The night before the camp, I was bouncing up and down while my mum helped me pack my bag. We had to search almost the entire house to find a bag that was suitable and big enough for the camp. I was actually looking forward to camp for the first time in my life, hoping that it would be a better condition than the P5 camp, which was absolutely crap.
Day 1 - We arrived at the campsite after around half an hour. I was chatting happily with my friend and had to wait in the sun for like an hour. I got really irritated as that had actually sunburned my skin, and it hurt like hell the next day. After a much awaited (literally) briefing, we proceeded to set up tents. At first, I kind of thought that this was an activity, but when I found out we were sleeping in those tents, boy was I pretty shocked. After setting up the tents, we had to build a raft as a team. It took ages to build and it didn't even float! Many of our shoes were wet and some of us were pissed as we had to wear those shoes for two more days, also one of my classmate dropped his spectacles in the water and couldn't find it. After that, we had lunch and did some other stuff which I don't really remember right now... At night, I did not shower (Shhhh...) and disturbed all my tent mates while they were sleeping.
Day 2 - The only thing I really remembered from day 2 was the Nature Rumble or as we like to call it, 'milo pond'. We each had to walk through a trail in the jungle with a crap load of mud, and by that, I mean ALOT. We met some girl school but all of them looked pretty bleh... Anyways back to the story, we had to go through the trail and there were some parts where a fence with barbed wire was extremely close to our face.To make matters worse, some of us were pulling the fence, making the barbed wire almost rip half my face off, and trust me, I wasn't really in need of facial reconstruction at that point. We came back all muddy, like we had been showered in somebody's... you know. We only had around 20 minutes to shower, so many of us were impatiently waiting outside the occupied cubicles. After showering, we changed into a camp t-shirt that they gave us, even though we never did any of the activities in it. We then had to go to the campfire, which really, was a waste of time. Same old same old as the previous night. Supper, Shower then bed.
Day 3 - My favourite day, as we were finally going home. Most of the time spent were cleaning up the campsite. In my head, I was pretty pissed we were paying to go to a camp that would make us clean. I cleaned an area which wasn't very dirty, along with a few others who kept singing annoying songs into my ear. I waited and waited and waited for the time where I could finally go home and sleep like a human, but everything seemed to move slow. Finally, when it was time, I said goodbye to that hell-hole and went up the bus. I absolutely hated the Sec 3 camp, and it wasn't a tiny bit improvement from the P5 camp at ALL.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Reflection of Sec 3 Camp [Wesley Koh 36]
Packing my overstuffed bag that would break apart if I were to place so much as a pair of trousers in it. The day before the Secondary 3 camp was spent with my beloved computer that I would not be able to embrace for the next three days of my life. The stories of the past years Secondary 3 camp was a combination of feelings. Some of my seniors gave the thumbs-up at the camp and started giving a, what seemed to me, never-ending testimony of the camp of how fun and exciting it was whereas other seniors went on to completely contradict the "thumbs-upping" seniors by saying that it was super boring and was not worth going. Well, of course those who gave the camp the thumbs-down were more or less, computer game maniacs. However, the comment that affected me the most was my sister, who went to OBS (Outward Bound School) last year. She explained how team spirit building and fun it was. Well, I found myself looking forward to the camp!
Day 1
The journey to the camp was relatively fun. During most of the excursions, the bus rides were the most interesting part of the whole activity. I mean, who doesn't enjoy chatting with your friends in an air-conditioned area? Anyway, as we entered the Camp Christine campsite, the first thing we did gave me an impression that the camp was not going to be fun after all. We headed for an open field which was placed under the mighty, scorching sun which happily gave us a tan. No pain no gain right? So with the tan came intense heat. But the clouds seemed to pity us and provided minute-long coolness by covering the sun. The camp seemed more like a boot camp to me rather than a fun camp as we sat in the field full of insects that I never knew existed for close to 3-quaters of an hour. After the waiting, the camp chief gave us a briefing that had been already done in school and so, everyone found it to be pointless and started getting restless. After the "pointless" briefing, we broke up into our classes which were given group names, ours was Chil, which was a bird in The Jungle Bird but to us, it was just "relax". After we got to know our trainers a bit better, we pitched our tents which was an experience for me as that was my first time pitching a tent. After the tent-pitching, we started on our first activity which involved building a raft using only long wooden sticks, ropes and 4 rubber tires. The class was split into two groups so two rafts were to be made. The excitement and flurry that the activity brought totally erased the intense heat of the sun. As we set out to test our "masterpieces", the thought of having a dip in the sea was more appealing than staying dry on the raft. Sure, all of us wanted a drink but the salty water of the sea was not what we had in mind. The next three activities were to bond the class through games that required teamwork and pure trust in one another. Another down-side of the camp was the toilets, even the coffee-shops' toilets were way cleaner than these. I couldn't imagine how bathing in these toilets could make me any cleaner and just went about locating my tent which seemed to have disappeared for that few minutes. Sleep had no trouble coming to me....
