In June 2026, 7 brave souls journey-ed up north to the great Scandinavian land of Norway, to seek out the gems of the great North. This is the tale of their journey.
They arrived in the great north, at different times, but somehow managed to meet each other along the way, even in the foreign land. Adeline (the Flamingo), united with Darren, Zijing, Linda, Shin Ee, Jumilia and Jolene on a bus by chance. What coincidence you may say… but the great north knows. The magic has only begun.
SUN
The Sun was the first adventure of the journey. He never set in the late nights. He only walked the mountainous horizon of the great north, watching over the people of the land and the travellers. The brave 7, journeyed to Lillihammer, to meet and learn from a master, Lina and her humble Kindergarten, Birkebeineren Friluftsbarnehage.
She showed them the beautiful space and the wonderful community of children and practitioners. They chatted, played and exchanged stories. It was rich and insightful.
Lina shared about how the Norwegian education system is like now. And how behaviour issues were actually more prevalent in the cities than in the schools in the outer towns. The wider space and environment makes a difference to the growth and development of children (and probably adults).
In the Kindergarten, they spend most of their days outdoors, playing amongst the space around the centre, only coming in when it’s time for lunch or some short sharing.
We even got to meet Ingrid, who is a Sami, the indigenous people of the Norway land. She shared so much with the brave 7 about the stories and meaning of the Sami ways.
We were blessed.
In the blessing, the brave 7 lived on, strolling the wider roads of Lillhammer, choosing to walk and pause along the road. They let the Sun take over. The Sun brought them wild flowers by the road, the brave 7 made little crowns and bangles. The Sun brought wide fields and unknown paths, the brave 7 pranced into them in wonder and delight.
The brave 7, received the Gem of Play from the Sun.
LAKE
The brave 7 journey on to their separate paths called by the great North. Adeline and Jolene (the BuddingRanger) went to explore and live out in the open mountains of Bergen, to seek the adventure they were called to. Jumilia (the MINDSheart) would join Jolene (the BuddingRanger) to explore the river fjords in kayaks and rain in between. Zijing (the AnimalSpirit) left in this stretch near the end, to dive into Wild Pedagogies with other travellers to the Great North.
The rest of the Braves made their way to the resting abode at Enebakk, as is the calling. They were greeted by Nina of the Cabin by the Lake.
There was no clock in the Abode, but plenty of time was present. Books feathered the house from top to bottom. The yard space was wild and free, unmanicured but intentional. Time was malleable here. One could travel between spheres of time in this abode.
Nina is a journalist, a writer, a researcher, Forest Bathing guide, and most importantly a Shaman.
She led and spoke with her energy. A force of life. Nina showed us the Lake, a little walk from the Cabin. The Lake spoke through her.
In Nina’s abode, the braves cooked every meal of their 5 restful days. They ate it every day out under the sky, amongst the wind (alfresco style). Linda (the ElderForest) would lead the way in the graceful festival of preparing the sustenance. The rest would chip in together. It was communal. The preparation filled our day meaningfully. Books were read, clothes were washed, and utensils were cleaned. All communally done, in between the food. Laughter and good funny banters was a constant in the House. Offense was not easily taken. A truly restful abode.
Nina gracefully led and held space in a Forest Bathing experience, for the braves and a fellow traveller during their stay. They went into the Forest behind Lake. It was magical in every sense. They would walk on the path that were made by the animals, and embrace the smell and sounds of the soil, leaves and rocks.They drank tea in the lush mossy greens of a deep Great North Forest. Their core was blessed once more.
Before leaving for her family wedding event, Nina gave the Braves the “Medicine Book” and smiled. The message was clear. The Braves took to the message and listened to the songs that came from the book through their stay in the abode.
In pockets of the days, the Braves would visit the Lake, to swim and dip. The water was warm for the Norwegians, but cold for the Southern body of the braves. Darren (the Bookkeeper) would spend volumes of time, gently lowering himself into the lake as he shivers through his bones. Hahaha. The cold energy of the lake would take into the braves, seemingly inspiring something deep inside.
On some days, they would lay quietly under the sky by the Lake, letting the wind and rays take them to another mind. The wind will breeze across the clear table of the lake, bringing Nature’s words in tune and rhymes. What did she say…?
The Lake and all her surrounding elements, sang to the Braves in and outside the abode. The Brave 7 received the Gem of Songs from the Lake.
FOREST
The Brave 7 took varied paths in the Great North during the path of Lake. And in the last week of their journey in the Great North, the Brave 7 convene in Forest of Oslo for the Event, “11th International Outdoor Education Research Conference (IOERC)”
They checked into the hotel, and began their mind powering 5 days conference. The brave 7 were one of the few Southerners travelling up north for the conference. They met Kai Xiang, a close friend of the Forest and Outdoors at the conference who is living in the North but came from the South. A few friends from the steadfast Ministry of Education and National Institute of Education, Singapore were greeted in the conference as well.
Shin Ee (the Messenger) and Darren presented their research paper, “Forest School Practitioner experience of Anxiety in Singapore” at the conference.
The brave 7 absorb as much knowledge and insights as they could in the 5 days. It was brain frying, but satisfying.
Along the way Darren reconnected with a friend Gaye, who runs Learning in Nature (in Finland). They exchanged stories and insights, aligning in the season that they are experiencing. Where years of hard work and commitment to a cause sometimes takes a toll on one, the need for an intentional focus on doing what is fun and enjoyable for the one, will rise within our sense of self.
During the conference, the brave 7 explored the Forest and Great North relationship with their people in the off time. Culture and Habits were experienced in essence from our exchange of tales. The Forest spoke through us, as we walked through them.
On a Wednesday, they walked through the Rodklevia woodlands Mountain to reach a famous restaurant on the mountain. Linda, had a bad ankle (from Tennis), and was struggling with the hike, but the other Braves took to her, to care and supported her as they traverse. Adeline laid mosses around her ankle to cushion her pain. The ElderForest in Linda, carried her on through this. The brave 7 truly earned their meal. The Forest showed the Brave 7 who they really are.
The Conference ended every day with songs, dance and great vibes, amongst the horizon sun. The brave 7 took to the stage on one of those days, to sing a southern song to the North. The Forest hears.
The Forest takes form in ways beyond their imagination. It danced its wisdom to them through the relationship and energy of the path. The Brave 7 received the Gem of Dance from the Forest.
The Brave 7, completed their journey and adventure to the Great North, with the collection of the 3 Gems. None came directly to their feets, but all came because they put their feet down. The experiences brought the gems to light for the Brave 7. The Gems shine in the heart of the braves as they bring these precious memories and power, back to the South…back to Singapore.
Written by : The Bookkeeper
Editted by : The Brave 7
