Walk for Our Children 2015

On 6^th September 2015, Singapore Children’s Society organised its annual 3km walkathon and carnival, “Walk for our Children” at Palawan Beach, Sentosa. Through this signature fund-raising event, Children Society aimed not only to encourage family bonding and fun, the spirit of charity was to be promoted as well.

Together with 20 organizations, FOCUS Adventure, CAMP CHALLENGE and Outdoor Adventures set up a carnival booth to raise funds for the beneficiaries under Singapore Children’s Society. A team of 8 staff across the 3 sister companies set up and managed “The Finger Blaster Challenge!” booth which attracted all walks of life. Despite the sweltering heat, the staff preserved till the end of the carnival.

The experience gained from this carnival was valuable as we do look forward to being involved and contribute in future like-minded events!

The Sailing Challenge!

 

Finally we’ve set off sails on our two new beautiful Sailboats called Maybritt and L’attitude. On our second sailing programme we brought both Maybritt and L’attitude to sail from Raffles Marina (Tuas) all the way to Sentosa’s One Degree 15; a 10-hour exciting journey down south!

The Sailing started in the afternoon with participants arriving at Raffles Marina to change up and to board the sail boats. With a little quick safety briefing from our very own two skippers, we quickly went onboard and did a quick understanding of the boats, terminologies and roles responsibilities.

Within 15 mintues we were off the ropes and started motoring our way out of the marina. Once we were out, the first 20 mintues was covered up with trainings on wind direction, how the boat works and terminologies. The participants were real quick to pick up the skills, and we did our tack trainings! Tacking is the action done for the boats to go on a “zick-zack” path to cut the wind on a thirty degree angle towards wind to go on a smooth sailing.

When a boat is tacked, not only should the skipper move the wheels for the rudder, but the entire sail will move from one end to another. This means the entire team has to release the ropes on one end and to tighten the other; this comes with coordination and communication. With much practice, the teams started to tack faster and faster. The timing was brilliant and the speed of the boat did not drop too much after every tack. The hardest part was to furl the genoa (front sail) in to bring it over to the other side. Now the rope used to furl is comparatively small with the others, therefore takes more strengths, and sometimes, more people!

Two gentlemen trying to furl the genoa in! 

With someone furling the genoa, another few had to pull in the genoa towards the other direction, and with the strong winds, it was almost impossible if it was not for the team’s enthusiasm and efforts put together! 

Three gentlemen trying their all to pull the genoa as close to the centre of the deck as possible!

Of course that was not the end of the task, since it is The Sailing Challenge! Teams were tasked to open up the second sail which was at the back called the Mizzen. As we were sailing and getting good at the tacks, teams wanted to move faster, therefore the call was given from the skipper to open up our Mizzen. Now, the sail had to be brought up while still traveling and this required loads of effort, balance and communication. As the sail sheets were pulled higher, wind started to catch the sail and it became heavier and heavier. With enough manpower, the sail eventually went all the way to the top!

Finally all three sail were up; the boat started to pick up phase, and traveled at an average of 6 knots. This was not the end as, there was a new challenge awaiting the team. It was seemed as though; every moment they overcame a challenge a new one popped up. This time round, the daylight was going down and the teams had to move faster to get closer to Sentosa before it became too dark out in the sea. Eventually the teams made it straight out and reached Onedegree15 at 2200 hrs. Everyone still had energy to jump off board and to give each other a hi-5! What was the most exciting part of the programme was asked, and everyone without fail shouted “Sailing!”

 

Our Sail is up, and ready for the next challenge!
Sign up now and try this new and exciting experience with your own team today!
Get ready to furl Sail is up, and ready for the next challenge!

Soar High with MINDS

This time round, FOCUS Adventure decided to conduct an indoor programme for the students at MINDS Towner Garden School to maximise our interaction with the students. On 11th July 2015, 19 students from MINDS Towner Garden School participated in our Angry Bird Trebuchet Challenge! Supported by 8 staff from both FOCUS Adventure and CAMP Challenge and tapping on our sister company’s expertise on managing children, it provided a more experiential development process for the students.

Working in small groups, the activity requires the students to construct their own trebuchet through the use of PVC pipes and twines. The students who are in Scouts displayed excellent tying and lashing skills. The second segment was the creation of the angry birds (i.e. projectiles) with the use of jumping clay. It allowed us to witness the creativity side of the students. The highlight of the activity was the successful launching of their projectiles by their very own trebuchet which destroyed their designated castle! A great sense of accomplishment was achieved when their projectiles successfully hit the castles!

It was yet another fulfilling day with the students, with much being learnt and shared amongst our staff and the students. Definitely looking forward to the next programme with the students!

