flying Fox at the OBS50 Homecoming on 16 September 2017. Picture: OBS

embrace the nation’s diversity. “The outdoor environment is a neutral place. It forces people to work together, to recognise that every person has his own strength and is able to contribute,” said Mr Chua. Under the National Outdoor Adventure Education Master Plan, students from different schools will be combined, so that they learn to work with peers from different backgrounds and communities. “This is the next frontier,” Mr Chua added. “We’ll target not just youth leaders but a general base. The Master Plan creates a shared experience, so that students can remember the experience of working with people they would probably never meet in their normal lives. It creates a positive experience of diversity. This shared experience will make a stronger nation and prepare our youth for the future.” As part of the NYC family, OBS will also play a key role in nurturing in Singapore’s young a heart of service and the courage to dream — philosophies that drive other youth agencies such as the Youth Corps and *SCAPE. “We want to overturn the notion that young people are a strawberry generation!” said Mr Chua. “If you give them the confidence, they will be empowered to take action. Young people are globalised, they can see other young people making changes in all domains around the world, and they can see that there is a possibility for them to make a change.

NYC Chief Executive Officer David Chua (rightmost) and Assistant Director (OBS) Raymond Lee (leftmost kayaking at Pulau Ubin with youths attending OBS. Picture: OBS

Making Waves, Changing Lives

“A ship in the harbour is safe, but that is not what a ship is meant to do. We want to help put wind in their sails and encourage them to venture out. We can’t equip them with specific skills, because we don’t know what the storm will be like. We can only equip them with the character traits that will give them the confidence to try new things, the resilience to bounce back when they fail, and the compassion to serve others.”

50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

Into the future

What will the future hold for OBS? Where will it be in today’s fast-changing world where mobile tech nology and modern conveniences compete for young people’s interest, and the pressures of education and career compete for their time and energy? How can OBS keep stoking a passion for adventure and the outdoors, as it has done for 50 years? The answer will lie in its ability to keep innovating and scaling up its programmes, to strengthen its partnerships with the community, and to keep playing its role in nation building by nurturing Singapore’s next generation. It will need to keep evolving and re-inventing itself, making full use of technology to keep drawing young people through its doors. It will need to keep innovating, coming up with new programmes that offer youth a compelling challenge that they cannot find elsewhere. It will need to find new ways to kindle their love for the outdoors and give them a hunger for adventure. And it will need to keep stirring in them compassion and the spirit of service, inspiring them to contribute to their community and to society. OBS’ instructors, for example, will need to expand their skills to help participants reflect on the value of diversity. Beyond pushing young people beyond their physical, mental and emotional limits, the instructors will also need to guide them to apply the lessons of teamwork in a socially diverse watch to

their lives, and to translate these lessons into a heart of compassion to serve not just one another, but the larger community. This could mean using new ways of reflection and engagement, such as photo- or video-journaling. OBS could expand its scope of operations, bringing the challenges that it is famous for into new domains in land-scarce Singapore. It will expand beyond Pulau Ubin to Coney Island, and will use the green and blue belts on the mainland. “Many people think of OBS as a place, such as Pulau Ubin,” noted Mr Chua. “Our idea is that OBS is an experience. You can have that experience not just in the wilderness, but also in other places such as common spaces in the urban landscape. The experience is about venturing into places that you’ve never been before.” At the same time, OBS will need to hold firmly on to its values and the people who have kept it going since 1967 — its instructors, its spirit of adventure, and the belief that the best learning is done experientially and outdoors. How will OBS keep going? By serving, striving, and never yielding.

More than 100 adventure seekers, aged 15 to 57, abseiled down the Merlion on Sentosa on 20 July 2013, to raise funds for a childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s charity in the inaugural OBS-The Merlion Charity Abseil. Picture: OBS

milestones

Making Waves, Changing Lives

The Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) took over OBSS.

1970

Young Singaporeans arriving at Pulau Ubin for their OBS course. Picture: OBS

50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

1976

OBSS conducted the first nine-day programme for corporate executives.

1970s

1991 Mr Winston Lim, the first OBS director under the PA, accepting the OBS flag from MINDEF. Picture: OBS

1960s

1993

Outward Bound School of Singapore (OBSS) was set up to “build a rugged society”, under the People’s Association (PA). New Zealanders Hamish Thomas and Al Cameron were hired as Warden and Chief Instructor to establish the core team of instructors.

1967 Then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew visiting OBSS in 1967. Picture: Ministry of Information and the Arts Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore

1968

1990s

Then Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong observing a kayaking demonstration during the official opening of the new OBS campus in 1997. Picture: OBS

OBSS conducted its first course and commissioned its first cutter sailboat.

1969

OBSS conducted its first all-women’s course under the supervision of its first local warden, Assistant Superintendent of Police Christopher Oh Chwee Hock.

Young women on a three-week OBS course on Pulau Ubin in January 1969 making their way along a rope crossing. Picture: Singapore Press Holdings

The Overseas Youth Programme was launched to offer programmes overseas. Thirty OBS staff made the first self-sufficient circumnavigation of Batam and Rempang by sea kayaks.

1997

1998

OBSS returned to the PA and was renamed Outward Bound Singapore (OBS). Plans were made to expand and redevelop the centre on Pulau Ubin.

Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong opened the new purpose-built OBS Camp 1 on Pulau Ubin. OBS received the OBS Spirit Award from Outward Bound International. OBS was given top marks as the first Outward Bound centre to complete Outward Bound International’s Quality and Safety Review.

OBS instructor Edwin Siew summited Mount Everest, with the first Singapore team to do so.

1999

Then OBS instructor David Lim training in April 1999 for the Antarctica 2000 expedition. Picture: Singapore Press Holdings

OBS instructor David Lim reached the South Pole — another first for Singapore. Concurrently, another Singapore team comprising OBS instructors Edwin Siew and Kuak Nam Jin summited Mount Vinson Massif, the highest peak in Antarctica. OBS Time Capsule was installed at Pulau Ubin to be opened during OBS’ 50th Anniversary in 2017.

2000

OBS received the Distinguished Service Award from Outward Bound International for its role in helping to set up new Outward Bound centres around the world. SPARKc was set up at East Coast Park. The first-of-its-kind adventure centre for young children won OBS the Special Commendation Award in Innovative Programming from Outward Bound International.

2001

Mastura Ali taking part in the rock-climbing activity during a camp organised by OBS and Northeast CDC at SPARKc in July 2002. Picture: Singapore Press Holdings

2002

OBS hosted the 10th Outward Bound World Conference on Pulau Ubin, with then President S R Nathan as the guest-of-honour.

2007

OBS commemorated its 40th anniversary with a homecoming visit by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, an OBS alumnus. The OBS logo was refreshed to sport a more modern look.

2008

2009

OBS introduced programmes for at-risk youth under the Blue Peter Project, sponsored by Singapore Tote Board, and for students with special needs. OBS sponsored academic prizes, training attachments and field visits for students attending Republic Polytechnic’s Diploma in Outdoor and Adventure Learning programme. OBS Outdoor Education Programme was integrated into the annual training course for trainee Physical Education teachers from the National Institute of Education.

2010s 2010

OBS hosted the inaugural Youth Olympics Games (YOG) Culture and Education Programme’s Island Adventure for more than 1,000 YOG athletes, national coaches and Olympians on an Outward Bound Friendship camp at Pulau Ubin.

2011

The OBS Leadership and Service Award was launched to sponsor youth for the 21-day Classic Challenge Course. More than 800 community and grassroots leaders from 22 constituencies attended a landmark OBS programme for community bonding funded by the PA.

2012

In line with OBS’ refreshed vision, “Inspired individuals, transformed communities”, the OBS Alumni was set up to deepen youth engagement and widen community outreach. OBS hosted the Outward Bound International Staff Symposium at Pulau Ubin. An OBS cutter completed the SingaLumut expedition, a historic 1,200 km return voyage from Pulau Ubin to Outward Bound Lumut.

2014

OBS Medical Centre was accredited by National Resuscitation Centre for CPR training programmes.

2015

OBS was restructured as part of the National Youth Council. OBS instructors formed the first batch of mentors for volunteer leaders of Youth Corps Singapore. The National Outdoor Adventure Education Master Plan was announced, with plans for a new OBS centre at Coney Island, expanding OBS to serve 45,000 youth. Sailing programmes at OBS achieved World Sailing accreditation. Project IsLanda-Hand was launched with the OBS Alumni and National Parks Board.

2016

2000s

OBS will train more instructors, like these undergoing abseil training in May 2017. Picture: Singapore Press Holdings

2017

OBS Time Capsule was uncovered by Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat at the OBS50 Homecoming event on 16 September 2017. Picture: OBS

OBS commemorated its 50th anniversary with a series of events, including the first Homecoming for more than 800 OBS alumni. OBS Time Capsule was uncovered by Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat, an OBS alumnus. OBS hosted the 55th Outward Bound International Board Meeting at Pulau Ubin. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong made a second Homecoming to OBS to mark its golden jubilee. Forty staff attended the first training expedition on a tall-ship in Australia. OBS implemented a secondment scheme for Ministry of Education teachers as part of the National Outdoor Adventure Education Master Plan.

Making Waves, Changing Lives

50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

SETTING

SAIL

Making Waves, Changing Lives

The Lasting Impact of OBS DR NG ENG HEN, MINISTER FOR DEFENCE

50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

Minister for Defence, Dr Ng Eng Hen (in white top), running with recruits of Taurus company at the Basic Military Training Centre on Pulau Tekong on 28 June 2011. Picture: Singapore Press Holdings

“I

’m so glad that we are going to have an upsized OBS on Coney Island. Even after more than 40 years, I still have vivid memories of my three weeks at OBS on Pulau Ubin. Smartphones were not around then, and no one took pictures, but I can still ‘see’ those images clearly in my head. I remember the joy of gliding down the flying fox and abseiling on rock cliffs; walking across the rope bridge, falling in the water and trying again; canoeing for two days and nights around Singapore — where we saw Pulau Sekudu or Frog Island (off Pulau Ubin) up close, visible only at low tides; sailing on the cutter. The cutter had deep fins, so we could all lean on one side, allowing it to sail faster, without the fear of it capsizing. There was a particular incident which has stayed with me too. Midway through the course, I caught a flu and ran a

high fever of 40 degrees Celsius. I struggled through physical activities and in those days, we did not think of MCs (don’t ask me why). I remember the instructor coming to my bunk that night, turning up the fan, and asking me to sponge my body with tepid water. It worked — the fever broke! (Don’t try this at home or elsewhere for that matter.) The fact that I remember so much about my OBS experience must mean that it had a lasting impact on my development growing up. The new OBS at Coney Island can do as much for another generation. Minister for Defence, Dr Ng Eng Hen, 58, recounted his memories of attending OBS in a post on 1 April 2016 on his Facebook page, in response to the news that OBS would expand to Coney Island.

Triumph Through Teamwork MR HENG SWEE KEAT, MINISTER FOR FINANCE

Minister for Finance Heng Swee Keat (centre) visiting OBS on Pulau Ubin during the OBS50 Homecoming event on 16 September 2017. Picture: OBS

“I

had really fond memories of the 21 days in OBS, because almost every day was an adventure. Every day was a new experience, which all of us as fellow trainees went through together to stretch ourselves, to challenge ourselves to do things which we never thought we could do. And we always did it — and did it together. So, whether it was the kayaking around the island, the jetty jump, the solo camp or the morning dip, each and every one of those moments was special, and held deep meaning for all of us. OBS not only teaches young people to push past their own limits to challenge themselves, to be the best that they can be, but it also teaches them to do so together as one.

For me, even though I do not remember the technical steps of each challenge, how to climb up the ropes and so on, I’ll never forget the cheers of my teammates when I needed encouragement or the real sense of triumph we all felt when one teammate pushed past his limits. Going forward, I hope we will continue to imbue our young with the same ruggedness and the same can-do spirit that Dr Goh Keng Swee hoped for our people when he proposed the establishment of OBS in 1967.” Minister for Finance Heng Swee Keat, 56, was speaking at the OBS50 Homecoming event on 16 September 2017 about attending OBS when he was an officer cadet in 1980.

An inspiring relationship

Besides contributing to public health, Dr Uma Rajan, trained in the South Indian dance form of Bharatanatyam, also helped promote the arts. Picture: Singapore Press Holdings

DR UMA RAJAN

“I

remember the innovativeness and foresight displayed by OBS as it established itself as a comprehensive organisation with strong leadership, highly passionate and dedicated staff and splendid facilities. I remember with nostalgia the setting up of SPARKc to reach out to children in primary schools at East Coast Park, and the tremendous leadership provided by Mr Winston Lim at all stages of OBS moving up the success ladder. “My greatest satisfaction is that I have been a part of OBS as it met and achieved a rare and difficult challenge. It attained and maintained a high standard of service provision and received international accolades. We were able to improve on the selection process of participants, extend OBS programmes to the disabled and expand the Medical Advisory Panel to include relevant specialists into the Medical Panel, so as to ensure maximum safety and minimise injuries and other health problems among participants and provide prompt medical attention. “I have had a very happy, challenging and inspiring relationship with OBS that has contributed greatly to my own personal development and life. OBS has enhanced my approach to managing situations and addressing difficult situations by maximising the positive side of issues and minimising the negative factors.” Dr Uma Rajan, 77, served on the first Medical Advisory Panel at OBS.

Challenging the norms MR JAMES KEASBERRY

“H

aving grown up in an apartment block, the confidence course, zipping down a Flying Fox, and abseiling from a 90-foot cliff weren’t everyday things. I enjoyed everything about the OBS course. The most challenging thing I had to do was to trust the safety team while abseiling down a cliff, Picture: Courtesy of Mr knowing that my well-being was in their James Keasberry hands. OBS was about challenging the norms and getting out of my comfort zone. “OBS helped me build character, confidence, concern and support for others, and gave me courage and leadership. I learnt to be open to accepting new challenges, to embrace change. In times when the cards are down, you pick yourself up and tread forward, not looking back. That’s courage, determination and self-confidence. “So I was open to accepting a posting to the Middle East, where I spent eight years accepting whatever came my way.” Mr James Keasberry, 55, attended the Adventure Training Course at OBS in 1980.

Ms Jacqueline Chua on the Flying Fox. Picture: Courtesy of Ms Jacqueline Chua

Becoming A Better Person All Round MS ELIZABETH FOO

“I

was in Secondary 4 when I attended OBS in 1977. Being selected for OBS was a reward as only two students from my National Cadet Corps platoon could attend. I still fondly

OBS Turned My Life Around

MS JACQUELINE CHUA KIM LAY

“I

attended a 21-day OBS course in 1977 and it turned my life around. I regained a large part of my self-confidence and fitness after having experienced several setbacks in 1976. The daily gruelling but interesting and challenging activities toughened our minds as well as our muscles. We were not allowed to communicate with our family and friends back in mainland Singapore except in an emergency, so we had to learn to be independent and to be focused on our given tasks. Shy students were “forced” to make new friends. Nightly review and sharing sessions with my course mates gave us renewed confidence and strength to face yet another challenging day. One of the most memorable activities was the jetty jump. At any time of the day or night, in whatever attire you were wearing, we could be told to go and jump off a plank sticking out of the jetty at Pulau Ubin, either as a group or individually. The cold and sometimes greasy sea waters were infested with jellyfish that would sting you if you didn’t swim fast enough to a ladder hanging down from the jetty. Those who were not fit would climb the ladder very slowly and hinder others who were waiting to ascend the same ladder, and many would have been stung by the jellyfish while waiting for their turn! I made some good friends at OBS and learnt to be resilient and self-motivated in achieving my goals. Being a 17-year-old, I was still groping in the dark in terms of knowing my strengths and weaknesses, and in terms of knowing what I

really wanted in life. After the 21 days in OBS, I was trained to believe that I could use my new-found strengths to survive in this changing and unpredictable world, and to put effort to know and gradually remove my weaknesses.” Ms Jacqueline Chua, 57, attended OBS in 1977.

remember the 21 days at OBS. The first day was unforgettable as we trekked through the mangrove swamp and some of my comrades even lost their shoes in the mud! Every morning, we had to get up at 5.30am for Physical Training, which was a challenge because the body was still suffering from muscle soreness from activities the day before. I was sleeping on the upper bunk and this made it even more difficult to get down and start the exercises. Then, without fail, we had to run and do the jetty jump regardless of tide level. I realised that the first week was really crucial in shaping us up for more to come — the canoeing expedition, abseiling, rock climbing (on a real granite cliff!), Flying Fox, obstacle course and taking the wooden sailboat out to sea. The rope-walking, the job of belaying and the confidence training were all experiences that taught me that learning to trust others is very important. OBS taught me important lessons about myself and pushing my limits! You can do more if only you stretch yourself! Honestly, after that many years, I can recall most of the activities we did and this speaks volumes of the deep and everlasting imprint it made on me! The practice of each watch having to stay behind to wash the dishes after a meal was also invaluable in teaching us to serve the community. OBS has made me a better person all round — mentally stronger and physically more able. It has also enriched me in so many ways, giving me skills ranging from knot-tying to collaboration and cooperation.” Ms Elizabeth Foo, 56, attended OBS in 1977.

Ms Elizabeth Foo on a rope obstacle. Picture: Courtesy of Ms Elizabeth Foo

Despite being an army regular at the time, Mr James Lam, still found his OBS course in 1976 challenging. Picture: Singapore Press Holdings

Challenging Even for a Soldier

Chinese New Year in the jungle

MR JAMES LAM

MS JEN TAY

“I

one of the campers coming to my tent in the middle of the night. I think he was afraid to sleep alone! After the course, most of us slimmed down a lot.”

I’m looking forward to going to the Outward Bound in New Zealand to attend a course for senior citizens.”

enrolled in an OBS course in 1976 when I was serving as a regular in SAF. When we arrived, we were told to put down our bags and immediately change into our running gear. We had to run on uneven terrain and hilly paths. It was quite exhausting but fun. “Every morning, while the sky was still dark, we would do a lot of different exercises. We also climbed up the granite hill wearing our army boots. We had safety ropes but no gloves or helmets, as far as I can remember. Some of us lost our footing but thanks to the harness, we didn’t fall. I was lucky I made it up the hill. “I also remember rowing a huge white boat with a giant long oar. It was not easy to get it going, but we succeeded in completing our mission and managed to see many white dolphins out at sea! “We also did solo camping with food rations. I still remember

Mr James Lam, 64, a freelance special needs therapist, attended OBS in 1976.

can still remember those three weeks of training in 1971 which I enjoyed. I was 19 years old then and was sponsored by the Vigilante Corps. I was so excited to go that I forgot it would be held during the Chinese New Year season. On our night march, we could peep though the jungle and see families having their yummy dinners! My team was Tenzing and the instructors were very, very encouraging throughout. I enjoyed the Flying Fox and abseiling. The course taught me the importance of team spirit, courage, leadership and the OBS motto.

Ms Jen Tay, 66, attended OBS in 1971.

Ms Jen Tay abseiling down a cliff in OBS. Picture: Courtesy of Ms Jen Tay

Mr Mohamed Fawzaini bin Yusof (rightmost, wearing cap) on the cutter. Picture: Courtesy of Mr Mohamed Fawzaini bin Yusof

“I

was lucky to be selected to attend a 21-day course in 1977 when I was a senior scout. In the second week, we had to swim from Pulau Ubin to Coney Island. We were all very gung-ho at that time, it was a case of ‘just go’. Those who could swim had the option to swim with or without the life jacket, and I think only

Test of Survival MR MOHAMED FAWZAINI BIN YUSOF

two of us, including me, went without a life jacket. I was a regular swimmer and had taken life-saving courses, so I knew I could do it. We swam as a group with a support craft accompanying us and reached Coney Island in about half an hour. Doing this channel crossing was an achievement for me, and special because nowadays we don’t get to do such activities anymore. The solo night was also a memorable experience as it was my first test of survival. They gave us the bare minimum, such as a litre of water and the smallest can of sardines one could get in the market, and we had to survive on our own for two nights. I remember walking in the jungle and picking up rocks to mark out a footpath back to the campsite. It was quite fun. I also found used rubber blanks (left behind from military training exercises) and spent my time digging a hole through them to make Rambo-like necklaces. As someone who loves the outdoors, OBS gave me the opportunity to do what I enjoyed. I also learnt to be more disciplined and to value teamwork —‘one for all, all for one’!” Mr Mohamed Fawzaini Bin Yusof, 60, an administrative executive, attended OBS in 1977.

From fearing heights to skydiving MRS HELEN ONG

“O

BS has given me a lot of fond memories and I always encourage people, even my own children, to go for it. I will never forget how I overcame my fear of heights. We were required to jump from one tree to the next from the height of the trees, which were pretty tall. I took a very long time to ponder whether I should jump or not as I was rather scared. I was 24 then and about to get married immediately after the OBS training. In my mind I was asking myself,

‘What if I jumped and broke my legs? I would be a crippled bride.’ After a really long wait and much encouragement from the instructors, I finally managed to gather enough courage to take up the challenge. The minute I decided to jump, all my worries

were gone and I was so happy I took the plunge. After that experience, I was not afraid of heights any more. I even dared to do skydiving!” Mrs Helen Ong, 67, attended OBS in 1974.

