"What do you do for work?" A question that comes up often in social settings.
"I am an outdoor instructor." I replied.
"Oh...what do you actually have to do?" Most are puzzled.
"We run adventure camps involving kayaking, hiking, sailing, rock climbing, abseiling, etc depends on the program and the group. Program lengths ranging from 1 day to 18 days, with 5 days being the most common." I added.
"18 days of camping!? In Hong Kong? Where do you go? With the same group of people?" Surprised and curious.
"When we are out on a journey based camp, we spend the length of the program with the participants in the wilderness areas of Hong Kong, mostly Sai Kung. We explore and camp on beaches, islands, mountains and villages. There is no going home until after the program has ended meaning there is no 'let's go for happy hour after work tonight' during the camp, haha."
"Wow... your work sounds really cool but it must be tough to be camping so much huh. How did you get into it? Why do you like to do it?"
Early 2014, about 6 months after I moved back to Hong Kong, I decided to quit corporate and work for Outward Bound Hong Kong. I was moved by their mission in outdoor education and found it especially meaningful in Hong Kong where I call home. I wanted to take part in helping others and making a difference. Life is more than negotiating contracts and editing spreadsheets in front of a computer screen.
Nearly two years of instructing has brought me so much joy, tears, satisfaction, frustration, sweat, blood, and above all, growth. I have grown to be more self aware, more understanding of different perspectives, and more appreciative of life and the little things that are often overlooked and taken for granted.
The countless days spent sweating in the outdoors, the pitch dark nights spent sleeping in a tent, the ups and downs I have gone through with participants, the tough weather conditions - burning hot, freezing cold, heavy rain, strong wind, the silly games we played, the challenging tasks we have accomplished, the unforgettable experiences we shared...
It is the "spiritual food" that keeps me going.
It is never about learning to be a top notch paddler or a master in setting campfire. Instructors are to guide the participants to develop themselves personally and socially, to self discover, to find answers, and to open their eyes to potentials and possibilities. I believe in what I do wholeheartedly and I feel alive doing it. To facilitate and plant seeds are such powerful and rewarding courses, especially when the impact comes through in front of my eyes.
We push participants' limits to cultivate learning. But when my limits are pushed as an instructor, the magic happens even more. Tough? Absolutely. Would I choose the same if I could do it again? Not a doubt.
8 day Journey 23rd - 30th January, 2016
A group of 17-year-old secondary school students
From the coldest days in Hong Kong since 1957 to raining 2 days 1 night nonstop
We camped and worked with frozen fingers, played outdoor wearing raincoats, kayaked in heavy rain... The participants struggled to stay motivated, some of them wanted to go home, and some thought they would get sick and unable to continue.
It was one of the most challenging programs I have run to date. When it was barely 0°C plus rain and wind chill (huge deal in Hong Kong, chilled to the bones) and nobody was having it, I must have it together and continue to give. I must carry on and find ways to motivate my group. I must stay strong, I am the instructor and their role model.
Day by day, little by little, hearts were touched. Treasure the times under a shelter, be thankful to have hot drinks and meals, appreciate the one sunny day, enjoy the games and chats we share, look forward to the clear sky after heavy rain. Be grateful that we are alive and feeling it.
On the last day, they said to me, "Through each of the stories you shared, we learned to be stronger and more thoughtful. Although we didn't really show it, we know. Beside the hardship, we learned a lot. Thank you very much!"
I accepted their thanks with tears. All the hard times suddenly seemed not so hard anymore. We are here now. And they got it.
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