Day 2
There were more team building activities that day which seemed to help in the bonding of the class but I would like to mention one particular activity, the Nature Rumble. It was a trail where we had to walk into a forested area and wade through mud. Somehow, the mud and dirt was just appealing to me. It was the most enjoyable activity in the camp, or all the camps I've been to. At night, we had the campfire and it wasn't any ordinary campfire, it had stereo speakers and music that blasted from them. The highlight of the camp simply lived up to its name. The trainers joked around and the classes performed their cheers and ours, which had a dance that my classmate, Augustine, introduced to us, it simply made me have a sense of belonging in my class. After the campfire, we all took a shower and settled down for the night.
Day 3
Almost everybody woke up without any problems, maybe its because of the fact that they finally got to go home. Day 3 was entirely just area cleaning and tidying up the campsite. Before we left, we had a debrief by the trainers and the camp chief. It was announced that our class won the title of the best group! We were elated as we didn't expect to win. As I boarded the bus that brought us back to school, I found myself wishing I could stay longer. The camp really made me discover the personalities of my classmates, and gave me a sense of maturity.
Day 1
The journey to the camp was relatively fun. During most of the excursions, the bus rides were the most interesting part of the whole activity. I mean, who doesn't enjoy chatting with your friends in an air-conditioned area? Anyway, as we entered the Camp Christine campsite, the first thing we did gave me an impression that the camp was not going to be fun after all. We headed for an open field which was placed under the mighty, scorching sun which happily gave us a tan. No pain no gain right? So with the tan came intense heat. But the clouds seemed to pity us and provided minute-long coolness by covering the sun. The camp seemed more like a boot camp to me rather than a fun camp as we sat in the field full of insects that I never knew existed for close to 3-quaters of an hour. After the waiting, the camp chief gave us a briefing that had been already done in school and so, everyone found it to be pointless and started getting restless. After the "pointless" briefing, we broke up into our classes which were given group names, ours was Chil, which was a bird in The Jungle Bird but to us, it was just "relax". After we got to know our trainers a bit better, we pitched our tents which was an experience for me as that was my first time pitching a tent. After the tent-pitching, we started on our first activity which involved building a raft using only long wooden sticks, ropes and 4 rubber tires. The class was split into two groups so two rafts were to be made. The excitement and flurry that the activity brought totally erased the intense heat of the sun. As we set out to test our "masterpieces", the thought of having a dip in the sea was more appealing than staying dry on the raft. Sure, all of us wanted a drink but the salty water of the sea was not what we had in mind. The next three activities were to bond the class through games that required teamwork and pure trust in one another. Another down-side of the camp was the toilets, even the coffee-shops' toilets were way cleaner than these. I couldn't imagine how bathing in these toilets could make me any cleaner and just went about locating my tent which seemed to have disappeared for that few minutes. Sleep had no trouble coming to me....
Day 2
There were more team building activities that day which seemed to help in the bonding of the class but I would like to mention one particular activity, the Nature Rumble. It was a trail where we had to walk into a forested area and wade through mud. Somehow, the mud and dirt was just appealing to me. It was the most enjoyable activity in the camp, or all the camps I've been to. At night, we had the campfire and it wasn't any ordinary campfire, it had stereo speakers and music that blasted from them. The highlight of the camp simply lived up to its name. The trainers joked around and the classes performed their cheers and ours, which had a dance that my classmate, Augustine, introduced to us, it simply made me have a sense of belonging in my class. After the campfire, we all took a shower and settled down for the night.
Day 3
Almost everybody woke up without any problems, maybe its because of the fact that they finally got to go home. Day 3 was entirely just area cleaning and tidying up the campsite. Before we left, we had a debrief by the trainers and the camp chief. It was announced that our class won the title of the best group! We were elated as we didn't expect to win. As I boarded the bus that brought us back to school, I found myself wishing I could stay longer. The camp really made me discover the personalities of my classmates, and gave me a sense of maturity.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Reflections on Sec 3 camp By: Glenn Pang Jian Hao (25)
"To produce men of wisdom and stature". That was what i finally understood after attending the Secondary 3 camp. On the fist day i reached the camp I looked around at the campsite with an uninterested mindset. When we were forced to sit in the sun for at least an hour, I felt really grumpy and angry, because I got sunburnt even before the camp started.
