Family Team Building at Real Extreme Adventure Park, Real Quezon

We had our annual Dgroup Family Team Building at Real Extreme Adventure Park in Real Quezon last October 29 and 30. Our theme for this year is Mt. 5:14-16:

"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven."

How to get there:

From Quezon City, Edsa Cubao or Ortigas:

Go straight to Junction Cainta passing Antipolo City. Then, passing Theresa, Morong, Baras and Tanay Rizal, turn left at Pililia. You will be approaching uphill is Mabitac Laguna and then go down the road is Famy intersection, you will see 7 Eleven convenience store. Turn left to Infanta Quezon, it is the Famy-Real-Infanta road, it will take you only 25 kilometers to the Real Extreme Adventure Park at Centro B, Brgy. Maragondon Real Quezon. More or less 25-30 minutes time travel. You will pass Brgy. Llavac, at the left side, is Elementary School. Then next Brgy. is Maragondon, also at the left is Elementary School, next to the school with signboard is R.E.A.P.

From Manila area:

Go straight to SLEX and exit at Calamba, then passing Los Banos and Sta. Cruz to Lumban. Proceeding to Famy Laguna, then turn right at the intersection you will see 7 Eleven store. From that area, it will take you at least 20-30 minutes to the camp

We traveled by land using our Nanay's LUV and we made a side trip to Pililia Windmill.

It took us more than 3 hours of travel. When we arrived the camp, we were offered with fresh buko juice as refreshment. Since we were early, we took the opportunity to roam around and explore the place while waiting for the others.

These sights welcomed us

Before you reach the main activity area, you need to go upstairs and mind you, the stairs are about 200 meters. We forgot to count the steps though but that, in itself is already a challenge!

When we reached the main activity area, the view was very nice! We saw lush hills and enjoyed the fresh air. We didn't even bother the heat of the sun. We tried the different challenge courses. Our very energetic and active Gabi tried all 9 series of low ropes course with the help of his Tito Alon and Tita Ces. They also got the chance to play frisbee.

The program started in the afternoon after we all checked-in. We were composed of four teams: (RED) Rescued Hebrews 13:6, (BLUE) Bravehearted Psalm 31:24, (GREEN) God Squad 1 Peter 2:9 and (YELLOW) Y.A.H.W.E.H. Phil 4:13. Our family was part of the yellow team.

Pastor Jo Racaza and his team facilitated our team building. He has been involved in full-time work with camping ministry until 1987 and has been an instrument in the development of the national association of Christian camping in the pioneering and establishing stages. He became the first national director of CCI Philippines in 2007.

The main objective of this activity was Building effective T.E.A.M. We have different activities focusing on:

(T) - Tapping the strengths and potentials of every member

(E) - Enhancing personal relationships

(A) - Achieving effective communication

(M) - eMpowering our team

Here's the list of the different Team Challenge Courses that we had:

Day 1 

We had some indoor activities and games first before we proceeded with the outdoor games.

Practicing our team yell

9 Series Low Ropes Courses

Some photos are not mine

King's Finger

Photo from Sis Ayenn

Spider Web and Electric Fence

Photo from Sis Ayenn

Log-A-Line

Photo from Sis Ayenn

Bayanihan Challenge

Watch the video here.

The last activity we had for the day was a Night Fellowship. It was supposed to be a bonfire session but since it was raining, it became an indoor session. My sister and I were not able to join since we were putting the kids to sleep. But hubby was there. He shared how blessed he was after hearing testimonies.

Day 2 

We started the day with a short Dgroup service/fellowship before the activities. We chewed more on Mt. 5:14-16. After that, we resumed.

Orienteering Challenge

Photo from Bro Alvin

Tarzan Swing

Unfortunately, no one made it. Haha

Watch the video here.

Mud Bridge Crossing

Photo from Bro Alvin

Mudslide

We went swimming after the mudslide. The water in the pool was fresh and natural. It has no chlorine.

Here are the other activities we had:

During lunch we ate lechon, the native pig from the Bayanihan Challenge. They said it is healthier since It has fewer fats. Yummy!

After lunch, we had our final activity which was Rotation Feedback. We were tasked to face partners to affirm, reconcile and set expectations. There were a lot of tears along the way but it felt good and encouraging. When you affirm, It's like building one another up.

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. ~ Ephesians 4:29 

Finally, we had our closing program and awarding before homebound. We were 1st Runner Up, tied with the Red Team. But we all felt champions here!

I'm so grateful that God has provided for our camp fee and we were able to bring along my Sister Lena and her daughter, Katniss. I'm thankful to my husband because when I was tempted not to bring them (due to money matters), he still insisted. I know that it is the work of the enemy and I praise God for my husband.

I'm always blessed to attend events like this and I'm looking forward to more of it! Sis Ayenn is right when she said, that the Lord has brought us together for a purpose and that the Christian life is NOT AT ALL boring!

Thanks to our Dgroup Family, Pastor Jo and Real Extreme Adventure Park for this wonderful experience! Visit Real Extreme Adventure Park website here for more details. We were told that next year, there will be more challenges!