RAFI’s Kool Adventure Camp Builds Pioneer Adventure Center

In 2013, the Philippines’ first outdoor experiential education center will open in Barangay Cansumoroy, Balamban, Cebu.

The Kool Adventure Camp (KAC) of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) is building this pioneering center in the country to continue changing the lives of more citizens, especially young adults. As of January 2012, the center is 70 percent complete.

“The camp located in Balamban is a major initiative of RAFI. It is also a big responsibility we assume. There are other institutions in the Philippines involved in team building and adventure. Many also are just for entertainment and leisure. Kool Adventure Camp is a serious attempt to build leadership attributes in the Filipino youth,” Roberto Aboitiz, RAFI president, said.

He added that while events are fun in themselves, RAFI-KAC is a serious business, promoting self-confidence, trust, optimism, positive attitude, courage, respect for others, and the assumption of one’s responsibility for their future.

KAC will empower more young and adult citizens through the 28 kinds of challenge course high elements at the new center.

High elements include two clusters and one set of indoor challenges. Under cluster one are space walk, Jacob’s ladder, two line bridge, pamper pole, high Y and inclined climbing wall. Cluster two consists of island in the sky, centipede, Burma bridge, high wild woosey, vertical playpen, quadrophenia, and catwalk. The indoor challenges, meanwhile, are cargo net, pamper plank, dangle duo, tinikling, two line bridge, jeebe lunge, catwalk, centipede, climbing wall, rope ladder, giant swing, and rappelling or rigging platform.

Iconic structures include zip line, sling shot, rappel, and cargo net climb.

Challenge ropes course (CRC) consists of an aesthetically designed series of ropes, cables and wood poles combined in such a way that simulates challenges in a natural setting.

CRC is an experiential adventure program that offers groups and individuals the opportunity to participate in a series of activities involving mental, physical and emotional risk taking.

CRC programs give individuals the opportunity to enhance their communication skills while becoming effective at group problem solving.

Taking part and succeeding in seemingly impossible situations often gives one a feeling of accomplishment, self-worth, elation, and recognition.

According to Edvan Loh, KAC executive director, there will be several trial programs in the months leading up to the camp site’s inauguration to test the facilities and structures.

“The Kool Adventure Camp is a life-transforming experience that will positively change the way you see yourself, your abilities and your place in society,” added Loh.

Eduardo Borromeo Gallego, camp site architect, said that the building design is tropical modern.

“This style was chosen because we feel that the ambience needs to appeal to both local and foreign users of the camp. It is important that everyone can relate to the architecture,” explained Gallego.

KAC, an adventure-based education program that provides learning and development opportunities for young individuals as well as organizations through experiential education, is one of the programs under RAFI’s Leadership & Citizenship focus area, one of the five focus areas of RAFI where future leaders are nurtured to prepare them to effect change.

Other focus areas of RAFI are Integrated Development, Micro-finance & Entrepreneurship, Culture & Heritage, and Education.

For more information about RAFI-KAC:

Tel. No.: (6332) 418-7234 local 407 (look for Althea May Santillan)

Email: althea.santillan@rafi.org.ph

Website: www.rafi.org.ph and www.rafi.org.ph/kac-professional

Facebook: www.facebook.com/rafi.org.ph and www.facebook.com/kooladventurecamp

 

 Source: RAFI