CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Education (DepEd) Division of Carcar City has included The Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. Kool Adventure Camp (RAFI-KAC) in its annual training program for students and teachers.
The first group of student leaders to benefit underwent leadership training last Oct. 18-20 at the RAFI-KAC Adventure Education Centre in Cansomoroy, Balamban, Cebu.
Sixty-eight Supreme Student Government (SSG) officers and 12 SSG advisers accomplished specific challenges during the training from high ropes course to low initiative activities that enhanced their initiative, teamwork, ownership and accountability of responsibilities.
The program is aimed at building character, developing leadership competence, and inspiring active citizenship to be leaders of change, through powerful learning experiences.
It was also an opportunity for participants to create activities and endeavours that have positive impact in their respective schools. The participants were also taught how they can implement their school projects.
The participating schools were Ocaña National High School (NHS), Valencia National Vocational High School, Carcar City Central NHS, Valladolid NHS, Perrelos NHS, Maximino Noel Memorial NHS, Roberto E. Sato NHS, Liburon NHS, Tuyom NHS, and Can-asujan NHS.
Berna Ann Alcuirez, Can-asujan NHS-SSG officers, said she was willing to get out of her comfort zone to collaborate with their principal and all the teachers for the success of their project. She intended to influence other students to contribute in the improvement of their school.
"I'm aiming to become a better and effective SSG adviser. Though at first I did not embrace this task whole-heartedly, I believe that the experience I gained from this program will help me to lead our organization for the better, " also said Joycel Albito, Maximino Noel Memorial NHS-SSG adviser.
The program was also an opportunity for the SSG advisers to renew their commitment as mentors and influencers of student leaders.
"We are happy that the city of Carcar lead by Mayor Nicepuro Apura is our strong partner for quality education in the city of Carcar and sponsored all the registration fee and transportation for all the 80 participants," said Dr. Gregorio Cyrus Elejorde, schools division superintendent.
"Leadership program with KAC will be a yearly activity for our student leaders and we are looking for more opportunities to collaborate with RAFI-KAC especially that we are integrating the program into the training plan for the students and the teachers in the DepEd Division of Carcar City," he added.
KAC is one of the programs under the Leadership & Citizenship focus area of RAFI, where future leaders are nurtured to prepare them to take an active role in affecting change. RAFI's other focus areas are Integrated Development, Micro-finance & Entrepreneurship, Culture & Heritage, and Education.
KAC has been offering adventure education programs for leadership and team development for youth and professionals for the last decade.
For more information on KAC, contact (6332) 260-9000 local 1001 and look for Althea Santillan, or visit www.rafi.org.ph/kac-professional or www.facebook.com/kooladventurecamp, or follow @rafiorgph on Twitter. (FREEMAN)