It was the first day of the camp and it was a very hot day, so hot that most of us were not in high spirits when we arrived at the campsite. However, that changed when we got our activities started. The first thing that we did when we arrived was to hear a briefing by a lady named Dawn. As the day was very hot, she quickly finished it and we started off with the setting up of our tents. As it was my first time I listened carefully to the trainers instructions and found out that setting one was really a walk in the park. Right after we finished pitching our tents, we hook our day packs and mugs and went of to the lodge for lunch.
Before they distributed the food, everyone was worried whether the food will be satisfactory or will it be horrible. As they distributed the food and spoons everbody had a worried look, however, their worries dissappeared after they had a taste of it and what was served at lunch became the topic that most of us talked about during lunch.
After lunch, we went on to the first activity of the day and that was rafting. As the title suggests it, we were required to build a raft that would at least accommodate a minimum of 5 people. We splitted up into 2 groups, they gave us the materials needed and we quickly started on our ideal raft. Within a short timespan of 10 minutes, we had a idea of the raft that we wanted to build. After having gotten the all clear signal by our trainers we started tying the the poles to the tires soon, our ideal raft was completed and right infront of us. However, when our teacher said that we were going to the sea to test and see if it will float with 5 people on it, I was skecptical about it, but, my teamates proved me wrong when 5 of them actually got on the raft and managed to go a distance from the shore. After everyone had gotten a try at sitting on their rafts, we moved on to the next activity in high spirits.
Our next activity was nature discovery. We were required to roam around the campsite finding the items that were on our list and after that, we need to draw a map of the campsite. So to get the activity started, we quickly splitted up into groups again and went off on our search. However after about 45 minutes or so our group did not do well but we enjoyed the time that we had finding the items and having been able to work as a team.
After that, we played a game called space odyssey which we had to help our friends go through a ring without touching the strings, but, some of us in the process were so caught up in winning and got frustrated when some people stood too near to the strings and touched it. However, everyone got through and we had a fun time helping and supporting each other.
Later that night, while we were having dinner we talked about how the games were fun and not as bad as we though. That night, after dinner, we had our our last activity for the game and that was the night walk. We had to blindfold ourselves and walk on what the trainers called the blind man's trail without relying on our sense of sight. We started it off without knowing whats infront of our expect for the information that our friends infront passed on but for the next 45 minutes we walked blindfolded and the trainers splitted us up individually and gave us an animal call to find each other. After that activity we did a reflection on what we learnt today and how we felt. After that we had a quick supper and off we went to have our shower and retire for the night.
The next day, we started off with morning exercises followed by breakfast. After that, we played a game called low elements which needed us to swing using a rope that is tied to the tree from one end to the other and one of us had to carry a bucket while doing that. Indeed it was no easy feat but after a few tries we were ready for the actual challenge. Our trainer challenged us to get everyone over below 3 minutes and we managed it when we had a few bigger sized friends in our class. Through the course of the entire thing my friends that I did not had such a good impression on, helped out their bigger sized classmates but whether or not if it was during the zeal of the moment or if they really sincerely had the intention to help is an entirely different thing, but I was really glad to find out that everyone in 3S2 will support their friends when they are having difficult times and will be there to help them. Then, it was at that time that a thought came into my mind, "3S2 really is a place that I belong to."
Next up was mad max. It stood for Maximium Madness and in this game our friends had to climb a vertical ladder that was held by us using poles. Before the game started, our trainers told us that for this game to work we needed to trust our friends that they would hold on the the poles firmly and that they would not let go when our friends were "climbing". After this, I realised that it was to build up the level of trust amongst us so that everyone would feel comfortable during this new term as we will be with a new class with friends and would not want anyone to feel that they do not belong in this class.
Finally the game that everyone had been looking forward to and that is nature rumble. This game needed us to trek through a jungle and going into mud which everyone found it to be very disgusting and dirty but everyone's attitude changed when we actually got into the mud and rubbing it on our arms, hands, legs and even our faces! But while we were having a good time, another group of students from another schools came and kicked mud in our faces luckily none of us had mud caught in our eyes expect one who could not open his eyes if not for our trainer called Tarzan.
After nature rumble we went back to camp and washed up. Then we had dinner and gathered around for the campfire. Right before it started, everyone practised their cheers and went to the gathering area with a happy attitude. When the campfire started, everyone was stunned as everything from the performances of the trainers to the cheers of the groups was all spectacular. Everyone had a fun time doing their cheers that includes us, shouting and doing our cheer as one group as one 3S2 and at that time I finally thought, "Yea, 3S2 really is a fun class and it really is the place where I belong."
Sadly, all good things have to come to an end and as the campfire fire died out, the principle came and took over with the long awaited annoucement of us being able to wear our long pants. As she walked up, there was an awakard slience from the whole cohort and then, when the long awaited words, "Long pants it is" came out, cheers and joys of laughter filled the air and that ended our exciting second day.
On the last day, we packed our bags and striked our tents. We cleaned the campsite and prepared for the presentation of prizes for the "Best cheer award" and "The Best Group award" with the best cheer award's prize being presented to the team called bandalog we kept our hopes high for winning the best group award. The looks of everyone was tense and as the camp commandant slowly and dramatically annouced the winning everyone tensed up hoping that their group will win and finally the group's name was called and it was us! Chil! everybody jumped for joy and that ended the day on a happy note with everyone getting a Psp(portable sationary pen) and as we walked out of the gate I though of how exciting and fun it was bonding and making new friends in my class and that last though of the day, "yea it really was the right choice to come to Saint Andrews. It really is the place I belong too............"
With that we boarded our bus and left the campsite with a smile on our face and good memories of our Secondary 3 camp at the campsite called Camp Christine.
Done by:
Jefferson Lee(20)
No comments:
Post a Comment