Charlie Group Day 13

Last night during dinner we were told to eat up because we would be having some intense PT today. True to his words, Billy briefed us on the PT, and it was intense. We would be dividing into two teams with one destination in mind—Cherry Beach in Toronto. This was another qualification test in order to see who was physically fit to cross Lake Ontario. The walk was about 25 kilometres and took both teams almost 7 hours to finish. There were many things that occurred during this time, which you will be able to read in each student’s individual blog.

Those of us that did not partake in this walk to Cherry Beach stayed at HQ and cleaned the firearms that we used yesterday—a painstaking task. We had to take the rifles apart piece by piece, and the smallest piece, the most important part—the firing pin—was smaller than the nail of your pinkie finger. We had to be very careful with the parts, yet scrub hard enough to scrape off the carbon and gunpowder.

At the end of the walk, all of us went for dinner at the First Markham Place food court. We’ll need to rest up because tomorrow is another qualification test—we’ll be going on the water once again!

Brian

I wake up in the morning

I brush my teeth

I go for a walk

I go to the beach

I get in the van

I eat breakfast

I eat hamburger

I eat fries

I eat at the restorant

I go to the highway

I do work

Calvin

Today I spent my morning cleaning the firearms with Billy, Kenny, Kannis, and Jenn. That took up all morning until 1 PM. Even though we had 5 people cleaning, it still took over 3 hours to clean. We finished when the other students reached cherry beach. I am very proud at them as I did not expect most of them to finish. I hope that they will do well tomorrow as well. Tonight I’ll be going home and am going to the doctors tomorrow.

Andrew

Today was VERY exhausting! My group and I had to walk from Monticle HQ all the way down to Cherry Beach. Before we started our walk, we had plan everything from getting the correct equipment to spending our pocket money. Eventhough the walk was very tiring I got a chance to see the beautiful scenary of downtown Toronto. The moment I stepped onto the beach, I felt like I have achieved something that no one else could ever do. My leg is aching right now, but it was all worth the effort.

Lemuel

Day 13. Very tiring day. First thing we did was walk all the way from Shields Court to Cherry beach in Downtown Toronto. We started at around 10:30 am and reached our destination at around 6:00 pm. We were given 50$ to use and feed the six people in our team, so I didn’t get to eat much. We took the Don Mills route while the other group took the Bayview route. The two groups met up at around Cherry St, so everyone made a Mad dash to Cherry st. Fortunately our team won so we would be first to be considered for the kayak challenge. The walk was used to test the leadership skills of 2 junior leaders. On the way we made around 8 stops and asked twice for directions. I’m too tired to write more, so I’m ending it here.

Jonathan

Today, we given another challenge. Our challenge was to wak from HQ to Cherry beach in five hours and twenty-one minutes. We left HQ at around 10:30 in the morning and arrived at 6:00 in the evening. Along the way, we stopped at Esso for a quick lunch. We then stopped at McDonald’s for a real lunch. We walked from HQ to Toronto in 25 kilometers and seven hours of walking. When we arrived near Cherry Beach, we saw the Bravo group and started to run toward Cherry Beach. It was very tiring to run and walk for seven full hours. After the challenge, we went to the food court at First Markham place and ate a mixed plate. Tomorrow is the first of two days in the water at Cherry Beach. I learned when not to give up for when walking longer.

Jacky

Today was an interesting day, we started off into the unknown. We were surprised when we were given our task to walk to cherry beach, a 25 Km walk. I was assigned as an observer to see if anyone was failing or not. I was not to interfere with the group and I succeded in it. I found out new things amoung the group members. I believe that I learned that I can pay more attention to detail as I found out more stuff from the students. Overall everyone completed the walk and everyone was happy. I hope tomorrow will be the same.

Jordan

Today, we experienced a tiring journey. We were challenged to walk from Monticle Headquarters to Cherry Beach, in Downtown Lakeshore. This trek nearly stretched 30 KM and lasted around 7 hours. We were split into 2 teams where we both had different routes to reach there. Our team, Team Alpha hd chosen to walk down Bayview Avenue. The other team, Tem Bravo had chosen to go down Don Mills Rd. We set off at 10:30 am and set off. After several long hours and many breaks, we made it to Lakeshore where we met at n intersection. We both ran towards the lifeguard station. In result, we ended up in a close race In conclusion, I believe this was a very valuable experience. In our team, Edwin was our leader while Jason navigated. JJ was a observer and I monitored ad kept people moving smoothly so we could move as a team in unison. Everybody played major role in reaching our destination safely with minor injuries such as sore feet, hotspots on feet and blisters. This assessed our endurance and our teamwork skills in preparation for the kayak crossing on saturday morning.

Jason Wong

We woke up at 8:00 this morning. We didn’t have breakfast. We were seperated into 2 teams and we learned that we had to walk from HQ to Cherry beach which was 25 KM. My team was Matthew, Edwin, Andy, Jonathan, Andrew, Me, Jason Wang, and Jordan. We took the bayview route which was get to Bayview ave walk straight down take some turns. We had Mcdonalds for lunch. My team lost the completion. We had 5 pitstops. at McDonalds and gas stations. We surprisingly had some leftover money. After we went to First Markham Place for dinner.

Andy

                ONE DAY after the full day on the gun range, we had another challenge. It was essentially the trek to Niagara Falls, only shortened. Our destination was Cherry Beach where we do much of our water training.

