Ateneo de Cebu students enhance leadership skills

The Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) grade school and high school student leaders strengthened their leadership and interpersonal skills through the Urban Backpacking Leadership Development Program of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. Kool Adventure Camp (RAFI-KAC) from June to July.

Last June 2-4 served as the pilot backpacking program of the 21 high school students.

The participants performed their challenge tasks at Ludo Memorial Park, the Old Jesuit House and Colon Street to have a deeper appreciation and understanding of the culture and history of the Cebuanos.

The student leaders also took on the challenge of making puso or rice wrapped in woven coconut leaves at the Taboan public market and buying food at the Carbon public market with P305, a minimum daily wage in Cebu, for a family of 14.

Grade school student leaders had their similar backpacking program last July 27-29.

During the program, the grade school students applied the 7Cs of SHS-AdC’s education framework: community, conscience, character, competence, Christ-centeredness, culture and compassion.

The participants performed challenge tasks at the Cebu Heritage Monument, Fort San Pedro, Sergio Osmeña Memorabilia and Art Gallery, Museo Sugbu and Cebu Provincial Capitol where they gained insights on local historical icons and nationalism.

This is the second year of urban backpacking facilitated by RAFI-KAC on the Ateneo de Cebu students.

The urban backpacking program, which started in 2011, seeks to develop, strengthen, and promote leadership qualities among students. These qualities include accountability, initiative and active citizenship.

A series of team games was conducted during the pre-backpacking activities to promote unity and teamwork among the participants.

“I have learned a lot more about being responsible, generous, and helpful. The whole experience was great because the fun games taught me important lessons in life. I want to join lots of Kool Camps again,” a 12-year-old student participant said.

For more information on KAC and its programs, contact Althea Santillan at 418-7234 local 407 or visit www.rafi.org.ph or www.facebook.com/rafi.org.ph.