So on the first day, we had this activity: rafting. When I was presented with the tools we were supposed to make the raft with: two wooden poles and four rubber floats, I did not feel like making one due to my uninterested attitude and i was already developing a negative impression of the outcome of the camp. I was looking at everything negatively but I ended up having fun after participating in this activity, and I felt that it was the most fun activity we had on the first day. On the second day, this was the day that really tested my perseverence. When we woke up in the morning on the second day, I felt really hot and sweaty, and I felt that I had been stuffed into a can-sized oven together with six other sardines. When I finally got myself ready, I put on my shoes I wore on the previous day, I discovered that they were soaking wet and smelly. Overall i thought that it was the best day. When we started, we played "Gladiator" where we split into two teams and built catapults and launch water bombs at a pile of cans and determine the winner, who knocks down the cans first. Planning and building the structure of the catapult was very complex and difficult, and it was not stable either. So it was an equal match because in the end there were no winners, but one of our water bombs came CLOSE to knocking down the pile of cans. The Nature Rumble was the worst, and I hope that I would not experience that kind of thing until I reach National Service. During the campfire, I felt that it was the best time I ever had as we get to watch the camp trainers dance, sing and play. In the end, I had changed my mindset, and I enjoyed the camp.
On the third and final day, we had to clean the lodge number three and dismantle our tent. The stench of the toilet was very nauseating and was very overpowering. After an hour of cleaning or so, we gathered in front of the main lodge together with all our belongings. My shoes were utterly destroyed due to the Nature Rumble and I had to throw them away. Dumping them into the dustbin outside the campsite, I boarded the bus back to school and back home after that. I enjoyed the camp very much and made many new friends who joined my class this year. I hope that the memories I spent in the camp will remain with me forever. The End
Glenn Pang Jian Hao (25)
3S2
So on the first day, we had this activity: rafting. When I was presented with the tools we were supposed to make the raft with: two wooden poles and four rubber floats, I did not feel like making one due to my uninterested attitude and i was already developing a negative impression of the outcome of the camp. I was looking at everything negatively but I ended up having fun after participating in this activity, and I felt that it was the most fun activity we had on the first day. On the second day, this was the day that really tested my perseverence. When we woke up in the morning on the second day, I felt really hot and sweaty, and I felt that I had been stuffed into a can-sized oven together with six other sardines. When I finally got myself ready, I put on my shoes I wore on the previous day, I discovered that they were soaking wet and smelly. Overall i thought that it was the best day. When we started, we played "Gladiator" where we split into two teams and built catapults and launch water bombs at a pile of cans and determine the winner, who knocks down the cans first. Planning and building the structure of the catapult was very complex and difficult, and it was not stable either. So it was an equal match because in the end there were no winners, but one of our water bombs came CLOSE to knocking down the pile of cans. The Nature Rumble was the worst, and I hope that I would not experience that kind of thing until I reach National Service. During the campfire, I felt that it was the best time I ever had as we get to watch the camp trainers dance, sing and play. In the end, I had changed my mindset, and I enjoyed the camp.
On the third and final day, we had to clean the lodge number three and dismantle our tent. The stench of the toilet was very nauseating and was very overpowering. After an hour of cleaning or so, we gathered in front of the main lodge together with all our belongings. My shoes were utterly destroyed due to the Nature Rumble and I had to throw them away. Dumping them into the dustbin outside the campsite, I boarded the bus back to school and back home after that. I enjoyed the camp very much and made many new friends who joined my class this year. I hope that the memories I spent in the camp will remain with me forever. The End
Glenn Pang Jian Hao (25)
3S2
Camp reflection (ver. toshiki)
Sleepy night the day before the camp, running to buy utensils as I totally missed out the utensils from the list, can't find till I gave up and went to the Hougang to search for it. I did not look forward on going to the camp but it was compulsory. Heard the entire story from my sister who went to OBS (Outward Bound Singapore) her bad memories pushed to me.
Having a different environment around make me feel weird, unusual as things that I always have is not with me, especially hand phone. Hand phone was not allowed to be brought to the camp. All I brought was water, things listed on the piece of paper, wallet and a fan. I made a right choice that I brought the fan as it was hot and now still hot there as there was no shelter. As I love to be in coldness, without air-con was the toughest thing ever.
