Y12 Residential Trip

On 23-25 September  Year 12’s were given the opportunity to go on a team-building residential trip. We were taken to the Kinchigune Adventure Camp, where we enjoyed two nights of luxury camping.

Belilhul Oya, a small village located in Rathnapura. This hillside location is a climatically transitional area, connecting the high and low terrain as well as the dry and wet zones. The name Belihul Oya is derived from the Belih Oya ("Oya" being the Sinhala word for river), which flows through the area. Belihul Oya's surroundings are home to numerous streams and waterfalls. We could see the Samanalawewa man-made reservoir directly in front of us from where our camp was situated. The sight of the Samanalawewa with its serene, deep waters was breathtaking. The first two days were dedicated to observing and capturing the area's distinctive landscapes. We were able to see the lush green foliage of the forests as well as the agricultural land, including paddy fields, rubber plantations, and vegetable plantations. But especially after the trek, when we were knee-deep in mud, we were able to physically experience the marshy paddy fields. The finest aspect of it was that we could fully appreciate the surrounding beauty with the absence of the noise from the city.

The trip contained a variety of activities, allowing us to bond as a grade. We were split into 3 groups, rotating through the activities. Our first activity was the camp team activity. We played three games that allowed us to learn to work better with each other and build a sense of trust, forcing us to rely on each other. Our second activity was river trekking. This consisted of a 7-km hike through forests and paddy fields, ending at the camp. There was a halfway stop at a waterfall in which we were allowed to swim. Lastly, we did raft building. This proved to be the most challenging activity, having to construct a raft out of rope, planks, and barrels. We were forced to put our creativity to the test, making our own designs and then building them. We then had to use our raft to reach the other end of the reservoir and back, preferably without it breaking apart. Throughout the activities, we split into teams, allowing us to build friendly competition throughout our time there. At camp, we devoured the amazing food, celebrated birthdays, enjoyed a campfire and barbecue, and were entertained by an inter-house talent competition.

This trip provided a learning opportunity for all of us, giving us a much needed getaway from the chaos and stress of sixth form responsibilities. We were able to form close connections with new students and teachers while also strengthening our bonds with old classmates. Everyone was given a chance to develop their teamwork and trust in each other, learning to take on roles of leadership in a group and pulling their own weight (literally). Our grade was forced to face our fears and overcome the variety of challenges we were set, gaining more confidence in our abilities and helping us to discover our full potential. Without the constant need for technology, we learned to recognize and express gratitude for the wonderfully simple things in life.