The final test
After completing the trek, participants face the most challenging stage—a wet, muddy assault course designed to test physical limits and mental resilience. This phase pushes everyone out of their comfort zone, fostering deeper empathy for those who endure hardships beyond their control.
Course expectations
The assault course combines man-made obstacles with rugged natural terrain, each presenting unique challenges. With rucksacks on their backs, participants tackle the course without changing clothes. Muddy and damp conditions intensify the experience whilst providing symbolic lessons about endurance and perseverance.
Typical obstacles
Participants may encounter:
- Tunnels: Crawling through narrow, dark spaces challenging courage and focus
- Fences and tyre walls: Climbing over or manoeuvring through barriers, often requiring teamwork
- Climbing nets: Scaling ropes requiring strength and coordination
- Balancing bars: Walking across narrow beams testing balance and agility
- Mud pits and water ditches: Wading through muddy water and slippery surfaces
- Natural terrain: Negotiating fallen trees, riverbanks, hills, and uneven paths
The weight of rucksacks adds extra difficulty. Inside each rucksack, change of clothes remains carefully wrapped in bin bags—a reminder of protecting essentials under challenging conditions.
Facilitating reflection
During this phase, participants may feel discomfort or distress about mud and damage to their clothes. Group leaders use this opportunity to discuss attachment and loss. As participants mourn a single garment, they reflect on how refugees often lose far more—homes, belongings, and memories with little notice.
Reflection prompts
- How does this experience of parting with personal items compare to refugee sacrifices?
- How does it feel to persevere through physical discomfort, and what inner strength does it reveal?
- What can we learn about resilience from pushing through when everything feels difficult?
These discussions connect the physical challenge with emotional and spiritual journeys, reinforcing lessons of resilience and empathy.
Completing the course
Participants spend approximately 90 minutes on the obstacle course, facing and overcoming each trial together. At the end, there’s opportunity to shower and change into clean clothes from their rucksacks. Wet clothes are wrapped in bin bags for the journey.
Post-course guidance
- Dhuhr prayer: Participants make wudu using packed water bottles, then pray Dhuhr together
- If travelling long distances, they may combine Dhuhr and Asr prayers
For detailed guidance on assault course venues and obstacle management, see the Venues and Health & Safety sections of the organiser guide.