Sun was blistering. I was sweating. Every second my skin becoming darker. I was drying up, water decreasing but temperature does not change. Finally the supervisor came, but was briefing to us slowly, teaching us what to respond like 'SAINTS Oiiiii' we must respond "oiiii....~~" I did not know that I would experience again that 1 second is a very long period of time.
Next, our class set up the tents, wondering why they never set for us. As we fix the tent, I realised that tent is not so easy to fix alone but easier if we fix it together. Fixing tents were not the way I thought it would be. I realised that even this small matter of fixing the tent also requires teamwork. When I went in the tent, it was as hot as standing in a crowded place with fire surrounding around me.
As I see the watch second hand ticking one by one, reached the time where the entire student currently in our school, dismissed and walking back home, but we were listening to our trainers. I did not feel relaxed as we must follow what the trainers said. We were like robots that listen to the teachers and just doing it.
Our first activity was rafting. My imagination was rafting a stable, prepared raft but my imagination cracked as I heard that we must make with four sticks and four tires. We grouped ourselves into two and finally made one. We took turn and I finally got cooled with sea water. Comparing this with other activities was boring. Other activities for the first day were something that we can play in our normal lives.
Lunch was my only time that I enjoyed most. I was tired after the physical activities that we done after rafting. To my surprise, it was given with the container and a plastic spoon. I wondered what my effort was, searching around for utensils. The proportion was small. The food was nice as we were hungry. We did activities after the lunch but were boring as we did these kinds of activities before in primary school.
When it was time for bed, luckily we were able to shower as there was toilet but the toilet was flooding and muddy. The mud is caused by the normal academy peoples after their mud activities. I am not so satisfied with these inconsiderate peoples. They should wash themselves by the hose first rather than making us feeling uncomfortable while showering.
We slept in the tent but it was not comfortable to sleep in as there was 8 peoples sleeping in one tent and also, the guy sleeping next to me keep on insisting that he want to sleep head the other way round as it was hot but I kept on shouting and complaining as if I sleep with his head on the other side, it also mean that his feet will be facing me. I felt so unhygienic and I forced him to turn back to the original sleeping position.
I thought this procedure will continue for the next day also, but a miracle happened. I would call it a god’s blessing. It rained. I was jubilant as the number of after lunch activity was reduced, but the blessing did not last long. We replaced the outdoor activities with indoor activities. It was another ‘waste of time’ game. I felt the school was cheated 80 dollar each person as it was not worth the money, doing these activities that we already done and know. These activities on the second day was just using of muscles and brain of a primary 5 kid’s knowledge.
We should have gone to some rock climbing place and experience new things which is the goal of this camp. Kayaking was another imagination. I finally realised that being at home is the best thing ever as I could do the things I want to do, move when I want to, not being controls around like this camp.
Campfire, to describe it in one word is boring. The fire was dim. The activities that we did during the campfire were dull. It was dark. I just could not see a thing. When we were watching the dancing competition, some of the people shined the light at our player, letting them not see the trainers dancing, so that he cannot mimic the trainers. Teachers did not stop them too.
Our final day was just cleaning up, trainers saying to make this place cleaner then before but I thought that is impossible as we did not have sweet wrappers or some biscuit as they were not allowed.
We headed back to school, dismissed and the next day we have school. I wanted one day of holiday for us to relax ourselves at home, air con to the max and sleep for like 24 hours, enough for us to release this 3 days of stress and tiredness.
The environment was better than OBS but wanted activities that OBS gives like 8 hours continuously of kayaking or some rock climbing.
sec 3 camp reflection VARUN
Sec 3 camp started off badly for me. I woke up early at 6 nervously thinking if i had forgotten to pack anything for the camp.My morning shower shook me off from my dreamworld. I ate my breakfast and left for school with the heavy bags. I had no idea how it will turned up to be when i saw the dull faces of my friends in the courtyard. After morning assembly we received our groups from one of the trainers. We were known as Chil. Name after a animal from the jungle book. After our teachers did some admin work we left for camp Christine.In the bus i wondered how it will be at the camp.The only thought that went through my mind was if the camp was haunted.
As soon as we arrived at the camp we gathered at a open field in the hot sun where the camp head gave a briefing.We had two trainers one was asked to be called Tarzan and the other Jane.Obviously that was not their real name but i did not matter. After the briefing, our first task was to pitch the tents.We divided our self into groups and started getting work done. I was frightened when i sat on a log which a frog was sharing with me. Our trainers whom we thought was fierce and scary turned out to be kind and friendly.They never became angry with our nuisance or with our mischief.Our pitching of tents went smoothly.After a long time under the scorching sun we went for rafting. Then again we divided our self into two groups.We were given few logs some ropes and some tires and had to make a raft float with our weight on it.However the only thing i enjoyed was dipping myself into the cool water. The cool water in our shirts dried up within minutes.