Mrs Helen Ong with her husband, Mr Ong Tiong Hin, at the OBS50 Homecoming event on 16 September 2017. Picture: Courtesy of Mrs Helen Ong

Mr Mathias Chay joined OBS in 1968, becoming one of its pioneer instructors. Picture: Ted Chen for the NYC 46

Making Waves, Changing Lives 50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

LIVING THE OUTWARD BOUND DREAM MR MATHIAS CHAY

r Mathias Chay may have left Outward Bound School nearly 40 years ago, but the truth is, OBS never really left him. “There are many occasions when I dream I am still working in OBS,” said Mr Chay, one of the pioneer instructors of OBS. “I have recurring dreams and they are always about the same events I went through at OBS.” He is not alone. Whenever he meets other former instructors to relive the time when they were all touched by the Outward Bound spirit, “our eyes would light up and memories would come flooding back”. For this former scout from St Joseph’s Institution, joining the OBS was a natural extension of his boyhood quest for adventure. He started teaching in OBS when he was 21 years old in 1968, became its chief instructor in 1972 and was

as most teenagers then did not know how to swim. The following year, together with another Singaporean, Mr Ong Hwee Ann, Mr Chay applied for and was awarded the prestigious Colombo Plan Scholarship for Outward Bound Training at the Cobham Outward Bound School in New Zealand. “At that time, I had no idea what Outward Bound was, but as an active young man, I was curious and wanted to find out more,” said Mr Chay. “Sailing, canoeing and climbing were sports for the privileged few and to be able to do all these in a paid profession was very appealing.” The school at Anakiwa in the Malborough Sounds offered such stunning and natural beauty that it was almost paradise to him. He remembers vividly cutter-sailing in the calm waters, diving for paua or abalone in the bay before cooking them

Prime Minister. Mr Chay conducted water survival lessons, in which he had a difficult time coaxing many of them to jump from the jetty to the water,

Zealand but with a few modifications. The builder was a boatyard called Ho Ah Lam sited at the Kallang River Basin.

warden of the school when he left in 1978. His journey with OBS actually started in 1966, when he was an instructor with the Vigilante Corps and volunteered to be seconded to assist the British Army in running adventure programmes for students on Pulau Ubin. One of his first groups of trainees was a bunch of secondary school students, among whom was a “15-year-old boisterous and quick-witted young man” called Lee Hsien Loong, now Singapore’s

to enjoy the succulent flesh, shooting the rapids in a canoe, and trekking through the bushland. When both Singaporeans returned to teach at OBS in March 1968, the warden then was Mr Hamish Thomas and the chief instructor, Mr Al Cameron. The two New Zealanders had already started the first course in February. One of Mr Chay’s first tasks was to supervise the construction of the OBS cutter, which was to be a replica of the Endeavour at OBS New

Making Waves, Changing Lives 50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

WHILE AT THE INSTRUCTORS’ QUARTERS, HE NOTICED AN ENORMOUS YELLOW FLAME TREE ON A SLOPE LEANING TOWARDS THE BUILDING. HE SAID IN HIS AUTHORITATIVE WAY, ‘I WANT YOUR INSTRUCTORS TO CUT DOWN THE TREE BEFORE IT FALLS ON THE BUILDING.’ IT WAS A TERSE ORDER, NOT A JOB FOR THE PARKS AND RECREATION, BUT THE INSTRUCTORS. WE TOOK UP THE CHALLENGE AND, EQUIPPED WITH AXES, PARANGS AND A SAW, ALL MUSCLE POWER, WE CUT DOWN THE TREE. IT TOOK US A WEEK.” MR MATHIAS CHAY, ON AN IMPROMPTU VISIT MADE BY THEN PRIME MINISTER LEE KUAN YEW For Mr Chay, taking on the task was a dip into the unknown. But the spirit of curiosity propelled him and he found himself being fascinated by how the carpenters went about transforming a flat paper blueprint into a three-dimensional object. “I asked them all kinds of questions and grew to love the art of boatbuilding.”

From the New Zealanders, the instructors learnt how to build confidence courses, prepare the abseiling gear, and examine the ropes and other gear for wear and tear, among other skills. After Mr Thomas and Mr Cameron left, the Singapore instructors had to manage on their own, and were “responsible for almost everything except the kitchen and the stores”, said Mr Chay. In the first 10 years of OBS, the budget for expansion was limited. It was in these early years that the instructors found themselves living out the very values they hoped to instil in the trainees — courage, the spirit of daring to break new ground and perseverance despite the odds. To improve the school’s facilities, the instructors often tapped into their own inventiveness and looked in their own backyard for raw materials. “The pioneering spirit to build something out of nothing but the ideas in our heads was the motivation for most of us. We were always thinking of more variety and challenges for our trainees,” said Mr Chay. He recalled that once, the chief instructor, Mr Henry Sng, thought of creating a water-based

agility course at the bay in front of the warden’s bungalow. That led the instructors to wander into the mangrove swamp where they felled bakau and tembusu trees with parangs and axes, and to build the obstacle from scratch. When they wanted to erect a Flying Fox higher than the one built by the New Zealanders, they filled up a gunnysack with rocks to simulate a person’s weight and used this to experiment with various heights before finally getting it right. The spirit of innovation and resourcefulness also steered Mr Chay’s teaching days. For example, to explain the forces of aerodynamics in

Mr Mathias Chay (second from left) with his fellow instructors, including Mr L. Shanmugan (leftmost), in the early days of the OBS. Picture: OBS

sailing to his often perplexed trainees, he crafted a model sailing boat out of balsa wood, complete with a sail made from white cotton. He would use the draught from the fan to create a lift on the sail to explain the theory to his students. He even attached a movable centreboard to help him explain the forces that went on underwater. “Those days, there were no Internet or YouTube videos for us to find out what was happening in other schools. I was a frog in the

a blueprint into a three-dimensional product like the two carpenters at Ho Ah Lam shipyard.” However, the venture folded up after two years as there were not enough orders to sustain it. Yet, Mr Chay would count those two years as the happiest times of his life. “Frankly, I would not have ventured into boatbuilding if it was not for the confidence I gained in OBS. It was the willingness to take risks even though I had no business acumen and experience; some would

small sailing craft and kitchen cabinets. “I was able to fulfil my dream of being a ‘carpenter’,” he noted with satisfaction, “and could now transform

hopes one day to publish a book filled with all the memories he had of the time when he answered the call of adventure and went outward bound.

well. We were all on our own, with nobody to guide us. Sometimes, we had stay-in visitors from other Outward Bound schools, and they would tell us some of the things they did in their schools, and we would try them out.” When Mr Chay left in 1978, the courage forged from these early OBS days, along with his fascination and love for woodworking and boatbuilding, followed him. He took a big leap of faith and started a company specialising in making

probably call me foolhardy. This venture helped me overcome my fear of failures.” Mr Chay then spent 36 years in human resource management and is now a freelance facilitator for human resource-related courses. At 70, the grandfather of two leads an active life brisk walking in the MacRitchie and Bukit Timah nature reserves and climbing mountains in Malaysia and Indonesia. “The call of the mountain peak is a challenge I cannot resist,” he said, adding that he

Making Waves, Changing Lives 50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

Mr L. Shanmugam hitchhiked from Wales to Germany during winter in 1973 and fulfilled his dream of meeting Outward Bound founder Kurt Hahn. Picture: Ted Chen for the NYC

Dream, Then Do MR L. SHANMUGAM

fter serving five years in Outward Bound School as one of its pioneer instructors and seeing 6,000 trainees earn their OBS stripes, Mr L. Shanmugam found himself embarking on a journey out of Singapore that would show him what it meant to serve, to strive and not to yield. More than half a year later — thanks to his single-minded purpose and steely resolve — he was able to fulfil his dream of meeting Mr Kurt Hahn, the very founder of Outward Bound itself, on a forbidding wintry day in Germany in 1973. Today, he describes that personal encounter as “the ultimate of my Outward Bound” experience. And because of this accomplishment, he was able to tell the youth he later mentored during his career that they could achieve more than they thought possible. “Anybody, if you set forth to do something, you can do it.”

travelling with only a woollen jumper, a windproof raincoat and a pair of gloves given to him by the warden. He hitchhiked along the highways in the bitter cold, often “trembling like a leaf”. Along the Alps in Germany, the weather was a brutal -10 degrees Celsius. When he took out his mountaineering cooker to boil water, he had to first heat the water bottle to melt the ice before he was able to boil the water to make coffee. Thankfully, he met many kind drivers along the way. And then there were many sights that were simply spellbinding. “The view along the way was phenomenal and the scene of mountains covered with snow was majestic. These are sights which I have never seen in my life which one cannot buy with money,” he recalled. He finally arrived in a small town in Hermannsberg near Salem. When he asked

advised that Mr Hahn, who was in his 80s, did not receive many visitors. But Mr Shanmugam was undeterred. He left Aberdovey in December 1972,

Instead, what followed was an impassioned plea. “I explained diplomatically to the male staff that I had come a long way from a small island

Mr Shanmugam had set out in 1972 to work at the OBS at Aberdovey, Wales, at the invitation of the warden, Mr Gordon Richard. After a six-month stint, during which he was also a participating observer in other Outward Bound schools in the United Kingdom such as in Devon, Eskdale, Ullswater and Moray, he told the warden that he was going to hitchhike from Wales to India and, on the way, he would call upon Mr Hahn. It didn’t seem like a possible mission. He was

around, he was directed to the gate of a “handsome” building which he thought was Mr Hahn’s office. He stood out there, freezing. Near the guardhouse, he spoke to a staff member over the phone and explained the reason for his visit. The man turned him down, saying that Mr Hahn was a sick and frail man who did not entertain guests. “I could have accepted his explanation and walked away but the ‘do and dare’ in me said no!” said Mr Shanmugam.

Making Waves, Changing Lives 50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

called Singapore and a place called Outward Bound School on Pulau Ubin and had hitchhiked from Wales and crossed rivers and mountains in the bitter cold... to meet this man who founded Outward Bound and you say I cannot meet him. If this is not Outward Bound, what is?” There was a pause over the phone and the next moment he knew, a Mercedes with chains on its tyres had pulled up. A female driver, whom he later found out was Mr Hahn’s secretary, beckoned him to get into the car. “Lunch was already ready on the long table,” recalled Mr Shanmugam. “I was all excited and confused at the same time. Everything happened so fast! I thanked Mr Hahn for accommodating a nobody like me in spite of his ill health. I spoke to him about OBS on Pulau Ubin and that it was at its infancy still learning and using his philosophy to train Singaporeans, especially youth. I was proud to be representing Singapore. I told him, we don’t have the mountains, the bitter cold and the vast sea and rivers to provide challenges. Our challenges come from the heat, and the

Throughout, Mr Shanmaguam always had a passion for youth and motivating them to go farther. He remembers pleading with a principal, on behalf of an expelled boy whom he was overseeing at the Geylang Serai Boys Club, to take the boy back. “I went to see the principal and told him, if you don’t give him a chance, who would?” said Mr Shanmugam. “It’s the OBS spirit in me,

People’s Association, and had a fruitful career serving in many capacities, including in its Sea Sports Centre, Adventure Club and Boys Club.

valuable painting.” He also remembers the spartan facilities — a small administrative block which also housed the

secondary forest with snakes, scorpions and mosquitoes.” Mr Hahn spoke little but listened intently and when lunch was over, he gave Mr Shanmugam 20 Deutsch Marks for a train ride. Mr Shanmugam carried on his hitchhiking journey, traversing places such as Greece, Italy, Afghanistan and Pakistan before reaching India. Along the way, he slept in railway stations, churches and temples. When he came back from India, he joined the

A letter to Mr L. Shanmugam from Outward Bound Aberdovey congratulating him on meeting OBS founder Kurt Hahn. Picture: OBS

you know, to do and to dare.” Not only did the boy go back to school, he also became the captain of the club’s football team after Mr Shanmugam saw the potential in him and gave him the opportunity. The team became champions later. Of his five years in OBS from 1968 to 1972, Mr Shanmugam said: “I enjoyed my stint as an instructor immensely, until my final day. You would often see me during course break on a rock by the sea admiring nature as you would a

instructors’ quarters, basic dormitories without fans for the trainees, and a dining hall topped with corrugated zinc roof. “When there was a storm during meal times, you couldn’t hear one another. Rainwater also seeped in through the roof and flowed into the dining hall,” he said. In the first year, seven canoes nicknamed “Queen Mary” due to their heavy weight and five dinghies called “bathtubs” were some of the limited teaching facilities they had. Then there was the absence of guidelines and operation procedures, which meant that the instructors had to use their own initiative to conduct the activities and lead the trainees. “However, safety was always our main concern. We never compromised on this,” said Mr Shanmugam. In spite of the challenges, the team spirit among the instructors was excellent and their

morale was high. “We gave of our best with blood, sweat and tears, and gave the best training that the trainees deserved,” he said. “Each course was different because you are dealing with different personalities, using nature as a vehicle of education to impel them to an experience of a lifetime.” Today, at 71, “just to keep fit”, Mr Shanmugam swims 30 laps three times a week, and on another three days, walks at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. Sometimes, he would cycle from Ubi, where he lives, to Changi Point, and then back. He also regularly climbs the stairs at the towering 50-storey residential block Pinnacles@Duxton, a challenging ascent which is perhaps symbolic of the dictum he has lived by and still encourages in young people: “Be positive, don’t give up easily. There’s always this pinnacle you can achieve.”

Mr L. Shanmugam with his trainees, including Ms Jen Tay (standing, second from the right), who attended a 21-day course for women in February 1971. Picture: Courtesy of Ms Jen Tay

Making Waves, Changing Lives 50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

KEEPING MEMORIES CLOSE MR LIM JOON HIANG

Mr Lim Joon Hiang has treasured mementoes, such as his OBS tie, logbook and photos, for 46 years. Picture: Ted Chen for the NYC

ome people are quick to throw away old souvenirs when they declutter their homes.

at them, I feel proud having undergone such a tough yet meaningful programme as part of my

the rest of my business ties and it reminds me of what a valuable experience OBS was for me,” said the 64-year-old retiree. “Each time I look

the logbook. He penned his entries in Chinese but adorned the pages with colourful and inspiring English quotes, such as “Never Leave That Till

Others put them on the highest shelf in the storeroom, with no intention of ever taking them out again. But not Mr Lim Joon Hiang. For 46 years, he has kept close to him keepsakes, such as his OBS badge and tie and a logbook full of daily entries of his 21-day course in 1971. “The logbook and OBS badge are in my shelf for safekeeping and they bring back good memories. The OBS tie is always on display with

growing up years.” It was a rare opportunity for adolescents to be able to attend the course in Pulau Ubin at that time, explained Mr Lim, who was then a Pre-University One student in Maris Stella High School. Till today, he credits OBS for having instilled in him the values of teamwork, endurance, patience, leadership and perseverance. He recalls recording late at night, before lights out at OBS, all the daily events and activities in

Tomorrow Which You Can Do Today” by Benjamin Franklin, and proverbs, such as “Every Horse Thinks His Own Pack Heaviest”. He also drew sketches, such as stick-figure drawings of the rope course and the Flying Fox, and even a detailed diagram of the cutter that they took on the sailing expedition. Of that expedition, Mr Lim remembers that the sea was choppy and the winds unexpectedly strong. Within thirty minutes of setting sail, half his team was already seasick, leaving only seven members to manoeuvre the vessel. The team did not make it to the destination of Bintan Island and he himself succumbed to sickness on the return journey. Thankfully, Mr Lim has fonder recollections of

the three-day topography exercise in Pulau Tekong, where his watch camped overnight, cooked their own meals and consumed dry rations. At night, in the deep of the jungle, the boys scared one another with

In his OBS logbook, Mr Lim Joon Hiang had traced maps (top), recorded inspiring quotes and daily events of his OBS course in 1971 (middle) and sketched the rope obstacles (bottom). Pictures: Courtesy of Mr Lim Joon Hiang

Making Waves, Changing Lives 50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

ghost stories, made even spookier by the footfall of soldiers walking nearby. Mr Lim believes that OBS imbued in him mental strength, survival skills and the ability to manage in changing environments. These helped him go through National Service more smoothly and equipped him to weather the storms in his 35year career in the IT industry, where he worked his way from programmer to chief information officer. “I had to travel alone and manage all kinds of challenging and unexpected conditions. I learnt to ‘do it well and do it right the first time’, but also understand that every failure makes you much stronger the next round,” he said. Since retirement, the badminton player, photographer and gardener has devoted himself to humanitarian work in the region. When Cyclone

Nargis hit Myanmar in 2008, he worked with a team of volunteers to help in the efforts of rebuilding orphanages, schools, clinics and bridges. He has also served in humanitarian projects in Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka and Bhutan. As someone who has benefited from the OBS experience, Mr Lim believes strongly that all youth who are fit should go through OBS. “Children live in a very comfortable and wellprotected environment and spend huge amounts of time on a little square monitor. The ages 15 to 17 are a very important time to transform a child’s character as he transitions from a ‘parent-care’ environment to an ‘independent’ environment. This is when parents and the nation can do something to shape him up.”

Mr Lim Joon Hiang learnt survival skills, including how to tie knots, during his OBS course in 1971. Picture: Courtesy of Mr Lim Joon Hiang

I LEARNT TO ‘DO IT WELL AND DO IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME’, BUT ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT EVERY FAILURE MAKES YOU MUCH STRONGER THE NEXT ROUND.”

Mr Lim Joon Hiang believes that OBS imbued in him mental strength and the ability to manage in changing environments. Picture: Ted Chen for the NYC

Making Waves, Changing Lives 50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

Ms Monica Heng (left) and her older sister, Margaret, attended OBS in the early 1970s. Picture: Ted Chen for the NYC

The World As Classroom MS MARGARET HENG, MS MONICA HENG

hen Ms Monica Heng’s three daughters were growing up, she often bundled them out of the house to play on the swing, pedal on their bikes or build sandcastles on the beach. “We would have walks in the park, and I would talk to them and make them more aware of their surroundings,” she said. Not scared to get her hands dirty, she often used the ample opportunities provided by nature’s classroom to teach her children. Once, she went round the gardens in their housing estate and came back with two frogs for their science lesson. These outdoor experiential lessons must have had a profound effect on her children, for they all grew up loving sports, nature and adventure. So much, in fact, that two of her daughters, Yvonne and Jacqueline, eventually became OBS instructors. They worked at OBS for about five years, and even met their husbands there, making Ms Heng’s home in Normanton Park a mini-extension of OBS at one time. Her youngest daughter, Nicole, would have joined too, “but the sisters said two is too many and ‘banned’ her from joining”, joked Ms Heng, 64. However, all of them have had the chance to go through OBS when they were in school. Even Ms Heng herself and her older sister, Margaret, are OBS alumni. Ms Heng was working as an English instructor at the Singapore Armed Forces Training Institute when she requested to go on the 21-day women’s course in 1972, an opportunity that she had missed when she was in school. Although a sporty and active person, she found it very tough in the first few days. “We had to get up very early in the morning, had our PT (physical training) in the basketball court, jump into the sea, then wash up and have breakfast,” she recalled. She also remembered an orientation exercise where the participants had to find their way in the jungle, using only a compass as their guide.

Making Waves, Changing Lives 50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

“We literally bashed our way through the bushes and the waterways. We didn’t know how to go around these obstacles.” She chuckled at the memory. But it was from such exercises that she learnt valuable lessons about cooperation and team work. “You go as a group, you finish as a group.” Ms Heng’s sister, Margaret, attended the course a year later, when she was a teacher at St Thomas Secondary School. As a 22-year-old then, she was “gung-ho” and “not afraid to do anything” and did not find the activities too daunting. One particular incident stuck in her mind though — when they got into deep trouble, literally. “On the first night, we had to walk half submerged in the mud! It came right up to our chest!” she recounted in horror. “Our shoes got stuck at the bottom. I kept asking, ‘Where’s my shoe? Where’s my shoe?’” Till today, the close-knit sisters look back on their OBS days with fondness and enjoy swapping tales with each other. OBS was a precious experience which took them out of the comfort of home and school, they said. “It taught us leadership, confidence, how to fend for ourselves,” said Ms Margaret Heng, now 65. She remembered, when she was a Science teacher, returning to OBS one day and leading some children through a tunnel. “When the doors shut, the kids started screaming. It was pitch dark. But I told them, ‘Calm down. Can you touch the walls on both sides?’ They said yes. ‘Can you hold on to your friend in front?’ They said yes. And so, just like a caterpillar, we slowly made our way out.”

ON THE FIRST NIGHT, WE HAD TO WALK HALF SUBMERGED IN THE MUD! IT CAME RIGHT UP TO OUR CHEST! OUR SHOES GOT STUCK AT THE BOTTOM. I KEPT ASKING, ‘WHERE’S MY SHOE? WHERE’S MY SHOE?’” For the last 17 years, the older Ms Heng has been a nature guide — an extension of her passion for teaching — and is familiar with many of Singapore’s green spaces, including the Botanic Gardens, Gardens By The Bay, and Fort Canning. Thanks to the influence of the OBS instructors right in her own home — her daughter, Yvonne, and her son-in-law, Edvan Loh — Ms Monica Heng and her husband were inspired to trek up 5,416m to Thorong La, a pass on the Annapurna mountain in Nepal, in 2005, after a period of intense training at the trails in Bukit Timah and MacRitchie. And, encouraged by her older sister, she decided to push herself out of her comfort zone and train to be a guide as well. Now, she conducts walks at places like Sungei Buloh, Labrador Park, Hort Park and Gardens By The Bay. She is also a volunteer bird surveyor with the Gardens, and so, on some days, you may find her walking around with a pair of binoculars around

her neck, as she observes the birds that flit in and out, in order to study the biodiversity around her. Some of the birds that she has spotted are the collared kingfisher, the white-bellied sea eagle and the oriental magpie robin. “If you see a yellow bird with a black mask over the eyes and black markings on its wings and tail, that is a black-naped oriole,” she said. The pair of Nikon lenses she has is actually a birthday present from all her daughters last year, a fitting reminder of what she always taught them when they young — to always be in awe of the surroundings and see the world through ever curious eyes.

