An Expedition Camp Combining Environmental Protection with Rope Challenges and a Reminiscence site

Our two day, one night Ma Wan Expedition camp which took place last weekend not only enabled us to learn about various kinds of natural energy sources, but also helped us tackle many new challenges. We experienced an old exploration site proving that as long as we unite and cooperate with each other to try our best, we can “achieve it”!

Environment Protection Awareness
The weather was quite muggy when we visited the Ma Wan Park. We were in two groups and enjoyed a morning in complete natural surroundings. It was wonderful to be amongst nature. We saw many interesting wall paintings with themes relating to nature. To truly understand what it is like, I highly recommend you visit there. We walked uphill and saw a range of electricity generating equipment that converted wind, water and solar energy into electricity. We were given a detailed explanation by our knowledgeable guide enabling us to understand much more about our environment. What was most surprising to us was that “excrement” is also a kind of raw material! We just could not help wondering if the energy generated would emit a bad smell.

Rope Course Challenge
After a simple lunch of sandwiches, we spent over 3 hours on a very challenging Rope Course Obstacle. Campers and companions and even our medical helpers participated. Everybody had to climb up and down to get across layers of rope nets, scramble over the single-plank bridge and pass through the floating wheels. Our favorite game was to get into the rope net pockets and push back and forth to swing. What was even more exciting was to play the “Washing Machine” game. This game involved twisting the rope net pockets repeatedly and then to let go, resulting in screams of excitement. The campers who enjoyed this the most would request to go again and again! When the whole exercise was over, everyone was just completely exhausted. But looking back at the layers of rope nets and the rope course itself, we realized that it was a very difficult task to fulfill. Only with full cooperation and support could one overcome the difficulties of this task. This sense of success was just like a clear spring, filling our hearts with coolness in the muggy weather.

Beautiful Scenery

Old Village Exploration
Ma Wan Village is a historical site and one which unfortunately won’t be around for long. The campers were split into groups to play the field orientation and the “Questions and Answers” games, which required good sense of direction and careful common sense! Fortunately with our competent guide, we all learned very quickly. In the beginning none of us seemed to even know how to read the map but half way through the field trip, we could already set up the itinerary by ourselves and knew the directions to the destinations. Initially the campers felt shy to approach the local villagers for answers but with a bit of encouragement most talked bravely with the villagers who helped to answer our questions. We had learned the importance of cooperation when climbing the rope nets on the previous day. Bur for this field orientation trip, the communication and cooperation seemed to be even more important. With the understanding and support of each other, we felt lucky to accomplish the exploration of the Ma Wan Old Village and admire the beautiful scenery of an old village which was to be disassembled soon.

Finally, after a very filling lunch we left Ma Wan Park. Although completely exhausted, everyone felt fulfilled and happy from what they learnt during these past two days. We will all remember experiencing this very special expedition camp in its unique setting which combined the great outdoors with an old village beauty.