After the rafting the activities turned out boring until lunch came.I was desperately waiting for the food to arrive to our lodge.Even after the food came we had to say a food cheer before we can start eating.It made us even hungrier after looking at the boxes.Next came the food. It was a camp but the food tasted great.Everyone raced through their lunched and hoped to get extra .The lunch was one of the most happening activity that day.All the activities were boring.Taking a shower was a troublesome one.The toilets was flooded and it was cramped with people from all classes.However after walking around i found a toilet that was cleaner than the rest and was less crowded. I immediately took the chance and i took my time to shower.I felt fresh and went to sleep. The next day was more full of excitement as the activites were more exciting than the day before.
I woke up after a good sleep.We had breakfast and moved on our activities.Some fun activities on the second day was the rope swinging, outdoor cooking,making a catapult and some activities which i could not remember.The rope swinging,we had to be everybody to the opposite side without dropping and including a pail of water. We failed a few times but subsequently we succeeded.I remembered Faiz bringing the pail across that made it easy. Next came the outdoor cooking we had to cook hotdogs and apple cinnamon on a twig.We learnt how to start a fire and make it not extinguished. Lunch was again great we had to sing the cheer but this time we had to make a cheer for the campfire. One of our class mate stood up and volunteered.That made our class cheer. Nature rumble was the most fun for me as it made us roll in the mud.we walked through some walkways and reached a puddle of mud. After reaching the camp our friends from other class was afraid to touch us.
Next came the grand finale.The campfire turned out entertaining and our trainers made some nice moves.After camfire i was uber tired and went to sleep immediately.Next day, was the day where we returned to school.However we had to cleaned the area first.Fortunately we were not assigned to clean the toilets.We had to just clean our lodge.Our class received the best group award for doing the activities on time.That was the end of it.A wonderful session three days with a beautiful class.
Done by:VARUN 3S2 (2)
As soon as we arrived at the camp we gathered at a open field in the hot sun where the camp head gave a briefing.We had two trainers one was asked to be called Tarzan and the other Jane.Obviously that was not their real name but i did not matter. After the briefing, our first task was to pitch the tents.We divided our self into groups and started getting work done. I was frightened when i sat on a log which a frog was sharing with me. Our trainers whom we thought was fierce and scary turned out to be kind and friendly.They never became angry with our nuisance or with our mischief.Our pitching of tents went smoothly.After a long time under the scorching sun we went for rafting. Then again we divided our self into two groups.We were given few logs some ropes and some tires and had to make a raft float with our weight on it.However the only thing i enjoyed was dipping myself into the cool water. The cool water in our shirts dried up within minutes.
After the rafting the activities turned out boring until lunch came.I was desperately waiting for the food to arrive to our lodge.Even after the food came we had to say a food cheer before we can start eating.It made us even hungrier after looking at the boxes.Next came the food. It was a camp but the food tasted great.Everyone raced through their lunched and hoped to get extra .The lunch was one of the most happening activity that day.All the activities were boring.Taking a shower was a troublesome one.The toilets was flooded and it was cramped with people from all classes.However after walking around i found a toilet that was cleaner than the rest and was less crowded. I immediately took the chance and i took my time to shower.I felt fresh and went to sleep. The next day was more full of excitement as the activites were more exciting than the day before.
I woke up after a good sleep.We had breakfast and moved on our activities.Some fun activities on the second day was the rope swinging, outdoor cooking,making a catapult and some activities which i could not remember.The rope swinging,we had to be everybody to the opposite side without dropping and including a pail of water. We failed a few times but subsequently we succeeded.I remembered Faiz bringing the pail across that made it easy. Next came the outdoor cooking we had to cook hotdogs and apple cinnamon on a twig.We learnt how to start a fire and make it not extinguished. Lunch was again great we had to sing the cheer but this time we had to make a cheer for the campfire. One of our class mate stood up and volunteered.That made our class cheer. Nature rumble was the most fun for me as it made us roll in the mud.we walked through some walkways and reached a puddle of mud. After reaching the camp our friends from other class was afraid to touch us.