Testimonial:
The activity was very interactive and the Facilitators were very enthusiastic in mingling with the students. Although most of the students had trouble with the knots, the Facilitators involved the students in ways they can contribute, like cutting the tape or holding the poles together. The students had the most fun kneading the angry birds out of plasticine and attacking the castle using the trebuchet. Thank you for bringing so much joy and laughter to our students!!!
- Ms Michelle Yeo, Job Coach

The activity was very interesting as it involved teamwork & problem solving skills whereby the students together with the volunteer & teacher had to figure out how it worked. The kneading of the angry birds was fun and the students enjoy the outcome of their creations. The volunteers were very helpful and committed in their way they carried out the activity with our students. Overall it was a very well planned programme. Good job FOCUS Adventure Team! Thanks for organising it. Both students & teachers enjoyed the activity.
- Ms Adeline Ong, Teacher

Celebrate SG50 with FOCUS Adventure

We are deeply grateful to all Corporate Partners and Clients who have supported FOCUS Adventure over the years. FOCUS Adventure will pay it forward by contributing SGD50 to a “Youth Development Fund” for every successful programme delivered in 2015. FOCUS Adventure delivers on average of 650 programmes each year, together with its sister companies (Outdoor Adventures and CAMP CHALLENGE) we hope to contribute the targeted amount of SGD 50,000 by end of the year. Thank you again for your support and celebrating SG50 with FOCUS Adventure!

Certified Competent Facilitator (CCF)

Our Facilitator Joey is the first person in Singapore to attain the status of a Certified Competent Facilitator (CCF). This certification is awarded by the International Institute of Facilitation (INIFAC).

The requirements to attain CCF status requires applicant to submit a list of seven varied facilitation experiences, a set of written responses to showcase knowledge in facilitation and a simulated (videotaped) facilitated session to demonstrate facilitation practices. A team of Master Facilitators will then assess and grade the CCF applicant in these three areas. Only when the applicant achieved a certain knowledge and performance standard would he be awarded the CCF status.

The seven facilitation experiences Joey submitted are:
1. Committee handover session for a pharmaceutical MNC.
2. Focus Group Discussion (FGD) for National Volunteer and Philanthropy Center.
3. Work-plan discussion for a consumer goods electronics MNC.
4. Brainstorming session for an agency from the civil service.
5. Work-plan discussion for a pharmaceutical MNC.
6. Strategic planning and review for National Volunteer and Philanthropy Center.
7. Visioning workshop for a local medical facilities.

The attainment of the CCF status by one of our Facilitators further demonstrates the effectiveness of the process facilitation services provided by FOCUS Consulting.

FOCUS Adventure’s Challenge Technology and Skills (FACTS) on 15 – 17 June 2015

The FACTS workshop allows us to gain in depth understanding of FOCUS Adventure unique approaches and practices used in Adventure Learning that differentiate us from the other market
players. The FACTS workshop gives us the opportunities to experience great real life examples of the learning concepts through the activities and with that, we are able to translate them into learning/debrief points. As an individual with the company, we are able to understand how our Facilitators facilitate and deliver effective and engaging learning programme for our clients. We also learn how we can customise our programmes to best meet various clients’ designed learning outcome.

Feedback from Participants:

•  Great course and Facilitator. Thanks Joey and Totok!
•  Awesome programme. Just wish we could stay longer and set another round of dry-run practice in. Awesome. Thanks!
•  Very experience Facilitator who brought the course to life and shared many important aspects of Adventure Learning.
•  Joey is professional and knowledgeable in his facilitation. He is dedicated and sincere in his training and sharing. He is a great and valuable asset to FOCUS Adventure. Keep it up.
 

Basic Officer Course 23 (BOC)

The Basic Facilitator Course is now being replaced and upgraded to Basic Officer Course (BOC).

The BOC is a selection and induction programme for the intake of all Officers level; from Assistant Managers all the way to CEO. Officers of the various units (Logistics, Safety, R&D, Business Development, SeaOPS etc.) hold leadership and management positions with the company. It is the start of the journey of a career that will take you to “places you have never been before”; the beginning of an exciting and meaningful career that will Challenge and Stretch your own limits to a whole new level.

Officers are selected based on educational qualification of minimum a Bachelor Degree (exceptions are given to Diploma holders who are pursuing a Degree) and individuals who possess the H.AI.R. Qualities (You may find out more about the H.A.I.R. Qualities on FOCUS Adventure’s website).

Besides FOCUS Adventure, potential Officers are also recruited through our sister companies,
Outdoor Adventures and CAMP CHALLENGE based on Vocations and put through this 7 days central training, selection and induction process. During the 7 days programme, potential candidates are constantly challenged at a mental, physical and emotional level. Candidates must demonstrate Leadership, Teamwork and the ability to Adapt and Innovate and make sound decisions on the ground. Candidates who are deemed not suitable will drop out of the course with no strings attached. Those who successfully finished the 7 days will be put through further training and development in the OJT phase depending on Vocations.

