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Testimonials

Below is our collection of testimonials from visitors to the Education Centre. If you would like to send us a testimonial, click here.

“Thanks for everything last week. We all really enjoyed it and had a great time. The students were very positive, despite being made to work very hard. We were very pleased with everything and will certainly be coming back. The food, accommodation, and geography side of things were super.  ”
 
St Joseph’s International (Geog.) 2011

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“We are all missing your little piece of paradise terribly. I just wanted to say thank you again for helping give the students and teachers such a wonderful experience again. As always we have come back and listened to other teachers' stories about their trips, but I don't think anyone is talking so positively about their experiences as we are and as well as the staff we took with us. It all runs so smoothly and we are very fortunate to be able to share in your desire to help the commumities of the Mae Ai area. ”
 
West Island School, Hong Kong 2011

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“I just wanted to thank you and everybody at the Maekok Outdoor Centre for such a wonderful experience. The kids have come back with a huge confidence boost and are making all the other students who didn’t come very jealous.


 ”
 
British School of Kuwait 2011

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“Thank you so much for the fabulous week enjoyed by all of us! The reports back have all been very positive... how could they be anything else with so much attention to detail given by you both. The range of activities was wonderful, greatly contributing to our CAS programme. There was not one dull moment! ”
 
Shatin College 2011

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“I just wanted to pass on a big thank you on behalf of all the geographers for another fantastic trip. We were so blessed with the weather and all the fieldwork days worked perfectly including the new rivers sites. The kids had a wonderful time and some of them have been inspired by the hill tribe visit to start to plan their own community help project. Thank you for your time on the orange plantation study and deforestation day – both of which were perfect. Thank you also to all your support staff for the activities programmes – the kids had a great time! ”
 
Harrow International 2011

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“I just want to take this opportunity to thank you and your team for all you did to make our time at the Outdoor Center a memorable one. Both kids and staff came back raving about the trip and how wonderful and meaningful the whole programme was. ”
 
International Academy of Beijing 2011

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“I thought I should let you know that all of us - family, staff and students - had a really memorable and very enjoyable time at Maekok. For me it was a dream realised which has been reinforced following an agreement today that we want to make this an annual trip. I think you can tell that Maekok has cast something of a spell on us and I truly hope that the warm applause that my students gave me when I thanked them for their commitment to the trip and our hopes for the future demonstrated a genuine desire to be involved on a long-term basis. ”
 
Anglo-Chinese International School, Singapore 2011

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“I was reminded to email you today after having lunch with the boys from the trip and the Headmaster. He wanted to ask them how they found the trip and their reflections since returning. It was a great opportunity to catch up with everyone and be reminded as to what a profound impact the whole 2 weeks has had on us all. I can’t thank you enough for the whole trip. You have a truly magnificent resort and centre and the work you do with the community is inspiring. ”
 
Canberra Boys Grammar 2011

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“Now that we're back and literally freezing in Canberra ....a big and warm thankyou for a wonderful experience. I have had such great feedback from the students, parents, the Gates family and from the teachers on the trip! The boys were very touched by your personal time with them and once again...WELL DONE! ”
 
Canberra Boy’s Grammar School 2011

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“I would like to say a big thank you to all the staff for making the week so successful and memorable for our students. They are still talking about all they did in Thailand and have passed their enthusiasm for the trip on to parents, classmates and other teachers.
From my own point of view, I learned a great deal about carrying out fieldwork and conducting the classroom sessions afterwards. Our students will never forget the experience and as teachers we were really happy to relax and leave the students in the hands of people we had absolute confidence in!
 ”
 
British International School of Al Khobar (Saudi) 2011

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“Bryan, I would just like to thank you personally very much for all your help and support with our recent field trip to Chiang Mai and Thaton. The students and I had a fantastic trip and experience. We really appreciated your guidance in Chiang Mai but also for constantly popping in to check all was OK throughout our time in Thaton too.
May we also take this opportunity to thank Austin and the team of instructors for all their help and leadership in our team activities. I felt the students played their part and were fully involved in everything, which pleased me, but they were fortunate in all that had been organised both before we arrived and also on the spur of the moment, e.g. the high ropes and lazy river. They thoroughly enjoyed all of these activities. Stig was the unfortunate one who was with us most often so a big thank you to her.
Lastly, to Rosie and Will, a thanks for the chance for the students to go off and teach. At last they can perhaps see a smidgeon of what we go through each day in planning and delivery of lessons. I know that they experienced a great deal from this day and as Austin said, this aspect will probably live longer with them longer than the field studies!! It was great for me to see them in a different light and see them progress throughout the morning. Without the help from you both this wouldn't have been possible, so thank you. ”
 
