‘I really did all those things’

Press, 18 December 1985, Page 17

‘I really did all those things’

Exhaustion and elation, frustration and laughter — that’s how survivors of the Outward Bound School at Anakiwa react to their experience.

The course is mentally and physically tough. But most of those who have done it agree that it should not be missed. All it takes is the initiative to get off "your chuff’ and do it, declares Maurice Judd, a University of Canterbury student. Everyone on Maurice’s course was from a different background, and there for a different reason.

“I think one of the myths is that you’ve got to be an athlete to do it, but it really is for everyone.” Maurice recalls being put into groups of 14 people on the first day. The groups are called “watches.” The instructors deliberately put people from different backgrounds and ages in each watch, he

explains. The watches spend the first few days round the Outward Bound school. That is the first time the watch has a look at “the wall” — a wooden structure which is more than four metres, high. “On the first day you have a look at it and work out what you’re going to do.”

At the end of the course everyone knows the strengths and weaknesses of others in the watch, and they can work together to get over the wall. “A group of individuals working together is a lot more effective than an individual ...” Maurice learnt that a lot of people limit themselves in what they do — they have been encouraged to be cautious. At the end of the course he could look back and say, “I really did all those things in 23 days.”

The course makes people take responsibility for others. Maurice found it has helped to be more prepared

to say “yes” when asked to be on committees and to organise groups. "Solo” is probably one of

the most well known of the activities at Outward Bound. Each student is left alone on a strip of land for three days with the minimum of food, a candle, matches,, sleeping gear, and pen and paper. Maurice considers this is a very important part of the course, and is especially valuable in giving students time to think about what they have done, and to get things into perspective. “It’s an opportunity to think without distraction. I think a lot of people never have the opportunity for solitude.” Outward Bound is worth making the effort. “It’s just an amazing experience.”

Compiled by youth reporters, Sue Lancaster and Liz Rowe. News Line is a fortnightly information column for young people. Contributions are welcome, and should be sent to News Line, Youth Reporters, “The Press,” P.O. Box 1005, Christchurch.