Left: Ms Margaret Heng (second row, second from the right) and her friends attempting a ladder obstacle course. Picture: Courtesy of Ms Margaret Heng

Right: They also made their way down a rock wall (top), along a rope crossing (middle) and up a scramble net (bottom). Pictures: Courtesy of Ms Margaret Heng

Making Waves, Changing Lives 50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

The Adventure Never Ends MS IVY WEE

here were just three places for the taking, and Ms Ivy Wee secured one of them. And so, for the First Toa Payoh Secondary School pupil, her wish to attend the OBS 21-day women’s course in April–May 1972 had come true. “Only students who were active in sports were selected,” Ms Wee recalled. At that time, she was on the school hockey and table-tennis teams, played netball and did folk dancing, even representing the school in a youth dance festival. The competition for the limited places would have been stiffer had it not been for the fact that

to run round the open field and lie down on the grass for some time under the hot noon sun — definitely not something they were expecting. “The second surprise came during one of the morning physical training exercises when all of us had to run to the beach, in front of our dormitories, and submerge our heads in the water, regardless of whether we could swim!” said Ms Wee. That only some students had the opportunity to attend OBS in Ms Wee’s time contrasts sharply with the situation today, where about 14,000 youth pass through its doors each year. Looking

From the get-go, the girls were thrown into one challenging activity after another. On the very first day, upon arrival at the camp, they were made

Words spoken from personal experience indeed. Ms Wee recalled her jitters when confronted with the water survival test during her

the course was to be held during the school term, just before the mid-year examinations, which led to some of her schoolmates withdrawing their initial applications. Still, Ms Wee felt that she had been handed a golden opportunity. OBS was fairly new then and had started running courses for women in 1969. Ms Wee remembered being put together with participants older than her, some of whom were from the army.

ahead, when OBS@Coney is fully operational, all Secondary 3 students will have the chance to experience OBS through a new, five-day expedition-based camp. “Oh, that is a good idea,” said Ms Wee. “Young people today tend to think too much before taking action. If you are someone who is unsure of yourself, OBS can really shape you up. Even if you are afraid to try new things, somehow you will go ahead.”

YOUNG PEOPLE TODAY TEND TO THINK TOO MUCH BEFORE TAKING ACTION. IF YOU ARE SOMEONE WHO IS UNSURE OF YOURSELF, OBS CAN REALLY SHAPE YOU UP. EVEN IF YOU ARE AFRAID TO TRY NEW THINGS, SOMEHOW YOU WILL GO AHEAD.”

Ms Ivy Wee keeps active by going to the gym, playing badminton and cycling. Picture: Ted Chen for the NYC

Making Waves, Changing Lives 50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

OBS course, when she had to jump from the jetty into the sea with a pair of pyjama pants and turn it into an improvised float. “My instructor took 10 minutes to coax me! He said, ‘I could give you a little push’,” she recalled. In the end, she didn’t need the extra nudge and somehow plucked up the courage to dive in — a triumph indeed for someone who could not swim then. In Ms Wee’s memory, her OBS experience was a mixed bag of “awesome” experiences (such as cruising down The Flying Fox and learning how to right a capsized sailing dinghy) and “scary” ones (such as rock climbing and abseiling). But they were all unforgettable and valuable.

Ms Ivy Wee (front row, leftmost) was one of only three students in her school to attend the OBS course in April–May 1972. Picture: Courtesy of Ms Ivy Wee

“Through them, I learnt how to overcome my fears, exercise more patience and co operate with my watch mates. OBS moulded me to become a more confident person and that has helped me face and overcome some of life’s difficult times and challenges.” The 61-year-old has always enjoyed a wide variety of activities and is receptive to new adventures, which is perhaps a testimony to how OBS has brought out the gung-ho spirit in her. Although “semi-retired”, the real-estate agent has a calendar packed with client appointments, karaoke lessons at the Civil Service Club (she is the teacher), and voluntary work in a Taoist temple, where she serves as a committee member. She enjoys singing, live band per formances, going to the gym, playing badminton and cycling. “During my younger days, I loved outdoor activities, especially the sea — swimming, deep-sea fishing, snorkelling,” she said. “Today, I still love going on roller-coaster rides and am willing to try new sports. If you tell me ‘hey, this is interesting, try it’, I would!”

During her time at OBS, Ms Ivy Wee took part in various activities, including (clockwise from bottom) working as a team, traversing a rope crossing, sailing, tackling a rope obstacle and running. Pictures: Courtesy of Ms Ivy Wee

Making Waves, Changing Lives

A SIGNIFICANT VICTORY MR WONG TUAN WAH

50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

he very moment Mr Wong Tuan Wah started on the 21-day OBS programme, he and his watch were issued a big challenge: to win the Warden’s Challenge Trophy. All the watches, they were told, had won the trophy for outstanding performance and good teamwork. Only theirs, Gandhi Watch, had not. That was in 1982. Mr Wong, just 25 years old and fresh out of university, had just joined the Civil Service as a curator in the then-Parks and Recreation Department the previous year. Like several others, he had been encouraged to attend the 21-day OBS course. “It seemed like Gandhi Watch was jinxed,” he said. “We wanted to prove the instructors wrong.” Which is exactly what they did. Mr Wong and his teammates went all out in the programme, determined to show the instructors how well they worked together as a team. The hard work paid off: On the last day of the programme, they were elated when their victory was announced. “This had never happened before. We were the first Gandhi Watch (PU 145) to win the trophy,” he recalled. “It was indeed a great tribute to the team and the hard

work of all the team members.” The experience taught Mr Wong many lessons that he still applies today. Now a Group Director (Fort Canning Park and Istana) at National Parks Board (NParks) and Senior Curator at the Istana, he continues to share what he had learnt more than 35 years ago with his staff and colleagues. These include the value of teamwork, resilience, determination and putting others before self. “All of us have hidden potential yet to be discovered. What is seemingly impossible at first can become possible,” said the 60-year-old. “We need to ‘spring back’ from the fall or failure and to stand tall to face the challenges and to overcome them.” Mr Wong still uses the OBS motto — To serve, to strive and not to yield — as a guiding principle when he faces challenges in life today. “In a way, it has changed the way I work, behave and my approach to life,” he said.

Inspired by his OBS experience, Mr Wong Tuan Wah, seen here on a diving trip in October 2017, has fostered collaborations between the National Parks Board and OBS. Picture: Courtesy of Mr Wong Tuan Wah

“After reading through this notebook and reviewing the old photos, I can still remember all my OBS adventures and achievements vividly. They

Much of the collaboration was started under Mr Wong when he was NParks’ Group Director (Conservation).

Making Waves, Changing Lives Another thing that he learnt at OBS is a deep appreciation of the outdoors. During the 21day course, he was exposed to a wide range of activities, from long-distance kayaking and cutter sailing to long treks and camping solo. What he remembers most, however, was abseiling face-first down a steep cliff. “It was a

bring back pleasant memories and questions like: ‘Wow! Did I do all these things? How did I manage to accomplish all of them?’” he said. All these helped to shape Mr Wong’s role and contributions to OBS’ transformation when NParks and OBS began working together to educate and raise young people’s awareness of nature and the environment at Pulau Ubin. Over the years, the two organisations have collaborated on various projects, including reforestation and weeding under OBS’ Project IsLand-A-Hand (PIAH) programme, which saw NParks and OBS staff, OBS Alumni, and students working together to plant more than 1,500 trees, reforesting some three hectares of land at Bukit Tajam, a site next to OBS Camp that had been cleared due to a fire. Under the same project, OBS alumni also helped in activities such as coastal

50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

The Gandhi Watch learning to sail in June 1982. Picture: Courtesy of Mr Wong Tuan Wah

very daunting and fearful experience,” he recalled. Thirty-five years on, Mr Wong can even describe the exact route his watch took on their three full days of kayaking and the places they covered — Woodlands Causeway, Coney Island, Pulau Tekong Kechil, Changi Point, Pasir Ris and Pulau Ketam. That’s because he has kept the notebook in which all participants were told to record their daily activities and thoughts, so that they could reflect on their experiences.

and swamp clean-up, flotsam fence maintenance, species survey and bird box construction at Pulau Ubin and Coney Island Park. Today, NParks and OBS continue to collaborate on guided walks and talks for the public and youth, and work closely with schools to conduct outdoor education and nature appreciation activities. Facilities such as mangrove boardwalks, shelters and interpretation signage, meanwhile, have enabled more people to get up close to nature.

Mr Wong Tuan Wah was part of the first Gandhi Watch that won the Warden’s Challenge Trophy in OBS in 1982. Picture: Courtesy of Mr Wong Tuan Wah

The two organisations were able to achieve so much, he said, because they had similar strategic interests. One of the aims of NParks, which manages much of Singapore’s nature areas, is to provide good infrastructure for outdoor education, while OBS focuses on conducting good outdoor adventure activities. Mr Wong remains a big supporter of OBS today and does what he can to help the outdoor adventure institution grow. For instance, when OBS was given part of Coney Island to develop a campsite, he helped to guide its public engagement and consultation processes.

This is because he still believes fervently in the value of “traditional” adventure activities such as camping, kayaking, sailing and rock climbing. “They have proven beneficial in character building, team bonding and strengthening the resilience of youth,” he noted. “Our nature areas provide good and safe venues for OBS to conduct their adventure and learning activities,” he added. “I am happy that we have been able to work together well to provide all Singaporeans with opportunities for outdoor learning and adventure skills training.”

Making Waves, Changing Lives

A JOB NO MONEY CAN BUY MS SAPARILA BINTE ALI

50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

s Saparila Binte Ali’s workplace is unique. The sea is just in front of her office, which is surrounded by the forest at Pulau Ubin. Sometimes, she would see a wild boar roaming around the place, an eagle hunting for food, a family of otters swimming around, and the occasional hornbill flying to roost in a tree. “It’s really awesome,” she said. “You can’t find it anywhere else unless you work in the zoo. It gives me a kind of peace, to be away from the hustle and bustle of the city.” That’s why Ms Saparila has stayed with the same organisation — Outward Bound Singapore — for more than 30 years. OBS’ longest-serving employee joined the adventure training centre in May 1986 when she was seconded from the Ministry of Health’s School of Nursing, where she was working as an administrative staff. “My boss, a matron from the School of Nursing, felt that it would be better for me to experience a different kind of environment,” she said. Since then, she has seen OBS progress over the years — from under the charge of the Ministry for Defence to People’s Association (PA), and most recently, to the National Youth Council.

YOU CAN’T FIND IT ANYWHERE ELSE UNLESS YOU WORK IN THE ZOO. IT GIVES ME A KIND OF PEACE, TO BE AWAY FROM THE HUSTLE AND BUSTLE OF THE CITY.” She can still recall what it was like under the military, when instructors stressed physical ruggedness and mental toughness. “Participants had to complete activities, no excuses,” she said. “Whether they liked it or not, they had to complete the activities even if they ended up coming back late for their meals, sometimes as much as four hours later.” Ms Saparila herself has changed over the years, in terms of both job scope and character.

Ms Saparila Binte Ali, who joined OBS in May 1986, is its longest-serving employee. Picture: Ted Chen for the NYC

Making Waves, Changing Lives 50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

IT WAS A CULTURE SHOCK. BUT TRUE TO THE OBS MOTTO, I WAS GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRY THESE CHALLENGES OUT, TO PREVAIL AND TO OVERCOME THE HURDLES.”

Starting out as an instructor, she later took on the post of training coordinator, and is now the manager of the enrolment team. Working with OBS, she said, has taught her to persevere and never give up, and have a positive outlook in life. She has also learnt the value of both self-reliance and teamwork, as well as the importance of being prepared. “It has become my habit to plan ahead for contingencies,” she said. “When I am in a boat or cruise ship, for example, out of habit I will take note of where the life jackets and lifeboats are. In several minor emergencies, I was able to remain calm and not panic.” Many of the lessons, she added, came from going through many obstacles and challenges, which she said are “part and parcel of OBS life”. When Ms Saparila first joined OBS, she couldn’t swim and was afraid of the sea as well as of heights. She also had no outdoor experience. “It was a culture shock,” she said. “But true to the OBS motto, I was given the opportunity to try these challenges out, to prevail and to overcome the hurdles.” One of the most memorable incidents she had was leading 48 participants, two new instructors and a mechanic on a five-day kayaking expedition around Indonesia’s Batam island. “It was my first experience leading a group of participants overseas,” she said. Unfamiliar with the foreign waters, she had to rely on her sea charts and compass to get to the campsite, which they reached late at night. “After ensuring that all the participants were all safe on land, I had to moor the lead boat out at sea. Because it was dark, I couldn’t see that the sea floor wasn’t flat,” she recalled. To her shock, when the group got back to OBS days later, she was told that there was a hole in the hull of the boat, possibly caused by a rock on the sea floor when she had moored the boat. “I’m glad that the participants reached OBS safely in one piece!” she said.

Of the roles she has done, Ms Saparila said that she enjoyed being an instructor the most. “I enjoyed doing all the activities and teaching and facilitating young participants to learn,” she said. “There is so much joy when you see participants learn about themselves in the tough and challenging outdoor classroom.” Indeed, the most rewarding moments, she added, has been helping participants learn the value of self-awareness and teamwork, and to develop a new appreciation for nature. “Looking back, I realise that I have learned much too,” she said. ‘It is knowledge and experiences that no money can buy.”

Ms Saparila Binte Ali (front row, second from the left) with fellow instructors on Mount Korbu in Perak, Malaysia. Picture: Courtesy of Ms Saparila Binte Ali

Making Waves, Changing Lives

50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

G N I G R O F

D A E H A

Making Waves, Changing Lives

Mr Noor Hisham Bin Mohd Ranny crossing a sand dune in the Oman desert with Outward Bound Oman. Picture: OBS

50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

Work bonded us together MR NOOR HISHAM BIN MOHD RANNY

“W

hen we took over the management of OBS from MINDEF, we conducted lots of trial courses, redesigned programmes, and reconstructed training facilities. It was hard work but it brought the team together too. There was a strong sense of ownership and responsibility; we all wanted to make sure we could deliver safe and quality courses for our participants. The energy and enthusiasm shown by the staff was really commendable. The experience of working together as a team is something that I remember most. “One of the most challenging things I do now at OBS is designing and planning the OBS Annual Staff Training Expedition. The main objective is to raise instructors’ competency via a mentally and physically challenging expedition. I need to constantly look at new training areas and plan a programme that will optimise their experience. We’ve organised many expeditions that were firsts for OBS, for example, the first sea kayak expedition circumnavigating Riau Island. The greatest satisfaction comes from seeing the sense of achievement shown by instructors after they have completed the expedition. “Over the years, there have been a lot of changes. In the past, those recruited into OBS often joined us with some outdoor adventure sports competencies, for example, life-saving skills, climbing, kayaking, navigation, and first aid. Some had even gone on their own expeditions, so there was some level of exposure to the outdoors. “Now, those who want to join OBS as an instructor often do not have such exposure. They have the passion, but lack the out-

door experience. So we have to plan a robust and structured training programme to ensure that they are competent to lead others in the outdoors. Their six months of training includes hard and soft skills, safety skills, group management skills, and so on. They will have to go through three key assessments —

knowledge on training safety regulations, field assessment, and fitness assessment — which they must pass before becoming an operational instructor. “The training that instructors go through is tough. In OBS we call the process ‘turning them from zero to hero’. But seeing our trainee instructors grow to become competent and confident always inspires me more to serve them. “It speaks of our can-do spirit, of overcoming adversities, and being there for one another despite the odds.” Mr Noor Hisham Bin Mohd Ranny, 50, is the Senior Assistant Director (Capability & Sector Development) at OBS.

Home Away From Home MR JON CHUA

“I

was 16 back in 1991 when I attended a five-day course. The fellow participants were Secondary 4 students from other classes in my school. OBS was a first for all of us as it was the first time we were experiencing outdoor life away from family and the comforts of home. The entire experience was memorable to me. The activities enabled us to learn teambuilding skills and the value of trust among fellow participants. On the whole, OBS has allowed me to understand that every individual has his own strengths and together, as a team, we can accomplish so much more. Even now at my workplace, I see each of my staff members for his or her strengths.” Mr Jon Chua, 42, a civil servant, attended OBS in 1991.

Mr Jon Chua (standing, third from the left) with his course mates at OBS in 1991. Picture: Courtesy of Mr Jon Chua

Paying It Forward Ms June Chiang (in white shirt and red pants) with the other participants at her OBS course in 2001. Picture: Courtesy of Ms June Chiang

MS YAP HUI ZHEN

“O

Surviving At Sea MS JUNE CHIANG

“I

was 15 when I went to OBS for a week. It was meant as a form of team-building for the Secondary 3 school leaders. “Most of the teams did a hiking expedition but my team did the sea expedition. The experience was totally different from hiking as we couldn’t just carry a bag with us. We could bring only our bare essentials as space was tight in the kayaks. “While kayaking, we also realised how difficult it was to go to the ‘toilet’. Basically, we had to stop kayaking and dip ourselves into the sea to answer the call of nature. We even needed to team up with another kayak to heave ourselves back thereafter. “During the expedition, we came together to help one another and realised the importance of teamwork. We also had to think out of the box to survive the journey. What we learnt in school was not going to help us. “At that time, I might not have appreciated fully the values learnt but as I grew up and entered the working force, they have helped me a lot.” Ms June Chiang, 31, attended OBS in 2001.

BS was truly a life-changing experience. I had gone to Outward Bound Sabah in my junior college years and Outward Bound New Zealand when I was an undergraduate. Finally, in 2003, I had the opportunity to go to Outward Bound Singapore as part of my Physical Education teacher training course. “I’ve learnt so much about my fears, strengths and dreams through the different Outward Bound experiences along the way and they have shaped me into who I am today. In New Zealand, I realised one must have passion, purpose and perseverance to overcome challenges in life. Another key takeaway from the course was the importance of self-reflection, with the solo expedition giving me a timely reminder of what I wanted to do in life. “When I attended the course in Singapore, I made a commitment to myself that I wanted to be a great teacher, someone who cares for her students and inspires them to do their best. I am happy to say that I am still a teacher today in my alma mater, Tanjong Katong Girls’ School, and continuing to contribute to my country. May OBS continue to inspire future generations of young people.” Ms Yap Hui Zhen, 38, attended Outward Bound Sabah, Outward Bound New Zealand and finally, OBS in 2003. Ms Yap Hui Zhen on a three-day sailing expedition at Outward Bound New Zealand at Anakiwa, South Island. Picture: Courtesy of Ms Yap Hui Zhen

Making Waves, Changing Lives

To go, to grow, and to glow MR WINSTON LIM

50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

wo years after taking over as OBS Director, Mr Winston Lim considered going back to the military. He had accepted the challenge of leading OBS when it was transferred from the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) to the People’s Association in 1991, thinking it would be interesting and meaningful, and that it would make a difference in the lives of young Singaporeans and leaders.

Mr Winston Lim, seen here with a model of the OBS campus, led the transformation of OBS into a top Outward Bound centre. Picture: OBS

He had set out with a vision to transform the centre into one of the best training centres in the Asia Pacific. However, it turned out to be very challenging in the first few years. But he persevered, driven by a determination and tenacity to succeed that embodied the OBS motto: “To serve, to strive, and not to yield.” One of his first tasks was to change the public perception that OBS was a physical training school. The new image of OBS would be that of a modern outdoor adventure centre conducting programmes relevant to Singapore youth, building values, and cultivating teamwork and leadership through experiential learning. This meant transforming OBS’ core pro grammes to focus more on learning lessons using the outdoors.

Mr Lim’s team worked tirelessly to create new programmes and facilities to engage participants and teach them values that would serve them well in their daily lives and their jobs. It also meant upgrading the skills of the staff. Despite working with a limited budget, OBS invested heavily in staff training. “If you needed level 2 skills for kayaking, then I would tell them to go to level 3 or 4, more than what was required,” Mr Lim explained. “This helped our team to deliver programmes with quality, safety and confidence.” Mr Lim knew that OBS’ programmes had the potential to gain a much wider reach. So he set out to tailor them for different groups of people, extending them to schools, polytechnics, uni versities, government agencies, govern ment scholars and eventually, even corporate clients. OBS also introduced shorter five-day courses so that participants could spend less time away from school or work —– a bold move in the Outward Bound community, which generally believed in longer expeditions. Many OBS staff remember Mr Lim for continually challenging them to explore new ideas, so that the courses and obstacles in OBS could be innovative, challenging and relevant. One product of such thinking was the Inverse Tower, which turned the usual pyramid-shaped design for high rope structures on its head —– literally. Another was the key concept of learning from failure. Certain rope courses were designed such that participants would not succeed unless they worked as a team.

Mr Lim said: “We can construct lessons from failure. We wanted trainees to learn from failure, so that they would improve and eventually succeed.” He also built strong relationships with other Outward Bound centres in the region and the rest of the world so that Singapore could learn from others and encourage the cross-pollination of ideas. OBS also collaborated with other centres to allow it to run courses overseas. These initiatives built a significant amount of goodwill for OBS and Singapore. By the time Mr Lim stepped down in 2001, OBS had grown to become one of the most wellrespected Outward Bound centres in the world. Athletes from various countries learning about communication and trust at the Inverse Tower at OBS on Pulau Ubin on 24 August 2010. This was part of the Culture and Education Programme for athletes taking part in the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games. Picture: Singapore Press Holdings

Making Waves, Changing Lives 50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

Mr Winston Lim is the first Asian and the third person in the world to have received the Outward Bound International Distinguished Service Award. Picture: Ted Chen for the NYC

THE BEST PART OF BEING IN OBS WAS BEING PART OF A FAMILY. WE ALWAYS WENT ALL OUT TO HELP ONE ANOTHER.â&#x20AC;?

For his leadership in turning OBS into a top training facility, Mr Lim was awarded the People’s Association Chairman’s Distinguished Award at the association’s staff awards ceremony in 2001. The Straits Times reported on his win on 21 December 2001. Picture: Singapore Press Holdings

It was hailed for starting a slew of innovative programmes, including the Overseas Youth Pro grammes, the Professional Development Programmes, and the Leadership Development Centre. The number of participants in its programmes

innovator and initiator, for turning OBS into a world-class training centre, and for helping to set up Outward Bound centres abroad. Mr Ron Faber, a board member of Outward Bound International, described him as “a lion among men”, while Mr Chien Lee, the vice-

to receive the Outward Bound’s highest honour for leadership in the Outward Bound community. In the citation, he was praised for being an

OBS even more,” he confessed. “The best part of being in OBS was being part of a family. We always went all out to help one another.”

had also grown from 3,000 to more than 10,000 a year. That year, OBS received the prestigious Excellence for Singapore Award, given to organisations that bring credit to Singapore by being among the best in their areas of activity in Asia or in the world. Mr Lim was also conferred the Outward Bound International Distinguished Service Award in 2002 —– the first Asian and the third person in the world

chairman of Outward Bound International, wrote: “Winston Lim’s name is synonymous with that of Outward Bound in Asia.” Although Mr Lim is now retired, the 70-yearold still holds OBS close to his heart. His eyes light up whenever “OBS” is mentioned, and he’s happiest when former staff members call in at his home to talk about the good times they had. “I enjoyed being in the army, but I enjoyed

Making Waves, Changing Lives

YOU KNOW THAT YOU MADE A DIFFERENCE WHEN THEY TELL YOU THEY DON’T WANT TO GO HOME; THEY WANT THE COURSE TO CONTINUE.”

