LOGISTICS (Brownies)

LOCATION
 

 

These meeting points will remain unchanged unless there is a need to adjust the locations based on the weather forecast. Any last-minute changes will be communicated via the group Whatsapp.

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Tai Tam Reservoir Road (Just Past Tai Tam Bridge)
This location will be on the left side of the road, 100m immediately after you have crossed the Tai Tam reservoir bridge. There is a small space to pull your car to the side where the girls can hop off and I will be waiting. There is not a lot of space, and unfortunately at the moment, some minor construction going on there so we will make it a smooth and quick transition!
 

(What the meeting point looks like)

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Chung Hom Kok Roundabout
We will meet at the roundabout where the buses turn around on Chung Hom Kok Road (near the beach). From here, we will make our way down to a secret beach along Ma Hang Park.
There will be space for parking/waiting here.

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(What the meeting point looks like)

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Shek O Road (Dragons back HK Trail point)
This drop off location along Shek O Road is where most people start walking the dragons back. It is also where we will walk down to To Tei Wan beach, a quiet non-gazetted beach facing Stanley. 
Unfortunately, there is nowhere to pull up and park, but I will be there at least 10-15 mins before the meeting point to receive the girls if they are early.
For pick up, I will also ensure we have them back to the meeting point on time. If whoever is picking them up is early, it is possible to drive a short distance ahead along Shek O Road to Cape D'aguilar and wait until I send a message to the Whatsapp group to confirm we have arrived. That way, you don't have to worry about blocking the road.

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(What the meeting point looks like)

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Tai Hang Drive
To enter this into GPS, the easiest would be to put in 25 Tai Hang Drive (Ronsdale Garden). We will be meeting at the very end of Tai Hang Drive, where there is a dead-end and cars can turn around.

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(What the meeting point looks like)

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WHAT TO BRING & WEAR

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The month of Dec can still see some warm days, so it will be the girl's choice of whether they would like to take a dip in some of the rockpools we will be passing along our way. A suggested packing list for potential swims is provided below.
 

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STANDARD PACKING LIST

Light backpack (2 straps)

Water bottle (1litre in cool weather)
Hat

Sunscreen

Snacks (Juniors) Packed lunch (Brownies)

Mosquito repellent 

Comfortable outdoor clothing

Comfortable walking shoes (supportive sandals are okay)
Rain poncho (weather dependent)
Face Mask, Hand sanitizer
Headtorch (Juniors)

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WATERBASED GEAR

Rashguard and swim shorts
Plastic bag (for wet clothes)
Towel

Change of clothes
 

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THE ROLE OF THE MENTOR

I am not the only Mentor in the group
As their guide, I am there to support when support is needed or requested.

They may recognize me as their human guide, but as their mentor, I will also be constantly pointing out how Mother Earth is also mentoring us all the time, as well as each individual in the group.

I will be sharing practices on how to listen and observe what the Earth might be sharing, so even after they walk away from the programme with me, they feel they are constantly being guided.

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Independence
A large part of my role is also to open their eyes to their own limitless potential and power. I do this by not doing everything for them. Literally!
A strong element of this programme is independence as well as community, so we will be drawing on the collective wisdom of the group, especially when there is an individual who is needing support.

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Transforming self-doubt
I am familiar with self-doubt (I have been friends with self-doubt for a long time), and because of that, I can see when it is coming up for the girls. There will be plenty of opportunities where we will stretch our boundaries to do things we didn't think we could, make things we didn't think we could make, go places we wouldn't have attempted to go before and to know that we are capable and deserving of feeling powerful!

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Celebrating Diversity
Each girl and each day will be different, and so the level of support and guidance I will offer to each one depending on the environment will vary.

The most important part? Reflecting back to them

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RISK

There is always an element of risk in everything that we do. The risks we may encounter during the programme while spending time along River gorges and Forest walks can be more physical in nature.

Part of my role is not to point out every single potential danger there is to the girls, but to create a container that supports them in identifying, and assessing the risk themselves. Pointing out any and all risk to our young ones would be doing them a disservice. Sheltering them from potential danger means we rob them of the opportunity to learn for themselves what feels safe, and right. 