English College, Dubai

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“Thanks again for everything. The students had an amazing time! We were all very impressed with the activities the centre; the food was great, and the project was the most productive I 've ever worked with kids on. We loved to see the end results. ”
 
Al Ain English Speaking School, Dubai

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“I am just mailing to let you know that our students and staff had a wonderful time at the centre the week before half term.
I have spoken with all the students regarding their experience and ALL expressed that it was the experience of a life time and that the whole thing was beyond their highest expectations! They loved the centre accommodation, activities and food and there was not a single criticsm about any aspect of the programme.
A huge thank you to yourself and your staff for looking after them so well. Thank you! ”
 
Wilmington Girls Grammar, UK 2011

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“Thank you again for a fantastic week at the Maekok River Village. It was without doubt the perfect end to what has been a very long term! As always the fieldwork, accommodation, food and activities as well as all of your staff were superb. The students had a great week too and despite their tiredness have been promoting the centre as a top location for Travel Week in June! ”
 
Tanglin Trust School 2010

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“Thank you so much for a wonderful week with you. It is a fantastic location and set up that you have. The students had an amazing experience and learnt a lot of geography in the field. I too had a great time and it was so nice to be able to find an experienced field work set up this side of the world. Please also pass on a special thank you to the instructors who gave us a treat on Sunday with all the extra activities.  ”
 
British School of Tokyo 2010

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“I would just like to thank you again for the IA fieldwork last week. It was a fantastic experience for the students, not only on an academic level, but also regarding the evening activities. The schedule was ideal to provide students with a varied choice from which to choose their IA and I am looking forward to reading their final pieces in November. You have a great set up at the resort and I would not hesitate to recommend you to other schools. ”
 
St Joseph’s International School, Singapore 2010

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“Everyone really enjoyed our stay and I can say that this was the best school trip I have ever taken in my 35 years of teaching. Please pass on my thanks and best wishes to every one at the centre and the school.

 ”
 
King Edward’s School, Witley 2010

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“I want to thank you and your staff at Mae Kok River Village for supporting the IYA students on their Gold Multi Method Expedition, at the end of March. Without you contributing your time to such a significant experience the students involved would be all the poorer. No doubt for some of them this trip, and the preparation for it, will be a bigger piece of who they become as adults than other experiences at school. I really appreciate the time, energy and significant humor that your staff put into their roles. ”
 
New International School of Thailand 2010

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“Thank you so much, once again, for the gracious hospitality you demonstrated to all of us from CAJ. We had a wonderful trip, the
students learned so much and had such a memorable time, and we hear glowing reports from parents after they talked with their kids. We are
so pleased and thankful! We appreciate the work you are doing in the lives of international school students, and also underprivileged students in Thailand. ”
 
Christian Academy of Japan 2010

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“Many thanks Bryan and Rosie for another successful week in Thailand. The activities were again well organised, well staffed and carried out with enthusiasm as well as a genuine care for the well being and general safety of everyone who was participating. It makes such a difference to stress levels when I know that the students are in good hands from the time you meet us at the airport until we are farewelled from the buses at the airport again on our way back to Hong Kong.

And you are always ready to put in the extra effort whenever there is a problem ... regardless of what it may be, and for that I am eternally grateful!!  ”
 
Chinese International 2009

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“The biggest thanks to you both for putting in so much time and effort during our stay back in November. The students from all subject areas really got a lot out of their time both for their studies and on a personal level.

Can you also pass on my biggest thanks for Austin for giving up his time to dedicate his time to the 5 students studying sport. I will be contacting him soon for some individual feedback which they can use towards their assignments.

Once again, you never fail to provide a great visit, service and undenying personal attentivness towards ours students.

I will be in touch for booking this experience again for next year. ”
 
West Island (B Tech)

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“Many thanks for another successful week in Thailand. The activities were again well organised, well staffed and carried out with enthusiasm as well as a genuine care for the well being and general safety of everyone who was participating. It makes such a difference to stress levels when I know that the students are in good hands from the time you meet us at the airport until we are farewelled from the buses at the airport again on our way back to Hong Kong.
And you are always ready to put in the extra effort whenever there is a problem ... regardless of what it may be, and for that I am eternally grateful!! ”
 
Chinese International School

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“Thank you so much for your all your help over the geography. It really did clear things up. Also we, at International School of Bangkok, would all like to thank you for the field study that we got to go on. Personally, I did not expect to enjoy it as much as I did.
Please say hi to Rhys, Will, Shon and also the caretakers of The Bamboo Club from all of us and hope they are well. Without them I think all of us would not have enjoyed the trip so much.Thank you again.