50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

OBS’ Executive Director Nicholas Conceicao is one of its longest-serving staff members. Picture: Ted Chen for the NYC

AN experience of a lifetime MR NICHOLAS CONCEICAO

aving spent nearly 25 years at OBS, Mr Nicholas Conceicao, 50, is one of the longestserving members of the staff of the outdoor adventure institution. Joining OBS as an instructor in 1993, he has risen up the ranks to become its Executive Director. Over the years, Mr Conceicao has seen OBS transformed from a little-known adventure camp to a modern Outward Bound centre that is the envy of many in the Outward Bound fraternity. He has been part of its evolution to meet the emerging needs of Singapore youth, expanded its programmes to enable more people to have the Outward Bound ex perience, and helped upgrade its staff with the specialist skills and deep expertise to run new programmes and share their knowledge to help the outdoor industry grow. Ironically, however, he knew nothing of the

walks of life, he discovered the joy of guiding and nurturing people to conquer their fear of the water and to enjoy the open sea. So when he graduated with an economics degree, while most of his peers aspired for a lucrative career with a private bank or stockbroking firm, Mr Conceicao found himself drawn to a job advertisement for OBS instructors. It said: “Looking for passionate individuals keen on a career as outdoor instructors.” “It piqued my interest,” he recalled. “Although I knew little of the job, it seemed a good deal for a fresh graduate like myself who didn’t want to be desk-bound — a job in the outdoors with a graduate salary.” So he sent in an application — his only one — and signed up for the next instructor selection camp, which he passed with flying colours. (Much later, he was told that he had, in fact, been ranked

interest in water sports, which eventually led him to pick up windsurfing and become a freelance windsurfing instructor. Teaching people from all

“In the early years when OBS first returned to the PA, OBS had earned the unenviable reputation of being a tough boot camp run by the army,” he said.

organisation before joining it. “I did not have the opportunity to attend any OBS course during my schooling years, as you had to be an outstanding student leader in those days to be selected,” he said. “My parents did not see the value of me spending too much time on school CCA, so it was straight home for me after school.” Mr Conceicao’s first exposure to outdoor sports came when he learnt to swim at the age of 17 and took a life-saving course. It sparked a keen

the top candidate during the selection camp.) It was an interesting time to be at OBS, as the outdoor adventure centre was in a period of transition, having been moved from under the charge of the Ministry of Defence to the People’s Association (PA) in 1991. Its Director, Mr Winston Lim, a former Colonel from the Singapore Armed Forces, was going all out to reshape, rebrand and renew the centre. This, said Mr Conceicao, was no easy task.

Mr Nicholas Conceicao getting ready for a kayaking session. Picture: OBS

Making Waves, Changing Lives 50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

“During our outreach to schools and corporate organisations to expand our programmes, there was apprehension that OBS was too physical for their training needs.” Frequent roadshows, however, helped to showcase OBS’ efforts to refresh its training approach, while programmes held for school

larged leadership responsibilities that challenged me professionally.” Indeed, over the years, Mr Conceicao has taken on a wide variety of roles within OBS, which not only gave him a view of many aspects of the running of OBS, but also gave him the confidence to take on increasingly important responsibilities.

when it was undergoing its transformation to a modern Outward Bound centre,” he said. “As I matured and gained experience in the organisation, I was continuously entrusted with en

“None of us among the junior section heads had the confidence to step up to the job,” he recalled, “so Mr Lim gave us an ultimatum: ‘One of you will have to step up to the task as

principals, physical education teachers and corporate managers gave them a taste of the modern educational pedagogy and training methods that OBS programmes had adapted for use. “It took us several years to change that image of OBS,” he said, “for OBS to become recognised as a national institution for adventure learning.” Throughout this journey, Mr Conceicao found himself growing in tandem with OBS. “I was indeed fortunate to have joined OBS

When he was promoted to Head of Overseas Youth Programmes (OYP) in 1995, he learnt to oversee the development and operations of OBS programmes at Outward Bound centres in the region. Then, as Assistant Director of Training, he handled the selection and training of instructors, oversaw the Programmes Development and OYP units, as well as supervised day-to-day operations. He can still remember the “defining moment” when someone was needed to fill this post.

this role is not for an outsider; we need someone who understands Outward Bound!’ As he looked across the room at all of us, Mr Lim asked, ‘Nick, will you give it a shot?’” Remembering what the heart of OBS was — pushing one’s limits, taking on challenges and being Outward Bound — Mr Conceicao said yes. Later, he added on experience in strategic as well as operational roles, as Deputy Director (Training and Operations) and General Manager (Operations Management) respectively. In June 2006, Mr Conceicao was appointed Director of OBS — the first Director to come from within the ranks of the instructor cadre. Mr Conceicao paid tribute to the predecessors who gave him the guidance and mentorship to undertake his various postings at OBS, as well as the peers and subordinates who supported him with a combined strength and collective wisdom. “As we achieved many successful milestones over the years, it was the collective wisdom and support of the team that gave me confidence to push the bounda ries of what we do at OBS,” he said. “I always made it a point to challenge everyone in the team to achieve their fullest potential and to find the best person for the job.” Some of the most satisfying moments of his career at OBS came from his early years as an instructor. As an instructor, he explained, he had the opportunity to impact participants directly and witness first-hand how OBS transformed them and helped them discover their inner strengths and become more confident. “On the last day of the course, aboard the ferry boat out to Punggol Point jetty,

I would observe many of my participants looking at their hard-earned OBS certificate in their hand and often, I would see some of them with tears in their eyes,” he said. “You know that you made a difference when they tell you they don’t want to go home; they want the course to continue.” As Director, Mr Conceicao also counts two significant milestones in OBS history as among his proudest moments. One was when OBS made both Olympic and Outward Bound history by hosting the Singapore Youth Olympic Games (YOG) Island Adventure segment of its culture and education programmes in 2010; it was the first time an Outward Bound programme was included in an Olympic training programme for athletes. The other was when OBS sailed its cutter from Pulau Ubin to Lumut, Malaysia, and back to mark its 45th anniversary in 2012. The 1,200-km expedition pushed staff far out of their comfort zones, as they had to sail in unfamiliar Mr Nicholas Conceicao (right) in his youth, at the helm of the Ji-Fung. Picture: Courtesy of Mr Nicholas Conceicao

Showering aboard the Ji-Fung.

Making Waves, Changing Lives 50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

Picture: Courtesy of Mr Nicholas Conceicao waters for 11 days. “I remember that when I mooted the idea to mount the expedition within a 2½-month time frame, the staff thought I was out of my mind!” recalled Mr Conceicao with a laugh. “I reminded them that this was what Outward Bound was… to venture into the unknown and push ourselves beyond our self-imposed limits.” Both the YOG Camp and the Singa-Lumut expedition, he added, exemplified the OBS can-do spirit. “The most important lesson I have learnt is that as a leader, you have to create the means and conditions for everyone in the team to share and contribute to the organisation vision; that everyone’s talents and strengths have a part to play in tee, Mr Conceicao also sits on the Republic achieving success,” he said. In the same way, he Polytechnic’s school advisory committee, con added, OBS has imbued him with the same cantributing to its School of Health and Leisure. He has do spirit to dream big and to stay on course, no also had many opportunities to hone his leadership matter how daunting the setbacks. and strategic thinking skills through projects, such “When I first joined OBS, my parents kept as chairing the PA’s 50th anniversary celebrations asking me, ‘When are you going to get a real committee, curating the Youth Corps training

job?’” he recalled. At the time, he confessed, he too had not expected to stay beyond a few years. But, he added, he has since seen himself realising his full career potential and aspirations. “I’m privileged to have been entrusted with many opportunities to undertake leadership on several important projects within OBS, the PA, and now, the National Youth Council and the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth.” Apart from serving on the Outward Bound International Operations Committee and Outward Bound International Risk Management Commit

curriculum, and steering the conceptualisation of the building of OBS’ new campus on Coney Island. Mr Conceicao’s journey is best reflected in an especially memorable expedition in Hong Kong in 1994. He led a group of Ngee Ann Polytechnic students on an Overseas Youth Programme, in which they took on a challenging 18-day expedition that included sailing a brigantine tall-ship called Ji-Fung (Spirit of Resolution) from Hong Kong to Luzon Island in the Philippines, trekking overland, and sea-kayaking to rural villages. Crossing the South China Sea to the Philippines, he said, was

“a life-changing experience”, as the crew were engulfed in the tail end of a passing typhoon. But this experience gave the team the seamanship skills, confidence and teamwork to take over the running of the ship on the return journey to Hong Kong. “For me, the experience aboard the Ji-Fung has been etched in my mind as the epitome of venturing Outward Bound,” he said. “The uncertainty of leaving safe harbour for the open sea, overcoming physical and mental challenges in the face of adversity, and the feeling of triumph when we completed our journey, are indescribable.” Mr Conceicao is thus confident about OBS’ future, especially on the vital part it will play in Singapore’s National Outdoor Adventure Education Master Plan, which will send all Secondary 3 students to OBS, and the OBS@Coney project. “Today, OBS is a household name that is familiar to most Singaporeans,” he said. “In contrast with our early years when some people were apprehensive about attending OBS, many parents today regard OBS as an important rite of passage for their children that is not to be missed.” Mr Conceicao’s own vision is for every person who attends OBS to exemplify its motto, ‘To serve, to strive and not to yield’. “Every OBS instructor will send off his or her watch with the same message; that after com pleting their OBS course, it is just the beginning of their real Outward Bound journey,” he said. “I hope that with the confidence and mental fortitude gained, every participant can play a leading role as an active citizen to contribute to Singapore.”

Sailing the Ji-Fung from Hong Kong to the Philippines was a life-changing experience for Mr Nicholas Conceicao. Picture: Courtesy of Mr Nicholas Conceicao

Making Waves, Changing Lives 50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

In a report published in The Straits Times on 5 June 1998, Mr Edwin Siew and his fellow climber, Mr Khoo Swee Chiow, recounted their ascent to the summit of Mount Everest on 25 May 1998. Picture: Singapore Press Holdings

Achieving the impossible MR EDWIN SIEW

Singapore team summiting Mount Everest? Impossible! This was the response of many when plans to send a local team up to the top of the world’s highest mountain were first announced. Who could blame them? With the tiny island’s tallest “mountain”, Bukit Timah Hill, standing at just 164m, it was hard to imagine mountaineers from the tropical country being able to take the extreme cold and altitude to summit Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak at 8,848m.

Even Mr Edwin Siew didn’t think too much of it. When word went out that climbers were needed for the team, the OBS instructor didn’t sign up immediately. Not only did the idea seem farfetched, but he also believed he wouldn’t qualify. Apart from rock climbing and some hiking in the region, he had little climbing experience. But colleagues began to encourage him to give it a shot. As far as they were concerned, “Ultraman” — as Mr Siew was often called because of his strength and physique — stood a good chance.

Mr Edwin Siew made history by being one of two men in the first Singapore team to summit Mount Everest. Picture: Ted Chen for the NYC

Making Waves, Changing Lives 50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

It was then that Mr Siew began to consider the idea seriously. After all, he noted, the OBS ethos is about sailing into the unknown and taking on new challenges. So he and a former OBS instructor, Mr Leong Chee Mun, put their names up for the Everest team. “My experiences and skill were limited at that time,” he recalled, “and I knew that I had to work very hard for it.” And that’s what he and the team did. Over many, many months, they heaved 20-kg backpacks up and down HDB flats and Bukit Timah Hill, practised rock climbing at Dairy Farm, and learned alpine climbing in Switzerland and in the Himalayan ranges. On 25 May 1998, Mr Siew and his fellow climber, Mr Khoo Swee Chiow, made history, reaching the top of Mount Everest to unfurl the stars and crescent of the Singapore flag at the roof of the world. Their success was celebrated on Pulau Ubin,

where the staff and fellow instructors took quiet pride in the fact that Mr Siew had embodied the Outward Bound spirit of challenging limits, going into unfamiliar territory, and achieving something that no one had thought possible. This victory spurred many more Singaporeans into realising that the impossible was possible. The first Singapore women’s team followed suit in 2009, and Mr Jeremy Tong, 26, attempted to be the youngest Singaporean to do so in 2017. A Singapore team conquering Mount Everest? Yes, it was possible! This derring-do spirit was something that had marked Mr Siew’s OBS journey since he joined the school in 1992. When he first spotted an advertisement for instructors in the newspapers, he didn’t even know what the job entailed. “I was clueless,” he said. But over the years, through the instructor selection process and training to

Mr Edwin Siew (left) with Mr Mohd Ridzuwan Bin Ya’akop, the former OBS Deputy General Manager for Training & Operations, during the OBS Staff Expedition 2000 to Nepal. Picture: Courtesy of Mr Edwin Siew

handling batch after batch of OBS participants, he has come a long way, “from knowing nothing about the outdoors to an educator”, as he put it. Today, Mr Siew, 48, runs Incredible Journeys, an outdoor adventure consultancy that organises expeditions and training for those who want to push their limits. Ask the humble mountaineer what it was like to come back to a “normal” life at OBS after conquering Everest in 1998, however, and he would quickly say that life as an instructor was never “normal”. “The life back in OBS was always interesting and challenging,” he recalled. “It kept me on my toes at all times. The challenge for me was to harness the experiences, skills and knowledge that I learnt from the Everest expedition, and to break it down into learning perspectives that I could impart to participants, colleagues and OBS.” One way was to share the idea that everyone had his or her ‘Everest’ — a challenge that might seem impossible, but was conquerable if one kept a positive mindset and put in the hard work. “I wanted to inspire participants as well as colleagues. ‘Aspire to inspire’ became a part of my lifelong philosophy,” he said. When he became Head of Training Development at OBS, he would challenge instructors the same way. “Every one of us has an ‘Everest’ to climb.” He has also climbed Cho Oyu, Shisapangma, K2 and other Himalayan peaks, as well as Mount Vinson in Antarctica. When he decided to set up Incredible Journeys in 2012, he found himself drawing on the same lessons. It took courage to leave the “safe shore” of OBS and discover “new oceans”,

I WANTED TO INSPIRE PARTICIPANTS AS WELL AS COLLEAGUES. ‘ASPIRE TO INSPIRE’ BECAME A PART OF MY LIFELONG PHILOSOPHY… EVERY ONE OF US HAS AN ‘EVEREST’ TO CLIMB. he said, using terms that perfectly capture the Outward Bound philosophy. OBS, he added, had prepared him for what he called the “next chapter of the incredible OB journey”. Mr Siew said his OBS and Everest experiences were integral to his current venture, which aims to inspire people to pursue outdoor adventures, turning them from beginners into avid adventurers so that they discover “the richness within”. He said: “The Everest experience provided me with the absolute adventure perspective, while

OBS provided me with the institutional adventure perspective. My task is to marry these two and find the in-between balance. OBS has widened my horizons and enabled me to combine my experiences into bite-size learning perspectives. OBS and Everest formed a giant springboard for me to propel myself forward.” He also paid tribute to the “OBS family” for supporting his Everest quest. “I was pushed into the limelight, but in the shadow were many strong pillars of support — the unsung heroes and heroines of OBS who pushed me on in completing the Everest quest.”

Making Waves, Changing Lives 50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

The Straits Times reported on Mr David Lim and his preparations for the expedition to the South Pole on 14 June 1999, about six months before his team of four men became the first Singapore team to reach the South Pole. Picture: Singapore Press Holdings

Sharing the love of adventure MR DAVID LIM

fter 12 years as an instructor, Mr David Lim left OBS and later set up an adventure consultancy with fellow instructor Edwin Siew, hoping to spread the OBS spirit of adventure to more Singaporeans. It was in line with something he always wanted to do, given his own lifelong passion for the outdoors. Ten years later, however, he was back at OBS with a new task that continued his mission:

To help inspire thousands of young people through an ambitious plan to send all secondary students through OBS. This, he said, was his next â&#x20AC;&#x153;South Poleâ&#x20AC;?. Mr Lim knew exactly what he was saying. In 1999, he and three others did Singapore proud by becoming the first Singapore team to trek to the South Pole. Man-hauling some 100kg or so of supplies over more than 1,100km through

-30 deg C temperatures, the four men took almost two months to reach the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station in December 1999, just before the turn of the millennium. Another four men, including OBS instructors Edwin Siew and Kuak Nam Jin, also part of the Antarctica 2000 team, summited Antarctica’s highest mountain, Mount Vinson Massif, a week later. For Mr Lim, it was the highest point of a career in outdoor adventure. He had joined OBS after graduating from university, inspired by a field attachment with Outward Bound Australia that he had done as part of his studies. “After attending a nine-day programme with an Outward Bound Australia instructor, I saw that the outdoors had a lot to offer and was a great teacher,” he recalled. “My group of participants came from different states and backgrounds, and

I could observe them slowly transforming into a better team as well as individuals. I decided then that I wanted to help people by being an OBS instructor.” In Singapore, Mr Lim joined OBS in September 1995. Several years later, when the idea of sending a Singapore team to Antarctica came about, Mr Lim, then team manager, made a beeline for the team. At the time, it would have seemed impossible, given his inexperience with polar trekking. But Mr Lim was determined to give it a shot. “Outward Bound is about overcoming challenges and having the tenacity to face the unknown,” he said. “I wanted to experience firsthand what it means to live the motto, ‘To serve, to strive and not to yield’. I wanted to inspire younger generations to dare to dream.”

Mr David Lim (leftmost) and his fellow climbers at Naya Kanga, in Nepal. Picture: Courtesy of Mr David Lim

OUTWARD BOUND IS ABOUT OVERCOMING CHALLENGES AND HAVING THE TENACITY TO FACE THE UNKNOWN.”

Making Waves, Changing Lives 50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

Fulfilling that dream, however, did not mean there was no hard work involved. After being selected, Mr Lim and his teammates spent many weeks training for the expedition. They did fivehour runs, dragged car tyres across rough terrain, and went for several trips overseas to learn the skills needed, including cross-country skiing, polar navigation and rescue techniques. The hard work paid off, and the Antarctica 2000 team returned victorious, having achieved their aims. But while they were feted as heroes, Mr Lim wanted to do more — to share their victory with all Singaporeans. “I went to give talks at both primary and secondary schools to inspire students to dream big dreams and achieve them,” he said. “I shared my experience with participants and younger instructors, and encouraged them to find their ‘South Pole’. I told them, ‘Never give up’.” Mr Lim said he came back from Antarctica with a fresh approach to life. “I now see things in a different perspective; I treasure what I have,” he said. “I am more determined and once I start something, I will complete it.” The expedition also stoked his passion for adventure and determination to spread the love of the outdoors. In 2007, after 12 years at OBS — he was by then its Head of Training Operations — Mr Lim left to work at Republic Polytechnic, where he set up its Adventure Learning Centre to provide experiential learning programmes for both students and staff.

In 2012, he then set up adventure consultancy Incredible Journeys with Mr Siew, who had also summited Mount Everest in 1998 as part of the first Singapore team to conquer the world’s highest mountain. There, the two men strove to inspire youth and working adults, sharing their adventure experiences as well as knowledge. Mr Lim later moved to Boys’ Town as Head of Resi dential Services. Over the years, Mr Lim has also personally inspired people whom he has mentored or instructed to aim for their own “South Poles” — for example, Mount Kinabalu in Malaysia. In February 2017, Mr Lim, 47, returned to OBS to help oversee the roll-out of the National Outdoor Adventure Education Master Plan, which aims to give all Secondary 3 students the opportunity to go through OBS courses. “This is an exciting project because given enough time, we can build a resilient society,” he said. “It’s my next ‘South Pole’!” Mr Lim knows that the plan will be challenging, as OBS will have to handle many more students than it has had annually. But he believes that it will help OBS stay relevant as a key institution for building a “rugged society” in Singapore. “I would say OBS is sailing into a great unknown for this expansion plan,” he said. “But it must stay true to its spirit of exploring unfamiliar territory and overcoming obstacles. OBS’ biggest strengths are its ability to meet challenges head-on and adaptability to change. It’s like a sailboat with a competent crew. When the storm comes, the crew is able to sail through it.”

Mr David Lim, then 29, was the youngest of the four men in the first Singapore team to reach the South Pole on 31 December 1999. Picture: Ted Chen for the NYC

Making Waves, Changing Lives

Championing Outdoor Adventure Education MR GOH EK PIANG

50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

s a father, Mr Goh Ek Piang was delighted when his only daughter, Pamela, was selected to attend an OBS course in 1992. Although it was held over only three days, it was packed with all the exciting activities that would thrill a 12-year-old who had just finished her Primary School Leaving Examination. “She could remember vividly the joy of camping in the wilderness, of overcoming her fear of heights and swinging down the Flying Fox, as well as experiencing the challenging kayaking expedition,” recalled Mr Goh. As an educator, the former principal was also heartened when he heard from his students how going to OBS had made them stronger and transformed their character. Once, a boy came back from a five-day OBS leadership training course and shared how the course was an eye-opener for him. “OBS taught him responsibility, teamwork and leadership skills. It also changed his perspective about leadership, that it is more than just giving instructions

and telling people what to do. He learnt how to motivate and care for his team members as well as understand the need to care for the environment,” said Mr Goh. Clearly, he left the course a more confident and experienced leader. Mr Goh is a pioneer and expert in outdoor adventure education in Singapore who has dedicated his life to promoting “ruggedness and the high spirit of adventure” in the young. In his career spanning 45 years, from a teacher in 1966 to his last post as Deputy Director, Co-Curricular Activities before he retired from the Ministry of Education (MOE), his mission had always been to bring up generations of young people who would not only be physically fit but also mentally resilient. “I view outdoor adventure education as an extremely powerful platform for character development, inculcating sound values as well as developing social-emotional competencies and positive dispositions in our students,” said the 69-year-old. When he was a teacher and principal, he would champion outdoor pursuits and find opportunities for pupils and teachers to experience canoeing, sailing, camping and hiking. As a senior officer in MOE, he was instrumental in crafting and shaping policies in support of outdoor adventure education. In fact, Mr Goh’s belief in the value of outdoor adventure education was cemented in adventure training camps like those conducted at OBS. As a young trainee teacher, he was sent, along with scores of others, to a Teachers’ Training College Youth Leadership Training Camp on Pulau Tekong in 1967. Some of his peers went to Outward Bound School in either Singapore or in Lumut, Malaysia.

