Sharing Joy and Adventure: ODAIG Supports Children’s Cancer Foundation Beneficiaries

Date: 30 Jul 2025

News Type:Event Highlights

School/Department: Student Success Centre

In mid-July, the SUSS Outdoor Adventure Interest Group (ODAIG) partnered with Children’s Cancer Foundation (CCF) for a day of connection, joy, and shared experiences. The collaboration offered beneficiaries and their siblings a chance to step away from daily routines and engage in activities that were fun, collaborative, and meaningful.

 

At one of the Amazing Race stations, a beneficiary pedals on a stationary bike to generate electricity and clear the challenge, as Wo

At one of the Amazing Race stations, a beneficiary pedals on a stationary bike to generate electricity and clear the challenge, as Wong Tze Xiang facilitates the activity with a clipboard and a smile.

The day began with an Amazing Race at the Science Centre, where teams solved puzzles and completed challenges together. This was followed by a hands-on terrarium making workshop, a calming activity that encouraged creativity whilst allowing participants to enjoy a unique experience together. The event concluded with a lively Escape Room segment, filled with laughter, problem solving, and camaraderie.

Edwin Lim Wang Ying helps a teammate tie the green bandana around his arm, with the team’s chosen name and custom-designed logo proud

 Edwin Lim Wang Ying helps a teammate tie the green bandana around his arm, with the team’s chosen name and custom-designed logo proud

For ODAIG volunteers, the experience was not only about facilitating fun but also about learning from the resilience and energy of CCF beneficiaries. Wong Tze Xiang, an alumnus from Business Analytics, shared that returning to volunteer was motivated by the joy and smiles he witnessed in past events. He reflected on how this year’s activities allowed volunteers to focus more on facilitation than planning, creating space for participants, especially a rowdier group during the Amazing Race, to engage fully, collaborate as a team, and genuinely enjoy themselves. He also noted the importance of taking precautions around certain exhibits, appreciating the balance between safety and fun, and emphasized how ODAIG continues to provide meaningful opportunities to bring outdoor experiences to youths who might not otherwise have these chances.

Rebecca Koh helps a teammate tie her yellow bandana on her head, featuring the group name and hand-drawn logo created by the team.

Rebecca Koh helps a teammate tie her yellow bandana on her head, featuring the group name and hand-drawn logo created by the team.

Rebecca Koh, an alumna from Marketing, echoed this sentiment. Having founded the initial program, she shared that returning to volunteer allowed her to stay connected with a cause close to her heart while watching the partnership between ODAIG and CCF grow. Unlike her previous planning and mentoring roles, she enjoyed stepping in as a facilitator and directly engaging with the youths. A memorable moment was watching their excitement as they strategized and delegated roles to earn more points, which she found refreshing compared to the “just get through it” mindset often seen in other settings. She also valued how the program helped participants form friendships, while reflecting on how ODAIG shaped her own student life, providing leadership opportunities, outdoor certifications, and lasting friendships.
 


Isabella Leow Pei Jin sits with a beneficiary and another member, smiling and chatting as they enjoy the terrarium workshop.

Isabella Leow Pei Jin sits with a beneficiary and another member, smiling and chatting as they enjoy the terrarium workshop.

Beyond the activities, what stood out most were the human moments: bright smiles, participants cheering one another on, and the bonds formed between beneficiaries, siblings, and volunteers. These moments highlighted how shared adventure fosters joy, resilience, and connection.
 
This collaboration underscores ODAIG’s belief in adventure as a bridge to inclusivity and community. By creating safe and welcoming spaces, ODAIG looks forward to continuing partnerships with CCF and other organisations, designing experiences that build confidence, nurture teamwork, and celebrate the spirit of shared adventure.