Limitless Blog

Dear Parents,

It feels like just yesterday we were waving goodbye at Hong Kong International Airport, with the students brimming with excitement for their Limitless adventure. We’re thrilled to report that the students have been adapting well and are already embracing the spirit of community, challenge, and discovery!

The Journey to Kenilworth
After a safe and smooth flight, we arrived in Brisbane, where we promptly boarded buses for the final leg of our journey to the Kenilworth Homestead. It was a late arrival, well after 1:00 AM, but spirits remained high. The students were quickly split into their dorms and, after a well-deserved rest, were up bright and early the next morning, ready to dive in!

Settling In and Building Community
Day one in Kenilworth began with a hearty breakfast before the students were officially divided into their activity groups. The morning was filled with engaging games designed to help everyone get to know their new teammates better. A comprehensive tour of the homestead followed, where students learned about the various “community living” activities that would become a regular part of their daily routine – a fantastic way to foster teamwork and responsibility. After some well-earned free time and a delicious dinner, the evening concluded under a sky full of stars. The activity groups gathered around their own bonfires, with some students helping to build them, and shared stories and marvelled at a night sky that truly can’t compare to the urban glow of Hong Kong.

Rhythm and Routine
The following days saw the students quickly falling into the rhythm of life at Kenilworth. The morning kicked off with an invigorating workout, as students ran a loop around the homestead before getting down to their community living tasks. From cleaning bathrooms and tidying the grounds to ensuring their cabins were spotless, everyone pitched in, learning the value of shared responsibility.

Mid-mornings were dedicated to skill development activities, further strengthening group bonds and personal growth. A particularly special part of the day was the introduction of DEAR (Drop Everything And Reflect) sessions. This dedicated time allowed students to find their own quiet space for journaling and reflecting on their experiences, a wonderful opportunity for self-awareness and personal growth.

Preparing for Expedition
As the week progressed, the focus shifted towards preparing for their first big adventure: a three-day expedition. Students received comprehensive training on essential outdoor skills, learning how to efficiently pack their bags, expertly pitch and pack their tents, and even how to cook their own food – all vital skills for independent living in the outdoors.

The week’s excitement culminated in a lively quiz night, where students, teachers, and instructors alike showcased their competitive spirit and knowledge, creating a fantastic atmosphere of camaraderie and fun.

The First Expedition!
The students departed from the homestead in high spirits yesterday for their first expedition, and they are continuing to thrive out in the wilderness. They are due to return to the homestead tonight, tired but undoubtedly filled with incredible stories and a strong sense of accomplishment.

We’ll have more updates for you in the blog next week, but for now, rest assured that your children are safe, happy, and making the most of every incredible moment here at Limitless. We’re so proud of how they’re adapting, learning, and growing!

‘Exuberant’

‘Joyful’

‘Disbelief’

Would be words which could, perhaps, fractionally describe the overflow of feelings as students poured in the gates. After ten days of the adventure of a lifetime, Rod from Higher Ground briefed the students at the gate. In his unique, charismatic style, his speech to students was to “express yourself in any way possible as this is the last time you will go through the Kenilworth Gates, the next time you will be going home.” The students did just that as they skipped, hollered, yelled, sang, and danced with no inhibition – pure freedom and relief etched into these fantastic young people.

Music blasted through the speaker around the grounds as students hugged, shared stories, and laughed; with the rhythm of the tunes, you could feel the heartbeat of emotion. The stories continued to be shared throughout the afternoon and late into the night. The students are excited to share these incredible stories with you in a few days! However, here are a few snippets of what they experienced:

“My highlight of the Expedition was the friendships we made along the way. Can you believe we climbed a mountain at 5 am but woke up at 4 am? It was Mt Coorora, 493m, and we caught the sunrise. It was a majestic orange and a fitting way to end our Expedition.”

“The hardest part of the Expedition was the 27km hike, right after the 21km hike. We had efficient leaders who wouldn’t give us breaks! My legs and calves were destroyed. In the end, we were high on sugar, so sleep did not come to us quickly.”