Tina and the rest of the Geography Class
 ”
 
International School Bangkok

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“Just a quick note to say thanks for the week – the new centre is excellent and the trip was well worth the effort of coming all the way up North. The kids really enjoyed the visit and got a lot out of it (not just academically either – it really does them good to get away from school and see that there are wider aspects to learning.)

Please pass on my sincere thanks to Rhys and Anna as they were great with the kids and I really appreciated the time that they gave to make the visit of even a small group like ours a fun one. ”
 
British International School, Phuket, Thailand

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“Just wanted to drop you a line about our recent trip with you. As before it was well organised, the instructors Rhys and Q were very good with their expertise, organisation and most importantly interaction with the students. The students returned saying what a fantastic experience they had and that is a credit to you and the team. The new facilities were superb and hopefully wherever I end up next I will be able to return with a group. I will be liaising with the new coordinator who seems to be keen to maintain bringing groups up to the resort. ”
 
Regents School, Pattaya, Thailand

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“Thanks again for everything you and your staff offered for us! It was a well-balanced programme and I know that the students will have lasting memories (...many of them clearly stated that they were not ready to go home!!).
A big thank you for arranging the hotel and airport transfers - that was really helpful and everyone seeemed to enjoy the last minute shopping experience.  ”
 
Victoria Shanghai Academy, Hong Kong

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“I am one of the students in Victoria Shanghai Academy who left Thailand
just today. I must say a huge thank you to Anna for all the help you have
given me during the trek. You gave me immense support which gave me the
motivation to go on. I would also like to thank Will for being absolutely
hilarious, yet a great leader at the same time. Also much thanks to
Charlotte, Rhys, Dtoe!, Q, and Shawn for this wonderful trip. Last but not
least, much gratitude to Bryan for giving us the chance to help the
students. The community project was very meaningful, and brought a huge
sense of satisfaction to me. The past week has been very fruitful and it
will be a treasure in my memories.

Amy

 ”
 
Victoria Shanghai Academy

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“I would like to thank all the Maekok River Village team for a thoroughly enjoyable and rewarding week. The students and staff are raving about the high quality and the excellence of the programme you run. Thanks for a great week and you'll see us again in the near future. ”
 
West Island School, Hong Kong

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“Many thanks for yet another most successful trip. The students didn't want to leave ... always good to see on the last day. It has been the same on every trip. Students have been challenged, encouraged and motivated to move out of their comfort zones, to make new friends, to learn new skills and to develop self confidence in areas they never thought possible.

They were all most appreciative of the professionalism of the instructors and all were mentioned in their reflective writing. They highlighted James and Will of course, and for all the right reasons ... they appreciated their impeccable planning and their passion for what they were doing. Please pass on my own thanks to James and Will for providing such valuable and memorable learning environments for the students. ”
 
Chinese International School, Hong Kong

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“Thanks on behalf of all Year12 Geography students and staff following an outstanding trip. The visit surpassed previous years and allowed our students to embark on a variety of field work techniques and also to be exposed to a different culture and landscape. The added value of a myriad of additional activities such as team building, cookery and the river trip and elephant riding is immeasurable. Student feedback has been entirely positive such as ‘The best trip I have ever done’, so what more can I add other thanks to all the staff at the MRVR. ”
 
King George V School, Hong Kong

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“The children returned full of bounce, and with a great sense of satisfaction and enjoyment. The week was clearly a great success. I know why this is! You have a terrific facility and just as important you have the “knack” and the experience to cope with all the children in your care. They are challenged, encouraged, instructed and allowed to enjoy themselves in just the right way. The word is that Maekok River Village is the place to be! ”
 
Shrewsbury International School, Thailand

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“I hope you were aware how much the boys enjoyed their time with you. We all got so much out of the trip and I'm sure we will remember it for many years to come. Indeed it was the kind of experience that changes lives. ”
 
King’s School, Ely, U.K.

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“Just to say an excellent few days. The students have all come back saying what a great time that they had. The programme was spot on, challenging enough for them so that they know that they have earned their award. James and Will were top instructors. Nothing was too much trouble, they looked after the students in a thoroughly professional manner and their relations with the children were excellent. They really made the trip run smoothly. All the recommendations that I have had from colleagues and friends about the centre were true.