Mr Goh Ek Piang is a pioneer and expert in outdoor adventure education in Singapore. Picture: Ted Chen for the NYC

gushed through our tents.” It was from this camp that he saw how outdoor pursuits could shape values, such as integrity, care

school into a Centre of Excellence in this field. Swimming, snorkelling, canoeing, bouldering, and camp craft skills, such as tent pitching

Making Waves, Changing Lives It was the immediate post-independence years,

and compassion, adaptability, resourcefulness and problem-solving. From these pioneers of trainee teachers grew a steady movement to develop outdoor adventure education, said Mr Goh. Many of those who had benefited from their stints in Pulau Tekong or OBS, in turn, went on to train new batches of teachers as well as help various institutions set up their own training camps. They also started canoeing and sailing clubs, took teachers and students on snorkelling and diving trips in the Southern Islands, and on mountaineering trips in Malaysia and Indonesia. “We were fired up with the spirit to serve and reach out to more youth,” recalled Mr Goh fondly, adding that all these were done for free and on their own time. Since then, Mr Goh has witnessed how outdoor adventure education in Singapore has grown by leaps and bounds. From being confined mainly to the uniformed groups, it was ramped up to reach more students and youth. Outdoor Activities Clubs also sprang up in more institutions.

50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

As a young trainee teacher, Mr Goh Ek Piang took part in a leadership training camp on Pulau Tekong in 1967. Picture: Courtesy of Mr Goh Ek Piang

when Singapore saw the urgency in building up a fit and rugged society ready for the challenges of nationhood ahead. The training in Pulau Tekong and OBS aimed to groom these young Singaporeans into rugged leaders who would also have the desire to serve others in society. “I remember trekking through cemeteries during night orienteering and being chased by dogs!” said Mr Goh of the 10-day adventure. “Once, there was a thunderstorm, and water just

“Outdoor adventure education is now in the PE curriculum in all primary and secondary schools,” noted Mr Goh. “Today, students have more opportunities to experience the joy of participating in interesting and exciting local and overseas outdoor pursuits.” His greatest joy, he said, was in setting up the outdoor adventure education programme in Hougang Primary School when he was its pioneer principal from 2000 to 2007 and building the

and field cooking — these were all part of the curriculum for pupils to enjoy, he said. Those who wanted to take on more challenging outdoor pursuits went on mountain trekking trips in Malaysia and Indonesia, and even outback camping with children from Australia. In taking outdoor adventure education to new heights, OBS had complemented what educational institutions were doing, said Mr Goh. “OBS, with its own training facilities in Pulau Ubin and well-trained full-time instructors, was able to provide outdoor pursuits and leadership training to more students and youth from educational institutions and community clubs as well as adults in the corporate world,” he said. “The OBS experience that our students and teachers received helped us reach out to even more students in our educational institutions.” Over the years, he and other outdoor adventure education pioneers have engaged in meaningful sharing sessions with OBS. They share the view that Outward Bound training is more than just imparting knowledge and skills and developing fitness and ruggedness.

Physical Education Association, among his numerous voluntary roles. Every year, when his birthday comes around, he would head to an Olympic-size swimming pool and set himself a record-breaking target. This year, he completed 69 laps — one lap for each year of his life.

“It is a philosophy,” he said. “And we are confident that OBS is true to its philosophy, vision, mission and motto — To serve, to strive and not to yield.” This motto certainly rings true for Mr Goh, who is still as passionate and active in serving the community as ever. Although retired, he serves the MOE as an adviser for the Character and Citizenship Education programme and is a consultant for the Programme for Active Learning. He is also a grassroots leader in Changi Simei Constituency and adviser to the Singapore

Mr Goh Ek Piang, in his youth, making his way along a rope crossing. Picture: Courtesy of Mr Goh Ek Piang

100

Making Waves, Changing Lives 50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

When OBS came under Mr Tan Kim Keeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s purview in 2010, the PA decided to send more of its staff and grassroots leaders to OBS. Picture: Ted Chen for the NYC

101

IMPACTING LIVES, ONE AT A TIME MR TAN KIM KEE

he was a grassroots leader from Chong Pang and was already in her 70s when she came face to face with the rock climbing wall at OBS. It was her first attempt at scaling something so tall but, encouraged by her instructor and fellow participants, she took up the challenge. Later, she would describe the climb as her “most unique experience” ever. Then there were others — many far younger than her — who would never have thought of giving outdoor adventure courses a try. But they went, and were rewarded with an

charge of grassroots organisations has sent many batches of staff members and community leaders for OBS courses, in an effort to build character, foster social cohesion and sharpen leadership skills. “OBS programmes have always been well received by the people who have gone through them,” said Mr Tan. “Through OBS, they understand themselves better and believe in themselves more. Though the courses can be very challenging both physically and mentally, the positive OBS experience lasts for many years.”

experience, said Mr Tan, “speaks volumes about how OBS has impacted lives”. Over the years, the government body in

Things changed in 2010 when a new unit, the People Cluster, was set up to look after human resource and volunteer management. OBS came

experience that left them feeling challenged, accomplished and more equipped to serve the community. The story of how OBS has transformed the lives of people on the ground is one that Mr Tan Kim Kee, Group Director (People Cluster) of the People’s Association (PA), is pleased to share again and again. That a senior citizen could come back from Pulau Ubin giving a glowing account of her OBS

Mr Tan, 62, is a veteran at the PA who has seen how OBS evolved in the period that it was managed by the association — from 1991 to 2015 — before it became part of the National Youth Council (NYC) in 2015. He joined the PA in 1993 as a District Director taking charge of the grassroots organisations in the Suburban West District. At that time, he recalled, OBS was a division in the PA reporting directly to the Chief Executive Director.

102

Making Waves, Changing Lives 50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

under the purview of this cluster, of which he was the Group Director. It was from that year that the PA decided that it would send more of its staff and grassroots leaders to OBS, said Mr Tan. Each year, OBS would conduct courses for more than 1,000 PA staff and another 1,000 grassroots leaders and volunteers. Before that, he said, only a small number of grassroots leaders had attended OBS, and even then, on a rather ad hoc basis. Mr Tan recalled that sending Mr Tan Kim Kee (back row, fifth from the left) attending a PA Senior Management Retreat more grassroots leaders to OBS at OBS in November 2011, with his colleagues and then OBS Director Nicholas Conceicao (first row, fifth from the right). Picture: Courtesy of Mr Tan Kim Kee initially posed challenges for the adventure training organisation, which had to “OBS thus had to design short, affordable readjust and even customise its programmes. programmes that lasted usually one or two days, OBS had to equip its staff to meet the dif and still ensure that they were impactful.” ferent course objectives — such as leadership It was a challenge that OBS handled well, training and team building — of the dif ferent judging by the testimony of the grassroots grassroots groups. leaders who participated in the courses. There was also an added challenge — the participants themselves, who came from vastly different backgrounds in terms of age, race and educational level. Many of them also did not have the luxury of time to attend long courses or were not receptive to the idea of outdoor adventure training. Said Mr Tan: “Unlike students and corporate participants, our grassroots leaders, being all volunteers, had very little time, and some were wary of the more vigorous training programmes conducted by OBS.

Mr Tan said he had received feedback that OBS offered them a “totally different experience”, challenging them to do things such as abseiling, climbing and other outdoor activities that they would not otherwise have had the chance of doing. More importantly, through activities that required individuals to put aside their differences and tackle obstacles as a team, participants built up camaraderie and bonded together. “OBS offers an impactful learning journey for our grassroots leaders and staff,” said Mr Tan. “It helps them gain greater confidence in

103

overcoming challenges, pushes them to do things that seem beyond their ability, and helps them understand better how to get along with people, even strangers that they have been put together with.” He added: “From the feedback we received, about 95 per cent of grassroots leaders who attended OBS programmes felt that these programmes were effective in building and bonding their core leadership and team.” Similarly, the PA staff, especially new offi cers, who have attended OBS courses (with some lasting up to 21 days) also found that they benefited from the programmes that took them out of their everyday experiences. Many came back from the courses better equipped to approach work challenges with a more positive mindset. “OBS gives them a ‘never say die, never give up easily’ attitude and encourages them to always seek help from team members at work,” said Mr Tan. Even with the transfer of the man

OBS OFFERS AN IMPACTFUL LEARNING JOURNEY FOR OUR GRASSROOTS LEADERS AND STAFF. IT HELPS THEM GAIN GREATER CONFIDENCE IN OVERCOMING CHALLENGES, PUSHES THEM TO DO THINGS THAT SEEM BEYOND THEIR ABILITY, AND HELPS THEM UNDERSTAND BETTER HOW TO GET ALONG WITH PEOPLE, EVEN STRANGERS THAT THEY HAVE BEEN PUT TOGETHER WITH.” the day, many of us realised how little we knew of ourselves and one another. Through the courses, we learnt that personal perseverance and team work would see us through challenging times.”

agement of OBS to the NYC, the PA has continued the practice of sending its staff and grassroots leaders for outdoor experiential training on Pulau Ubin, on an ad-hoc basis, he said. In fact, over the years, Mr Tan himself has also gone on senior management and work plan retreats with his colleagues at OBS a few times. “I must confess that I had my initial scepticism about the usefulness of some of these retreats, but at the end of

Mr Tan Kim Kee and his colleagues attending the retreat for the People Cluster Workplan 2012 on 29 November 2011. Picture: Courtesy of Mr Tan Kim Kee

104

Making Waves, Changing Lives

SERVING THROUGH SHARING MR KHEW SIN KHOON

50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

“I

t’s just a hobby,” Mr Khew Sin Khoon remarked casually when asked about the three books he has authored. Two of them are colourful field guides to the butterfly kingdom in Singapore, while the third gives an insight into the little known world of caterpillars. Despite his humble assertion, Mr Khew’s “hobby”, or rather, lifelong fascination with nature’s flying jewels is legendary among nature lovers, conservationists and park planners in Singapore. He is the founder of ButterflyCircle, a photo graphy and interest group dedicated to the study of butterflies. His enthusiasm in researching, observing and photographing them is matched perhaps only by a zeal in sharing whatever he knows with the larger community. Since the 1990s, he has served as a volunteer

has a monopoly on knowledge. It is when we share our knowledge that we can make the world a better place.” An architect by profession, the President and Chief Executive Officer of CPG Corporation also actively promotes “biophilic design” in his projects. This allows nature and the built environment to coexist harmoniously so as to encourage biodiversity. Khoo Teck Puat Hospital and the Gardens by the Bay are some works that bear the imprint of this ethos. Mr Khew’s love for nature goes back all the way to his childhood days in Malaysia, a love he continued to nurture when he came to Singapore to study architecture on a Public Service Commission scholarship. He had just finished his first-year studies at the National University of

“Knowledge not shared is knowledge lost forever,” the 58-year-old explained of his generous desire to share and volunteer. “No single person

instructors also always reminded us to care for the environment and never leave anything behind when we went on our expeditions. These lessons

resource person for the National Parks Board, offering his expert knowledge in this field and helping to conduct biodiversity surveys. He has also volunteered on several public engagement platforms, such as the Friends of Ubin Network and the Rail Corridor Partnership, to conserve and enhance Singapore’s natural heritage. Over the years, in different pockets of the island’s urban landscape, he has also lent a hand in creating butterfly sanctuaries for the public to enjoy.

Singapore when he attended a 21-day course at OBS in 1980. Despite the hectic line-up of activities during the three weeks, he remembers that he always found time to observe the birds and butterflies during the orienteering exercises on Pulau Ubin and Pulau Tekong. “The rustic and natural environment never failed to amaze me, as there was always so much to learn from Mother Nature. Our OBS

105

Mr Khew Sin Khoon, who studies and photographs butterflies, is advising the authorities on developing the new OBS campus on Coney Island in an environmentally sensitive way. Picture: Ted Chen for the NYC

106

Making Waves, Changing Lives 50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

on respecting and loving the environment have stayed with me to this day.” Although he went on the course 37 years ago, Mr Khew is able to recount many episodes vividly and, for the most part, fondly. On the day that his group of participants arrived at OBS, wearing their whitest and most pristine outfits, they were told that they were going on a “quiet walk” around the premises. Little did they suspect that the jalan jalan would turn out to be a wade in the mangrove swamp! “We had to walk almost knee-deep, and for some of us, even deeper, in the acrid-smelling mud. There were many lost shoes as the ‘quickmud’ sucked in our shoes. Our shirts and shorts were completely unwashable and had to be thrown away!” Then, there was the shock of discovering bathroom facilities that came with just showers, without any partitions or doors for modesty. “Some of the more bashful among us showered with our underwear on,” said Mr Khew, “but as the days wore on, no one cared too much about going the full monty anymore!”

Accommodation was in army-style Nissen huts — simple, no-frills, barrel-vaulted, zinc-sheet buildings furnished with bunk beds. Early every morning, he said, “with only the clothes on our backs and no life vests to speak of”, they would be called up to take part in the Jetty Jump, leaping from the platform into a sea infested with jellyfish. They got through each cold and unpleasant jump, but not without a good dose of calamine lotion to soothe the stings afterwards. “OBS taught us to be more than what we thought we could be,” said Mr Khew. “Many of us conquered our fear of water, heights, loneliness and learnt to not give up on ourselves.” His greatest personal obstacle, he said, were the 2.4km runs. He hated them and thought of giving up many times. However, with the encouragement of his watch mates and some measure of personal resolve, he succeeded in getting a bronze in the final test — “something that I didn’t believe that I could achieve”. The physical challenges of the course, however, were no match for what was to come when the

Mr Khew Sin Khoon (rightmost) with other OBS participants jumping across empty oil barrels. Picture: Courtesy of Mr Khew Sin Khoon

In contrast, the sailing expedition on the cutter turned out to be a breeze, simply because he was in the good company of national sailor Siew Shaw

group embarked on a canoeing expedition from Pulau Ubin to the Causeway, and back. A tropical thunderstorm came and the participants were caught at sea amidst the choppy waters. They had to form a raft by pulling their canoes closely together so that no one would drift away. Buffeted by the strong winds and waves, the group spent a fearful half hour “holding on to dear life and to one another”, recalled Mr Khew. “Finally, the storm passed, and we survived!”

107

Her. Mr Khew gleefully recounted how the sailor — who would later represent Singapore in the Olympics and win golds at the Southeast Asian Games — was able to handle the large 14-man

just have to work to the best of our ability and get the best outcome, given the talent and resources that we have.” Indeed, Mr Khew is not one to give up on the chance to share his talent and resources with the community. At the invitation of OBS in 2016, he and fellow enthusiasts from the ButterflyCircle conducted a biodiversity survey on the western part of Pulau Ubin. They found the area to be a thriving, undisturbed paradise for an impressive array of butterfly and bird species. Since then, he has also been invited as part of a green group engagement platform to advise the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth and OBS on the sensitive redevelopment of the school’s new premises on Coney Island. He believes that, besides the intensification of the

“In real life, this is a very good lesson. We cannot always expect to have ideal conditions and resources every time. In any situation, we

to society and volunteering is how each of us can make use of the best of our talent to benefit Singapore.”

Mr Khew Sin Khoon (front row, second from the left) with other OBS participants rowing a boat. Picture: Courtesy of Mr Khew Sin Khoon

cutter almost single-handedly. “Most of us just snoozed the time away,” said Mr Khew jokingly. In truth, OBS taught him valuable lessons about teamwork and the importance of working with whomever one is placed with, in order to accomplish a mission. “Whether as a team of 14 or with a single buddy during certain activities, we could not pick and choose the ideal people that we wanted to have,” he said.

new site with more training facilities, there are opportunities to enhance the greenery to create habitats that can improve the biodiversity of the site. The desire to serve in his area of interest, he said, stems from the belief fostered in him through his OBS experience itself — that no man is an island. “It is only by leveraging everyone’s strengths that we can achieve more together. Contributing

108

Making Waves, Changing Lives

Values That Lead His Way

50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

hen Mr Michael Foo was 17 years old, he went on a trekking and camping trip to Pulau Ubin with his junior college classmates. With no destination in mind, they somehow found their way from the jetty to Outward Bound School. “We could only stand outside the gate as the warden didn’t allow us in,” he recalled of that incident in 1988. “That was probably my first encounter with OBS.” It might have been a “chance encounter”, as he put it, but the former boy scout’s love for adventure was to draw him back again to OBS in 1996, this time, for work. And he would spend 17 eventful years with OBS, growing roots there and building an extended “family” surrounded by people with a

to help youth develop an adventurous and enterprising spirit and adopt a more international perspective. Having been involved in his university days in AIESEC, a global youth-led organisation, and having served in its international exchange programme, Mr Foo was able to appreciate the value of cultural immersions and having global perspectives. Thus, building on the success of OBS overseas programmes in Outward Bound schools in Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Australia and New Zealand, he and his colleagues helped OBS build links with more partners in other countries, such as Slovakia, South Africa, Korea, India, Mongolia and China. The unique terrains and experiences offered by these locations provided valuable opportunities for Singapore participants to challenge themselves further and broaden their international perspectives, he said. Explained Mr Foo of the importance of such

oversee the expansion of OBS in two key areas. The first was the ramping up of the Overseas Youth Programme, which was started in 1993

backyard. That was to be done through SPARKc, a first-of-its-kind adventure training centre at East Coast Park for children aged 10 to 13. The centre

MR MICHAEL FOO

love not just for the great outdoors but also a heart for serving one another. “Everyone in OBS has a deep love for the outdoors and we are like family. Because we spent long hours conducting programmes, we also had the opportunity to mingle with one another a lot, looking out and caring for one another,” he said. During his tenure in OBS, from 1996 when he started out as an instructor to 2013 when he was its Deputy Director, Mr Foo had the chance to

programmes: “The world is our hinterland. Singapore, as a small state without natural resources, is highly dependent on its people to be resourceful, and bold and courageous to venture overseas. Our people also need to work with a diverse group of people, to appreciate the rich ethnic and cultural diversity around them.” Mr Foo’s next challenge was to extend the benefits of OBS programmes to a younger group of Singaporeans right in the country’s own

109

Mr Michael Foo helped to ramp up the Overseas Youth Programme and the SPARKc programme for younger children. Picture: Ted Chen for the NYC

110

Making Waves, Changing Lives 50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

opened in 2001 and boasted innovative facilities and activities designed for primary school children. When he took over as the centre’s Deputy General Manager in July 2003, Mr Foo had to confront the challenging task of recovering the cost of its operations. To do this, he recalled, it set out to double the number of participants, from 4,500 in 2003 to 10,000 in 2004. “Plans had to be quickly put in place, personal and work adjustments had to be made, fears and doubts about change had to be resolved,” he remembered. For example, he said, the training team had to grapple with running new types of programmes, equip all OBS instructors with the skills to conduct SPARKc programmes and ensure that safety was not compromised in the midst of all these changes. The programme team also rose to the challenge by reviewing the designs and types of programmes to cater to the needs of various schools and clients.

Mr Michael Foo (second from the right) and his colleagues, kayaking to Bintan. Picture: Courtesy of Mr Michael Foo

On its part, the support services team looked for ways to reduce operating costs while raising revenue through the sale of souvenirs and rental of the centre’s premises and facilities. It was a tough transition for all, but teamwork made it possible, and the results were worth it. “SPARKc gave our children an opportunity to experience outdoors, learn to be independent and work with friends of different races,” said Mr Foo of the adventure centre, which was later transferred to the National Community Leadership Institute. “I wished that we could have designed longer programmes and provided more opportunities for children to experience the greater outdoors.” Mr Foo left SPARKc in 2006 to take on other management roles in OBS and was its Deputy Director for training operations and development when he left in July 2013. The 46-year-old is currently a director in the People’s Association,

111

and oversees the organising of land and sea sports programmes for the community. Throughout his time in OBS, what made the journey special for him was the spirit of its people — the spirit to serve one another and work as a team. He recalled an eight-day staff hiking expedition to Gunung Tahan in Malaysia when the rain pelted down every single day. During the ascent, the team members had no choice but to go up on Mr Michael Foo (wearing a bandana and holding the OBS flag) and his colleagues on all fours. But they constantly looked out an OBS staff trip to Gunung Tahan, Malaysia. Picture: Courtesy of Mr Michael Foo for one another and those who reached the campsite earlier would always prepare meals will always have of OBS. “The OBS motto ‘To serve, and hot drinks for those who came up later. to strive and not to yield’ still resonates deeply On their way down, Mr Foo’s knee gave way within me,” he stressed. “Putting others before and he was in great pain. “One of my fellow senior self, serving with humility, availing your time, talent instructors made me a wooden walking stick, and treasures to serve others are important values while another carried the load from my backpack I profess.” for me,” he recalled gratefully. It is no wonder that he volunteers his time freely On another eight-day expedition, this time — he leads a monthly brisk-walking group with his kayaking from Pulau Ubin to Bintan and round residents’ committee and serves as a mentor at the Indonesian islands, the team had to cross busy shipping lanes, deal with cross-currents and waves that swelled up to two to three metres high, and paddle for eight hours daily in all kinds of weather conditions. “But the journey was never tough because we knew what we were in for, and because of the company on board, the beauty of the white sandy beaches, the starfish we saw, and the thousands of stars in the night sky, as well as the hospitality of the villagers who were surprised to see us but hosted us nevertheless.” Such are the priceless memories that Mr Foo

non-profit organisation Hope Centre, where he helps out as well with bread distribution to rental flats. He is also a council member in the Football Association of Singapore. The father of four, who has always tried to instil the love for sports and adventure in his children, is also excited to see his eldest, a 15-year-old son, going on his first OBS journey this year. “I look forward to the transformation that will take place,” said Mr Foo. “He is a sensible and responsible boy. I hope he learns to value the opinions of others, be more disciplined and tidy, and grow to love the outdoors.”