“On average, we had two showers. We were unlucky because it was on the first and last day. However, it was interesting to shower in a brown river, just like apple juice!”

“I actually gained muscle and got stronger.” *students were showing off their biceps.*

“A colossal war started splashing in the Canoes. Not everyone got wet, but some of us got soaked! Can you believe I paddled with a stick?”

“SOLO was fun because a dog kept coming to me, and I had a beautiful view. We had a tarp and ropes to create our own shelter. I experimented with my tarp and building things to make my unique place.”

“I disliked SOLO because it was so boring, and I couldn’t see anyone. I did do some good reflections, though.”

“We saw interesting things: Bush Turkeys, Kangaroos, Possums, and a Dog (who stole an apple).”

“Honestly, we would do this all again.”A visible peace descended Kenilworth as the sun, spectacular as always, faded behind the hills, and darkness engulfed the campus.

As our time also comes to a close, here are the final thoughts from the staff Limitless Team ~

Many years from now, when joints creak, and muscles ache, individuals will find that without warning, some chance sight or sound will catapult them back to a world filled with the faces of long-sundered friends who, in the full vigor of life briefly shared with them hours of endless toil, shining moon, and swirling mist. And with quiet satisfaction, they will say to themselves, ‘We did that.’An ending, but perhaps a new beginning… And with that, we are all eagerly looking forward to seeing you in a few days.

The 2024 team.

Dear all,

An electric-charged last night at the homestead saw our first-ever Limitless Talent Show. You could feel the energy flow through the students and an endless circuit of passion and excitement. We were graced with sizzling performances of singing and dancing, and finished with special performances from the teachers! A message from the teachers left the students with plenty to think of as they left the dining hall. Here is the final part of the passage:

“And at the end 
If you choose to be better,
Even when everyone around you chooses not too,
If you can keep your head when all about you   
Are losing theirs,
If you can overcome tiredness and instead ~ choose kindness,
If you do the extras,
For the people in your group, 
If you choose to take the chance,
To fly with uneasy and uncomfortable emotions,
To soar, to be free,
… it might just be the start of something incredible.
And
I can guarantee you, 
You will be Limitless.”

The whole night was the perfect way to send off the students, buckets fill with positive emotions, on their 10 day Exped.

The next morning was a hive of activity as students hastily prepared for leaving. The dorms were a whirlwind of activity as they did last-minute packing, tidying up the dorms, a spot of community living (feeding the animals which is an all time favourite for everyone) and then rushed to meet their instructors. There was little time to feel nervous as the buses arrived promptly, and students jumped on. And with a quick wave, they were gone. Tales of adventure, grandeur and unexplored boundaries await your children.The nature of expeditions is multi-dimensional. The extraordinary beauty of Queensland in winter is unbelievably breath-taking, refreshing the mind, body and spirit, but it also brings a fresh awakening to even the hardy camper! In these pristine locations, the physical challenge is demanding, with some groups having big hiking days of 21 km – a challenging task. While the students spend time in groups, they also experience moments of solitude and reflection, which help them internalise the powerful experiences they have been part of.

Your children are exploring new frontiers in beautiful places such as Rainbow Beach, Boreen Point and the Everglades. They are also exploring new frontiers of what they are capable of. We are excited to see how the final 10 day experience transform, mould and change these malleable young adventurers.

There is only a week to go now before you see your children again – I know you are all excited for the grand reunion. Stay tuned!

Dear all,

The temperatures have dropped, and we have been graced with chilly and misty mornings. But, as always, the brilliant sun burns it away quickly, revealing a glorious backdrop of azure blue.

Students were nervous as they embarked on a significantly longer Expedition: five days and four nights in the great Australian Outdoors. The stories and pictures below give you a small insight into the group’s character, resolve and determination.

What was the best thing about Expedition?