Please make a booking for next year for the Gold award! ”
 
Regent’s School, Pattaya, Thailand

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“Our school has just completed their Silver Exploration at this wonderful centre. As a teacher that has undertaken over 100 adventures throughout my involvement with the International Award/Duke of Edinburgh Scheme this trip was one of the best I have done. I was impressed with the variety of activities on offer, the concerns about the safety of the group, how flexible the chief instructor was and all this, combined with fantastic scenery made our trip so successful. We will be coming back. ”
 
British International School, Shanghai (Puxi), China

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“Christian Academy in Japan builds its grade 12 trip to Thailand around service opportunities. The staff at MRVR have been very responsive to our desire for substantive work projects that allow us to have a substantial and lasting impact on individuals and communities. Our students raise all the funds for these projects themselves. In 2007, we successfully completed a dormitory and helped build a medical centre. In 2008 we focused on economic sustainability projects and built a handicraft training centre and a barber training facility. We also appreciate the opportunities to teach English and Japanese as well as interact with the communities we are there to serve. In addition to our class projects, the staff has helped many of our seniors with their individual service projects (part of their year long comprehensives). For example, a student raised money to finance an ongoing micro-loan project that has helped to finance family pig, fish and garlic farms. Another student bought handicrafts from the local hill tribes to resell on campus at cost to promote fair market pricing for the craftspeople. A student sponsored a benefit concert to raise awareness of water issues and used the proceeds to address water pumping and filtration problems in local villages. We are very pleased with the MRVR's ability to manage the difficult logistics of our service projects in addition to the many other excellent aspects of their program. ”
 
Christian Academy of Japan

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“To all at the MRVR, we send our heartfelt thanks for a fantastic stay with you. Your preparation, organisation, care, devotion and attention to fine detail were beyond measure and as for the children, they have undoubtedly gained so much, all of which we will be discovering once the new term gets underway next week. ”
 
Gulf English School, Kuwait

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“The project was wonderful. Everyone really enjoyed the Maekok River Village Resort Initiative and Rosie and Bryan Massingham. They are excellent teachers, who gave a lot of their time to really teaching the challengers how to teach English. The resort itself was quite posh, although we had simple dormitory-style accommodations. There is a ropes course, which I taught the challengers how to use so they could take the Thai teenagers on it.

The whole week was well organized, though-out and supervised and I think all of the challengers gained a lot from it. I felt the cost was quite appropriate for what we received - fabulous food, full use of the resort, including the pool, weight room, TV lounge, table-tennis room, bicycles, low ropes course. And on top of all of this, I really felt that we were looked after personally by Rosie and Bryan, not only did they facilitate the interactions with the school-children, but Rosie ran a class in the morning to help the students prepare their lessons for the day, and she ran a review at the end of the day to discuss how the day went. I would definitely recommend this project site to future groups. Two students mentioned that this phase was their favorite part of the trip. ”
 
Leominster High School (USA)

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“The project at the Maekok River Village Resort Initiative was fantastic! This is a fantastic base for a project: good, clean dormitory accommodation (where they change your sheets and make your bed!), fabulous food and a wonderful friendly couple in charge. Bryan and Rosie Massingham were fully involved from the start and were also fully in tune with the developmental aims of the expedition. In addition to the project, Rosie and Bryan also organized a Thai cookery course and a lecture/meditation session by a visiting Buddist monk, Adjarn Suthep.

Three and a half days were spent in total at the school. The challengers were able to get really involved with the building of the centre, as well as experiencing the challenges of delivering English lessons to a classroom full of children! Many of them discovered new skills and passions.

On the Saturday, the school hosted a celebration event in the newly opened handicrafts’ centre. With the cement barely dry, the place was transformed and the building used for speeches, dancing shows and a handicrafts’ demonstration. The team even got involved, showing off their poi (a kind of juggling) and Scottish country dancing skills (much to the bemusement of the locals)!

It was clear from this event that the outcomes of the project were positive for all concerned. The school was delighted with their new building and with the stimulation and input that the children had received, the local educational board was made aware of the work that the M.R.V.R.I. are undertaking and are planning to undertake in the region and the challengers had a rewarding and unforgettable experience. ”
 
St Clement Danes School, U.K.