Individuals can also join the various companies as an Associate Officer if he/she possess specialist skills such as sailing or mountaineering and wants to be part of this Adventure on associate basis. However, passing the BOC is mandatory as the Associate Officers will carry the same leadership and responsibilities based on rank as the full time counterpart.

Here’s what our BOC graduates have to say about their experience:

Name: Gladys TAN
BOC 23 was indeed an experience for me. I was never afraid of heights however when I was attempting the High Elements as well as the Team Challenge Pyramid I realized the feeling was totally different. The element of fear was present because there was no support given, the only two support I relied on was my team members who were there to ensure my safety as well as the safety gears provided. I’ve learnt to trust my team members more and also the safety equipment provided. It was through constant encouragement and support from them which allowed me to push myself to complete the obstacles. Through this course, I am able to experience and understand what participants are going through when they attempt to complete the challenges. It was really sweet to see how everyone was kind to one another and how some of us have bonded really well after this course.

I definitely do not regret attending this course in fact I really appreciate how this course has allowed me to better understand my strengths and weaknesses. BOC 23 has given another perspective to FOCUS Programmes; it is impactful and meaningful. Lastly, I am thankful for having great team members as well as a great facilitator conducting the entire course, it is truly a wonderful experience!

Name: Jeff TAN
It is definitely interesting and at the same time fulfilling experience for me as I have been looking forward to attending this program. Going through the different activities ranging from the energizers, mobile adventure programs and low elements not only allow me to learn the important points of conducting and debriefing the activities, it also provided me the opportunity to feel how the clients feels. This allows me to better pace the experience of the clients during the facilitation. As it does to the client’s company, it too built the relationship between me and my fellow colleagues.

The high elements pushed me to challenge myself while the 25 metres Team Challenge Pyramid got me to understand more about my-self being a leader. The self-discovery of how encouraging I am towards my team mates, how determine I am to challenge my-self and how much patience I have while leading got me to reflect on areas of improvements for my-self. There’s a saying, how you play your game is a reflection of life. In a team, it’s never about one person and an individual can never be a leader when there is no one to lead.
In overall, I enjoyed the self-discovery and the moments where all of us got to seat down, chat and laugh about the common moments over a meal.

Name: Liping NAH
It’s truly an unforgettable lifetime experience that I have gained from BOC 23!  By going through the High Element and Team Challenge Pyramid (TCP), I have taken a step further to understand the importance of TEAMWORK.

The Pamper’s Pole left me with the deepest impression throughout the 2 days course! I can only hear endless words of encouragement from all my fellow colleagues when I’m up on the Pamper’s Pole.
Personally, I felt that BOC has given us opportunity to indentify our individual strength and weakness which we simply ignore on our daily life.

Overall experience in two words “Epically Awesome”

Name: Dianne TAN
BOC 23 was truly an experience! I had previous experience doing High Elements, (although it was years ago) but I thought that would be a walk in the park for me. However, the moment I stood on the ‘Balancing Beam’ and looked down to my team mates, I felt the real terror of the High Elements – 15m in height! And I am glad I made it through.

Team Challenge Pyramid was something I always looked forward to complete and I was given the chance to do so in BOC 23. Although we took a slightly longer time to complete as compared to the other time, I was glad that my team made it through together and none of us gave up no matter how much tears was shed!
BOC 23 was certainly memorable and I appreciate that the course had all of us bonded. The course also made me realised my strengths and how perceived fears will always be there, but if we take that one step, to inch forward, we will definitely overcome and achieve the ultimate goal!

“The True Test Of A Champion Is Not Whether He Can Triumph, But Whether He Can Overcome Obstacles!”

Name: Yongjun FOO
The Basic Officer Course (BOC) was definitely a great experience for me, being given the chance to stand in a participant’s perspective and actively participate in the wide variety of programs and activities conducted for us.

The most memorable activity for me has to be the Team Challenge Pyramid (TCP) located in Bintan, where it pushed my limits as well as put the team’s camaraderie to test. Standing 25m above the ground, the first thing I had to do was to control my own fear and brush away all the worried looks on my face, so that it can be a form of confidence booster and assurance for the rest of my team. Saying that, it was not an easy feat for me either, even though I love rock climbing and did bungee jumping before, my legs were trembling a little while going through certain parts of the course!
The skies were turning dark and I think the fact that the whole team is dependent on an individual’s performance helped to push us on. At the end of it, I am very heartened that the whole team managed to complete it together.

In overall, the whole course was truly enjoyable and fruitful for everyone.