I got to spend quality time with my group rather than at the homestead. One exciting thing was that I saw a different side to the people in my group. One unexpected thing I noticed was the amazing wildlife, including Wallabies, friendly birds and Bush Turkeys. I also enjoyed the shower at the end and the fresh clothes!

I absolutely loved hiking with my friends, talking, and singing. We told horror stories around the campfire (which weren’t very scary). The last day was fantastic as we ran through the woods with our instructors. I won’t forget this moment!

I loved canoeing. It was a peaceful feeling floating down the river and admiring the beautiful forests. We also stopped at this strange sandbank along the way. It was incredible spending time with our group and another group too. I didn’t want to leave this special place!

How did you overcome a challenge?

Yesterday, we had a very steep and long hill. Our solution was to talk to the leaders, and they gave us more breaks; we also had different strategies to make it easier for us to distract our brains.

It was very, very, very difficult, but encouragement in the friend groups helped us through. Some of the difficulties included hiking with our heavy bags and being exhausted. The stronger group members were also amazing during the hike, as they helped us when needed and lightened the load.

How did you develop your leadership?

We developed our leadership skills as we took turns leading the group. We took the instructor’s jobs! The brief for us leading the group was:

• Time management – making sure breakfast was done promptly, tents packed up
• Delegate tasks
• Set times for breaks
• Being aware of the group and their needs
• Keeping the group together during the hike

Relieved, satisfied, but tired faces greeted us on the return to the Kenilworth Homestead. There was also a distinct, unique smell (as you can imagine) as they wandered, dragging their feet. Students were looking forward to a hot shower! With the washing machines whirring and steam billowing from the shower blocks, life was ‘normal’ at the Homestead. That night, an unbelievable hush swept across the dorms, and dreams of grandeur, green, cold, friendships, and joy visited the sleeping adventurers. Dreams which dissipated as they woke to the azure blue of a well-deserved ‘rest day.’The rest day also marked the halfway point of the program. A lot of learning has taken place, and we are seeing students transform before our eyes. Saying we are proud does not encapsulate the full depth of our feelings! Students spent much of the day reflecting on how far they have come, how they have changed as individuals and as a group, and their hopes for the next three weeks. Some of the questions that were posed included: ‘Reflect on how your team has worked together during expeditions. What have been the strengths and weaknesses?’ ‘Think about the concept of interdependence. How has relying on others helped you in the program? ‘Share an example of how collaboration within your group led to a successful outcome?’ The challenge was to capture these ideas in a creative expression, i.e. song or dance, and present to the cohort.Week 4 marks the moment for the last activities before the students head on their 10-day Expedition. The activities have been purposeful in strengthening the cohesiveness of the groups, working on areas of improvement, and ensuring all members are working together as well-oiled machines. Here are a few moments which give you an indication of what is happening:As always, the long days finish with strong reflection to enhance the personal and collective growth of the groups.Thank you for giving your children this unbelievable opportunity as they grow their comfort zones and become inspiring leaders of the future.

It’s been a busy week at the Kenilworth homestead. Here is a snapshot of some of our moments!

Writing letters home

R&R time

Kylie and her team in the kitchen have kept us incredibly well fed, but she couldn’t do it without her willing band of HK helpers:

And they have an appreciative audience:

Those animals don’t look after themselves.  Probably the most popular morning duty is looking after our furry and feathery friends (strangely enough the washroom duty is less popular).

Big highlights were birthdays for Kathleen, Lok and Euan, with CAKES to celebrate and share with their friends:)))

In between the expeditions and activities we have Physical activity sessions in the mornings:

Movie night always goes down well after a strenuous day of activities:

During the daytime there have been lots of skills building sessions with canoeing, rock climbing, mountain biking, orienteering and hiking, as well as finding out about some of the amazing local wild-life and environment.  All this was building up to their 1st activity camp on Thursday and Friday.  

Here are what some of the groups got up to on expedition:

Bonyi:

Numabulla:

Asking the students…what were the highlights of the week?

