H-Explore 5, 2022

H-Explore is an annual event meant to provide students with a comprehensive outdoor education experience and encourage them to develop problem-solving skills, as well as promoting appropriate peer interactions and teamwork. The activities were also aimed at developing students' prompt response to instructions. 30 participants joined this year's H-Explore at White Resort, Balik Pulau, for 4 days and 3 nights, from 26 to 29 July 2022.

Upon arrival, the students were assigned to their accommodation, then gathered in the hall for a briefing on camp rules, the programme flow, and ice-breaking. Students worked together in their sports houses — Jupiter, Mars and Venus — to create their house flag and cheers. Throughout the four days, the houses were given the mission to protect their flags. Points from activities, plus participants' merit and demerit points, were accumulated for the Best House award.

Day 1

Campers took part in three activities organised by the camp — Sea Rescue, Spider Web and Obstacle Race — where their teamwork and strategic thinking were tested. In the evening, they played Three-way Water Balloon, a fun twist on dodgeball and water balloons, and went on a Night Walk, blindfolded, with the partner in front as the only person they could trust and hold on to.

Day 2

The campers began with morning exercises and outdoor activities, including Bell Hunter — hide and seek with bells tied to their legs. Then they challenged themselves to build rafts using inner tubes and PVC pipes! All houses managed to build their rafts and raced on the lake. In the afternoon, indoor games and a scavenger hunt tested teamwork, communication and problem-solving. After dinner came campfire night, with singing, sharing food and games, followed by stargazing and sleeping outdoors by the lake.

Day 3

Campers tried to cook outdoors with only the tools given to them, showcasing creative problem solving, tenacity and teamwork to complete their dishes in time. They then joined the camp's Leaky Barrel activity and the Cardboard Boat Building Challenge — using only cardboard, tape and scissors to build model boats that could float and race on the lake. Many applied the buoyancy knowledge they learned in Physics class. In the evening, each house delivered an entertaining performance on the theme of unity.

Day 4

The last activity, A-Frame, challenged teamwork and physical strength. At the closing ceremony, campers sang and danced, and the camp concluded with a drama by the Taekwondo team and a special guest, Mr Lee, the CEO of Harvest Academy, who presented the awards:

• Best House: Mars
• Best Male Camper: Ooi Yan Zhe
• Best Female Camper: Nur Alisha Binti Ahmad Mohzani
• Progressive Award: Kee Wei Lun and Ong Weng Kang
• Survival Award: Jasson Ng

Overall, the programme succeeded in providing students with a comprehensive outdoor education experience and encouraging their problem-solving skills. The campers developed positive and supportive peer interactions and built strong teamwork throughout the four days.