A three-week trip to Wales with Outward Bound taught Bermudian Jamel Bean about leadership, decision-making, organisation and planning, the teen told Hamilton Lions yesterday.

Crack-of-dawn mornings, ice-cold sea swims, rigorous cross-country hikes were all part of the experience that helped teach one's capabilities, Jamel said at the Lions weekly Princess Hotel luncheon.

Throughout the Wales trip, Jamel said it was clear the organisers were testing the individual's personal and teamwork skills, particularly without the comforts of civilisation.

The early morning ocean swims were followed by testing activities such as abseiling, kayaking, rock climbing and hiking with 40-60 pound backpacks.

Duty rotas also required each participant to cook the evening meals at least once for the more than 20 in the group.

Jamel described Wales as a "lovely country'' even after hearing the warning that it didn't rain there for several hours, but for several days.

One irritant that Jamel never expected was the near constant baa-ing of sheep.

It was in the air when he went to bed, woke up and through entire days.

"Wonderful animals? he asked rhetorically. "You'd soon change your opinion.'' Jamel said that during the 42-hour survival test in a forest, the sheep were "blessedly absent''. But so were all comforts, he said, but a cake, an apple, an orange, a flapjack, some water, and a piece of plastic.

Everyone survived without incident or injury, said Jamel.

Jamel said the course helped him develop leadership, decision-making, organisational and relationship-forging skills.

He thanked Lions for sponsoring him, the Police for running the Outward Bound programme in Bermuda, his parents and God.

Mr. Jamel Bean.