“The food has been so good – it has ranged from good to fantastic and there is always plenty for 2nds.  Just as well given the numbers of takers for 2nds at every meal.

 “Our facilitators (the Higher Ground staff that lead the students on all their group activities), Emily and Ashay, have been so nice, they make us feel like our group is one big family.  We are really close as a group and I hope we keep in touch once we get back to HK.  I am sure we will.”

“Everyone loved the EBL trips to town, as we got to go to the shops and buy some Aussie meat pies and sweets.”

“Eating marshmallows and singing round the campfire was really fun.”

The students are off on expedition two this week… this is how they are feeling…

“A little bit excited, but a little bit nervous too.  However, after the 1st, shorter, expedition we now know what to expect and have a much better idea of what things to pack and what is going to be useful while we are on camp.”

But have no fear, your children are in safe hands:)))

Dear all,

Amidst blue skies and brilliant birdsong, students left for their three-day Expeditions. Filled with a kaleidoscope of emotions – wonder, audacity, nervousness and trepidation, they wondered what lay ahead. Hefting heavy bags, some weighing at least 10kgs with cast iron woks lashed on!, they entered the bus leaving for the remoteness of Conondale National Park.

A picture is worth a thousand words – capturing an experience in a single moment. However, the students’ recounts express the Expedition’s essence and the Yin and Yang nature of the journey. 

“The first day, my back hurt because I was carrying half my body weight in food. Two people had to help me lift my bag onto my back! I enjoyed talking to my instructor as I walked along a forestry road. I loved building connections. On arrival at camp, there were robbers. They were the Bush Turkeys. Some friends reported that a chicken’ grabbed a small green bag and ran off with it.”

“I was carrying the heaviest bag. I was also last in my team. People were telling me to go faster, but I couldn’t. My knees were on fire every step, but I am proud that I persevered. The most beautiful thing was the campfire as we talked to each other. I loved getting to know my teammates and their different perspectives.”

“I found it really fun! We walked about 5km, which was a great length for everyone to do. All our bags were heavy. The campfire was very nice! We also saw a baby Kangaroo that came out of the bush. Bush Turkeys were running off with our food and Hot Chocolate. My sleeping bag was warm even if it got down to 2 degrees. Going to bed quite early was great, and I was woken by the sounds of my team murmuring.” 

Day 2 was always going to be challenging for the students. Getting used to sleeping in a tent, waking up to the briskness of the cool mornings, and having to get sore muscles moving (kind of like oiling a rusty bike) could take some time! Here are some of the perspectives of the students:

“The food was better than I expected. Although I don’t think instant oatmeal and powdered milk go together. We were freezing when we woke up. Taking the tents down was difficult because it was still so frigid. My hands were shivering. The hike on the second day was four hours and steep! At least one km of going up and down rolling hills. One of the hard points was that many people fell on the creek crossings and completely got soaked! I was happy that I had waterproof shoes. Swimming in the river was refreshing and cool after the exhausting hike.”

“We had to be quick for breakfast and packing up. The message was that it could take time, so we wanted to be efficient. Our route was 7km, and it was scorching hot because there wasn’t a lot of cover. Near the end, I felt relieved as there was plenty more shade, and I could escape from the sun. Making it to the destination and working together with everyone made me proud.”

“Tiring but fun! We were lucky we went Mountain Biking. It was easy to begin with, and it was a quick play. Hiking was tiring, but we learned much about the wildlife and vegetation. I saw a Guana, and one of the instructors said it tasted good! I was interested in the plants that could help you survive (edible) and even mosquito bites. We got the challenge of chasing the Bush Turkeys and catching them.”

It was fitting that on Day 3, the end of the Expedition, we were treated to an explosion of fire lining the skyline in the fading light of Friday. It was a day indeed to remember as chapter one closed, and like an exciting story, everyone was eager for chapter two to begin.

The cohort returned full of energy, and you could see the relief as they returned to the familiar comforts of their six week home – showers, bunk beds, and, of course, the dining hall. You can imagine how many of the group went up for seconds and for some thirds for dinner that night!

