The new IB students are off with a riveting start to the school year! On the 7th of September, over 60 students gathered at the Prague Main Train Station. Normally, the majority would be tired and groggy at 7:30 in the morning, but this day the mood was distinct—everyone was wide-awake with a mix of eagerness and impatience, despite many not knowing quite what was coming.
Everyone was about to embark on a school trip like no other to Zbraslavice, in the Kutná Hora District, to enjoy two days together of pure “fun, exhaustion, and excitement” as Year 12 student Damian P. encapsulated.
The facilitators from Outward Bound somehow managed to pack a thousand games and challenges into two days whilst simultaneously leaving enough free time for everyone to play cards or feast on pizza and chat under the shade. There was also room to play sports, whether it was ping-pong, football, or even volleyball on a spacious sand court. When asked about the most surprising part of the program, Isabella C. responded with a list.
“During the trip, I was most surprised by all of our forest activities, such as blindfold challenges, navigation, or rope games”– which included getting a whole team of students over a rope stretched six feet in the air with only each other to count on!
The long day consisted of a 4-kilometer hike from the train station to the recreational resort. The students took some time to settle in and get to know the facilitators. They then went on to learn how to tie two ends of a rope together reliably enough to entrust their lives with it, how to make a fire with only flint and steel, and even how to recognize someone in need of CPR and administer it, along with other survival skills. All of this was punctuated with a bonfire amongst the “greatest I had ever seen” as put by student Sebastian M. Truly, it was more of a firestorm than a fire, and faces alit, the circle grew alive with storytelling and laughter.
All in all, the trip was a huge success not only as a learning experience or an opportunity to decompress and smile a little, but also in respect to its primary objective: to help everyone in Year 12 get to know each other better and build friendships. No one could have put it better than Head of Year, Mr. Gibbins: “It was such a lovely couple of days. Being able to get to see the students in the outdoor setting showed how resilient and responsible these young people are. Watching them throw themselves into all of the activities with such gusto was incredible. The facilitators were amazing and really engaged with the pupils and they really helped the students to reflect on and to challenge themselves in the future.”
While the schedule kept everyone relatively busy, it was the specific moments—the laughs, activities, and surprises—that truly defined the day. Here is what the students had to say….
“What amazed you in the most unexpected way?”Izzy V:
“I was surprised by everyone’s eagerness to contribute to group activities and help elevate each other’s experiences! I really enjoyed the adventurous aspect of the trip, such as walking through the pitch-black forest and playing games by the bonfire.”
“What’s one thing you would have the facilitators do differently next time to improve?”
Patrik M:
“I think that one thing the facilitators could have improved is implementing more team sports as they really help build relationships between people and build trust as well. They could also be very fun and a nice refresher.”
“Did you have a chance to connect with someone you don’t normally interact with?”
Alain I:
“I got to know Levin better and we bonded over sports and it was great to talk to him, especially since we feel we share a lot. We weren’t ever really in the same group but I got to know him quite well there.”
“What was the most memorable part of the trip?”
Pascal G:
“For me, it was swimming in the lake on the second day with my friends, because I genuinely had fun and got to dunk Noah a few times.”
With friendships formed and memories made, these bonds will extend beyond the two-year IB program. What a thrilling start to the year!
