Testimonial

"The entire Week Without Walls at Madagui was quite an experience. 

Monday was spent travelling with a group of adrenaline driven 7^th graders then hiking and camping. 
Tuesday was a day of scavenger hunting, outdoor soft skills and archery. 
Wednesday was a tiring but fun day of rock climbing, zip lining and rafting. 
While all of these days were exciting, Thursday was a different story.

Sun burned, sore muscled and optimistic seventh grader piled into a bus after breakfast on the way to the morning activity of raft building. Chatters of ghost stories told the night before and inferences at the day to come soon filled the air as the students divided into their activity groups to build bamboo rafts to race with. Knots, strings, bamboo shafts and plastic barrels were passed around as the seventh graders worked collaboratively. Afterwards, we all piled into the water with paddles and a lot of team spirit. “One, two, on two!” chants were heard as we all raced for first place. The Pink Peeps placed first.

Next, the activity groups headed off into their stations which consisted of letter writing to orphans, who we unfortunately could not visit due to an outbreak of chicken pox, basket weaving with ethnic groups, painting and games. Every student had fun making baskets, bans and beautiful painting.

Also, the students played kerplunk and a hit-the-can. At the end of the afternoon, the seventh graders settled down to a free-time of swimming, card games and resting.

After dinner, the awards for the trip were announced and a very interesting (to say the least) round of karaoke ensued. Confident students shared their voices with everyone to sing songs and to celebrate the last night at Madagui.

All in all; the fourth day of WWW was really fun and exciting for everyone. This trip would not have been as successful as it was without the support of the teachers, guides and staff. We hope that next year, the seventh grade Week Without Walls trip is great as well!"

Ariel

Fourth Day

"Today was one of the best days of WWW. 

The first thing we did was take a bus to the lake and built some bamboo rafts. They taught us knots the day before so we had decent knots to use. We first made a square frame and we square lashing to tie the pieces to gather. After that we put two bamboo sticks inside to hold the barrels. We then secured the barrels to the frame and flipped it over. We he put more sticks to make a place that we sit on. At this point there tons red ants coming out at bamboo sticks and everyone was being bitten ( not me , though ). 

After we got our raft ready and put them into the water, we only had one mistake: one group lost lost a barrels they pushed their raft. After, we had a race and my group ( pink peeps ) came first. 

When we got back we had a small rest and changed for the next activities. The first thing we did was letter writing to a orphanage we unfortunately could't not visit because of a chicken pox outbreak. We decorated the letters with drawings and origami. 

After that we did basket weaving, we were helped by a group of villagers that lived nearby. It was hard but a very enjoyable experience. We had the choice between making a fan and making a basket, making the basket was very hard for me at least, and so I made a fan. The next thing we did was draw by the river with had some mixed results. Some of the result were very good and other were decent (barely decent). I drew a pier and the ocean. 

We then drank some water and head on to our last activity, games. We played to different games. The first game we played was when we threw a ball at a tower of cans. The next game, we played a game were we placed wood sticks thought a cylindrical metal cage. The game was called kerplunk. 

Both of games were a lot of fun and everyone enjoyed it. 

After that we had a bit of R and R and went swimming and played water polo (kind of). After we swam we had shower and packed our bags for departure tomorrow and cleaned trash out of our rooms. 

At 7 we when to dinner and ate. After dinner we got prizes for the best teams in all the activities, and my group won the raft building, second quiz night and got second place in the scavenger hunt. 

Then we began to sing some karaoke with some amazing singer and some decent (not) singers. All in all it was a really good experience and it wold not be as good if it wasn't for the asiamotion staff, guides and teachers. Hopefully it will be as good next year."

Max

Third Day

"Out of all the adventures we had, today’s has to be one of the best one yet! 

Here is a little overview: the students were split into 2 groups. 

One group started off rafting and the other group ziplined and rock climbed. 

Let’s start with rafting. The students got into rafts by color group (yellow, green, etc.). Working together, we timed our paddling to push us through the river. 

The second activity our group did was ziplining. There was 4 stages. All of them being different length and height. 

The last activity is rock climbing. It’s pretty self explanatory; there are different sizes of rock walls that are worth different points when climbed. All in all, today’s activities were all fun and productive. 

I look forward to what activities we have next time!"

Nicholas Lai

For the pictures of today, please click on "D3 Wednesday 18/03" on top of this blog.

Second Day

"On the second day of WWW, we got breakfast at a different restaurant and packed our bags again. Then, we moved to the hotel we were going to stay for the rest of our trip. After we moved in and got settled, the 7^th grade split into our activity groups and did different activities according to our schedule. My group, group 4, was paired with group 3 and our first activity was archery. In archery, we first started by having 2 practice shots. As we shot the targets, we noticed that it was harder to shoot the targets there rather that in school. After the practice shots, we did an “Individuals Competition”, where we got to shoot 5 arrows and the person with the most points won. After that we played two variation of a game called “Killer”.

After we finished archery, we started an activity called outdoor soft skills. In this activity, we first learned how to use a compass and find the way to 40°N, 50°S using a compass. After that, we got to practice this skill by starting at one corner and using the directions (given on a piece of paper) to find a beacon and get a stamp. This consumed a considerable amount of time in my group, because we got close to the beacon, thought we were lost/made a mistake and started over. When we finally finished, we learned how to make basic knots, such as the clover hitch.

