Survival Kids Part 2: Tim Elang Muda Adventure at Coban Putri

Sunday, October 18, 2026

Coban Putri — On Sunday, October 18, 2026, the natural area of Coban Putri Batu was the venue for an outdoor activity titled Survival Kids Part 2, organized by the Elang Muda Adventure Team. A total of 12 children aged 5-10 gathered from early morning to take part in an educational adventure lasting about 4‑5 hours, designed not only for fun but also to train basic survival skills, courage, emotional control, and a spirit of teamwork in the midst of an open natural environment.

At a time when most children grow up in constantly comfortable surroundings, with all their needs often met immediately by their parents, the Elang Muda Adventure Team saw the need for safe spaces for children to step out of their comfort zones. This activity does not aim to present danger, but to offer measured challenges that train what the team calls the “early warning system” within a child: the ability to sense their surroundings, calm themselves when anxious, think clearly, and make decisions when facing unexpected situations. All materials and activity routes were studied beforehand by the instructors so that they remain safe and are adjusted to the age, physical condition, and emotional readiness of each participant.

The activity opened with a full presentation to the parents, covering everything from the benefits to the risks. One of the parents even asked about the mentors' backgrounds. The mentors answered that they are Opa DIAZ, with a brief explanation of DIAZ's activities, as DIAZ is the parent organization of Elang Muda Adventure.

Next came a relaxed yet meaningful team‑building session. Through various group games, the children got to know one another, shared laughter, and began to build trust as comrades. Here they were taught that in nature, no one should face a challenge alone. Once the group bond had formed, the main series of challenges began.

The first stage was rappelling on a fairly challenging earth slope. All participants wore complete safety equipment and were guided directly by experienced instructors. For some children, this moment brought up fear and hesitation. But with gradual guidance, they learned to regulate their breathing, calm their minds, and trust their equipment and the companions around them. Each successful descent became small proof that they were able to overcome the fear that had arisen.

Next was the lost-in-nature simulation stage, which is the core of the Survival Kids learning. In a scenario set up to be safe, the participants were invited to experience what it feels like to be in an unfamiliar environment. They were guided to practice basic survival steps: starting with the main principle of calming oneself by stopping for a moment, taking a deep breath, observing the surroundings, and then making a plan; learning to recognize natural direction indicators from sunlight, river flow, and the shape of trees; practicing reading a compass to determine the cardinal directions; building a simple shelter from a flysheet; learning how to find food through net fishing, and even practicing how to make a small fire and prepare and grill the fish caught with the net. The entire process was carried out under close supervision to keep the participants safe.

After the basic needs in the simulation were met, the group began the journey home. They followed a route with light obstacles such as climbing a short cliff and walking along a small stream, still under the watch of the accompanying team. Along the stream, a ceremony was held to release fish back into nature. This moment became an important lesson that nature is not only a place to take benefits from, but also needs to be protected and respected so that the ecosystem remains balanced. The children were invited to feel the meaning of gratitude and responsibility toward their surroundings.

The series of activities was closed with Sayonara, a gathering session together with the parents. In the rest area, the children and families sat together to eat, followed by a story-sharing session.

One of the parents, Ibu Ruth from Malang, said, "As parents, we need a model for outdoor activities with a tiered curriculum so that children can have an alternative place of learning. We also hope a community will grow for the common good, to strengthen the parenting network of parents and other children."

Ibu Laila from Sidoarjo also said, "It is very important to train children in survival as a daily provision for being independent when parents are away."

The participants joyfully shared their experiences, the fears they had successfully faced, and the new things they discovered during the adventure.

The Elang Muda Adventure Team reminded the parents to listen attentively and to keep paying attention to the children's emotional state after the activity, because some children may feel an emotional impact that needs to be balanced by their parents at home.

The Elang Muda Adventure team would also like to express its deepest gratitude to all the fathers, mothers, and child participants who attended and shared their experiences during the activities at Coban Putri. The team opens the widest possible space for parents to offer feedback and fresh ideas, as well as to share inspiring links or references in the WhatsApp group, to help the team design better, more gradual, and more innovative learning stages for the next Survival Kids series.

It is hoped that the experiences they have gone through can be taken home as provisions for life: so that the children grow into individuals who are calmer when facing problems, more independent, brave enough to try new things, accustomed to working together, caring toward nature, and aware that within themselves lies a strength greater than they have ever imagined.

Survival Kids Team

Elang Muda Adventure