Next came the grand finale.The campfire turned out entertaining and our trainers made some nice moves.After camfire i was uber tired and went to sleep immediately.Next day, was the day where we returned to school.However we had to cleaned the area first.Fortunately we were not assigned to clean the toilets.We had to just clean our lodge.Our class received the best group award for doing the activities on time.That was the end of it.A wonderful session three days with a beautiful class.
Done by:VARUN 3S2 (2)
Sec 3 Camp Reflections (Randall Teo)
At the very beginning, I thought that i had wasted that fifty over dollars for nothing. The primary five and secondary one camps were so bad to the extent I did not feel like even going for this year's camp. Not wanting to go, I even tried to pray to fall sick or even get injured so that I could skip the camp. Everything I thought about was....WRONG!
In the morning, everybody assembled in the courtyard, finding out what our class' camp name was. Obviously, we loved ours. If I am not wrong, it was Chil. We soon found out it was a name of a bird, but to all of us, it was just "lepak"!!
After all the boring briefings given by the camp head, we finally could get into the bus, heading down to Camp Christine. On the journey, everybody were singing songs and as usual, fooling around. For my case, it was off to dreamland, of which was cut short. We finally entered the camp, sitting down in the radiant rays of the sun, waiting for everybody else to arrive and settle down.
As usual, another boring brief followed up, and after what it seemed as an eternity, it was over. it was finally time for the fun to begin. First off, we were split up into various groups to pitch the tents. Sadly, Lady Luck was not on our side, giving us a tent that had a smelly, dead, rotten, and everything disgusting carcass on it. After getting help from Tarzan and Jane, we finally got them up, heading to our activities for the day.
Lucky for my class, we started off with the most fun activity of the day. Rafting. We were given many gigantic tires, a couple of planks and some rope. Our group finally thought of an idea, and it was down for everybody to help set it up. Being in the hot sun, we just could not wait for the raft to be made and head down to the sea. Finally, we finished. Everybody had a try of getting on the raft, and obviously, getting wet. Though it kind of made the rest of the day uncomfortable, we had a joyous time; espeacially when all the other activies were boring. Following up the rafting, the rest of the activities were boring, what we did in the previous camp.
Soon, it was time for lunch. We made up a cheer before eating, which was kind of fun. All the activities already made us hungry and tired, just looking at the packets of food could make us drool. Enjoying the food, it was just all gone in a blink of an eye. After lunch, it was just boring activities for the rest of the day. Other than the scavenger hunt, it was funny to see that most of my teammates were afraid of things that were 100 times smaller than them: frogs and grasshoppers.
Finally, the night covered the camp in a cloak of darkness. We had our dinner and proceeded with the night activities. In my mind, I wasn't really thinking of the activities, but what was after that. After most of the campers were sleeping, the real fun came. Playing around at night, relaxing and doing what we do best, nothing! Sleeping in the tent was just too hot and stuffy, so some of the campers, like me, just took out our sleeping bags and slept under the stars. Finally, I could get back at what I started, dreamland.
Before the sun could awaken us, we were already woken up by the camp head. After having our breakfast, everything got cut short. I had to leave for an important basketball match, missing the fun in the mud and sadly, the campfire.
This was definitely the best camp I had ever gone too, comparing the rest. It would definitely be the memory of my secondary school days, looking back at all the mischief we were up to as 3S2, in the future!
In the morning, everybody assembled in the courtyard, finding out what our class' camp name was. Obviously, we loved ours. If I am not wrong, it was Chil. We soon found out it was a name of a bird, but to all of us, it was just "lepak"!!
After all the boring briefings given by the camp head, we finally could get into the bus, heading down to Camp Christine. On the journey, everybody were singing songs and as usual, fooling around. For my case, it was off to dreamland, of which was cut short. We finally entered the camp, sitting down in the radiant rays of the sun, waiting for everybody else to arrive and settle down.
As usual, another boring brief followed up, and after what it seemed as an eternity, it was over. it was finally time for the fun to begin. First off, we were split up into various groups to pitch the tents. Sadly, Lady Luck was not on our side, giving us a tent that had a smelly, dead, rotten, and everything disgusting carcass on it. After getting help from Tarzan and Jane, we finally got them up, heading to our activities for the day.
Lucky for my class, we started off with the most fun activity of the day. Rafting. We were given many gigantic tires, a couple of planks and some rope. Our group finally thought of an idea, and it was down for everybody to help set it up. Being in the hot sun, we just could not wait for the raft to be made and head down to the sea. Finally, we finished. Everybody had a try of getting on the raft, and obviously, getting wet. Though it kind of made the rest of the day uncomfortable, we had a joyous time; espeacially when all the other activies were boring. Following up the rafting, the rest of the activities were boring, what we did in the previous camp.