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“Just a quick email to say a very big thank you for the fantastic week with you both at the Maekok River Resort. The students had a fantastic time and learnt a superb variety of fieldwork techniques, as well as the opportunity to finally fend for themselves in the kitchen.

Please pass on my thanks and best wishes to the staff. Once again thank you, and I am sure the student's results will speak for themselves. ”
 
Tanglin Trust School, Singapore

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“All I can say is a huge "thank you" from all of us for a great field trip. We have it on camera that this has been "the best trip ever" for several of the students. A real hit! ”
 
King George V School, Hong Kong

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“I have taken senior students to Maekok lodge for the past two years now for 'Community Service ' and team building activities and both trips have been extremely successful from all points of view. We wanted our senior students to give time and effort to help others less fortunate than themselves, and this has proved to be an excellent vehicle to do this in Thailand.

Our students are quite privileged and its easy for them to raise and donate cash to worthy causes, but I thought it was important they actually got involved at a more basic level. The past two years we have gone to Maekok and contributed by working alongside Thai students and workers to build and install a mechanical water pump (constructed at school and taken in pieces to Thailand), dig trenches to house pipes that deliver water from the river to the farm project, taught English to the students at the farm and in local schools, and this year we helped clear land to ready it for building homes for the farm workers and their families to live in at the project. Additionally the students have been involved in some challenging team building events and some cultural visits, but the emphasis for us has been on our students getting 'down and dirty' !!

The entire staff at the Maekok river resort have been excellent and very helpful and flexible to our needs. The games and team building exercises have been very well organized and safety measures have always been paramount and heavily emphasized by the well qualified staff. I have taken similar trips and groups on all kinds of activities over the past 30 years in may countries, and I am impressed by the attitude and concern of the staff at Maekok, I would highly recommend a visit.

The accommodation is excellent, very comfortable and clean and very relaxing after a day of hard graft! The meals are wonderful! The kitchens have a great reputation and regularly receive coach loads of visiting tourists for lunch! Our students have voted their trip to Maekok as the best trip they have ever been on, despite the hard labour!

It is a wonderful setting on the river, and is a really relaxing place to be. There is nowhere the students can go to 'get up to mischief' and the staff at the centre actually entertained the students each evening up to about 9.00pm so staff accompanying them do get a break if they wish!

I cannot recommend the place highly enough as an adventure centre, or field centre, or as a base for touring the area. We will continue to go there each year, and have formed a strong link with the place now as it is established a s an annual community service venture for our senior students., There is much that can be done to help the local community in the area, and we are committed to keep helping in any way we can.

Bryan and Rosie are excellent hosts, and have a great staff to help them run the place, give it a try! ”
 
West Island School, Hong Kong

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“All the students had the most brilliant time and I know as a number of other students are already really keen to sign up for the next trip. I would love to say this year, but we will just have to wait and see what school has to say.

Thank you so much for the most brilliant experience. I really had no idea what to expect when we arrived and have to say as we drove further and further north in the car, I started to have my doubts. Your resort, staff and program is just brilliant, I cannot stop tell people about what a wonderful experience we had, and I thank you for that. I look forward to planning another adventure in the not too distance future. ”
 
Pittswaters House School, Australia

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“I have taken students to the centre for the past 3 years and have booked again for next October. I usually take a small group of students (approx 18 - 20) and they are in Year 12 which means they are 16 and17 years old.

Everyday is filled with a variety of activities which are obviously decided beforehand with
suggestions coming from both sides. The teambuilding activities are excellent (we do none at my school).Safety is paramount and the Team Leaders have been very professional over this. The students have helped with organic farm and have found this hard work but rewarding. The jungle hike is strenuous but wouldn't be missed by anyone. We have done some Community Service - distributing toys (collected by students at school prior to the trip) to the Aids orphans (3/4 year olds) and spending an afternoon playing with them. We have distributed blankets to one of the local hill tribes (this also could involve a long trek.)

Back at the Centre there is mountain biking, a climbing wall and a cargo net, building a raft and navigating it on the nearby river (again safety issues are well thought out and ‘comfort zone’.
My students lead very comfortable lives in Hong Kong so I request that they have very full days with little spare time. I want them to go to bed exhausted! They have to learn to work together as a team and tolerate each others differences.

Bryan is an ex teacher so is aware of how students of this age behave, he and his wife Rosie are very easy to get along with. The outward bound leaders we have had over the last 2 years have been excellent and got on with the students very well.

The students thoroughly enjoy their week and bond better because of it. The accommodation is very good and the food is excellent. ”
 
French International School, Hong Kong

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