Learning Outside the Classroom
RVRC has a strong focus on outdoor education based on the foundation of experiential learning, with an emphasis on environmental stewardship. This focus is embedded in our academic modules, while also being the foundation for our RVRC experiential learning activities offered beyond the academic curriculum. All RVRC students are encouraged to participate in a range of outdoor learning experiences to engage with various causes in order to diversify their learning journey and to become active members of society. Thus, we offer our students a range of local and overseas opportunities to learn and participate in.
RVRC Overseas Courses
RVC and RVN Overseas Courses
RVRC also firmly believes in creating meaningful and impactful outdoor learning experiences beyond Singapore’s shores. As part of the NUS Southeast Asian Friendship Initiative (SFI) we have created two credit bearing Overseas Courses that are integrated into the RVRC curriculum and take students on a journey of self-discovery and sustainable living through a 10-day overseas fieldtrip component. RVRC students can now choose to fulfil their GE requirements in the RVC and RVN pillar by reading a module that incorporates an overseas fieldtrip to East or West Malaysia.
RVRC courses with a 10-day overseas fieldtrip offered in Special Term or during the semester:
RVC2000 Culture and Sustainability in Southeast Asia
RVN2002 Wild Asia: conservation matters
RVRC Outdoor Programmes
RVRC Coastal and Mangrove Cleanups
RVRC organises Coastal and Mangrove Cleanups in various locations in Singapore, such as Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve and Tanah Merah Beach. The cleanup initiatives are organised in conjunction with Little Green Men Singapore. We also participate in the Annual Coastal Cleanup, which is organised in conjunction with The International Coastal Cleanup - an annual data-gathering exercise that is coordinated by the Ocean Conservancy globally, conducted in Singapore since 1992. The activity gives RVRC students a chance to witness first-hand the challenges and impact of marine debris. Our students also collect data on the different types and volume of marine debris that ends up on Singapore shores. The Coastal and Mangrove Cleanups also help to protect our dwindling mangrove areas and participants lean about the importance of mangroves as habitats and natural barriers and protectors of shorelines.
RVRC Chestnut Park Reforestation Programme
In the RVRC Chestnut Park Reforestation Programme our staff and students work in close partnership with NParks on public engagement workshops and tree planting in Chestnut Nature Park. The programme is linked to the Million Tree Initiative and facilitates the improvement of habitat and biodiversity in the nature park.
RVRC Heritage Walks
This new series of walks to heritage conservation zones and buildings invites students to question their perception of and relationship to cultural heritage in Singapore. Students participate in guided visits to observe the many drivers of change in urban settings that threaten heritage conservation, with the objective of enhancing their interest and exposure to local heritage. An additional objective is to enhance interaction within the college community; by providing a platform for local and exchange students the opportunity to explore the city together and engage with each other. If you have ever asked yourself what heritage is and whom it belongs to then join The RVRC Heritage Walks to find out more about our very own Singapore heritage.
RVRC Kayak and Clean
RVRC Kayak and Clean Project focuses on addressing the global issue of marine litter, where plastics are dumped at approximately 8 trillion tonnes a year. Marine debris left in the ocean ecosystem inevitably causes detrimental impacts, such as entanglement of wildlife and even ingestion of microplastics by humans. This marine debris clean-up effort focuses on the aquatic ecosystem and will use kayaks to reach hard to access areas around Singapore's waterways and nearby islands. These areas contain significant amounts of marine debris due to their inaccessibility. Through this series of clean-ups, students will learn about ocean pollution, the importance of the mangrove ecosystem, and develop a deeper appreciation of nature with RVRC’s focus on sustainability.
RVRC Leopard Cat Quest
Ever seen a leopard cat? The Leopard Cat is the only wild cat remaining in Singapore and it is nationally critically endangered. Leopard Cats are known to live in Pulau Ubin, Pulau Tekong, the Central Catchment Nature Reserve, and the Western Catchment. With Leopard Cats being nocturnal and shy, it is not easy to spot one. However, we are excited to announce the RVRC Leopard Cat Quest at Pulau Ubin! In conjunction with SWAG we walk Pulau Ubin’s rustic kampong lanes and forested areas in the silent, cool night, to look for the shine of Leopard Cat eyes. Hopefully we will also encounter the Greater Mousedeer, Common Palm Civet, sleeping birds, moths, bats, snakes, and mangrove wildlife!
Joining the RVRC Leopard Cat Quest is not only exciting, but it also helps to raise funds for MYCAT, the Malaysian Conservation Alliance for Tiger’s community ranger project, protecting the wild Malayan tiger and its habitat.
Upcoming dates for the RVRC Leopard Cat Quest are 24.3.23. Register for the trips here.