112

Making Waves, Changing Lives 50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

BOUND BY THE LOVE FOR ADVENTURE MS CHARLENE LIM, MS VIRGINIA LEE

Going through OBS has helped bond Ms Virginia Lee (left) and her daughter, Charlene. They hike together at places such as Yosemite National Park in the United States, which they visited in February 2017. Picture: Courtesy of Ms Charlene Lim

s Virginia Lee enjoyed her OBS experience so much that she wanted to sign her daughter up for the course when the right time came. As it turned out, she did not have to. Her daughter, Ms Charlene Lim, had the opportunity to attend OBS not just once, but twice, with her school. “I wanted her to go through the course that I had gone through as I believed it was good for character-building,” said Ms Lee, 66, who attended a 21-day course in 1970 when she was working in the Ministry of Defence. “The experiences trainees go through in OBS allow them to gain self-con

fidence and it is also a good opportunity for them to learn more about themselves.” Ms Lim, 35, agreed. “I would highly recommend anyone to attend an OBS course as it really brings out a whole different side of himself or herself which he or she may never have discovered.”

113

In her case, OBS has taught her to be kind and patient, and to never give up even when things get tough. It also gave her courage to undergo “crazy adrenalinefilled activities”, such as bungee jumping and skydiving, even though she is not fond of heights. Ms Lim attended her first OBS course, a five-day one, with her secondary school in 1997. In 2000, when she was studying in polytechnic, she decided to challenge herself again and that led her to complete a nine-day programme. “It was a tougher course, the challenges were tougher,” she said. “Running the 9km at one stage of the course was challenging as I hate running.” But during this course, she got to interact with students from other schools and worked with them as a team, something that she appreciated. Her mum remembers the all-women’s course she attended as one filled with activities that were “tough but fun”. One memory that still tickles her today is having to trek for three hours and feeling puzzled as to why her haversack felt exceptionally heavy. When she finally opened it, she found that it was hiding a shot put ball all along!

THE EXPERIENCES TRAINEES GO THROUGH IN OBS ALLOW THEM TO GAIN SELF-CONFIDENCE AND IT IS ALSO A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THEMSELVES.”

Ms Virginia Lee and her daughter, Charlene, enjoying the scenery in Sydney, Australia in July 2017. Picture: Courtesy of Miss Charlene Lim

114

Making Waves, Changing Lives 50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

After her OBS course, Ms Lee signed up later that year to be in the first all-girls’ team to canoe round Singapore. The team were all former OBS trainees or OBS liaison officers and they completed their mission in 21 hours, with a one-night stopover on Changi Beach. It was from adventures such as these that Ms Lee learnt the value of perseverance and determination. “The human mind can be weak when faced with tough challenges,” she said. “But when the mind is strong, the body will keep going. Every time I face a challenge and think I cannot overcome it, I will try and try and will always be able to achieve what I had set out to do.” At 66, Ms Lee is an active retiree who jogs, cycles and swims. Her love for outdoors and adventure is shared by her daughter, who plays Aussie football. Both are also avid snow-skiers. Although Ms Lim, a physiotherapist, is based in Sydney, Australia, while Ms Lee is in Singapore, the two travel frequently, seeking out adventures on ski slopes and hike trails. Has the fact that both mother and daughter went through OBS bonded them in any way? “Yes, definitely,” said Ms Lim. “Knowing that Mum participated in OBS which she always raved about when I was a child inspired me to attend my own OBS courses, to be a strong participant in both courses I attended and to be stoic in life just like her. She has been my role model.”

Ms Virginia Lee and her daughter, Charlene, skiing in Australia in July 2017. Picture: Courtesy of Ms Charlene Lim

115

Mr Ikram Bin Daeng, and his son, Aiman Jianhao, 16, standing at the Inverse Tower in OBS Camp 1 on Pulau Ubin. Picture: Singapore Press Holdings 116

Making Waves, Changing Lives 50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

117

A Team United

MR IKRAM BIN DAENG, AIMAN JIANHAO BIN IKRAM

r Ikram Bin Daeng was a 17-year-old scout when he first stepped onto Pulau Ubin and encountered the OBS motto, “To serve, to strive, and not to yield”, for the first time. Today, he is 49 years old, and the words continue to be the guiding principle in his life. “I hold the motto very close to my heart,” he said. “I am so glad the scout leaders sent me to OBS.” The 21-day OBS course he attended in 1985 was a humbling lesson on life, said Mr Ikram, who described himself as a very brash young man who thought he could do anything and “do it my way”. His haughty attitude was challenged when he was put together in a team and had to work with others. “My watch mates changed me,” he said. “I learnt to be more of a team player and accept that others may not have the same capabilities. “I learnt that as a team, you are only as strong as your weakest link. And no matter how small someone’s contribution is, he or she is still contributing to the end result, and the end result is the most important. There’s no way I can do things on my own.” Life after OBS was hardly smooth sailing, said Mr Ikram, and he

encountered many obstacles whether in National Service or when he first started working as a sound recordist and cameraman. “I got bullied; I messed up some assignments. If it was not for OBS, I would have walked away,” he recalled. But he pressed on, and while he now runs his own video production house, challenges abound. Still, his approach is simple: “You just got to do the job and do it well. Never say no, never say die.” It is this unyielding spirit that he believes the youth of today must have as they face increased competition from many angles. And as a father of two now, he hopes that his children will also imbibe the same values of resilience and determination by going on their own OBS journeys.

118

Making Waves, Changing Lives 50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

“Children don’t play outdoors anymore. They are always on the computer, they cannot think on the spot, they don’t appreciate nature,” he said. “So it’s good for them to experience OBS. It is an extension of education.” Mr Ikram’s wife, Swee Cheng, is also an OBS alumnus and their 12-year-old daughter, Hannah Qiting, will experience OBS for herself when all Secondary 3 students get the opportunity to go on a five-day expedition-based camp. Their 16-year-old son, Aiman Jianhao, enjoyed his five-day OBS trip in 2016 so much that he hopes to take on a 21-day challenge in future. “Picking out a single thing that happened during the camp wouldn’t do justice to everything else that happened,” he said. “From kayaking for really long periods of time to just cooking and eating with my watch mates, everything we did in those five days was really memorable for me.” The student leader from Raffles Institution added that the most important lesson from his time in OBS was that in order for him to lead well, he had to set an example for others to follow. It was also important to know the strengths and weaknesses of his teammates and cover for one another’s shortcomings, he said. “After coming back from OBS, I felt like I was better able to delegate tasks to my team. I tried to give them jobs according to their strengths and give less work to those who weren’t as able to do it as easily.” Echoing the very same sentiments experienced by his father many years back, he added: “I find I can also empathise with others better now and I have learned to see things through the perspective of others.”

119

YOU JUST GOT TO DO THE JOB AND DO IT WELL. NEVER SAY NO, NEVER SAY DIE.”

Left and right: Mr Ikram Bin Daeng reliving his OBS days through a jetty jump. Pictures: OBS

120

TOWARDS

HORI

Making Waves, Changing Lives

50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

NEW

IZONS

121

122

13 years ago... Making Waves, Changing Lives

MS KOK SHEE MUN

“M

y interest in the outdoors was inspired by my Outward Bound experiences. I had the opportunity to participate in a five-day OBS leadership programme when I was 15. Having had a very memorable experience from it, I subsequently signed up for the Outward Bound Sabah programme when I was 17.

50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

“That was 13 years ago, when I had one of the greatest adventures of my life. We had countless memorable and fun moments together. We laughed, sang, rowed, trekked, camped, cooked, star-gazed, ‘truth-or-dared’, ate, ran, explored, climbed and swam together. Especially unforgettable were our days at Dinawan Island, exploring the lagoon and sitting on the breakwater, letting the waves crash over us. We came from different schools and backgrounds, yet we bonded so tightly together. “That experience inspired me to pursue my career in the outdoors with OBS. I joined OBS as an instructor in 2009, and met my husband, Kiah Hong, who was also an instructor there. In fact, when we got married, all the ‘brothers’ in the groom’s entourage were instructors as well. “If anything, the greatest takeaway from OBS is the family of friends we’ve made from our times spent together in OBS, through the many milestones we’ve seen each other achieve, the many adventures we’ve embarked on together, and the many conversations we’ve shared. Regardless of how our paths have diverged, one thing that has never left us is our fondness for the family we’ve made in OBS. “Thirteen years later, oh, how much we’ve all grown! Thank you, my friends, for the most unforgettable camp I’ve ever had.” Ms Kok Shee Mun, 30, attended OBS in 2002 and Outward Bound Sabah in 2004, and became an instructor in 2009.

Ms Kok Shee Mun met her husband, Mr Khoo Kiah Hong, in OBS. Picture: Courtesy of Ms Kok Shee Mun

Mr Charles Yao (standing, third from the right) with his OBS instructor and teammates. Picture: Courtesy of Mr Charles Yao

The importance of being resilient MR CHARLES YAO

“M

y leadership journey as a co-curricular activity leader and student councillor started in Outward Bound Singapore in March 2016. “With my buddies and watch mates, we kayaked 40km against the currents and learnt the principles of leadership and how we were able to influence our peers — through character, connection, competence and commitment — and the importance of being resilient and persevering through hard times. “After the OBS course, I grew more confident as a leader. I learnt to be diligent, determined, responsible, more caring, and to lead by example. “Once, my team and I were preparing for a short film competition when we encountered all types of problems and setbacks. We decided not to give up and pressed on, staying up till midnight for many days to work on the script and edit the short film. “The effort of many sleepless nights paid off when the short film emerged champion in the competition. “‘Outward Bound’ signifies a ship leaving the safe harbour for the unknown. You will never know what awaits you until you try.” Mr Charles Yao, 16, attended OBS in March 2016.

123

Recovering from running aground MS LEE SHI YING

“I

spent four days in a leadership camp in OBS. It was a nice learning journey and I got to know other students from my polytechnic.

Ms Siti Nurrahmah (second row, third from the left) and her teammates at the OBS reception centre in October 2016. Picture: Courtesy of Ms Siti Nurrahmah

RELUCTANT AT FIRST MS SITI NURRAHMAH

“W

hen I heard that I was chosen to go for an OBS course, all the negative thoughts came shooting into my mind. It was my first time going for such a long adventure. When I heard it would last five days, I was shocked and reluctant to go because I didn’t know what to expect. I didn’t want to leave my family for five days. “I alighted at OBS Camp II from the ferry and immediately felt like running back home. It felt like a chilling camp. It got even worse when I found out that my watch had been assigned to the Sea Expedition for three days. “After several hours, I realised that it was an opportunity to get out of my comfort zone. So, I sat there quietly, taking deep breaths to calm myself down, and kept persuading myself to just carry on with the expedition even though I knew it was going to be tough. “The expedition taught me what resilience really meant. It was not an easy task to kayak around the whole of Pulau Ubin, cross over to Punggol Jetty, and kayak back to OBS Camp II. I had to really think positively and have a strong belief that I could complete the expedition. And yes, I completed the fiveday course! “OBS has transformed my life. I have never felt so adventurous throughout my 16 years. I miss my watch, Hillary. I’m grateful for the opportunity to become a more self-directed learner and a more adventurous person. And I’m grateful for all the OBS instructors who made my OBS journey a fruitful and a memorable one. If I were to be chosen to go for another OBS Adventure Programme, I would definitely go for it!” Ms Siti Nurrahmah, 16, attended OBS in 2016.

“The most unforgettable part of my course was having to kayak through a narrow stretch of river in low tide. We were making our way from a campsite back to our dormitories on Pulau Ubin when our kayaks got stuck in very shallow water. Some of us started to panic as we had never encountered such a situation. “There was no way to paddle so one or two people from each three-man kayak had to get down and push the kayak. What made it worse was that the mud was very soft and we could feel our feet sinking into the riverbed if we stopped moving. So we had no choice but to keep pushing. Carrying the kayaks was also not an option. Finally, after about an hour of dragging, we managed to reach a point where there was water and we could get back into the kayaks and paddle back. It was truly unforgettable. “During this OBS journey, I learnt what it means to live by the OBS spirit and motto, ‘To serve, to strive and not to yield’. OBS has taught me a lot about leadership and through the many learning experiences, such as the obstacle courses, I learnt how to push beyond my own limits and unite with others as a team.” Ms Lee Shi Ying, 28, attended OBS in 2009.

Ms Lee Shi Ying (back row, second from the right) with her OBS teammates. Picture: Courtesy of Ms Lee Shi Ying

Ms Sheena Ho (standing, second from the right) with her teammates at OBS. Picture: Courtesy of Ms Sheena Ho

124

‘WILL I SURVIVE?’ MS SHEENA HO

“I

n my very first lesson of the Outdoor Education module at the National Institute of Education, I asked my trainer Cindy: ‘I didn’t attend any OBS camp before, I don’t remember much of any other camp, and I don’t like the outdoors as well. Will I survive?’ “I am really glad to say that not only did I survive the five challenging days, but I also grew stronger as a person as well. Throughout the five days with my watch, Cheng Ho, there were so many things I did for the first time, such as trekking, kayaking, and sleeping in tents. One of the most memorable things was the land expedition. Being less physically fit than my group mates, I felt really stressed not being able to walk as fast as the rest. I thought of giving up so many times, but the encouragement and support of my group mates kept me going. I’m truly proud of myself and the others for completing this expedition. “I remember going for the camp most reluctantly. I dreaded going to the ferry terminal, I dreaded stepping onto Pulau Ubin itself, and I really dreaded carrying that huge load of personal belongings everywhere. When I first saw the campsite, the feeling was amplified. I did not expect it to be like what I saw, and when I heard that we would be sleeping in tents throughout the five days, I felt so disheartened. “The first day was just so tough for me. Being an awkward person, I found it hard to even strike up a conversation with

some of the others in the group whom I didn’t know. I was happy only when I saw my classmates in other groups. “The second day came and time seemed to pass so slowly. Activities such as kayaking and the high elements took my mind off these issues for a while, and I had some fun. But when we all settled down as a group for dinner, the awkwardness seeped in again. I had no idea how to even start talking to the others. Inside me, I wanted to strike up some conversations, but I just couldn’t seem to do so. “Then came the land expedition on the third day. That was when time started to pass really fast. It was heartening to see my group mates helping and encouraging one another even though we were not very close. I was really thankful for all of them; I wouldn’t have been able to complete the land expedition without them. The sharing session that followed that night was really beautiful. “The sea expedition the next day was really fun, everyone was just working together to get ourselves back to base. When we got back, I was really happy to be at the campsite. The feeling was such a contrast to what I felt when I stepped in on the first day. I did not care about the insects, the sun or the other things that bothered me initially, I just enjoyed the company of my group and everything else. It was amazing. During the sharing session at night, I started to miss everything that we did as a group. “The OBS experience was really impactful. Even now, I am still missing it so, so much.” Ms Sheena Ho, 25, attended a five-day OBS course in June 2017, as a trainee teacher in the National Institute of Education.

125

Mr Cai Yinzhou’s first abseil was captured in a report in The Straits Times on 27 April 2001. Picture: Singapore Press Holdings

A RIDE TO REMEMBER MR CAI YINZHOU

“I

n 2001, when I was 11 years old, I went with my primary school, Tao Nan School, to an OBS SPARKc adventure camp at East Coast Park. I remember camping in the huts located in the woods and queuing for the shower with my friends! SPARKc was memorable for being a safe space for activities, such as the high elements. As the campsite was relatively new, the media visited one day and they interviewed my classmate and me. I remember clearly being told to pose for the newspaper photographer when it was my turn to abseil.

LEARNING TO TRUST OTHERS MS TEY YING ZE

“T

he first OBS camp I attended was the one at East Coast Park when I was in Primary 5. I remember we were very scared of the high elements activity but we cheered one another on. “When I was 14, I attended the OBS camp on Pulau Ubin with my secondary school batchmates. We were separated from our usual group of friends and this allowed us to make new ones. I really enjoyed bonding with my group during the five days. “The most memorable moment was the ‘trust fall’ activity. It took a lot of courage for me to fall and trust my group mates to catch me. Kayaking was another memorable experience. We had to pair up with another kayak to complete the capsize drill in the middle of the sea. We realised how important teamwork was as we had to help the capsized team get back up onto

I was trying the activity for the very first time, and it was terrifying having to hold the pose while hanging off the wall. I was so scared that if I were to let go of the ropes, I would fall to my death! The resulting photo was one of me literally facing the fear of taking risks. Looking back now, this was hilarious. “I’m also happy to say that the courage from my experience has grown my love for the outdoors and my affinity for the sea. This led to my passion for kayaking, joining the sea scouts and getting a boat licence, all before the age of 17. When I was 18, I also became a freelance camp instructor, sharing my love for outdoor school camps with primary and secondary school kids and teaching them outdoor perspectives.” Mr Cai Yinzhou, 27, a social entrepreneur and Singapore Youth Award 2017 winner, attended SPARKc in 2001 and OBS in 2005.

Social entrepreneur Cai Yinzhou received the Singapore Youth Award on 21 October 2017 for helping marginalised groups, such as migrant workers and the elderly. Picture: Singapore Press Holdings

the kayak. When we did outdoor cooking on an island with no

facilities available, we also had to ensure that we had enough food for everyone. “From OBS, I learned that perseverance is the key to completing every activity planned and that I must have the courage to try new things.” Ms Tey Ying Ze, 20, attended SPARKc in 2008 and OBS in 2011.

Ms Tey Ying Ze (front row, leftmost) at the SPARCKc camp. Picture: Courtesy of Ms Tey Ying Ze.

126

Wowed By The Experience Making Waves, Changing Lives

MS JACLYN LOH

“O

50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

n the night of the sea expedition when we camped at Noordin Beach, my team decided to modify the structure of the tent so that more people could sleep in it. “However, it was already very late and the weather was unfavourable, so we built our tent very quickly. “Later, the weather took a turn for the worse, and our tent collapsed when the strong winds came. We had to sleep under the stars, surrounded by sandflies! “OBS was also memorable because I celebrated my 15th birthday there with another watch mate. We had a small campfire and the group found a sea hibiscus leaf, which is a huge heartshaped leaf, and wrote ‘Happy Birthday’ on it! “I learnt so much at OBS, but the most important thing I learnt is to be brave and to believe in what I can do.” Ms Jaclyn Loh, 30, attended OBS in 2002.

Ms Jaclyn Loh (middle row, rightmost) at the rock climbing wall with her watch, Rajaratnam. Picture: Courtesy of Ms Jaclyn Loh

Undeterred By Failure MR NG KAH EE

“O

BS was one of the best things that happened to me, as I met new friends whom I still treasure a lot. The bonds that we forged have lasted till today and we would often hang out and check on one another. “Spending those five days through blood, sweat and tears wasn’t easy. One thing I remember most vividly was the failed attempt to kayak back from the Jelutong Campsite to the Reception Centre. We set out at 7.30am and were halfway through the journey at 1pm. “Then, a thunderstorm came and the tide turned against us. We paddled for two hours and were still stuck at the same spot! Sadly, we had to turn back. “But the next day, we strived and worked as a team again and managed to accomplish our mission in five hours. From this, we learnt the value of resilience.”

Mr Ng Kah Ee, 16, attended OBS in 2016.

Mr Ng Kah Ee (back row, leftmost) and his teammates in OBS. Picture: Courtesy of Mr Ng Kah Ee

127

An Eye-opening Experience MR KEAN YONG

“O

Mr Kean Yong (rightmost) and his teammates. Picture: Courtesy of Mr Kean Yong

BS is the best camp I have experienced! I got to enjoy

outdoor experiences and expand my comfort zone, and even dared to try the height activities. The best part was making new friends and getting closer to them day by day. From the camp, I learnt values and skills which I am able to apply in my daily life, such as friendliness, care and respect for one another, and the willingness to learn new things and explore more adventures. The camp was also an eye-opener for me as I realised being a leader is not just about leading the team but also helping out one another. I hope to attend another OBS camp!” Mr Kean Yong, 15, attended OBS in 2016.

Newfound Love For Sea Sports MS BRINA CHAN

“I

was a 15-year-old student in CHIJ St Theresa’s Convent when I was given the opportunity to participate in OBS. As an avid sportsperson, I signed up without hesitation. None of my close friends were assigned to the same watch as I was, so I had to overcome the initial disappointment of being separated from them and having to foster new friendships. “For me, the most memorable activity was the kayaking expedition. I enjoy swimming but had never kayaked until OBS. My discovery of this new sport gave me an adrenaline rush. I also took on the responsibility of being the lead navigator, and was able to lead my team safely and successfully along a channel route that was marked out on a map. The route included a challenging portage which tested the strength, endurance and teamwork of every individual. “From OBS, I learnt that in overcoming challenges in life, it is really about mind over matter.” Ms Brina Chan, 26, attended OBS in 2006.