                Alpha, my team, set off just ahead of Bravo, and followed Bayview Avenue. all the way down, stopping at Esso stations and a McDonald’s for snacks along the way. Our plan was interrupted only near Cherry Street, where we took a detour and continued down the Port. lands when we spotted us, me and Edwin, my team leader, we raced to the finish, but for some strange reason ran far ahead of the pack as we thought we were behind. Turns out, Bravo team finished first despite the fact we arrived first.

                Bravo claimed they won since their group arrived first, and because we ran too far ahead and didn’t wait for our team mates, we lacked leadership and teamwork. However, because each team worked equally hard, I wanted to say it was a tie. Nobody had any other take, so I had to admit defeat.

                In this prequel to the ultimate challenge, I was successfully able to travel the 30 km on foot, despite the pain. that et bothering me along the way and the difficult time I had walking after the journey. I have proven that I can strive for my potential, and will be prepared for more exciting and tedious challenges ahead, especially the Lake Ontario Crossing.

                One thing is sure, Monticle is one place I am getting used to, whether just for a week or a month.

Jason Wang

Today we had endurance training for the kayak across lake Ontario. We were split up into 2 teams, Alpha which was lead by Edwin and Bravo which was lead by Ryan. Jacky and I were sent to follow the 2 teams and evaluate the leadership skills of the leaders. We started off at 10:15 am and walked for few hours then we had breakfast then we walked again and stopped for lunch after that we walked to cherry beach (the destination). The walk in total took about 7 hours or so to go 25 km. In that time Edwin and a fairly good job leading the team but he needs to put more power into his voice while ordering and telling his subordinates what to do or else they cannot hear him. Other than that he did fine leading his people but he managed to save too much money.

William

Today was the day we walked 30 km from Markham 401 Shields Court to Cherry Beach. In the morning, we had 15 minutes to prepare the food, water and equipment that was necessary for the walk. Billy issued the two team captains fifty dollars each to buy food along the way. I was told that we would be able to finish the walk in six hours. We each held for litres of water. My team captain was Ryan and the rest of the team was Justin, Lemuel, Brian, Roman and me. Justin and Lemuel were navigators so they figured out where to go from directions we wrote down. I managed the rations to see what we would eat and drink. Today, I practiced my endurance and navigational skills and I’ve had a really tiring day. We managed to get to the destination before the other team. Tomorrow, Billy said we would be kayaking around Centre Island and learning and learning about paddling on a kayak.

Justin

Today was probably the most exhausting day since I’ve been here. To train us for crossing lake Ontario, we had to walk from the Monticle HQ to Cherry beach which was very interesting. We went through some problems which were solved fairly quickly. I saw many buildings I’ve never seen before as well as nice scenery. I was expecting someone on my team to give up but surprisingly, no one did. I was surprised Brian made it: he didn’t know when to give up and he kept on going. About ten minutes away from cherry beach, we met up with the other team and from there, we all started running. Our team ended up getting there first but I am proud of everyone for reaching cherry Beach. We went to first Markham Place this day wasn’t that bad at all.

Matthew

Basically the entire day was a hiking day. We hiked from HQ to Cherry Beach. When I say “we”, I mean Jason, Edwin, Andrew, Jordan, Andy, Johnathan, JJ and me. Edwin was our leader/navigator. I was runner. Andrew was communication. Our route was basically going down to Bayview. In the end our group lost, because the other team beat us. But I learned something while walking. I learned that teamwork is important in long journeys. Everyone has to take care of everyone. Well tomorrow we are kayaking in Lake Ontario. I get the fast boat!

Roman

Do you like walking? I do! Today we walked from Markham to Cherry Beach, which is around 30 km. It took us 7 hours to get there. We were split into 2 groups. Alonge the way, we bought snacks with the group money. We took around 6 breaks ad no body got hurt. I think we took around 6 breaks and no body got hurt. I think this is a really good challenge, because it shows our team work skills, cooperation, and following leader. In our team, we have a runner who have to help who ever falls behind; 2 navigators who shows us the correct way to get to our destination; and a guy that assists the team leader. My team leader was Ryan Hoang. He is an excellent leader, he spents the money wisely, and he always cheers his teem members up. Our team Bravo, got to the Beach first. Tomorrow and the day after tomorrow is all going to be “hard core” water sport training. I hope Bravo will do good on water just like we did on Land. I’m looking forward to it. CAMP IS GOOD!!!

Edwin Cheung

Today is Augest, 21, 2012. I woke up at 7:30. and brush my teeth. We did ate breakfest. Billy gave us a Walk to Cherry Beach from HQ. We start walking from HQ at 10:30. Through out my team work out quiet well. Everyone workout quite well. We all reach to the detintiaon in time. The think that I am miss in my leadership is Communication between brother. I need a lot of work on that I have to start speak loudly and clearer.

Ryan

Today we walked 30 km from Sheilds Court to Cherry Beach. This was however my first leadership test to become a full leadership. Billy then split our group to two teams Alpha and Bravo. I was personally in Bravo group and it was I that lead them. As the leader I made Roman my communicator, Lemuel and Justin my navigators as well as William being my Logistics. The walk went pretty well except we took a wrong turn once and William got tired and was about to give up. When we saw Alpha team however my team got excited and started to sprint ahead. I of course stopped them so we can stay as a unit. I feel I did well keeping our team together but Jason Wang says otherwise calling me cocky and affected by morale to easily.