Physical trials simulating refugee obstacles
Arrival at assault course venue
- Camelot Events (London area): Professional venue with comprehensive facilities
- Alternative venues: Regional assault course providers for schools in other areas
- Safety briefing: Professional instruction on obstacle navigation and safety protocols
- Continuing in uniform: No change of clothes, maintaining discomfort and challenge
Obstacle interpretation for students
Each challenge connects to specific refugee experiences:
River crossings
- Simulation: Treacherous water crossings refugees undertake
- Reality: Mediterranean crossings, river borders, flood-affected areas
- Reflection: Fear, cold, danger, and desperation of water obstacles
Climbing barriers
- Simulation: Border fences and walls refugees must scale
- Reality: Razor-wire barriers, high walls, physical obstacles at borders
- Reflection: Desperation driving dangerous climbing attempts
Crawling through mud
- Simulation: Moving through difficult terrain under threat
- Reality: Avoiding detection, navigating war zones, travelling at night
- Reflection: Physical exhaustion, vulnerability, and determination to continue
Teamwork requirements
- Mutual support: Students helping each other through obstacles
- Community reflection: How refugee families and communities support each other
- Collective survival: Understanding that displaced people depend on mutual aid
Duration and intensity
- 90-minute course: Sustained physical challenge building genuine fatigue
- No food or water: Continuing experience of hunger and thirst
- Accumulating discomfort: Wet, muddy clothes creating increasing distress
- Mental challenge: Perseverance when physically and emotionally drained