RVRC Walk for Rice
The RVRC community has been organizing an annual college walk across the Southern Ridges. Spanning over 8 kilometres, the walk begins at the RVRC Lawn and ends at Mount Faber. It includes the staff and student community of the college. This effort is undertaken for the Kent Ridge Walk For Rice, where for every 200m walked by a participant NTUC donates 2 bowls of rice to underprivileged families. The college has been able to contribute around 18,000 bowls of rice every year.
RV Intertidal Walk & Clean
This program aims to develop environmental stewardship and students’ connectedness to nature through a guided nature walk at various intertidal zones. Students will visit nearby islands, such as Pulau Hantu and Kusu Island, and mainland shorelines to explore the unique habitats and multitude of organisms that can only be accessed during low tides. Coupled with a beach clean-up, students will recognise the impact of marine pollution on the ecosystems existing in these intertidal zones.
Student Reflections
Ko Shi Jie - RVRC Coastal and Mangrove Cleanups
"The most memorable observation of today’s Coastal and Mangrove Cleanup was watching the otter disturbing the crocodile, because it has nothing better to do! I also learnt that plastic constitutes the majority of the waste we create, but we spent the most time picking up styrofoam which breaks into thousands of tiny pieces when it floats in the ocean :("
Khoo Wei Zhi - RVRC Walk for Rice
"I think it's a meaningful campaign as it can get people to stay active, enjoy the outdoors and destress while doing it for a good cause. I feel happy that we managed to attract so many of our RVRC residents to take time out of their hectic schedules to come for our walks. I hope that this campaign has introduced hiking to the participants and will encourage them to continue to be active in the upcoming semester."
Lo Mei Hui - RVRC Kayak and Clean
"RVRC Kayak and Clean pushed me out of my comfort zone while creating unforgettable memories with my friends. Simpang trail was a serene and scenic journey that allowed me to reconnect with nature and slow my footsteps. I learnt more about the biodiversity at Sungei Simpang, such as the little mangrove box jellyfish. When we first landed on Simpang beach, I was expecting to find only a few pieces of rubbish as the island seemed rather far away from the mainland. However, to my astonishment, we collected more than 6 kg of rubbish in a short span of 10 minutes. Styrofoam pieces were entangled in plants and embedded in sand, making it tedious to pick out yet so insidious to animals. It dawned upon me how our everyday mindless actions have such long-lasting and distant impacts. Who would know where those pieces of rubbish floated from? "
Om Maity - RVRC Leopard Cat Quest
"If it wasn't for the fact that we were allowed to use flashlights, this would have given me PTSD from night walks in NS. Fortunately, my night walk in Pulau Ubin gave me a fresh new perspective and outlook on our dear mother nature. You'd think that being alone on an island in the middle of the night with no light would be grounds for the start of a horror movie, but instead, everything felt surreal. Everything was quiet. Everything was peaceful. Being disconnected from your sight allows you to focus on the rest of your senses... the sound of the crickets… the fresh scent of air… the cooling wind gently brushing against your skin. While it sounds cliche, I really felt more connected to the world than ever before. It really is beautiful and it's a shame that in various parts of the world, experiences like this are going to diminish because of the rate at which species are becoming endangered and going extinct. Part of the reason we went on this trip, was to try and search for the leopard cat in Pulau Ubin, but along the way, our guides from @swag.cat.sg taught us about every nook and cranny of every species we came across. It was a delightful evening. While it might seem like we didn't contribute much in the way of conservation, part of the proceeds went towards the conservation of the Malayan tiger which is currently critically endangered, so even there, I felt like I made a small contribution. I would like to thank RVRC for this truly unique experience and would encourage anyone who has never explored Ubin at night to engage in the Leopard Cat Quest. You'll experience something new and also help conserve the Malayan tiger."
Sara Yamamura: RVRC Heritage Walks
“I have participated in all the RVRC Heritage Walks, which were meaningful to me. Many exchange students tend to spend their free time with people from the same country, but these walks helped me socialise and make friends with people from other countries, including Singapore. Together, we visited and explored places that international students usually do not know about, and we learnt so much about the local religions, diverse arts, and culture through these walks. Through these walks, my understanding and appreciation of Singapore heritage has also deepened.”
Arya Muthukumar - RVN2002 Wild Asia: conservation matters
"At first being thrown into the jungle on our first trek was mostly nerve wracking, as I found it scary not knowing what I was walking into and not knowing what was out there. But with every trek that we went on, I became more comfortable and safe in the forest, starting to notice the beauty in nature - from the sun peeking through the canopy illuminating the forest floor, to the butterflies flying around as we walked along and so much more that I found ethereal. From a scary hike at the onset emerged an enjoyable trek that allowed me to appreciate the goodness in nature. On top of that, being surrounded by people who also cared for the environment including the guides, my classmates and the locals we met - especially the Orang Asli communities - immersed me in a space that allowed me to be more attuned with nature and appreciate all the nature around me."