We had some weary bodies waking up after Expedition. However, skill development day provided a more relaxing but intellectually engaging day as the instructors introduced the group to many new skills. The skills introduced included belaying, invasive species, canoeing, reading maps, and mountain biking. Positive mindsets and determination resulted in many successes. We were proud to see many students cycle for the first time! How special is that.

The day concluded with a Minute to Win It competition between the groups. Minute to Win It is a series of one-minute challenges to achieve a goal. It was rowdy, spirited, but most importantly the students’ buckets were filled with positive emotions and energy.

Almost over a week has passed, and we definitely notice how your children are growing, changing, and transforming. I am sure you are as proud as we are. We could not ask any more of this inspirational cohort. 

G’Day from Kenilworth!!

It has been a busy few days adjusting to our new lives. Here is an update of what we’ve been up to:

Day 1 – a long (and successful!) travel day. We spent the plane journey chatting and watching movies with our new friends and all got through immigration and customs smoothly. We arrived at Brisbane airport and then had a 1.5 hour bus ride to Kenilworth, which meant we arrived in the dark, but despite not being able to see much, you could tell we had arrived somewhere special. We were put into our dorm groups and said goodbye to our phones before jumping into bed for some well earned rest.

Day 2 –  Despite the fact most of us were running on only 4 hours sleep, the teachers barely had to wake anyone as excitement levels were high and everyone jumped out of bed, eager to explore their new surroundings. The sun was shining and students were found roaming the grounds checking out the stunning scenery and animal friends that we are to take care of for the next six weeks. We had our first meal and then got into our activity groups, met our instructors and set off for some team building activities. The day was spent getting the lay of the land and being introduced to the way of life here. The afternoon DEAR session proceeded some free time, where students spent their time running and playing on the grounds, before dinner and campfires and a much needed good nights sleep!

.   

Day 3 –  an early (and chilly!) start to our first full day of Camp Life. Bonyi group did a fantastic job of setting us up for a great breakfast before we headed out on our first rounds of Community Living. Some of us fed the animals, some of us cleaned our (in some cases already messy..!) rooms, some of us washed and dried dishes… and others cleaned the toilets and showers! Each of us will take turns rotating through these chores each morning to help keep our community and location a happy place for all of us. We then did our first lot of group physical exercise before heading out with our instructors again for more games and group bonding.

Our afternoon ended with DEAR time outside before heading into some downtime before dinner. We are occupying ourselves by playing large games of tag around the homestead grounds, playing touch rugby, having wizard duels with large sticks and doing our laundry.

Day 4 – Another day with an early start followed by breakfast, before Physical fitness which was a choice between a running and bodyweight exercise circuit or a few ball games. Lunch is always spent outside on the grass, and so far we have had chicken wraps, chicken burgers and beef wraps. The food is going down a treat and the line for seconds is almost as long as the line for firsts! We spent the afternoon learning what we our expeditions will entail and packing our bags for the next three days.

The weather is beautiful, the food is great, our instructors are awesome and we are having a lot of fun!!!

Tomorrow we head on our first expedition..! We won’t be back on base site for three nights so we will update you on our adventures when we return. Wish us luck!

We now find ourselves back at Kenilworth for the last few days of Limitless 2019.

The groups completed expedition 3 which was a huge challenge. 10 days, 9 nights sleeping in a tent, hiking, biking, canoeing, soloing, cooking, cleaning, navigating, leading… the list of challenges was long but the students excelled and returned to Kenilworth with huge smiles on their faces. They can be very proud of their achievements and the demands they overcame during the time spent traveling the Brisbane valley rail trail.

But the challenges haven’t stopped with their return to the homestead. Yesterday all the groups completed the ‘leap of faith’ high ropes activity. This involves getting harnessed up, climbing a 10m high pole and leaping out to touch a ball. Definitely not for the faint hearted but an activity the students really enjoyed. This morning we finished off the physical activity session with a 5km run (actually ended up being 5.84km). It was fantastic to see all students set themselves a goal and push their limits to finish the run. All the activity the students have been involved in over the last 6 weeks has definitely paid off!

