26 UEF Students Sharpening Leadership Skills at Leadership Camp

Last weekend (26,27/03/2022), the Center of Service - Learning organized Leadership Camp & Capacity-Building Training for 26 UEF students whose leadership attributes had been demonstrated through their significant contributions to community projects. Camp activities were designed and coordinated by Mr. Nguyen Duoc - Outdoor Education Specialist and staff of the Center of Service - Learning, including Ms. Dinh Nguyen Thien An - Center Director; Ms. Tran Thi My Phuong - Project Coordinator; Ms. Huynh Kim Phung - Project Coordinator, Training Specialist.

  Students joining the camp

After two hours, they arrived at the camping site at Tri An Lake and partook in the first activity called “Tower Building Challenge”. Each team built the STRONGEST or HIGHEST tower possible. This activity linked the perspectives of each member when operating community projects and allowed students to recognize what is more important: the base or the scale. All campers agreed that: “Securing the base, which includes recruiting, planning, and firming processes, is the prominent target. Only then can the community projects operate effectively and create desired values and positive impacts.”
One camper who is currently in charge of the Sketchnote for Good project, shared: “I was too ambitious for achievements to realize the absence of the base of the project. When the project was behind schedule, instead of ensuring the base by training new members, I put all my focus on the delay of the project. There were a lot of mistakes in my coordination and mindset.”

Students participating in “Tower Building Challenge” and “Spider’s Web”

Through Spider’s Web, Mr. Nguyen Duoc challenged and pushed students to the limits; hence, they started to think outside of the box, pay attention to diverse solutions, and DARE TO TRY. Surprisingly, they succeeded thanks to the solution of a quiet member.
During the journey, Mr. Nguyen Duoc and staff of the Center of Service - Learning were always available to observe, support and guide students. At the end of each activity was a reflection session, the organization committee gave valuable advice and lessons for each student to sharpen leadership skills, initiate understanding and teamwork spirit. Later on, they can apply these lessons to their studying and community activities. 

On the first day, at night, there was a campfire. The students gathered together and shared their insights. Many campers recognized their strength through comments from teammates.

 Campfire loosens the stiffness and initiates sharings

Yoga session in the morning 

On the second day, campers can freely choose 1 of 3 activities, including: Camp Talk, Yoga, and Dance. After the morning session, students faced new challenges that helped them realize the importance of concentration in teamwork.
The highlight of the camp was the “Trust Challenge”. This challenge consisted of a sequence of three trust-building activities: Chaircatching , Willow in the Wind, Trust Fall . These activities helped students understand themselves, expanded their comfort zone, and put their trust in their teammates.

At the end of the camp, each student was awarded a title that best depicted their strength and uniqueness. These titles were given to commemorate 26 students who experienced all the high and low through camp activities. From these new experiences, the students gained more knowledge, sharpened leadership skills, increased tolerance level, and dedicated more to community issues.
Students will continue their participation in community projects until June 2022 before officially being awarded a certification of completion.

After the two-day camp, students shared their thank you to each other.

 UEF Students expressed their gratitude toward Mr. Nguyen Duoc

With the support and facilitation of the Board of Management, the Leadership Camp not only strengthens the bonds among students but also brings about an increase in students’ leadership skills. The expense of the camp was covered by the Engaged Achievement Award 2021 that the Center of Service - Learning was honored to receive from VNES - Vietnam Network of Engaged Scholars in 2021.

The Center of Service - Learning.