In September, the students in Outdoor Skills 2 ventured to Tyresta camp, a picturesque location nestled within the stunning Tyresta National Park. The expedition aimed not only to further their understanding of the outdoors but also to put their acquired skills to the test in a real-life scenario.
Building upon the foundation laid in Outdoor Skills 1, Level 2 offers students the opportunity to go into more depth with the skills learned prior. Led by teachers Mr. Hume and Ms. Celino, students further bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and hands-on practical experience with the aim of becoming proficient outdoors.
Loulwah Abu Shaibah, Tora Lindfors, and Al-Alya Ismail in Grade 7 were three of the students who participated in the camping trip.
“We took a train from the school, and then we took a bus. The train was like 45 minutes and the bus was 40 minutes,” said Al-Alya. Tora later added that walking whilst carrying heavy bags was required to reach their destination.
At camp, the students learned how to set up tents for the night. They were also taught the basics of fishing, and how to cook and clean up after themselves so that no litter is left behind. In the evening, when Sweden’s characteristic pitch-black darkness had shrouded the campsite, the students gathered around a campfire before heading to bed.
“Dealing with what we have, like the water situation and the toilets. To learn how to survive outdoors, not be picky with the food, carrying heavy weight,” said Al-Alya when asked about what they had learned on the trip.
According to the students, their favorite part was playing hide and seek in the dark, whilst their least favorite part was adapting to using the unpurified water in the well to cook their meals. Nevertheless, it added to their outdoor experience.
In addition to the overnight camping trip to Tyresta, students have been introduced to water awareness and map skills, and are planning to go geocaching in Stockholm – they are even gearing up to brave the frigid waters in Hellasgården in December.