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By building and strengthening this skill in risk assessment, we allow them to gain experience and confidence in listening to their own bodies and trust their intuition so that this can be applied in any and all environments.

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(But of course, I will do everything in my power to make sure they come back with all of their fingers and toes!)

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COMMUNICATION
(With parents)

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The primary mode of communication with parents and guardians will be through email.
 

You will be added to the Whatsapp communication group 1 week before the camp begins. The primary purpose of the group is to share all the photos taken from our time during the programme, as well as to communicate any changes or updates to the programme in a timely manner.

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The Whatsapp group will be closed 1 week after the programme has completed, and you can feel free to exit at any point before that.

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Please keep personal inquiries to direct emails to connect@kembali.org

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WEATHER

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Our programme will continue even in the rain! If weather forecasts unsafe weather to continue, we will postpone the programme date. You will be informed by 6.30am that morning if the programme needs to be cancelled.

A programme will be cancelled if:
- T3 or above is hoisted

- Red Rain or above is hoisted
 

In the event of a Thunderstorm, amber rain, or T1 signal, our programme activities will be adjusted as well as our location to ensure we have safe and accessible passage out to main roads, and that we have access to sheltered spaces to work on skills-based learning.

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If a Red Rain or a T3 signal is hoisted during the programme, the group will travel to the nearest safe space or exit site, and parents will be contacted about arranging an earlier pick-up.

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Benefits of continuing in the rain and 'imperfect' conditions
- Teaches the girls to adapt to different environments and situations
- Offers an opportunity to problem solve, improvise and think on our feet
- Allows them to listen to their bodies response to the environment, and learn how to dress accordingly
- Invites a new relationship with the rain, learning to see the beauty in that element, rather than a hindrance

- Can offer ideal bonding time, sharing experiences that stretch our comfort zones

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HEALTH & SAFETY

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We will continue to practice safe hygiene during these programmes in light of the escalation of Coronavirus cases in Hong Kong.

When signing up for this programme, guardians agree to the following terms below:

- Temperature checks for their child the morning before the programme begins. Temperatures above 37.5 may require the child to abstain from joining the programme.

 

- Each child to carry their own personal hygiene belongings of their choosing (Hand sanitizers, face masks etc).

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- Disclose if they or their children have been abroad in the last 21 days.

 

What we will do:

 

- We will bring organic soap that can be used if and when we are near a river to wash our hands. If we are not in a water-based environment, each child will be invited to use their own personal hygiene belongings whenever they choose to, but especially after any physical contact.

- We will reduce physical contact where possible, and encourage the group to practice asking for, and setting physical boundaries

- We introduce a practice of offering tea ceremony, as a way to celebrate our time in Nature. Please know the girls are in full choice in how they wish to participate in the tea ceremony. They are welcome to just be present, and not drink the tea, or just to smell the tea, while offering the liquid back to Nature as a symbol of gratitude. Wild tea will be collected and shared with each of the girls to take home and share with the family before they are invited to drink.
(All teacups and teapots are washed with hot water and soap the morning of the programme. And your guide will use disinfectant before handling the cups and tea).

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FAQ
Does my child have to wear a face mask during the programme?
At meeting points outside of the country park, the group will be required to have their masks in accordance to the current laws in Hong Kong. Once inside the country park, or when exerting themselves physically, they may remove their masks if they choose.
We encourage the girls to do what feels right for them, so if they choose to wear their masks throughout the programme we would accept all preferences.

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What are the other safety precautions?

Most of our effort in placed in preventing any major accidents or injuries from taking place. We do this by setting clear boundaries and agreements as a group, and supporting the girls in forming their own internal risk assessments. 
Based on our outdoor experience, we share practices, tips, and will highlight certain areas and practices where safety is to be a particular focus.

In the event that an injury occurs, your guide will be carrying a comprehensive first aid kit, and has been certified as a wilderness first aid responder. We share skills such as making fire, whittling & carving through the framework of Forest Schools, of which your guide is Level 3 Forest School Certified. These practices offer a safe and tested container around best practices to prevent unexpected incidents from occuring.

We will also have an ability to communicate our location via GPS as well as a map and compass should the unlikely event of an emergency occur.