Soon, it was time for lunch. We made up a cheer before eating, which was kind of fun. All the activities already made us hungry and tired, just looking at the packets of food could make us drool. Enjoying the food, it was just all gone in a blink of an eye. After lunch, it was just boring activities for the rest of the day. Other than the scavenger hunt, it was funny to see that most of my teammates were afraid of things that were 100 times smaller than them: frogs and grasshoppers.
Finally, the night covered the camp in a cloak of darkness. We had our dinner and proceeded with the night activities. In my mind, I wasn't really thinking of the activities, but what was after that. After most of the campers were sleeping, the real fun came. Playing around at night, relaxing and doing what we do best, nothing! Sleeping in the tent was just too hot and stuffy, so some of the campers, like me, just took out our sleeping bags and slept under the stars. Finally, I could get back at what I started, dreamland.
Before the sun could awaken us, we were already woken up by the camp head. After having our breakfast, everything got cut short. I had to leave for an important basketball match, missing the fun in the mud and sadly, the campfire.
This was definitely the best camp I had ever gone too, comparing the rest. It would definitely be the memory of my secondary school days, looking back at all the mischief we were up to as 3S2, in the future!
Sec 3 camp reflections Andrew Woon (5)
The day before the camp was a dreadful day as i was going to camp for 3 days and i felt it was going to be a very boring camp to go to especially when i found out that it was a girl guides camp when i searched Camp Christine on my Iphone's GPS system where its showed girl guides camp. When i found out that the girl guides camp was just beside a few cemetery's i was creeped out .
On the day when we were about to leave the school for the camp our form teacher decided to check a few bags for any unauthorized materials, i was one of the lucky few that looked suspicious enough to be asked to open my bag and empty the materials out.Unfortunately for her she could not find any unauthorized materials in my bag and decided to let me go back to my place.
We took about 45 minutes to reach the camp we pasted by many cemetery's in the Lim Chu Kang area before actually reaching the camp. when the bus stopped we saw many high element activities and games, but when we entered the camp i was upset the the high element activities were not in the camp but rather in the opposite campsite while we had 4 lodges that were by my estimations build around the 1980's because of how they connected their electricity and by the looks of how decayed many things were around the camp,of which the lights looked as if they were painted grey.
We set our tents and were assigned tents that we were going to stay in we threw our bags in the tent before preparing for our first wet activity and if i would to say the only fun activity we then had to do some other activities that were boring and childish in my opinion and for me personally i have done this many times in primary school on the various camps i have been to.After the boring activities we had our night walk where basically everyone in our class was cheating as they did not wear their blindfolds correctly and they could know where they were going.We then had supper before going to sleep.
On the second day of camp we had other boring activities that i felt were a waste of the schools funds because of how it could be held in school for a much cheaper rate as they required only 6 hoops and a few rubber bands to do the activity even the other activities required only a bucket filled with water and 2 ropes.
It was by far the worst part of camp i would say a waste of my time. The only thing that was good was the nature rumble where out shirts would become muddy and it was very irritating to clean up after ourselves.
After bathing we had our campfire where we did our cheers and sang. After the campfire we had our supper before we were suppose to sleep. I was quite lucky to have not slept in a stuffy tent this night as my tent was spoiled and was collapsing and was leaking from all side of the tent other than the floor. we slept in the hall where it was very cold and there was many mosquito's that around the so called "well maintained camp where
there was not much insects".
Day 3 i was very happy that i could go home from the camp as i did not really enjoyed the camp as i mention the activities done could have been easily done in school for a much cheaper price and would also save the time of the school as well as the students.We kept our tents before going back to school and thereafter home.
Overall i feel that the camp was a very bad choice as there was no real teamwork building that many students are writing about as only a few people did the work while others would be sitting down doing nothing i find that the people who praise the camp are the ones that did not do much or are just writing what they can think of to make the essay long enough for the teacher's to read without giving proper feedback as this camp was quite bad compared to the camps i have been to in Singapore as there were not many activities that could not be done in school,i would rather that the sec 2 students not go to the same camp that we went to as many people in my class said that the camp was very boring during the camp itself !
On the day when we were about to leave the school for the camp our form teacher decided to check a few bags for any unauthorized materials, i was one of the lucky few that looked suspicious enough to be asked to open my bag and empty the materials out.Unfortunately for her she could not find any unauthorized materials in my bag and decided to let me go back to my place.
