This Secondary 3 camp taught me to be a good leader and a sportsman. As our former St Andrew's Principal once said "No one is here by chance." Yes indeed, everybody here are important in this St Andrew's family, and have a purpose. Where else, in my opinion, the secondary three camp mainly taught me to be a sportsman, showing our true honest capabilities and talent, also showing good character. Displaying good leadership and courage to take a step forward and express ourselves. I definately overcome different challenges and obstacles we faced.
What are these obstacles? Well, it all start from day one, when the very first activity was to build our tent. Honestly, I hate building tents, it was troublesome for me and a complete waste of time. But it was for a good cause. And I realised that i'm not the only one doing it, it was the whole secondary three cohort doing it. I would feel very bad about myself if I dont build the tent with my fellow classmates. I'm glad that I chose the right decision of helping out to fixed up the tent for my classmates. Thanks to my classmates, I felt a sense of belonging of this year's 3S2. I definately learned to do the things that I hated, as it could be done together as a class. I could pick up new skills too. And who knows, the things that I hated like building a tents, could turn out to be a hobby. Not for my classmates help, I would have gave up building that tent, and sleep with other insects and frogs company. Absolutely an objection.
I recalled an exciting, hardworking, class bonding activity. it was rafting! We were told by our facilitators to build our own raft with all five black rubber floats secured to the raft. The equipments and materials were nicely laid out for us, it consist of ropes, rubber floats and wooden bamboo stick with different height. We were split into two teams, I was satisfied with my team as there were more well build size and physically much bigger build than the other team. As the time starts ticking, we all start with a plan together on how the structure of the raft should be. With the different opinions and suggestions, it gave us good ideas and to think out of the box. I felt that the sharing of ideas was good, thus showing intiative to share our thoughts together, it shows good leadership among us. At the end of the short productive disscussion, my team finalised and improvised to structure of the raft. Our design of the raft was a triangular form raft with the floats located at all sides, plus the other two float in the middle of the triangle, tied up by a bamboo stick across the area. Based on the teams knowledge, it was build in that form to make the raft move faster, with the sharp edge of the triangular formed raft. And the othe two edge, for stability.
It was much of a brainstorm. Well, now its time to let the actions do the talking. With all the material in our use, it was time to build the raft. Despite the hot and scorchy weather, our enthusiasm and endurance never fail us to progress on. The tightening of the wooden bamboo sticks were good for our team, but half of the technique of tieing the ropes in a less tideous way are wrong for us. Our facilitators then teached us the proper way of tieing it. We took over from there, we were progressing slowly for our team, slow but steadily for sure now. I still recalled the moment when my classmate, Jerald. He had difficulties tieing the ropes together with the bamboo. Me and my closest friend went to give him a helping hand. Together, we used the edge of the rope to loop through the holes of the ropes and went around the bamboo stick, it was half done, we needed the last push, we gripped the ropes tightly, and the count of three, we pulled it much greater forced together. Leaving no gaps in between the ropes to appear. This gave us a recognition that obstacles could be overcomed and accomplished. I also learned that its not about size that win the game. It is the team which work together and help one another will lead to success. Yes indeed, both teams did a great job, although we face difficulties, no one was there to blame anyone, and the two raft was build successfully.
The next step was too show the final showdown whether our raft could float, we brought the raft in the sea. A maximum of four peolpe are allowed in the raft. I was lucky that I was the first batch of four to go in. It was a great experience when we manage to float with our raft, I felt a sense of accomplishment. I could even imagine this boat crossing to the other island nearby. Unfortunately, we were not allowed. While the next batch when in, some of our classmates were afraid to go in the sea with the raft, it was just a fear for them. It took some time for the facilitators to calm them down and make them feel better. It may feel easy for us just to get in the raft, but not for some. They need motivation, the great support from us. They eventually got in the raft, with much courage, taking a the step forward, I was very proud of them. At end of the day, they would not get the fear of the sea installed in them, instead it would be a fun loving time of pleasure for my classmates.
The end of the camp was near! With the shouting of 'long pants' kicked in. The camp fire started, with our new principal, Mrs Lucy Toh came to join us with the rest of the teachers. At this point of time, I did appreciate for the teachers who bothered to come and join us through the camp. Giving the support and care for the fellow students. This camp did teach me moral values, to learn to help one another in need, sharing your ideas and feelings. And also, motivate each other to press on. This camp certainly made me a more mature and initiative person to do well in the near future.
"Every boy a sportsman"
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