This summer, MSF were privileged to have the opportunity to take explorers across the country, to participate in the National Citizen’s Service ‘Live it’ residential, in the Isle of Wight to, here’s a blog post from one of the explorers who attended:
When I heard that MSF would be providing an opportunity for Explorers to attend NCS (National Citizen’s Service) over the summer on the Isle of Wight, I jumped at the opportunity. NCS is supposed to be an event where young people come together from different backgrounds, learn new skills, and develop lifelong friendships. I had considered attending before MSF, but was put off by going into an environment of strangers on my own, and whether I’d be able to practice my faith freely and without worry. So when MSF announced that they would be doing a trip, I was thrilled to know that I would be able to take part in this experience worry-free and safe with leaders I could trust.
I was also keen to meet other people my age from across the country- which I did. We had groups from Birmingham, Leicester, Goodmayes, High Wycombe, as well as my group from Northwood. As my group is in London, we only attend the South MSF events, and I’d never connected with some of these groups before. Like some others in the group, I had completed my GCSEs in June, and taking a trip with Scouts to a picturesque island sounded like a perfect summer plan.
I was hoping to gain exactly what NCS aims to provide- skills for the future, friendships, and to take on challenges, as well as a break after completing my exams, and having returned from the trip, I feel like I’ve gained all of those, if not even more and feel really fulfilled, knowing that I took the step to spend almost a week over 100 miles away from where I live and dive headfirst into an experience I didn’t know much about.
We spent our first day entirely on travel as we had some trouble with the ferries, but this turned out to be a blessing in disguise. We stopped in Portsmouth and had a chance to get to know one another as well as stretching our legs in the park. We arrived on the Isle of Wight later than planned and went to bed straight away, but the day felt productive nonetheless.
On Saturday we participated in two main workshops- Present Your Pitch and Democracy Matters, in which we discussed and learnt about public speaking skills and democracy in the UK through games and other activities. The girls also took a trip to the beach during our lunch break, a rare opportunity to enjoy some sun in the UK and to see the water as we had all come from cities. Though not originally planned, we were lucky enough to spend a lot of time at the beach- one morning we prayed Fajr there and swam at sunrise, and the leaders arranged a surprise watersports session at another beach.
We completed so many activities over the duration of the trip, but the main ones that stood out (besides our trips to the beach) were the 3G swing, paddleboarding, the campfire, and our chance to stargaze after our activities, which was exceptionally exciting as we were there during the Perseid meteor shower and coincided with an appearance of the Northern Lights. To our surprise, we also found ourselves enjoying the public speaking workshop!
Overall, the trip was an incredible opportunity and marvelous adventure. The friendships forged were unlike any others- nothing is better for bonding than sharing a giant paddle board with 10 others in freezing water- and the activities were once in a lifetime. I don’t think any of us will be forgetting them soon. Going to NCS with MSF was amazing, and we are all so grateful to have gone.