Afterwards, every group came together and ate lunch, and filled up our water bottles. Soon everyone went into their rooms and rested until the teachers called us out. We then got ready to do the Scavenger Hunt.

In the scavenger hunt, we had to got to the locations printed on the map that the guides gave us along a recording book. If we went to the location, we would find an animal sticker along with a mission. 

The missions were generally hard but the tricky part was trying to find the beacons that symbolized the animal sticker. For example, we had to go inside various caves, walk through some very steep paths, and walk through some wobbly bridges. Also, there were some dangerous animals. Once, while we were going to cross one of the bridges, we saw a snake down the river! But other than those terrifying situations, the scavenger hunt was very exciting.

After we finished everything, we had 2 hours of free where we swan, played card games and showered. Then, we went to the restaurant where we were going to eat a fabulous dinner and play some games.

After all those adventures happened today, everyone was pretty tired. Almost everyone slept right away, after their heads found their beds."

Haryoung

"Cocka doodle doo!

The chicken cocka doodled loud as I awoke to the second day of WWW. I had somehow managed to roll down onto the ground and rose in a weird position. My tent mates I saw too, were waking up in the unfamiliar atmosphere. I heard a bunch of people already outside all ready for the day ahead.

I gave out an unsurprised groan. I had overslept… Again. 

Thus, the day began. After a delicious breakfast with cereal, I set out to find my color team, being part of the proud and fabulous sunshine squad. Our schedule for the day was to do the scavenger hunt in the morning and archery and crafts later on. 

With 3 other teams in the scavenger event, it was gonna be quite close. The leader explained that there were 10 beacons. We had to find, and solve the riddle inside, with the addition of taking a funny picture at every beacon. We could also get trash and gather it for extra points. Everyone in the sunshine team came in ready and prepared to go. Each individual was given a job. I was placed as the garbage man. As a garbage man, I was dedicated and true to my profession. Maybe a little too dedicated picking every scrap of trash no matter the size. Soon enough, my hopes and dreams were crushed as Ms. Richert, our team leader confirmed the bag was filled out. As a group, I could definitely say that were a tightly group who didn’t argue and fight too much. Phillips as our mighty leader and navigator only on occasion got us all lost and confused. 

Overall it was a good hunt, with all of us lying in the house in wait for the winner to be announced. As the event closed up, I saw a lot of the other groups having done quite a good job, it was gonna be close! We then came to our next activity: archery. We played a game called “Killer” where people were to shoot at the opponent team’s target. Double cross upon double cross, my little team of friends fought our way to be the 2^nd place team out of 4. Well, not that bad! We then played a game with compasses where we had to use and follow the compass. Phillips kept insisting we go west, wasting a lot of time, so I took charge and carried my team to 2^nd place once again out of 4 teams!"

Quoc Anh

First Day

"We spent the morning on the bus. Everyone was split into two groups by advisory. And for 4 hours, we played cards, ate snacks, sang, and talked. There was a rest stop in the middle of the trip, but other than that, we all learned to cope with the confined space of the bus. 
When we were let out, there was a brief checking and then we were assigned our tents and activity groups. Lunch was a buffet with bacon, rice, spring rolls... 
Then we went on a 6 kilometers hike, uphill, downhill, up, down, with two resting spots to catch our breath. Impressions of the hike range from "it's awesome!" to "it's horrible!", but everyone was excited to get in the pool once the hike was over. A number of student stayed on the dry ground playing cards, while games of waterpolo and volleyball are played in the pool. 
We all got some well deserved rest time after the pool, and then we gathered together make a portion of dinner : spring rolls and com lam, which is rice stuffed in bamboo. While dinner was coking, we played a team game including hula ups which was quite fun. Dinner was eaten, people wandered around, and now most gathered watching a movie "Chicken run", as I write this today.

Today has been a great first day here a Madagui, and I can't wait for what is in store tomorrow."

Tri Giao

NB: Pictures will soon be posted on our blog, check out the "D1 Monday 16/03" tab on top!

Presentation & Navigation

Dear All, 

We created this blog for the parents and the school to be able to follow the Grade 7 students in their Field Trip to Madagui, giving them some details about what happens day by day, and posting pictures so all of you can have great memories of this trip. 

This blog will be our logbook and our photo album.

To NAVIGATE in this blog, you just have to use the tabs at the top of this page (e.g. D1 Monday 16/03) to look at the entries day by day, for all the activities.

 As we have a photographer dedicated to your trip, we’ll be posting pictures every evening to keep you updated on the program of the day.

The gear list

what the kids shall bring:

Ø  2 pairs of closed shoes (preferably sneakers)	o
Ø  Sandals/flip flops for the evening	o
Ø  8 T-shirts minimum	o
Ø  2 long sleeved T-shirts	o
Ø  3 or 4 pairs of shorts	o
Ø  1 light jumper	o
Ø  Trousers	o
Ø  5 pairs of underwear	o
Ø  6 pairs of socks minimum	o
Ø  1 swimming suit	o
Ø  1 rain coat/poncho	o
Ø  1 cap/hat	o
Ø  Toilet kit	o
Ø  Sunscreen	o
Ø  Insect repellent	o
Ø  Insect bite cream	o
Ø  Hand sanitizer	o
Ø  Sunglasses	o
Ø  2 towels	o
Ø  1 small backpack	o
Ø  Plastic bags (for wet swimsuits/towels, dirty clothes, wet or muddy shoes).	o
Ø  1 water flask	o
Ø  1 flashlight for night time (camping)	o