American Community School of Beirut visit Kalyani Maha Vidhyalaya School, Kithulgala

Borderlands is currently running a 5 Night Youth Leadership Programme for the American Community School of Beirut. 55 kids, 7 teachers arrived rather exhausted after a long flight on Sunday evening, but soon got into the swing of life at camp - they've been canyoning, trekking, abseiling, running, swimming and yesterday they spent a day on their community service project.

Our chosen local project is Kalyani Maha Vidhyakaya School in Kithulgala - a school with students from age 4 through to 18, and a student population of over 800 students. Our students were warmly welcomed by the teachers and pupils, and despite cultural and language barriers the interaction between both schools was wonderful to witness.

ACS were given the task of coming up with some designs to paint a mural on the main school wall, and some really inspirational pictures were created. Both the local and overseas kids really embraced the project, and worked really hard throughout the day, coming up with something that will stay with both sets of students for a lifetime.

Our hope is that for all International Schools who come and stay with us at Borderlands we will continue the relationship we have formed with Kalyani Maha Vidhyalaya and include a Community Service element for all future school visits. Not only does the physical work benefit the local school on a practical level, but the interaction between both sets of students works as a crucial conduit in helping to expanding the minds and world views on both sides.

We would like to thank the students and teachers of Kalyani Maha Vidhyalaya School for their hospitality and kindness and to Mr Parakum and the choir for their musical performance that they gave us, as well as the lovely poem that he personally wrote to express his gratitude towards ACS students and teachers for their work yesterday:

"There are things that make us happy
And those that make us really merry
And among things that made me lucky
Your visit has planted a seed very pretty
It was not so short anyway
Actually not to long on a way
But within the time you came that day
My Heart was made out of another clay.
Friends may go but memories are more
Though you go you are still at my door
With love and care you supplied for
Will live in this school with fruit they bore."

Mahaweli River Expedition - June Dates Announced

Borderlands has just announced our next scheduled departure of our Mahaweli River Expedition - join us over the Poya Long Weekend in June (1st - 4th) as we paddle down the Mahaweli River, traveling through Wasgamuwa National Park by kayaks and camping in the wild. No previous paddling experience is necessary, and this is a great opportunity for a group of friends to get away for the weekend and do something totally unique and adventurous.
Visit our Facebook page for images of past expeditions, and you can read about our February Expedition on our blog:
http://borderlandssrilanka.blogspot.com/2012/02/borderlands-mahaweli-river-expedition.html

Contact Gwen on 0777 899 836 or journeys@discoverborderlands.com for further information 

College Melkart, Lebanon comes to Borderlands

We recently had the real pleasure of welcoming student and teachers from College Melkart all the way from the Lebanon, for a 2 night, 3 day Youth Leadership programme. 30 students, aged 12 - 14 arrived, laden with heavy suitcases, as if they were emigrating to Sri Lanka, not visiting for a week!

A trip in the Borderlands truck

 We feared the worst, imagining these kids would not stand the test of endurance and adventure that Borderlands would throw their way!

Some of the girls' by their accommodation for the next few days

Boys Tent

We were, however, proven wrong. Not only did the kids (and the teachers) rise to every challenge they did so with a tremendous sense of enthusiasm and spirit.  For many it was the first time they had slept in a tent and for all it was the first time they had rafted white water, abseiled or canyoned. It was an inspiration to see some of the students overcoming genuine personal fears of heights and taking that leap of faith. For some it was a case of overcoming fears of little critters that mother nature has gifted us at camp. For others it was about overcoming the lack of domestic comforts that we all take for granted. It's safe to say that by the end they had all become true adventurers, and should all be very proud of their achievements.

Ready for the White Water Rafting

Abseiling Sandun Ella Waterfall

Our staff at Borderlands in Kithulgala also proved themselves to be excellent with the kids - Mahesh proving once again that he is a natural leader and has a great rapport with kids, Supun leading the way as our safety kayaker, Nirmal our latest recruit, rising to the task as our guide in training, Christo keeping everything ticking over and let's not forget Bandu and Dinesh in the kitchen, without who everyone would not have been fed such wonderful food.

Abseil Debrief with Wade

Overcoming fears

Taking on the Kelani

Canyon jump under watchful eye of a Borderlands guide

 As well as all the action out on the river and in the surrounds of Kithulgala, the kids discovered the joy of bathing in the river, we hope we kept them on their toes with the early morning stretches, games and initiatives. But they had plenty of down time too, hanging out in the Longhouse, or round the camp fire and they were even treated to a live music session by Wade. 

Breakfast time

Morning stretches

Salsa lessons

Chilling Out at the end of the day

Love the Shirt!

We'd like to thank Sami for being such a great headmaster and for bringing his students all the way from Beirut to Kithulgala. He and his teachers were tremendous sports and helped make this a truly memorable and fun Youth Leadeship Programme. We hope that you, and your students keep hold of the memories and lessons learned, and we really do hope to see you and the school either back in Sri Lanka or at our Nepal site soon. Finally of course we have to say thanks to the kids - who made the programme such a delight for us all!

Love this shirt too!

Thanks for Sharing the Adventure College Melkart!

Borderlands has over 15 years experience of leading Youth Leadership Retreats and Outdoor Education Programmes, offering children from all over the world, and from all age ranges, a chance push themselves to the limit, achieve what they often thought impossible and gain an all important sense of self worth and self confidence in a controlled and safe, yet exciting environment. All our staff are dedicated to bringing the best out of each and every child, and are highly skilled professional guides and facilitators. 

Mahesh leads the morning wake-up stretches

Wade takes a group of student down the Kelani River

Nature Walk

Contact Gwen at journeys@discoverborderlands.com to enquire about School Outdoor Education Camps, Week Without Walls or any Youth-focused Adventure Programmes.

Kitesurfing Season is Upon Us

Our friends up at Kitesurfing Sri Lanka are gearing up for the upcoming season in Kalpitiya - May to October sees perfect kite surfing conditions up on the North East Coast. Stay with them from just 30 Euros per person per night on Full Board Basis. Beginner to Advance Kite Surfing lessons available on Flat Water Lagoon or the Endless Sea.

 Contact Dilsri on +94 773 686 235

JOIN BORDERLANDS AT UNA WATUNA BEACH RESORT - 22nd - 25th March

Borderlands in conjunction with Una Watuna Beach Resort will be hosting a Kayak Hire Programme on Una Beach. To celebrate the arrival of the Barmy Army UBR has requested Borderlands runs it's in-house watersports programme in the lead up to the First Test in Galle.

We will be heading south so that their guests, and anyone passing by, can hire one of our state of the art sea and sit-on-top play kayaks. Una has enough surf that even beginners can have a go surfing the waves, and our boats are sturdy and safe for all levels. For the less adventurous they make excellent boats for exploring Una Watuna Bay.

EDGE sports life jackets will be provided to ensure safety on the water at all times.

Come down, say hi, check out our boats, and have a paddle in one of our kayaks, the largest fleet in Una Watuna AND Sri Lanka.

Mahaweli River Video

Get Away for an Adventure Weekend over Sinhala New Year

Borderlands is arranging its third Mahaweli River Trip of 2012 to coincide with the Sinhala and Tamil Long Weekend (April 12th - 15th) - come and join the adventure as we travel downstream by kayak and raft on the mighty Mahaweli River, traveling through beautiful Wasgamuwa National Park, camping overnight on the river. Enjoy dining under the stars to the sound of absolute silence, bar the nocturnal noise of nature!

Rates are only Rs30,000 per person and includes all meals, drinks, river and safety equipment as well as camping gear.

Come join us for our next Adventure!