On August 11, 2026, the Sharjah Youth Programme successfully wrapped up its international adventure and challenge programme at the Green Mountains in Oman. The week-long event aimed to enhance leadership skills, fitness, survival techniques, teamwork, and environmental awareness among attendees aged between 13 and 18 years, representing the eight centres of the Sharjah Youth Programme. This initiative forms part of the “Your Summer with Us 2026” activities, showcasing the programme’s commitment to innovative and diverse offerings that contribute to personal and leadership development among its members.
The programme provided a comprehensive learning experience, featuring a unique blend of physical and intellectual challenges. The stunning landscape of the Green Mountains served as a free space for exploration and learning. Participants engaged in environmental awareness sessions and geology workshops, enabling them to understand the characteristics and components of mountainous environments while linking theoretical knowledge to practical experiences. This initiative also aimed at fostering a heightened sense of responsibility towards environmental conservation.
Physical Fitness
One of the key activities was the mountain trekking challenge, which rigorously tested participants’ endurance across the Green Mountains’ terrains. This experience enhanced their physical fitness, strategic planning capabilities, risk management skills, and ability to respond in challenging situations. Additionally, a specialised safety and security programme accompanied all activities, ensuring a safe environment throughout the event.
Participants also engaged in practical applications of effective communication, leadership, and teamwork skills. These activities offered opportunities to distribute roles, coordinate efforts, bear responsibilities, manage resources, and tackle challenges as a collective, thereby enhancing their self-confidence and teamwork spirit.
Culinary Skills
In addition to team-building, attendees learned essential skills such as using walkie-talkies, navigating with compasses, and outdoor cooking techniques. They participated in workshops focused on survival skills and adapting to various environments, equipping them to creatively address challenges and manage time according to priorities.
The experience extended beyond facing challenges; it included reviewing and learning from them. Reflection sessions allowed participants to evaluate their performance, identify strengths, and explore areas for improvement. A retreat session focused on future planning encouraged personal reflection and goal-setting, linking acquired skills and experiences to their aspirations and future plans.
This international adventure and challenge programme highlights Sharjah Youth’s commitment to making adventure a means of learning, and challenges a way to build skills. Each challenge prompted deep thinking, and every task tested self-reliance while providing opportunities for leadership and teamwork, resulting in enhanced self-confidence among participants and preparing them to handle life’s challenges with awareness and responsibility.