On sunday night, the night before the camp, I started packing my camping bag. I thought it would be just a slow paced camp, and an enjoyable one. I took things lightly, packed the minimum, and just basic necessities.
  As I walked into school the next morning, I felt cool in a sense because everyone was carrying their  huge and bulky baggages and luggages. But that's not the point, I still wasn't mentally and physically prepared for the camp ahead. Got past bag check, of course i brought what i wasn't allowed. Board the bus, chatted with my buddies on the long bus ride.
 Arriving at the deserted campsite, on a scorching morning. We were told to assemble, but most of us refused to sit on the grass. But when I went through the camp, I looked back and thought to myself, "that was totally nothing." As we sat under the immensely hot sun, sweat trickled down from our forehead, and we started to figit and become restless. I was plucking the grass, not really paying attention to the camp organisers instructions. We went on to pitch our tents. This was one of the worst moments, we had to pitch a smelly tent which had a rotten shrimp or some insect, we were unsure. But the stench, caused us to not take responsibility pitching the tent. But a few of us ignored it, and got it over and done with. Next bad thing, we were hoping real hard to not get assigned to that atrocious tent. But fortunately, our tent was really acceptable compared to the others. But we had to squeeze eight in the eight men ten. That night, I had a great sleep with no disturbance. Was thankful for that because the next night wasn't as pleasant.
  The first day of activities was fun, we had river rafting as the first on our schedule. I really enjoyed the cool water after getting tanned while pitching tents. We had simple activities, all of which, teamwork was key, the key to success. Although brains and physical strength was needed. The great thing is to see the whole class working together, although there were some disputes or hatred between some people before and during the camp, I thought we faired quite well. We supported and encouraged one another, united as one. We practiced our cheers on the way. Surprisingly, I shouted my lungs out, which I don;t usually do. Because I didn't really like to participate in these kind of activities. The sore throat which was resulted by my enthusiastic participation, caused me pain and incovenience for the next day. It lasted really long, until right before the Lunar New Year.I could barely talk for the rest of the camp.
  On day two, my throat got worse. I had difficulties swallowing food, even my saliva. I lost appetite because of the excruciating pain everytime I swallow something. I had a blocked nose too, I didn't feel good. Although I felt like going home, I hanged on, that was the only option I guess. I continued participating in the games, putting in my best effort, to make up for not cheering. We had the best activity at the back of our schedule. As the saying hoes, "Save the best for the last.". We walked through mud trails that clogged up our whole shoes, mud stucked in between our toes. That was nothing, we walked through black mud that rises up to knee level. The 'best' part was, we had to sit down. Many of us refused at first, of course, it was disgusting to the majority but to the minority, they loved the mud like it was a pool of soap. They applied it all over their shirts, arms and face. I thought it was sick. In order for me to avoid the mud and dung, I lied about my allergy to mud. But in the end, I still ended up dirty, I guess that was just unavoidable. We went back to the campsite all sticky and smelly, was cleaned up by our trainers. They used the hose and sprayed at us while we were all jostling to get the water as if we were drowning and the water was the oxygen. After all the hustle, we had to go back to our tents to take our clothes before we could wash up, of course. We stinked up the tents but we had no choice. Dinner was served and next, the campfire. All the groups were given a chance to showcase their cheers. Their cheers were great, ours was only average as no one had the initiative to come up with something interesting or unique so the trainers fed us with simple cheers. Although one of our group mates came up with a really hilarious cheer which we really enjoyed doing it. We sang campfire songs, watched the trainers dance, watch some of our friends battle for the 'dance competition'. It was really a great experience for many of us. Even the principal came down to address us. After the long and exciting campfire, we had supper and lights out. I didn't really sleep well because of my throat and my irritating nose. But I comforted myself, telling myself it is the last night, and we will never come back again, I hope.
  On the last day, it was just breakfast, cleaning up, prize presentation and home-sweet-home. Our class was awarded the best group. Winning ourselves each a PSP(Personal Stationery Pad). Of course they could not afford a Playstation Portable each. As we headed home, after the long, tiring, dirty and what ever words describing discomfort and disgusting, but definitely worthwhile, we were proud that we made it through.
  Through this camp, I have learnt many things about myself and my fellow classmates, it was a great opportunity for us to bond together as a class other than in the classroom. I am really grateful for my two kind and caring trainers. They looked after us for the two days, two to thirty over students. Shouting and shouting, just to get us in order. I'm really thankful for them. Looking at the other classes'trainers, I really learnt to appreciate what I have. They were great, I hope they had as much fun as we did. And I really pity them as we could go home and enjoy a long cool shower, sleep in the cozy air-conditioned room, while they still had to take the next batch of students coming for their respective camps. This camp, gave me a handful of learning experiences, teaching us to become man of wisdom and stature, and preparing us for our future, National Service.
  (P.s. Sorry for the late entry, I really hope you accept it. If you think it's unfair for me to hand in late, then by all means I would face the music. But please do not be too harsh on me.)
  Jerald Saw (18)
  3s2
  7/2/11 10:12PM