Grade 9/10 Outdoor Education Trips

June 2025

Every year, our Outdoor Education expeditions offer Grade 9 and 10 students the chance to step outside the familiar and into the extraordinary. In June 2025, students journeyed across Asia and beyond to take part in experiences that challenged, inspired, and transformed them. From sailing tall ships and summiting Southeast Asia's highest peaks, to hiking Japan's alpine trails and diving coral reefs in Tioman, each expedition was designed with growth in mind. Students developed resilience, self-awareness, and teamwork while building a deeper appreciation for nature, culture, and community. Here are just a few of the unforgettable journeys our students undertook.

Sea to Mountain Bali

A journey through ocean, jungle and mountain brought students face-to-face with both challenge and beauty.

From coral reefs to jungle ridges, this expedition was a journey of contrasts and connection. At Green Camp, students practiced eco-living—harvesting food, composting waste, and building sustainable systems.

These early days grounded the group in values of environmental responsibility.

Next, they tackled physical challenges, summiting Mt. Catur at dawn after a steep climb through dense forest. Days of canyoning and trekking tested their confidence, trust, and teamwork. In the final phase, students boarded the sailing vessel Mir, where life at sea brought fresh challenges and reflection.

Each part of the trip demanded flexibility, teamwork, and courage—leaving students more resilient, more connected, and more inspired to care for the planet.

Tioman PADI Open Water

Diving into the depths, students explored life below the surface and their own sense of purpose.

Over nine days, students earned their PADI Open Water certification, explored coral reefs, and learned marine conservation in action. At the Juara Turtle Project, they participated in beach patrols, coral block construction, and hatchery care—developing a powerful connection with marine life.

Time was also spent in the local village, learning sustainable agriculture and cooking traditional dishes.

Every element of the trip—above and below the water—invited students to consider their impact and responsibility in protecting ecosystems.

They returned from Tioman not only as certified divers, but as stewards of the sea—with new skills, friendships, and a deep appreciation for our oceans.

Mount Kinabalu

Standing beneath Borneo’s highest peak, students prepared for one of the most demanding climbs of their Outdoor Education experience.

Students spent nine days immersed in expedition life—setting up camps, learning navigation, and preparing for the Mt. Kinabalu summit.

Along the way, they rafted Borneo’s rivers, explored rainforest trails, and practised 'Leave No Trace' principles.

The final ascent required a 2am start, headlamps cutting through the dark as they climbed past the tree line and into the clouds. It was physically and mentally taxing—but the sunrise from Low’s Peak was unforgettable.

This was more than a mountain—it was a test of resilience, self-belief, and shared strength. Every student who stood at the top knew they had earned it.

Chiang Mai Adventure

Adventure and cultural immersion came together in the forests and communities of northern Thailand.

This expedition was packed with high-energy activities and meaningful connections. Students rappelled into limestone caves, climbed rock faces, and crossed ravines on Tyrolean lines. Daily challenges built courage and trust.

Equally important were cultural exchanges. Students stayed near hill tribe communities, learned local crafts, and cooked shared meals.

The group also visited Chiang Mai’s temples and markets, learning about history and modern life in Thailand.

The combination of adrenaline and cultural depth made this a uniquely enriching trip—one that left students more open-minded, capable, and connected.

Fuji
Lakes

Hiking in the shadow of Japan’s most iconic mountain brought challenge, reflection, and discovery.

In just five days, students trekked across forest trails, circled quiet lakes, and camped under the watchful eye of Mt. Fuji. They carried their gear, cooked their meals, and learned to read maps and natural signs. Early mornings brought misty views, while evenings invited quiet reflection.

Group discussions around the campfire explored personal values and group dynamics.

For many, this trip offered a peaceful yet powerful space to grow—not only physically, but emotionally.

Simple, immersive, and grounding—Fuji Lakes was a quiet challenge with lasting impact.

Shin Etsu
Trail

From long hikes to fast-flowing rivers, students navigated varied terrain and built trust in one another.

This diverse expedition began on Japan’s Shin Etsu Trail, where students hiked forested paths, crossed high ridges, and camped along the way. Blisters, sore legs, and weather all played their part—but so did support, laughter, and shared achievement.

Midway through the trip, students transitioned to water-based activities: canyoning through rivers, abseiling waterfalls, and rafting rapids.

These moments brought both thrill and teamwork.

It was a full-spectrum challenge—mental, emotional, and physical—and a brilliant example of how outdoor education builds not just skills, but character.

Mongolia Wilderness Expedition

In Mongolia’s remote landscapes, students faced nature at its wildest—and found strength in simplicity.

For 13 days, students journeyed through the wilds of Mongolia, with no phone signals, no showers, and few creature comforts.

They paddled rivers, hiked mountain trails, and navigated using maps and compasses.

Living simply forced students to adapt. They built fires, cooked meals together, and braved the elements. What started as discomfort became pride—pride in doing hard things, in carrying one another through challenges, and in learning that connection doesn’t need a screen.

This was Outdoor Education at its rawest and most powerful—and one students won’t forget.

Ladakh High Altitude Hike

Trekking through the high Himalayas demanded focus, flexibility, and deep inner strength.

In the stark beauty of Ladakh, students trekked at altitude through a landscape shaped by time and tradition. Days were long and oxygen was thin—but every step revealed something new: a distant monastery, a glacier-fed stream, a passing yak herd.

Camping at high altitude brought its own lessons in patience and pacing. But it was the people.

The conversations with local students at Lamdon School, the warm welcomes in remote villages—that left the deepest mark.

A powerful journey through culture and altitude, this was an expedition of both physical grit and inner transformation.

Amazing Journey Langkawi

This adventurous journey through Langkawi’s waters and jungles tested both teamwork and tenacity.

Over nine days, students experienced kayaking, hiking, caving, and abseiling through Langkawi’s rich ecosystems. Early nights in tents gave way to river paddles and long jungle treks.

In one memorable moment, the group kayaked through driving rain and low visibility, relying entirely on communication and teamwork.

The trip ended with service in a nearby village—gardening and cleaning to prepare the plot for future use, supporting local youth, and reflecting on the values of contribution and connection.

From the ocean to the kampung, this journey was a lesson in leadership, perseverance, and impact.

Winter Tall Ship Sailing

Life at sea offered a new kind of challenge—one of responsibility, rhythm, and self-reliance.

On board the tall ship One & All, 23 students lived and worked as sailors. Each student took on real responsibility: scrubbing decks, climbing masts, setting sails, and steering the vessel. Divided into rotating shifts, they even sailed through the night, navigating under starlight.

Seasickness, sleep deprivation, and tight quarters built patience and resilience. But the reward was immense—sighting dolphins at dawn, navigating as a team, and taking full command of the ship in their final days.

This voyage taught students how to lead, how to follow, and how to thrive under pressure.

A Journey Beyond the Classroom

Across coastlines, mountains, forests, and coral reefs, the June 2025 Outdoor Education Trips gave our students opportunities to push their limits, develop lasting friendships, and return with stories of courage and connection. These were not just adventures—they were chapters in a lifelong journey of learning, discovery, and becoming.


Produced by UWCSEA Outdoor Education Team and Marketing and Communication Team