Ms Brina Chan (back row, third from the left) and her teammates at OBS. Picture: Courtesy of Ms Brina Chan

128

Making Waves, Changing Lives

From Mudwalk to Master plan

50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

nder the National Outdoor Adventure Education Master Plan, every secondary 3 student will get the opportunity to go through an Outward Bound expedition camp. For Ms Liew Wei Li, the Ministry of Education’s Deputy Director-General of Education (Schools) and Director of Schools, it means sending them through an experience that will teach them about teamwork, selflessness, determination and independence — lessons that she had herself learnt on a five-day Outward Bound course some 30 years ago. “The most memorable thing we did was the mud walk!” the 46-year-old recalled with a laugh. “The mud was thick and viscous, and the instructors made us sink our entire bodies, even

is also important,” she said of such expedition camps. “You learn a lot about yourself, and the experience changes you. It also reveals who you are: when you’re tired and hungry, do you care for yourself first or look out for others? When things go wrong, do you blame others or take responsibility as a team?” The fond memories of the camp on Pulau Ubin, as well as her own experiences and love of the outdoors, helped to shape her perspective of outdoor adventure and appreciate the value of the OBS approach to learning. Such ideas are captured in the National Outdoor Adventure Education Master Plan, which the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, and the National Youth Council rolled out in 2016. Ms Liew, who was then Divisional Director of the Student Development Curriculum Division, was a key member of the Steering Committee involved in conceptualising the master plan. Nature, said Ms Liew, teaches many lessons that cannot be learnt in class. “In school,

her while holding her hands. It was a big lesson on teamwork. “It’s not just the achievement; the process

for shelter.” Ms Liew herself gained much from the many camps she attended while she was in secondary

MS LIEW WEI LI

our faces, into it before we got out. Some people had to dig out their shoes. Many T-shirts were destroyed that day! It was indeed a once-in-alifetime experience.” Ms Liew also remembered how another watch came back for dinner late because one girl couldn’t bring herself to do the Jetty Jump. The instructor had made it clear that the watch had to do it as a team, so the other members took time to encourage and cajole her, then jumped with

everything is predictable. The schedule, the ground, the people are familiar. Teachers will tell you if you’re going down the wrong path and stop you early. But there is much less security outdoors — it’s unfamiliar and it’s much bigger. It changes your perspective and gives you a sense of humility and respect for the environment. You learn to be observant, to be independent, and to adapt to the changing situation. If you see storm clouds coming, for instance, you have to look

129

school. In junior college, she joined the outdoor adventure club and organised camps for others. When she became a teacher, she took charge of her schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s outdoor activities club â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a role rarely taken by a female teacher then. And when she became a mother, she made sure to expose her son, Ethan, and her daughter, Erin, to the outdoors. In 2014, she and Ethan tried caving in New Zealand. Ms Liew herself has tried skydiving, trekking and rock climbing. Ethan enjoyed his own five-day OBS course so much that he secured an internship at OBS thereafter.

Ms Liew Wei Li (eighth from the right) and her course mates after the mud walk during their five-day OBS course in 1986. Picture: Courtesy of Ms Liew Wei Li

Ms Liew has seen students come back from OBS camps as better team players and being more independent and more appreciative of people with different skills and abilities. Some have learnt to look out for others, while others developed leadership skills. Under the National Outdoor Adventure Education Master Plan, students from different schools will be put together. This gives them a shared experience, which counts for more than what school they are from, and a chance to work with a diverse team.

130

Making Waves, Changing Lives 50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

Ms Liew Wei Li’s own OBS experience has helped her appreciate the value of its approach to learning. Picture: Ted Chen for the NYC

YOU PROBABLY WON’T REMEMBER A MATH LESSON, BUT YOU’LL REMEMBER YOUR EXPERIENCE OUTDOORS. SINCE YOU’VE OVERCOME THOSE OBSTACLES BEFORE, YOU HAVE THE CONFIDENCE TO DO SO AGAIN.”

131

“That’s like life, isn’t it?” she said. “You don’t always work with your friends. You have to work with limited resources and different people, and see value in each one.” Indeed, one value of OBS expeditions is that they nurture in participants a determination to solve problems and overcome obstacles, often with limited resources. For example, a watch member’s legs may be tied up, and his team told to carry him through a mission. “It’s reflective of life itself — there are many solutions,” said Ms Liew. “Now, I never say, ‘It’s impossible.’ I just have to find another way.” Ms Liew has also seen students tapping on their OBS experiences when they face difficult challenges. “You probably won’t remember a math lesson, but you’ll remember your experience outdoors. Since you’ve overcome those obstacles before,

also gain from the National Outdoor Adventure Education Master Plan. Teachers will need to follow up on lessons that

There’s more space to make mistakes.” She hopes that schools and teachers will

And if you see opportunities, just go for it. This is what Singapore needs.”

you have the confidence to do so again.” She strongly believes that the OBS camps will complement the traditional lessons in class. “In school, it’s very safe. Everything is managed tightly with instructions given,” she noted. “OBS instructors do a good job of not telling you what to do. They won’t say anything if you take a wrong turn. They let you make your own decision and you take the consequences. At night, during the debrief, then you realise where you went wrong.

Ms Liew Wei Li (sitting, leftmost) trying her hand at whitewater rafting in New Zealand in 2014. Picture: Courtesy of Ms Liew Wei Li

students learn in the camps, and work with OBS instructors to make good use of the feedback given by the instructors. “Then we won’t lose the learning experience — for example, where a student could not manage his anger, and how he can learn to do so from his teacher.” Ultimately, she said, the character-building nature of the outdoors will benefit Singapore as a whole. “It makes you more ready to step into the unknown. You might be leading the way one day.

132

Making Waves, Changing Lives

Returning to serve DR GOH YANG MIANG

50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

Dr Goh Yang Miang (leftmost) and his teammates sailing a cutter during a 21-day course in Outward Bound New Zealand in 1997. Picture: Courtesy of Dr Goh Yang Miang

hen he was first asked to serve on OBS’ Advisory Committee in 2017, Dr Goh Yang Miang was keen to help. As an expert in workplace safety and health matters, he knew that he could help the institution improve the outdoor adventure experience for all Outward Bounders while keeping them safe. But Dr Goh had an even more personal reason for saying yes. Having attended and benefited greatly from two expedition courses with OBS, he felt that it was most meaningful to go back and serve — thus putting the OBS motto, “To serve, to strive and not to yield”, into action.

133

Using his expertise, he will be working with OBS to review its safety systems to continually improve them. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have some experience in workplace safety and health management, so I will share workplace safety and health management best practices with OBS,â&#x20AC;? he said. Dr Goh, 42, is an Associate Professor at the National University of Singaporeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s School of Design and Environment. A specialist in workplace safety and health and risk management, he has been a consultant to many government departments and companies, and won many awards for his contributions to safety in the workplace.

134

As Dr Goh Yang Miang had benefited from attending OBS courses, he felt that it was meaningful to return to serve. Picture: Ted Chen for the NYC

Making Waves, Changing Lives 50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

135

The outdoor adventure lover was first exposed to OBS when he was in junior college. It was through a national youth leadership camp, which he enjoyed so much that several years later, in 1997, he went for another OBS course — a 21day camp in New Zealand. He has also attended the Wilderness First Aid course and an abseil proficiency course in OBS. Both camps, he said, featured “tough” outdoor activities that he will never forget. “I’m not really a water person, so the water activities were very challenging for me,” he said. “I nearly got hypothermia while doing whitewater kayaking in New Zealand. After the kayaking session, when I was in the transport, I was shivering and dozing off.” Such challenging experiences “left deep impressions in my young mind”, he said. “I learned about teamwork and communications, and I also learned about myself.” In fact, one of the greatest lessons he has learnt from the OBS expeditions is the importance of reflection. Like many, Dr Goh appreciated the time given for self-reflection, which is an integral part of

I’M NOT REALLY A WATER PERSON, SO THE WATER ACTIVITIES WERE VERY CHALLENGING FOR ME. I NEARLY GOT HYPOTHERMIA WHILE DOING WHITEWATER KAYAKING IN NEW ZEALAND.” being on a trek in the wilderness made these often taken-for-granted simple pleasures so precious and precarious. Such was the power of nature.” Being outdoors, added Dr Goh, also reminded him that he had little control over many things in life. He explained: “We live because nature has provided the right set of conditions for us to live. The illusion of control makes us take things for granted and desire for more than we need. Being in the wild reminds me of the importance of being grateful for what we already have.”

the OBS learning journey. “We can get lost in life very easily, so reflections keep us sane,” he said. One of the things he discovered when reflecting on his outdoor adventures — in OBS as well as during his trekking trips — was learning to appreciate the simple things in life. “Whenever I trekked, I realised that I was satisfied more easily,” he said. “I was happy when there was no rain. I was relieved when I had a simple tent to sleep in. I was glad whenever I got to eat warm food. I was delighted when we got to see the sunrise. “Although these could be easily achieved when I was in the comfort of my usual environment,

Dr Goh Yang Miang having a snack while camping. Picture: Courtesy of Dr Goh Yang Miang

136

Making Waves, Changing Lives

Learning to endure MR GLENN ZHANG

50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

he walk along the beach never seemed to end. “Just five more minutes,” the instructor kept saying, “10 more minutes.” But they never seemed to reach their destination. Mr Glenn Zhang and the rest of the team were exhausted; they had been on their feet the entire day, and could no longer appreciate the walk. In any case, there was nothing to see. The weather was so bad that they were surrounded by a mist that enshrouded the sea. “It was never-ending!” exclaimed Mr Zhang, now 37. “We were already tired, dragging our feet, and we had to keep walking and walking. I had never been so challenged in my life.” That was in 2010, when Mr Zhang was on a 21-day Adventure Challenge Programme in South Africa. He had been offered a place on the course when he was working at The Helping Hand, a Christian halfway home for former drug addicts. A former drug addict himself, Glenn had been in and out prison several times before that. In 2007, after his last imprisonment for drug-related offences, he was sent to The Helping Hand for rehabilitation. Shortly after, he became a Christian and started a new life. When the

six-month programme in the halfway house was up, Mr Zhang decided to stay on as a helper, and later joined its staff. That’s when the opportunity to attend an OBS programme came up. Before the trip to South Africa, Mr Zhang had attended the three-day “Back to Basics, Back to Life” programme at OBS, which taught life skills to embrace challenges and reintegrate into society. But the first week of the actual expedition in South Africa, he said, was especially tough. “Each day seemed to pass so slowly, and there were so many days to go.” But the experience taught him a great deal about endurance and staying focused —– or, as the OBS motto would put it, striving and never yielding. “I learnt to persevere and to just concentrate on each step, to keep walking slowly and steadily,” said Mr Zhang. “After a while, we

137

The perseverance that Mr Glenn Zhang had honed at OBS helped him succeed in his business of installing TV brackets in homes. Picture: Ted Chen for the NYC

138

Making Waves, Changing Lives 50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

started to get used to it, and started to have fun. Our team also got stronger, and we began to enjoy the whole process.” The lessons stayed with Mr Zhang after he returned from South Africa. “Somehow, after I came back, the trip was always on my mind,” he said. “It made me more focused on life, and taught me to look further and wider.” After about five years at The Helping Hand, Mr Zhang left the halfway house in 2013 and started a business installing TV brackets in homes. At first, he couldn’t get any business. Walking up and down brand-new HDB blocks, he knocked on doors offering his service, only to get scolded. He tried printing and inserting flyers into homes, but didn’t get a single call. Drawing on the perseverance that he had honed at OBS and his Christian faith, he didn’t give up. He spotted other salesmen pasting advertisements in the lifts, and tried that. Even when construction workers and competitors tore his advertisements down, he kept plugging on, and finally, the first calls came in. Later, he also learnt to market his services online.

SOMEHOW, AFTER I CAME BACK, THE TRIP WAS ALWAYS ON MY MIND. IT MADE ME MORE FOCUSED ON LIFE, AND TAUGHT ME TO LOOK FURTHER AND WIDER.”

Mr Glenn Zhang rock climbing. Picture: Courtesy of Mr Glenn Zhang

139

Today, Mr Zhang’s company, called Obedience, gets a regular flow of

business and has three other workers. He hires people whose backgrounds are similar to his, and hopes to inspire others who have gone through the same journey to start afresh. Ironically, two of his teammates on the South Africa trip were from the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB). “As a drug addict, I used to hate the CNB. But I ended up becoming good friends with two guys from the CNB!” he said with a laugh. The OBS trip to South Africa has also given him a new love: trekking. Despite the memories of the “never-ending” walks in South Africa, Mr Zhang found himself signing up for a trek to the Everest Base Camp soon after. “It was even tougher! I had to stop every five steps to catch a breath. But I had been toughened up by the OBS trip. I like trekking because it gives me a lot of time to reflect on things and see God’s creation.”

Left: Mr Glenn Zhang in South Africa. Picture: Courtesy of Mr Glenn Zhang Right: Mr Glenn Zhang hiking along a beach. Picture: Courtesy of Mr Glenn Zhang

140

Making Waves, Changing Lives 50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

Despite being unsuccessful on his first try, Mr Melvin Lam persevered to become an OBS instructor in July 2017. Picture: Ted Chen for the NYC

141

If at First you don't succeed... MR MELVIN LAM

hen Mr Melvin Lam first failed to be shortlisted after his OBS Instructor Selection Camp in March 2016, he cried. “My heart was really broken,” he said. “I can’t really describe how sad I was, just really broken.” He was deeply disappointed because he, as well as his friends and family, had expected him to pass with flying colours. After all, he had been an ultra-fit Commando in National Service, had done a diploma in outdoor and adventure learning, and even had experience working as an intern at an Outward Bound centre in Taiwan. So even when the selection camp stretched candidates to their limits and whittled down the original group of 27 to 16, Mr Lam had cheerfully

climbing, he was touched by the sight of Outward Bounders helping one another. “I learned to work with people with different character, to accommodate and support one another, and to care and understand other people’s perspective,” he said. On the last day, his instructor suggested, ‘Perhaps some of you might want to come here and join us as an instructor?’” Mr Lam said he didn’t think too much of the instructor’s idea then. But it stayed on his mind as he served his National Service and went on to polytechnic, where he pursued a diploma in outdoor and adventure learning. There, he began to realise that his OBS and other outdoor experiences had helped him discover more about myself and understand his

first sparked by a five-day OBS course on Pulau Ubin in 2004 that Mr Lam, then 15, attended. Beyond the sheer fun of kayaking, trekking and

So, before he completed his studies, Mr Lam looked up OBS and applied for the next instructor selection camp in March 2016.

pushed on and endured, hoping he would make the cut. “I can’t share what happened,” he said with a smile, “but we were pushed out of our own comfort zone, we struggled with challenges, and the stress was always pounding on our heads.” When he failed to get the all-important notifi cation that he had been accepted, it seemed like the end of a dream. The idea of becoming an OBS instructor was

own strengths and potential. An internship at Outward Bound Taiwan, along with the interaction with his teachers — most of whom were former OBS instructors — inspired him further and reminded him of his OBS instructor’s suggestion. “I thought to myself, ‘Wouldn’t it be beautiful to help people through the outdoors, to allow them to discover more about themselves, just like how it happened to me?’” he said.

142

Making Waves, Changing Lives 50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

When Mr Lam was notified that he was not selected, he quickly picked himself up. If he was going to become an OBS instructor, then he would keep striving; yielding was out of the question. He found inspiration, he said, in a quote by writer Mark Twain: “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did.” Said Mr Lam: “When I grow old, I want to know I made a difference in someone’s life. There was no way I was going to give up just because I failed the first time.” After applying for the next selection camp in November, Mr Lam spent the next seven months not only training hard to make sure he was physically fit, but also working for outdoor companies to learn more about the industry. When November came round, he gave his all — and was finally selected. It was during this test, that Mr Lam really began to see what made an OBS instructor. “It is only through stress and adversity that we see the true colour and personality of a person,” he said. “You kind of see why there is such a selection test, to pick the right individual for the job. Now that I’ve become an instructor myself, having 12 to 16 participants under my care, I can see that there are a lot of responsibilities involved. There are lives under my care.” After completing six months of intense training, Mr Lam, now 28, became a full-fledged instructor in July 2017. He finds great joy, he said, in teaching participants to use the kayak, cook outdoors, pitch a tent and navigate, and pushing and stretching them so that they discover strength, resilience and values such as compassion.

Mr Melvin Lam (last row, leftmost) and his trainees in 2017. Picture: Courtesy of Mr Melvin Lam

143

Mr Melvin Lam facilitating a session for his trainees. Picture: Courtesy of Mr Melvin Lam

“A lot of my friends believe I have lots of fun on my job, kayaking and rock climbing. Well, that’s partly true but it’s way more than that!” he said with a laugh. OBS instructors, he said, are constantly looking out for participants’ safety and ensuring their development as they conduct each activity. “It’s funny how students always call us ‘Cher, cher’,” he said. “But I like to see myself as a big brother to them. To understand the difficulties that each of them faces, to help them when they are in need, to teach when they are learning something for the first time, and to be with them through the challenges.” Watching students who are afraid of heights or water overcome their fears and become stronger, for example, gives him great satisfaction. But he’s also learnt from the participants, he added. “The compassion, care and perseverance they portray can be really amazing and beautiful,” he said. “In my own life, I’ve learned to be patient and to love those around me more.” Mr Lam said he’s especially touched when students come to him to thank him; some even write little notes to tell him how much he’s imparted to them. “I think that’s really beautiful. It warms our hearts to know we made a difference,” he said. Mr Lam hopes to train new instructors one day. “I would love to impart the skills and knowledge that I’ve gained and share them with other people,” he said. This includes his own experience of failure, determination and success. “OBS has taught me to never give up in

Mr Melvin Lam with his OBS mentor, Mr Mohammad Zulhilmi Bin Mohammad. Picture: Courtesy of Mr Melvin Lam

whatever challenges there may be,” he said. “What is life when everything is so smooth and easy? A smooth sea will never make a skilful sailor.”

144

Making Waves, Changing Lives 50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

Inspiring the Best Self MS ANGELIQUE POH

“P

eople always say to me, ‘You haven’t had enough of OBS, right?’ — and it is true! One can never get enough of OBS,” said Ms Angelique Poh, a 23-year-old student who has her sights set on becoming a full-fledged instructor when she graduates. This is a far cry from the time when she made a mental note to herself to never return to OBS. While the programme she had attended in Secondary 3 was enjoyable enough, she sure did not enjoy feeding the mosquitoes on Pulau Ubin. Once was enough, was how she saw it. Now, you can say that she has truly been bitten by the OBS bug. What led to her change of heart was the opportunity to attend the OBS 21-Day Classic Challenge Course as a recipient of the OBS Leadership & Service Award (LSA) in July 2016.

Ms Angelique Poh had not wanted to return to OBS after her first camp, but now wants to be an OBS instructor after a meaningful second course. Picture: Ted Chen for the NYC 145

As part of the Singapore Management University outdoor adventure club, SMUX, Miss Poh got to know about the course from one of her juniors. She decided to go for it, to take a break from her busy school life and simply to challenge herself. During the course, she witnessed on many occasions how her watch instructor and other OBS staff made a positive impact in the lives of their participants, influencing them to push past their boundaries on their journey of self-discovery. That set her thinking about becoming an OBS instructor herself, a career that the psychology and corpo rate communications major acknowledges is “the path less travelled”.

146

Making Waves, Changing Lives 50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

EVERYONE IS SO ACCEPTING AND ENCOURAGING, AND THE ENVIRONMENT IS ONE THAT IS NURTURING. THE FRIENDSHIPS FORGED ARE PRECIOUS AND THAT IS ALSO WHAT DRAWS ME BACK TO THIS ORGANISATION.”

To find out more about the job of an OBS instructor, she interned at OBS for four months in the programmes development unit and had the opportunity to observe a four-day course. Her stint at OBS strengthened her desire to become an instructor and she also picked up valuable life skills along the way. “I love the culture here,” she explained. “Everyone is so accepting and encouraging, and the environment is one that is nurturing. The friendships forged are precious and that is also what draws me back to this organisation.” As someone who has learnt so much from her colleagues and instructors, she hopes that she too can “inspire and empower the participants to be the best version of themselves — to contribute to society, and to make a difference, no matter how small they may perceive their contribution to be”. In fact, she has already started. After the completion of her 21-day course, Ms Poh and her watch embarked on a community service project called Project Home Away From Home, in which they created opportunities for Singaporean youth to cultivate an appreciation of migrant workers’ contributions to the country. “Migrant workers toil to build up our infra structure and play a significant role in creating a prosperous Singapore, but their contributions are often not recognised and, instead, they fall victim to xenophobia and bad press,” she said. In November 2016, they conducted a walk on Coney Island where a few youth volunteers

Ms Angelique Poh (centre) with OBS instructor Jonathan Leong and another colleague during her OBS internship. Picture: Courtesy of Ms Angelique Poh

were paired with a group of migrant workers, which allowed sharing, interaction and bonding between the two groups.

Ms Angelique Poh (standing, second from the right) with her watch mates during her 21-day OBS course in July 2016. Picture: Courtesy of Ms Angelique Poh 147

“It was heartening to see the migrant workers and the Singaporean youth volunteers taking

Poh would encourage them to go with an open mind and not give in to the self-imposed limits in

In fact, to any student who will be attending the OBS course but is scared by the idea of it, Ms

guarantee that the memories you make and the lessons you learn will stick with you for life.”

pictures with one another and sharing about their lives. We also had games and catered a sumptuous buffet for the migrant workers and Singaporean youth volunteers to enjoy. “It was a pretty successful event and I am ex tremely proud of my team for what we have done!” With so much that she has gained through all these experiences, Ms Poh is probably glad that she did not listen to her 15-year-old self and close herself off to the idea of OBS forever.

their mind. “If you say that you can’t, half the battle is already lost. Don’t short-change yourself. There will definitely be times when you feel lost, or times when you question your reason for attending the course. “Don’t let those thoughts deter you from being your best self and making the most out of the course. “Attending an OBS course is like no other — it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I

148

Making Waves, Changing Lives

Worth more than gold MS TEO JING-WEN

50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

ust three days into the 21-day Classic Challenge Course at OBS, former national swimmer Teo Jing-Wen felt so lousy about herself that she regretted having signed up for it. At that time, all she wanted was to just “get the whole thing over with”. But now, she is glad that she stuck with it, as it turned out to be a life-changing experience for her. Today, she will be the first to encourage any youth to go for it. “Go in with an open mind and accept whatever it is that may come your way,” said the 22-year-old business student at Singapore Manage ment University (SMU). “You never know what you may learn, how you can grow and who you might meet along the way. My personal growth would definitely not have been

From someone brimming with confidence, always daring and willing to try new things and to speak out, she started withdrawing into herself and was fearful that her thoughts and ideas would never be good enough. In December 2016, Ms Teo was nominated by the university to attend a 21-day OBS Classic Challenge Course as a recipient of the OBS Leadership & Service Award (LSA). She was starting to serve in her sports club as well as community service projects and decided to undertake the challenge to spur her selfconfidence and develop her leadership skills. While the generally sporty girl enjoyed the activities which tested her physically, this was a course that aimed to sharpen one’s leadership

For the next few years, Ms Teo felt a change in her as she battled with feelings of shame and defeat.

as well as I had wanted to, and that pulled down my confidence further. I felt that maybe I didn’t deserve to belong here, among these leaders.”

possible without my watch and my batch mates. With them, I have found a family away from home.” Indeed, attending the course in December 2016 was a turning point for Ms Teo, who suffered a crippling setback four years ago in her swimming career. A slower-than-expected finish at the 2013 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Myanmar not only shattered her medal dream, it also led her to walk away from the sport — the very thing she loved — and even from herself.

skills after all, and she struggled with having to step up as a leader. About three days into the course, though she volunteered to be the IC on one of the days of the trekking expedition, she found herself fumbling. Fearful of standing out and being judged, she was hesitant in her decisions and opted instead to let other members speak up and make the decisions. “As a result, I felt that I had failed to lead the team

149

Former national swimmer Teo Jing-Wen, who had felt beaten after a setback in her swimming career, regained her selfconfidence after attending OBS. Picture: Ted Chen for the NYC

150

Making Waves, Changing Lives 50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

The pivotal point came, when during one of the “morning circle” time of sharing and reflection, a follow batch mate shared his personal story with the group, along with this quote: “In order to truly move on, we have to first know how to let go.” The words spoke right into Ms Teo’s heart. “That was when it struck me,” she said. “Have I been holding on so tightly to the disappointments and failures in my past, that I have allowed these experiences to change who I am, and forced me to remain where I have been for the past three years?” With that revelation in mind, she pressed on with the remaining days of the course, learning, growing and reflecting.

