By ODAC EXCO ‘26
Imagine this: you’re standing at the top of Hong Kong’s tallest peak at 957 meters above sea level, soaking in the atmosphere with a 360-degree view of the city. The view you see in front of you is the result of almost a year’s worth of pushing yourself up hundreds of metres of elevation while carrying heavy loads on your back. It’s the result of covering kilometres of distance all while having an encouraging smile on your face.
If you think that you’re up for the challenge, ODAC might be just the right CCA for you!
What better way to begin the year than with a burst of adrenaline and camaraderie?
For Year 5 ODACians, we attended our very first camp—Basic Training Camp (BTC) conducted at Pulau Ubin! Through this camp, we bonded with each other, while learning essential skills like tent pitching and outdoor cooking. It was only by persevering through challenges faced during this camp could we create the foundations of deep bonds that would be formed over the course of the following months.
So, what else do we do?
First up, we organise and host Raffles Race, an annual school wide event open to all Rafflesians to join. Participants form teams and compete in an exciting series of outdoor games and activities that put their brains and brawn to the test. Only the fastest and most determined teams who overcome obstacles and push through to the end will savour the sweet taste of victory. It’s no walk in the park, but the experience of spending time outdoors together with friends is definitely a fruitful one.
Once an ODACian, always an ODACian.
Odacia, our alumni homecoming event, is held annually to welcome back former ODACians. It’s a day where the past meets the present, where stories are shared, laughter echoes through sports halls, and dearly memories are relived. Heartfelt dialogue sessions on the trails we walked and the challenges we conquered are held. Odacia reminds us that ODAC isn’t just two years of adventure, it’s a lifelong community.
In June, ODACians crossed the border into Johor Bahru for 3D2N of pure adrenaline. Picture cascading waterfalls, river crossings, rugged hikes and outdoor cooking under open skies.
Then in November, we took it up a notch: 5 days, 100km, no phones, just us and the legendary MacLehose Trail in Hong Kong, getting lost in panoramic views that make the hike worthwhile. We ended the trip with a day of well-earned rest where we were free to explore the wonders of the city. Think piping hot polo buns and magnificent skylines of Victoria Harbour.
These journeys aren’t just about the places we go; it’s about self-discovery, challenging limits, and how we grow closer with every shared blister, laugh and sunrise. In ODAC, the trails may end, but the memories and friendships last. In ODAC, every step is a story.
Our CCA sessions are usually held on Mondays, 5.00-7.00pm, and Wednesdays, 3.30pm-6.30/7.30pm. On Mondays, we work on essential outdoor skills, like first aid training, as well as our physical training, to work on our stamina for hikes and expeditions. While it can be tiring (especially after a long day of school), we find the strength to push on in each other’s company.
Speaking of hikes, Wednesdays are where the real adventure begins. You’ll likely find ODAC, out and about, either cooking up a storm during our Backwoodsman sessions, or in our Ninja Turtle looking backpacks, hiking in the great outdoors!
Some of our hot spots include Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and MacRitchie Reservoir, just to name a few. You might even find us cycling on Coney Island too! Despite the hikes being challenging, it is a good change, and a stark contrast to our hectic school lives, and takes the stress off ODACians as we enjoy the peace of being in nature. Moreover, being in ODAC also teaches us about the importance of valuing and respecting the environment when enjoying time outdoors.
Most importantly, we are looking for people with the passion for the outdoors. During our hikes, we will learn about nature, flora and fauna alike, so do join if you enjoy being immersed in greenery.
Although we are an outdoor club, we welcome people of all fitness levels. All we need are people that are dedicated to ODAC, since our training hikes can be exhausting at times. If you think you have the determination it takes, and can stay committed to our training and workouts, we guarantee that you will make it to our year-end trip (all in one piece hopefully…).
