Only two small teams were able to arrange meetings with their mentors under the threat of COVID-19.  They even needed to beef up defence against the virus transmission throughout the process.  However, they had a big gain from the gatherings.  They have also successfully come up with a preliminary design of their target activities.

The marathon team met their mentor twice in June and July.  At the former, the mentor shared his anecdotes and feelings on how he had turned his interest into social contribution after retirement (e.g. organising a 40-day “A Little Run around Taiwan for Charity” and two large-scale charity runs to raise fund for cancer patients, and being a volunteer running coach for the elderly).  He also gave away his autographed book《60 歲的 1000 公里：一位退休社工的小小環台慈善跑》(book title in Chinese only) and reference handbook《快樂教室：十周年紀念版》(book title in Chinese only) to every student of the team to encourage their realisation of dreams.  In the second meeting, the mentor took students to Pak Shek Kok Promenade to experience a mindfulness run for several metres under the sunset after instructing them about the “seven ways to happiness”.  Their return journey was full of fond memories.

Concerning the camping team, the meeting with mentor as well as two senior Scout leaders was held in June.  Not only had the process, design and precautions of organising a wild camp been gone through, but the mentor also shared his experience of leading camping activities with the students.  Moreover, he gave away the “World Scout Jamboree” commemorative book and relevant publications to facilitate the students’ selection of some interesting activities (e.g. wild cooking, wood rafting and stargazing) to be included in the ensuing target activities.

Participants of the I·CARE Achievers Programme enjoy flexibility to decide when and to what extent they will complete the programme and obtain corresponding “I·CARE Achievers” title.  Last year, seven students were named “Cadet I·CARE Achiever” and received certificates signed by Professor Joseph Sung and Professor Edwin Chan, Co-Chairmen of the Steering Committee for Promoting Personal Development through Social and Civic Engagement.