Outward Bound

Bega High Students Outward Bound!

Six year nine students from Bega High School recently embarked upon a week long Outward Bound experience in the Namadgi National Park in the ACT. Genevieve Grainger, Allara Freedman, Jyothi Elliott-Forman, Georgia Shellard, Jack McKnight-Mullen and Nathan Barnden were able to access this fantastic opportunity after receiving financial assistance from the Mumbulla Foundation.

During the week the group faced numerous challenges in learning to fend for themselves in the most testing of environments. The thrills of abseiling, caving and taking on the largest ropes course in the southern hemisphere were tempered somewhat by the harsh realities of the mountainous terrain, the freezing weather and the complexities of ensuring the groups basic needs were met.

The program seeks to develop a range of skills in the students that will assist them in their personal, social and academic endeavours. Highly developed leadership skills, greater resilience and a willingness to take responsible risks are common outcomes for participants.

Notwithstanding the hot showers and warm doonas that greeted them on their return to the Bega Valley, each of the students has reported that they are missing the great outdoors and would leap at the opportunity to repeat the experience.

The students were able to personally thank Ann Montague and Geoff Brookes from the Mumbulla Foundation last week. Bega High School would also like to thank the Mumbulla Foundation for their ongoing generous support of its students, and looks forward to strengthening the partnership between the two organisations in the future.

Mumbulla Foundation helps students go outward bound

Imagine being left alone in the bush for twenty four hours, with minimal rations, a small tarpaulin and nothing else. This was the situation Caroline Buckley from Lumen Christi College, Jazzmin Campbell from Eden Marine High and Kieran Hay of Bega High found themsel in. The three girls recently completed an Outward Bound course and being left to fend for themselves was an integral part of their experience.

This was all the result of taking up the challenge offered by the Mumbulla Foundation to the youth of the Bega Valley Shire. The Mumbulla Foundation is developing future community leaders by offering the three students from the Shire the opportunity to experience all the thrills and experiences that an Outward Bound course has to offer.

The Foundation substantially funded the costs incurred by the girls. Twelve days of rafting down the Snowy River, abseiling and rock climbing, bush walking and camping were all in the itinerary. Their group comprised fourteen different and diverse personalities and the initial days were spent learning to accept others and to recognise the worth in everyone.

Very early into the course the group not only ran short of water but one of their number fell ill. This resulted in a great team building experience for all as the whole group were forced to pull together not only to get medical help for the sick girl but to negotiate the rough terrain between their location and the nearest source of water. Their resources were tested to the limit when they reached the targeted creek only to find that it was dry. A thorough search of all backpacks revealed enough liquid to sustain them until rain fell that night, although none of the party recommends the juice from canned beans.

Towards the end of their time the group leaders left all the decision making to the participants. They were given maps and co-ordinates of mandatory checkpoints, and were asked to plot their route towards civilization. With all the skills learnt during the previous days, the group were able to meet this challenge.

One of their last tests was the scaling of a giant rope ladder. The higher the ladder went the further the rungs were apart. Not only was team work demanded but also a great deal of ingenuity was necessary.

On reflection, the girls were extremely proud of themselves for having endured and survived the tests they faced. All three expressed the feeling that they have emerged more confident and have a greater self reliance. They are all surprised by the things they have done and are sure that they would not have attempted half of these challenges were it not for the Outward Bound Organisation and the support of the Mumbulla Foundation. As one of the girls said, she looks the same on the outside but on the inside is very much changed.