Route planning
12:15pm – 2:15pm: Circular countryside walk (approximately 5 miles)
Route characteristics
- Starts and ends at assault course venue
- Combines woodland paths and open countryside
- Includes varied terrain (fields, bridleways, tracks)
- Features muddy sections and natural obstacles
- Takes approximately 2 hours at comfortable pace
- Provides opportunities for conversation whilst walking
Organiser preparation
- Walk route in advance to identify hazards
- Check with landowners if crossing private property
- Have backup indoor plan if weather extremely severe
- Prepare printed maps and route guidance
- Assign a lead walker familiar with the area
- Ensure someone brings first aid kit and mobile phone
Walking together
Pace and formation
- Walk at pace allowing conversation
- No pressure to maintain speed records
- Mother-daughter pairs often walking together
- Natural groupings forming and reforming
- Leaders ensuring no one left behind
- Regular headcounts and welfare checks
During the trek
Simulating refugee journeys
- Walking whilst hungry (lunch comes after)
- Being muddy and uncomfortable from assault course
- Not knowing exactly what lies ahead
- Relying on guides and each other
- Pushing through fatigue together
- Finding beauty in nature despite discomfort
Conversation opportunities
- Mothers and daughters processing shared experiences
- Discussing what was challenging and why
- Noticing differences in how they approached obstacles
- Appreciating each other’s strengths
- Connecting to refugee experiences of forced journeys
- Building deeper understanding through shared hardship
Islamic connections during trek
The walk provides natural opportunities for reflection:
- Allah’s creation in the natural surroundings
- How prophets and companions faced hardship whilst travelling
- Gratitude for safety, food, and eventual return home
- Empathy for those forced to walk without knowing their destination
- Patience (sabr) in facing ongoing discomfort
- Community support through encouraging others
Facilitated discussions
Brief stops along the way:
Question prompts for reflection
- “What was the hardest part so far? Why?”
- “What surprised you about your mother/daughter today?”
- “How might refugees feel on forced journeys?”
- “What gave you strength to keep going?”
- “How did working together make challenges easier?”
Age-appropriate engagement
- Let daughters share observations first
- Encourage mothers to acknowledge daughters’ insights
- Connect physical experiences to broader themes
- Keep discussions brief (5-10 minutes per stop)
- Allow quiet walking time between discussions
- Respect different processing styles