LET GO OF EVERYTHING THAT HAS BEEN HOLDING ME BACK — THE SELF-DOUBTS, THE FEARS, AND THEN TRULY LIVE.” And she realised it was time for her to let go — “let go of everything that has been holding me back — the self-doubts, the fears, and then truly live”. With that changed mindset, she also became more determined to take on the different challenges, to trust not only in her own abilities but also in others, by listening to feedback and drawing strength from the encouragement of her team members. With each challenge and suc cess, she was able to claw back the self-confidence that had crumbled years ago. When the chance to lead presented itself again during the final kayaking expedition, she and her buddy decided to be the expedition leaders on the first day, and even to navigate as well. The duo worked hard, and with their meticulous planning the night before and with much teamwork, the journey was a success. Ms Teo said: “While the journey was tough, I thoroughly enjoyed myself, especially when I saw how the entire mobile came together, with

Ms Teo Jing-Wen sailing the cutter. Picture: OBS

151 During the OBS course, Ms Teo Jing-Wen learned to trust in herself and others. Picture: OBS

those at the front occasionally helping me with the navigation, while those at the back constantly

She has also introduced to her team the practice of reflection she learnt at OBS, urging

between personal contentment and motivating the team to excellence.

did and more.”

encouraged one another to continue paddling.” Transformed by her OBS experience, Ms Teo has carried many lessons into her school life in SMU, where she swims competitively and is captain of its women’s water polo team. The course has broadened her definition of what it means to be a sportsman, she said. While previously she was hard on herself and desired nothing but medals during compe titions, she now knows to tread the fine balance

them to share their thoughts and ideas after every game, a process of communication that has bonded the members and helped them improve. So to anyone who needs affirmation about attending the Classic Challenge Course, a course that Ms Teo said exceeded all her expectations, she will say — go. “And if you think you are willing to open up your mind and heart to embark on this new journey, then I hope you will be able to experience what I

152

Making Waves, Changing Lives

friends for life MR MUHAMMAD NOOR SHALIHHIN BIN SAHRIN

50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

r Muhammad Noor Shalihhin Bin Sahrin stepped into OBS not knowing a single person, but in those 21 days, he felt so much warmth and support all around that everyone there felt almost family to him. “Being with all of the participants reminded me of family. My watch mates taught me how to be strong when I was weak and to let my feelings out if I needed someone to talk to,” said the 19-year-old student, who attended the course in March 2017. “They showed care and concern to each and every member. I was shocked because no camp I had attended fostered this kind of warmth and camaraderie like OBS.” Mr Muhammad Noor had found out about OBS from his parents but could not find anyone to go with him as most of his friends thought it would be

a “waste of time”. “I did not have any expectations of the course too as I thought it was another same old camp, just one that would last 21 days,” he said. “Boy, was I wrong to think that way!” For Mr Muhammad Noor, the care and concern he received took the form of encouragement and offers of help from his instructors and watch mates,

who went the extra mile for him when they learnt that as a child, he had suffered from muscular dystrophy, a debilitating disease that weakens muscles progressively. “They asked me to take things slowly, and when I injured myself once, they offered to carry my things,” said Mr Muhammad Noor, who added that he could walk normally although the pain in his leg acts up once in a while. “But I was very stubborn and I rejected their offers. I didn’t want to be treated differently from a normal person.” The desire to be “just like a normal boy” had been the driving force behind Mr Muhammad Noor’s determination to walk. In his primary school years, he was confined to a wheelchair after he was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy in his left calf. “Sitting in a wheelchair made me so depressed because I couldn’t do the things I liked anymore, like running at the playground, and I couldn’t walk like normal kids,” he recalled. “I was so upset and was at my lowest point then. I kept thinking my life had just ended and I was going to be a useless man for the rest of my life. My hopes for everything just disappeared.”

Mr Muhammad Noor Shalihhin Bin Sahrin, who suffered from muscular dystrophy as a child, lost 52kg in eight months to qualify for OBS training. Picture: Ted Chen for the NYC 153

BEING WITH ALL OF THE PARTICIPANTS REMINDED ME OF FAMILY. THEY TAUGHT ME HOW TO BE STRONG WHEN I WAS WEAK AND TO LET MY FEELINGS OUT IF I NEEDED SOMEONE TO TALK TO.”

154

Making Waves, Changing Lives 50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

Mr Muhammad Noor Shalihhin Bin Sahrin (front) kayaking during the OBS course. Picture: Courtesy of Mr Muhammad Noor Shalihhin Bin Sahrin

When he was about 10, he willed himself to get on his feet and try walking again. With the help of

the advice and encouragement of his new friends. This was a lesson that came clearly to him when

For this already determined young man, however, OBS stretched him even further and he found greater depths of strength in himself through

to always face up to his weaknesses. One reason for going on the OBS course, he said, was to get away from some personal problems.

his mum and through physiotherapy, he persisted and slowly rebuilt the strength in his leg. First went the wheelchair, then the crutches, and when he was in Primary 6, he could finally walk on his own. The spirit of perseverance also fired him up to lose weight in 2015 when he found out that he did not meet the weight requirements to go on the OBS course. He hit the gym and did powerlifting and High Intensity Interval Training sessions. In eight months, his weight dropped from 150kg to 98kg.

it was his turn to take on the Peak Ascent Tower, a vertical climb that mimicked alpine conditions. “This challenge really brings out a person’s character,” said Mr Muhammad Noor. “I was so scared to do it because I was having negative thoughts. But my instructors and teammates gave me good advice and kept motivating me. They told me to just do it because giving up was not a way to succeed.” Another piece of advice he took to heart was

Mr Muhammad Noor Shalihhin Bin Sahrin (left) overcoming obstacles during the OBS course. Picture: Courtesy of Mr Muhammad Noor Shalihhin Bin Sahrin 155

“Running from what I am scared of most is one of my weaknesses,” he admitted. “I remember the

But more than anything, the Institute of Technical Education student, who is training to be

my challenges and never fear my weaknesses. It also taught me how to handle situations correctly instead of just blindly doing something,” he added.

he said. “It will open up your eyes and make you realise what you’re able to achieve with the support and encouragement of your friends and family.”

day before we left for our kayaking expedition in Malaysia, one of the guys said to me, ‘You can never run away from your problems, because if you don’t face them, they will just come right back at you.’” Thanks to the counsel of those who journeyed with him through the 21 days, Mr Muhammad Noor said he is now able to make better decisions in his daily life and to resolve conflicts instead of running away from them. “OBS taught me to always face

a chef, was touched by how participants shared simple meals together and showed appreciation for one another. It reminded him of the “little precious moments” at mealtimes with family and what it meant to be surrounded by loved ones. He has made many close friends from the OBS course, friends he feels he can count on through the ups and downs of life. “Going to the OBS course will help you learn a lot of things that you can’t learn at other camps,”

156

Making Waves, Changing Lives

Much More In Her To Serve

50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

MS LYNETTE CHANG

157

Ask Ms Lynette Chang about her multiple OBS trips and she may tell you about the time in Secondary 3 when she and her friends cooked dinner outdoors and sat around in small circles chit-chatting while gazing up at the night skies. She can also tell you about the exhilaration of throwing snowballs and trying to catch the perfect snowflake with her teammates while they had pitched camp at 2,700m on Poon Hill in Nepal during an OBS Global Programme course. Or, perhaps, she will regale you with stories from her longest and “most impactful” Classic Challenge Course back on Pulau Ubin in December 2015, when an unexpected transformation in her took place.

It was through this 21-day course that the Singapore Management University law undergraduate realised how true these famous words of OBS founder Kurt Hahn were for her: “There is more in 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.” In the beginning of the course, she said, she was reserved and apprehensive about pushing herself. But as a result of all the activities that stretched her, the time on the course devoted to journaling and self-reflection, and a passionate instructor who was able to understand the participants as individuals, she came to realise that it was her own self-doubt that was limiting her.

Attending an OBS course inspired an initially apprehensive Ms Lynette Chang to decide to become an OBS instructor. Picture: Ted Chen for the NYC

Ms Lynette Chang went on a cutter expedition during her 21-day OBS course. Picture: Courtesy of Ms Lynette Chang

“The OBS philosophy teaches us a great deal,” said the 22-year-old. “But what struck me most was stumbling upon a realisation that we are so much more than we perceive. The concurrent revelation of self-discovery and breaking through of physical limits was pretty defining for me.”

Now, not only does she feel excited by challenges and opportunities that are presented to her, she feels that she can also approach them with more confidence than before. She added: “After the course, I also felt I was more open and willing to talk to new people, to hear their stories and get to know them.” It is this breakthrough in mindset that is

spurring the self-confessed OBS addict to become an instructor herself. During the course, when she went as a Temasek Junior College alumnus, she saw what it meant for instructors to be “firm yet kind”, to “always be humble” and to “serve with all their hearts”, and now, she aspires to be the same to others. “I want to be able to do my best to make the experience as enriching for my participants as possible. After all, it is their break from classes in Ms Lynette Chang (fourth from the right) with her teammates on the cutter expedition. Picture: Courtesy of Ms Lynette Chang

school, and I think there is great joy and simplicity in being able to be adventurous in the outdoors with friends,” she added.

159

Ms Lynette Chang on a solo expedition during the OBS course. Picture: Courtesy of Ms Lynette Chang

An active girl who has loved the camping life since young, Ms Chang said the Nepal trip in 2012 grew her love for mountain-trekking and she “now lives for the mountains”, having tackled peaks in Malaysia, Hong Kong, China, India and Europe. In August 2015, she set out to conquer her

In fact, she is an ultramarathoner who has completed three races. To continue on her OBS journey, Ms Chang has completed a three-month internship with the organisation and gone through the selection test for instructors. She also had the chance to

21-day OBS course — “I never knew I had it in me to run that much!” — running is also a big part of her training now.

them to trek with a heavy backpack and kayak for long hours and leave the island having discovered a greater and more compassionate self.”

highest yet — the 6,153m Stok Kangri in Ladakh, India — but had to turn back just before the summit due to unfortunate circumstances and accumulated fatigue. Her latest climb was the Tour du Mont Blanc in Europe in August 2016. To keep her fitness level up for future expeditions, she continues to climb at indoor gyms and at the Dairy Farm Nature Park. Thanks to long stretches of running during the

observe the programmes run by other instructors, to understand more about what the instructor’s job and lifestyle entail. In leading future participants, she hopes to understand them as unique individuals, to inspire them, and help them discover that there is so much more in them than they think. “When the course comes to a close, I hope that my participants will remember the laughs they shared with their friends, recall the strength it took

160

Making Waves, Changing Lives

Epilogue

50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

OBS has 155 staff members at present. Pictures: OBS Graphics: Straits Times Press for the NYC

161

ALL HANDS ON DECK

alk to anyone who has served in OBS and they will speak of the special bonds that they forged at Pulau Ubin, of the strong sense of kinship and belonging to the Outward Bound family. For more than fifty years, a special breed of men and women chose the path less trodden to spend much of their lives at OBS with a shared mission of nurturing youth in Singapore and instilling in them the self-confidence and belief that they are capable of so much more than they previously thought possible. Many are the unsung heroes who served quietly in the background, dutifully supporting the instructors. They ensured the water and lights came on when needed, that logistical supplies were delivered on time and the training facilities were always in tip-top condition. At a moment’s notice, they could be called upon to evacuate anyone who needed medical assistance. It would therefore be remiss of this book to omit special mention of these individuals who have contributed so much to the mission of OBS over more than 25 years of service.

Ms Saparila Binte Ali Mr Mike Yip Chun Wah Mr Azman Bin Yusof Mr Shaharuddin Bin Othman Ms Wan Yoke Ling Mr Noor Hisham Bin Mohd Ranny Ms Ong Bee Choo Mr Amrjit Singh s/o Gurnam Singh Mr Lee Chee Kwong Mr Yeo Ting Chuan Mr Teo Beng Tiam Mr Ibrahim Bin Mohd Yusof Mr Tony Loh Chong Kwan

Those who have served at OBS have left a legacy as OBS has evolved into a modern training centre and has grown in strength over the last five decades, helping to build a rugged Singapore society. Yet, the mission of OBS remains a work

in progress, as the next generation of Singapore’s youth takes over to chart the future of the nation. This epilogue pays homage to the tribe of the Outward Bound — those who have left an indelible mark at OBS and those who will join our ranks as future Outward Bounders. May you hoist the Blue Peter, throw off the bowlines and continue to sail onwards, “To serve, to strive and not to yield”. MR NICHOLAS CONCEICAO

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

162

Making Waves, Changing Lives 50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

MINDEF ERA BADGE

1970S BADGE (DESIGN SIMILAR TO THOSE OF THE SCHOOLS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND NEW ZEALAND)

1980S BADGE

1990S BADGE (WHEN PA TOOK OVER FROM MINDEF)

CURRENT BADGE

OBS50 COMMEMORATIVE BADGE

MINDEF GENERATION CLASSIC COURSE COMPLETION BADGE

2000S CLASSIC COURSE COMPLETION BADGE

1990S CLASSIC COURSE COMPLETION BADGE

CURRENT GENERATION CLASSIC COURSE COMPLETION BADGE

OBS50 COMMEMORATIVE STAMP

163

THE BLUE PETER CHALLENGE 2011 OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

OBS45 ANNI SINGA-LUMUT SAILING EXPEDITION

STAFF EXPEDITION 2014 KABIRETIAN

INSTRUCTOR BADGE (INTRODUCED IN 2008)

STAFF EXPEDITION 2015 GUNUNG TAHAN

INSTRUCTOR BADGE (CURRENT DESIGN)

MEMBERS OF THE OBS ALUMNI RECEIVE THIS PATCH UPON RETURNING TO SERVE

STAFF EXPEDITION 2013 TRANS-TITIWANGSA

164

Making Waves, Changing Lives

Wardens of OBS directors of OBS 1. Mr Hamish Thomas OBE. November 1967 – August 1969

2. Assistant Superintendent of Police Oh Chwee Hock August 1969 – December 1971

50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

3. Captain Victor Lam December 1971 – February 1972 4. Captain Chooi Leong Fye March 1972 – March 1973 5. Mr Sng Keng Wah March 1973 – September 1974 6. Mr Mathias Chay October 1974 – July 1978 7. Captain Kung Beng Teck October 1978 – January 1980 8. Lieutenant Colonel Toh Chee Keong March 1980 – March 1983 9. Colonel Chng Teow Hua March 1983 – August 1984 10. Major Choo Yong Ann September 1984 – August 1987 11. Major Choy Yew Cheong September 1987 – July 1989 12. Captain Ng Kim Yam July 1989 – October 1989 13. Major Lim Hong Kang November 1989 – April 1991

1. Mr Winston Lim Kee Boon April 1991 – June 2001 2. Mr Jeremy Tay Bong Hua June 2001 – July 2006 3. Mr Nicholas Conceicao July 2006 – December 2014

Executive director of OBS

1. Mr Nicholas Conceicao January 2015 – present Mr Winston Lim started the tradition of the director of OBS passing this plaque on to his successor. It currently hangs in the director’s office.

165

OBS Instructor Creed AS PROFESSIONAL OUTDOOR EDUCATORS, WE WILL: CONDUCT SAFE AND QUALITY ADVENTURE LEARNING PROGRAMMES. UPHOLD AND MAINTAIN THE HIGHEST STANDARDS OF PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL CONDUCT. HELP OUR PARTICIPANTS TO DISCOVER THEIR POTENTIAL TO CARE FOR THEMSELVES, OTHERS AND THE WORLD AROUND THEM; AND GUIDE OUR PARTICIPANTS ON THE JOURNEY OF SELF-DISCOVERY. THIS WE PLEDGE IN THE TRUE SPIRIT OF OUTWARD BOUND: TO SERVE, TO STRIVE, AND NOT TO YIELD.

Picture: Ted Chen for the NYC

166

THE TIME CAPSULE Making Waves, Changing Lives 50 YEARS OF OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE

I Pictures: OBS

n December 1999 — on the cusp of the new millennium — 50 items chosen to capture the heritage and memories of OBS for future generations were placed in a time capsule near the iconic Indiana challenge ropes course on Pulau Ubin. The time capsule was sealed by then Minister for Home Affairs Wong Kan Seng, who was also then Deputy Chairman of the People’s Association, which was overseeing OBS. On 16 September 2017, the time capsule was opened by Minister for Finance Heng Swee Keat as OBS marked its 50th anniversary with a homecoming celebration. The items uncovered from the capsule will be housed in future at the new OBS campus on Coney Island. Here is a look at five items of historic significance. The OBS Time Capsule was uncovered by (foreground, left to right) Minister for Finance Heng Swee Keat, OBS Executive Director Nicholas Conceicao, NYC Chief Executive Officer David Chua and Mr Philip Ong, Deputy Secretary (Community, Youth and Sports) at the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, during the OBS50 Homecoming on 16 September 2017. Picture: OBS

167

These pictures of OBS staff were taken during the adventure training centreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 40th anniversary. Some staff members are still serving in various capacities.

This OBS flag was used from the mid1980s through to 2006, before the design was refreshed again in 2007 on its 40th anniversary. Through the years, there have been various versions of the flag but each has retained the key elements of the compass, braided ropes, cardinal directions and motto, which symbolise the Outward Bound qualities of self-reliance, craftsmanship, service to others, resilience and purpose.

The OBS 30th anniversary book was commissioned to celebrate the opening of its new centre by then Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong on 27 September 1997.

Then Minister for Home Affairs Wong Kan Sengâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wish for OBS was captured in this scroll. This plaque commemorated the installation of the time capsule by then Minister for Home Affairs Wong Kan Seng.

Acknowledgements Mr Lee Hsien Loong

Ms Virginia Lee

Ms Grace Fu

Ms Lee Shi Ying

Dr Ng Eng Hen

Mr Leng Chin Beng

Mr Heng Swee Kiat

Ms Charlene Lim Mr David Lim

Mr Abdul Kahlid s/o Abdul Mutaliffee Mr Aiman Jianhao Bin Ikram Mr Cai Yinzhou Ms Brina Chan Ms Lynette Chang Mr Mathias Chay

Ms Liew Wei Li Mr Lim Joon Hiang Mr Winston Lim Ms Jaclyn Loh Mr Ng Kah Ee Mr Noor Hisham Bin Mohd Ranny

Ms June Chiang

Mr Muhammad Noor Shalihhin Bin Sahrin

Mr David Chua

Mrs Helen Ong

Ms Jacqueline Chua

Ms Angelique Poh

Mr Jon Chua

Dr Uma Rajan

Mr Nicholas Conceicao

Ms Saparila Binte Ali

Ms Elizabeth Foo

Ms Siti Nurrahmah

Mr Michael Foo

Mr L. Shanmugam

Mr Goh Ek Piang

Mr Edwin Siew

Dr Goh Yang Miang

Mr Tan Kim Kee

Ms Margaret Heng

Ms Jen Tay

Ms Monica Heng

Ms Teo Jing-Wen

Ms Sheena Ho

Ms Tey Ying Ze

Mr Ikram Bin Daeng

Professor Tsui Kai Chong

Mr Mohamed Fawzaini Bin Yusof

Ms Ivy Wee

Mr James Keasberry

Mr Wong Tuan Wah

Mr Khew Sin Khoon

Mr Charles Yao

Ms Kok Shee Mun

Ms Yap Hui Zhen

Mr James Lam

Mr Kean Yong

Mr Melvin Lam

Mr Glenn Zhang

NATIONAL YOUTH COUNCIL AND OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE EDITORIAL COMMITTEE

Mr Nicholas Conceicao Mr Samuel Tan Ms Angelene Dorai Mr Edvan Loh Mr Mic Tay Ms Natascha Brueschweiler ADVISOR

Mr David Chua STRAITS TIMES PRESS

General Manager: Susan Long Publishing Manager: Lee Hui Chieh Creative Director: Lock Hong Liang Marketing and Operations Manager: Ilangoh Thanabalan Sales Manager: Irene Lee Book Designer: Lydia Wong Authors: Leslie Koh and Kelly Pang Contributing photographer: Ted Chen

hen Outward Bound Singapore (OBS) was set up on Pulau Ubin in 1967, it was little more than an abandoned quarry, a mangrove swamp and the seafront put together. With the bare basics, OBS set sail into uncharted waters, creating and running outdoor adventure courses that would challenge generations of Singaporeans beyond their perceived physical limits, so as to build ruggedness and resilience. Since then, it has steered more than 500,000 Singaporeans on a unique voyage that takes them both outward bound towards new adventures and onward bound to live out its motto â&#x20AC;&#x201D; to serve, to strive and not to yield. True to its motto, OBS has also forged ahead to become a premier outdoor adventure institution in the world. As OBS crosses the 50year mark, this book celebrates its achievements, and looks at the challenges ahead. The book also brings together 50 inspiring stories of individuals who have all been toughened by the OBS journey, transformed by its experience and touched by its spirit.