Round Square at SPCC

Summer Experiential Learning Programme – Stand-Up Paddling x Mangrove Exploration ~ Leung Ya Lei Janelle

I struggled against the waves, trying to keep myself upright despite their several attempts to toss me overboard. Remembering the instructor’s advice, I slowly wiggled my legs and started to steady myself on the paddle board. Once I regained my balance, I tried coordinating my arms with my legs and pushed the paddle into the waters with all my force and… I fell. I fell into the waters with a big splash, coughing up a mouthful of brackish seawater.

Seeing the others paddle away, farther and farther away from me, I was tempted to give up, to follow the current back to the shore. But I didn’t. Stand-up paddling wouldn’t be fun without challenges. The determination to get back to the team pulled me back up on the paddle, and with newly-found strength, I paddled faster and faster, until I rejoined the group to the open sea, overcoming the recurrent waves.

As the only F6 student in the group, the stand-up paddling programme marked my first and last time participating in the school’s experiential learning, allowing me to interact with the lower forms. Their unfaltering boost of energy has certainly brought positivity to the group and there is no doubt that such experience has been very memorable and exciting.

Hong Kong Award for Young People – Bronze Expedition ~ Cheung Ho Yan & Cheung Ho Ki

Shivering at the chilling mountain gust, quivering at the daunting height - with a touch of rain sprinkling all morning, I huddled underneath my raincoat, gazed into the gloomy mist and couldn’t help but wonder, why am I even here?

As part of the year-long HKAYP Programme, we participated in multiple expeditions and training sessions delivered by Mr Osbert Wan, our school instructor. From learning to use an HM20C map to how to bandage lacerations, we equipped ourselves with the necessary survival skills for outdoor camping. During outdoor expeditions, we were divided into different teams and tasked to organize our own routes to be completed within a designated time.

An expedition was an epitome of life. As a team, we weaved through crossroads, got lost, struggled with decisions. We leaned together, headpieces filled with straw; groping on, avoiding speech. But as we passed through each checkpoint, we trenched on, we persevered; it was the euphoria of arriving at the destination that kept us on.

The great British explorer George Mallory, who died on Mount Everest, was once asked why he wanted to climb it. He said, “because it’s there”. As we sludged our wet, lethargic limbs, bent double, down the hill, I looked back at the mountain top:

I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.

Summer Experiential Learning Programme – Camp Four Indoor Bouldering ~ Man Ho Fung

Buckling up my bouldering shoes, I was ready to go up the walls, or I thought. After the briefing session, I eagerly ran up a warm-up route, thinking it would be a no-sweat. However, as I was moving up gradually, pounds and pounds of pressure were suddenly added to my arms. After climbing some of the easiest routes, the soreness of my arm was already more terrible than expected. The old wounds of blisters from bouldering had emerged from my palms again as if they were just there to say, “Just rest. You aren’t ready for this.”

But I refused. I didn’t apply for this course just to get stopped by a few old wounds. I knew that with passion and determination, anything could be done. After a water break, I immediately ran back up to the walls. There was a route that I couldn’t figure out how to climb. The ways I could think of were all unfit for the route placement. It was not until I changed a different starting angle and direction by facing the open area instead of the wall that I finally reached the finishing rock hold. The satisfaction was immeasurable.

After the 2-hour-long session, I was exhausted, bearing limbs that didn’t feel like mine. Yet, it was worth it. Prompting us to think creatively about how to overcome obstacles and to reach our limits with persistence, this programme was undoubtedly fruitful and rewarding.