The first day of school for 425 Secondary Three Raffles Institution (RI) boys started differently from the rest of Singapore! Instead of the familiar school compound, they arrived at the Outward Bound Singapore (OBS) Reception Centre to start their 5-day outdoor adventure programme, from 4 to 8 January 2011. The programme design was based on the Ministry of Education (MOE)'s Social and Emotional Learning objectives of: (i) Self Awareness; (ii) Self Management; (iii) Social Awareness; (iv) Relationship Management; and (v) Responsible Decision Making.

During the 5-day programme, the students braved the weather, slept in tents, took on adventure challenges such as going on land and sea expeditions. Keefer Oei, one of the student participants, noted that the expeditions were keys to his learnings, where teamwork and resilience among members were tested. His schoolmate, Ng Wei Jin, also shared that, "When we were lost in the mangrove forest, I was amazed at how everyone persevered to attempt to find their way, influencing me to endure through as well."

As noted by Derrick Chen Yuran, who reflected that sometimes it is the shared experience which made the experience memorable. "Sheltering under the ponchos when it was raining was memorable. [Despite the weather and surroundings] everyone cares about each other and we are like brothers."

At the end of the programme, Andre Loh noted that, "I shall be more responsible in my daily actions and learn to spare a thought for others instead of being selfish."

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