Paddling to the end of the canoe section of expedition 3.

Numabulla pulling a sad face as they finish expedition 3, obviously not happy that it is all over.

More serious faces from Hinka Booma as they are preparing to take on the ‘leap of faith’

Bonyi all prepared to serve their last breakfast. The teams have become very efficient in their dinning hall duties.

The limitless team set off on the 5km challenge, the last physical activity session of this year’s program.

A final bonfire down on the beach of the Mary river, a time to relax and reflect on the last 6 weeks. Jon is giving some words of wisdom to the students here, a common occurrence during the program.

Tonight we have our final dinner and performances. It will be a time of celebration for all that has been accomplished and a chance to say farewell to the staff and facilitators at Higher Ground. Tomorrow morning we have a 3am wake up for a 4am departure as we will make our way back to Hong Kong. It is with heavy hearts we leave the Kenilworth homestead but a real sense of excitement to be reunited with friends and family back in Hong Kong. We’re looking forward to seeing everyone at the airport on Friday evening.

The groups are now half way through expedition 3. The last 5 days have seen the students  journeying along the Brisbane Vally Rail Trail. So far, hiking and biking have been the modes of transport and they are moving towards lake Wivenhoe where two days of canoeing will provide some variety. A 12 hour solo will allow the students time to reflect on their experience to date. The picturesque settings of the campsites will help to make this a special experience. The groups are traveling extremely well, in high spirits and with a real togetherness, which is heartening to see. We’re sure all groups will continue to succeed in their journey and arrive back at Kenilworth on Tuesday with a real sense of achievement.

Rod giving a final motivational speech prior to expedition 3 departure.

Read to set off for the Brisbane Valley rail trail.

Hinka Booma with their serious faces on as they prepare for a 14km cycle leg.

Bonyi chilling at the Toogoolawah show grounds after a long hike.

Numabulla have camp set up early after setting a record pace on their day of cycling.

We’ll post again when the groups arrive back at Kenilworth for the last few days of Limitless 2019!

Working towards the third and culminating expedition the students participated in three different activity days. Each day involved the groups participating in either mountain biking on the Noosa trails network, rock climbing or abseiling, both at the Brooyar State Forest. These activities were designed to challenge each individual and push them out of their comfort zones. The students took to the challenges with real zest and encouraged each other to help all group members complete the tasks. The venues for each of the days gave the students another opportunity to experience the unique and stunning landscapes here in Queensland.

Bonyi doing their pre ride checks.

Numabulla pause for a photo at a picturesque lookout.

The technical trails provided a challenge for the groups. Here is one of the many creek crossings.

Hinka Booma on a snack break at the top of the abseiling cliff.

Conner teaching the techniques of abseiling before the students go over the edge.

Virgile demonstrating courage and bravery as he abseils down the rock face.

Enjoying the view from the top.

Yesterday, after the activity days, the students had a day to rest. This was a chance to relax and recover from the previous weeks activities. It also gave the students a chance to get any final laundry done and organise themselves for the final expedition. Today was the final expedition preparation day, an important time for each group to get ready for the 10 days they will spend on the rail trail. Packing lists were checked off, group equipment was divvied out, meals were planned, food was split up and maps and routes were examined. Once all was prepared and after dinner, a quiet relaxing night was spent with a movie night in the barn. At 9am tomorrow morning the three groups will board a bus and make their way to the trail head.  From here they will  embark on the expedition that they have been working so hard to prepare themselves for success in.

Expedition 3 will take the groups along the length of the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail.

The students will make their way along the rail trail via hiking, mountain biking and canoeing.

All packed and ready to go tomorrow morning.

Food packs ready to be divided into meals and distributed to the students to carry for the first few days of expedition 3.

We will post on the blog at the half way mark of the expedition to keep you up to date with how they are progressing.