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Teen’s praise for life-changing experience

Voyage of discovery: Sheamar Simmons, right, and Zane Bennett went on an Outward Bound hiking expedition in Wales in August. They were among a group of six Bermudians who went on the UK expedition (Photograph supplied)

Sheamar Simmons will always remember Wales as the place he discovered his passion for life.

The 17-year-old was one of six local students on an Outward Bound expedition in the UK in August.

Selina Whitter, Amy Palmer, Savannah Loder, Jessica Godfrey and Zane Bennett also took on the challenging three-week programme.

On a typical day they would go on a gruelling 12-hour hike around the seaside village of Aberdovey. Meals consisted of dehydrated foods and they would have to take cold showers.

It sparked a curiosity in Sheamar, who is now eager to see the world.

“This trip changed my life so much in so little time,” the teenager said. “I now want to become a travel photographer after seeing all the things I saw — the views and the sites. You can’t replace those moments just by watching it on TV. You have to be there to experience it, live life, break out of your comfort zone and experience the wild life.”

He initially expected the expedition to be more like a vacation. His older brother had been on one a few years before and told him about all the exciting adventures to be had.

“He never told me about all the long hours of hiking we’d have to do, so I came in with an expectation it would be easy,” Sheamar said. “I realised on the first day it wouldn’t be. We had these barrels and were supposed to put three pairs of clothes in them and that was supposed to last us the whole week. We only got to change out of our stuff every Sunday. I personally overpacked. I had a month’s worth of clothes, my nice clothes, inside my suitcase and packed some hair gel and a brush, but I had to limit my supplies to just a few specific items.

“We walked approximately 21 miles a day from 6am all the way until 6pm. Some nights in the last week we ended up walking until 10pm because we had to navigate our own way back to where we were supposed to be. We had to walk a certain distance and had to keep on going until we got to the checkpoint.”

Blisters on his feet made the trek even harder.

“My feet hurt and I was in a lot of pain; everyone was,” he said. “The up side is that the wind and weather overall was pretty good. It only rained a few times, so it could have been worse.”

The expedition was great for so many reasons, Sheamar said.

“The whole trip was amazing because I never knew I could endure three weeks of hard work and the fact we were climbing up these high mountains like Snowdon Mountain, which took four hours, I learnt what I’m truly capable of,” he said.

“Bermuda is 21-odd miles and walking that distance every day with boots on, and with an 80lb bag on your back, is really something you’d never expect anyone to do. When I finished I felt a rush of adrenalin because this was so out of my comfort zone. I never knew something like that was possible for me.”

He said he learnt the value of teamwork and also realised you have to work hard for the things you want in life.

“It won’t be an easy hike or journey, of course not, but nothing in life is easy,” he said.

“My philosophy is why not enjoy life and give it a try? After all, a trip like this isn’t something you should turn your back on or deny. It’s life-changing ... it taught me to open up and see the world a bit clearer.

“I’d honestly like to go back if I were to be offered another chance. We had so many great times during that journey. I just wished I had been able to use my camera because the sites were so beautiful, so incredible you just want to capture them.”

• Outward Bound is a non-profit organisation aimed at empowering young people to care for themselves, others and the world around them though outdoor education and activities in an unfamiliar setting.

Trip of a lifetime: a group of six young Bermudians completed an Outward Bound hiking expedition in Wales in August, saying they made new friends and developed confidence and a new appreciation for the world around them (Photograph supplied)
View from the top: the young people had to hike an average of 21 miles per day during their trip to Wales (Photograph supplied)
Coming together: young Bermudians joined students from around the world for an Outward Bound hiking expedition in Wales. They returned to the Island after the August trip with new confidence and a new appreciation for the world around them (Photograph supplied)
Plain sailing: Outward Bound’s three-week expedition through Wales included a wide range of outdoor activities, such as canoeing, hiking and camping (Photograph supplied)
Making friends: six young Bermudians joined youngsters from around the world when they completed an Outward Bound hiking expedition in Wales in August (Photograph supplied)
Getting along: Bermudian students Jessica Godfrey, right, and Amy Palmer, left, with a friend they made on their Outward Bound expedition in August (Photograph supplied)
Local trio: from left, Bermudians Amy Palmer, Savannah Loder and Selina Whitter had the time of their lives in Wales during a three-week expedition with Outward Bound Bermuda (Photograph supplied)
Stunning scenery: the Outward Bound participants were overwhelmed by the beauty of the countryside in Wales (Photograph supplied)
<p>Learning things about myself</p>

What some of the other participants had to say:

• Selina Whitter: “The average person would be surprised at the amount of personal strength and mental fortitude developed [during a trip like this]. Outward Bound taught me that I am stronger than I’d imagined I was, and that knowledge gives me courage, poise and ultimately success in facing hurdles big and small.”

• Jessie Godfrey: “This expedition was one of the best experiences of my life. There is nothing more satisfying then reaching the top of the mountain and admiring the phenomenal view and just being able to relax and hang out with some of the most amazing people you will ever meet.”

• Savannah Loder: “The three weeks that I spent camping, sleeping in what was usually soaking wet tents, and hiking over 300 kilometres — including the highest peak in the British Isles — was surprisingly one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. Not only did I get the opportunity to make eight amazing friends, but I was also able to learn things about myself that I didn’t know before.”

• Zane Bennett: “Being told that I was coming on this expedition didn’t make me so happy. I say this because I thought of this trip as a boot camp and I wanted to enjoy the rest of my summer vacation. While venting about going on this trip I realised that this expedition might just be what I needed — and it was. I’ve learnt many new things and also met new people that will be friends forever.”