We took about 45 minutes to reach the camp we pasted by many cemetery's in the Lim Chu Kang area before actually reaching the camp. when the bus stopped we saw many high element activities and games, but when we entered the camp i was upset the the high element activities were not in the camp but rather in the opposite campsite while we had 4 lodges that were by my estimations build around the 1980's because of how they connected their electricity and by the looks of how decayed many things were around the camp,of which the lights looked as if they were painted grey.
We set our tents and were assigned tents that we were going to stay in we threw our bags in the tent before preparing for our first wet activity and if i would to say the only fun activity we then had to do some other activities that were boring and childish in my opinion and for me personally i have done this many times in primary school on the various camps i have been to.After the boring activities we had our night walk where basically everyone in our class was cheating as they did not wear their blindfolds correctly and they could know where they were going.We then had supper before going to sleep.
On the second day of camp we had other boring activities that i felt were a waste of the schools funds because of how it could be held in school for a much cheaper rate as they required only 6 hoops and a few rubber bands to do the activity even the other activities required only a bucket filled with water and 2 ropes.
It was by far the worst part of camp i would say a waste of my time. The only thing that was good was the nature rumble where out shirts would become muddy and it was very irritating to clean up after ourselves.
After bathing we had our campfire where we did our cheers and sang. After the campfire we had our supper before we were suppose to sleep. I was quite lucky to have not slept in a stuffy tent this night as my tent was spoiled and was collapsing and was leaking from all side of the tent other than the floor. we slept in the hall where it was very cold and there was many mosquito's that around the so called "well maintained camp where
there was not much insects".
Day 3 i was very happy that i could go home from the camp as i did not really enjoyed the camp as i mention the activities done could have been easily done in school for a much cheaper price and would also save the time of the school as well as the students.We kept our tents before going back to school and thereafter home.
Overall i feel that the camp was a very bad choice as there was no real teamwork building that many students are writing about as only a few people did the work while others would be sitting down doing nothing i find that the people who praise the camp are the ones that did not do much or are just writing what they can think of to make the essay long enough for the teacher's to read without giving proper feedback as this camp was quite bad compared to the camps i have been to in Singapore as there were not many activities that could not be done in school,i would rather that the sec 2 students not go to the same camp that we went to as many people in my class said that the camp was very boring during the camp itself !
Sec 3 Adventure Camp Reflection (Lucas Tan Yan An)
The day before the sec three camp i did some last minute packing and i was actually thinking that the entire camp would actually be a waste of time as i actually wanted to study or play some games but since the camp was compulsory i had no choice but to go.The last experience i had with a school camp that wasn't held in school or by CCA's was my P5 camp and i did not enjoy it that much as it was quite boring.
The big day arrived, when i arrived at school i saw the entire sec 3 cohort in our pe shirts and all the different radiant colours of the shirts i really felt the mood of the holiday seasons where we dint have to bother about studying . when we arrived at the camp site the sun was blazing hot and we had to wait in it for what seemed like 3 hours and when we finally got to move out of the spot we were sitting in and we went on to pitch our tents which was going to be our beds for two nights so we better pitch it properly so it wouldn't cave in on us in the middle of the night. After that we were give group names from "The Jungle Book" and my class name was "Chil" which was a bird , Our trainers name was Tarzan and the co-trainer was Jane . We first saw Tarzan before we left school and we all expected him to be really fierce but throughout the entire camp he was really fun to talk to and was a nice trainer , so apparently you really can't judge a book from its cover. After that we begun our first activity which was to build a raft which could safely transport us through a small part of the sea which separates what i think was malaysia and singapore , when i saw what we had to build the raft i was thinking in my head "how are we going to get this out in the sea" as we had poles and rubber floats and had to tie it together with ropes which i had no experience with and felt that it might be the major factor that would prevent us from achieving our goal. But luckily for us Johnathan Lum was in my part of the group and he is from the scouts and has experience with tying ropes,now the problem was the design which we first tried a car like design but realised it wouldn't be able to support the weight of us after a while so after a few minutes of brainstorming we managed to get our design, a square like one and it managed to bring us through the entire time while the other team's raft broke down mid-way unluckily Shintaro's spectacles dropped own into the sea and couldn't be found and it was new too , but at least he brought spares which he could still see in . After that we had to dismantle the raft and since we tied it alot it took really long to untie the entire raft so we lost to the other team in that expect .
Other than that another activity i can remember is an event which we had to go around the site looking for thing and remembering them and finally make a map of it. i can remember this challenge as midway through it i saw Cheng boon's group and they found what i think was a maggot and put it inside the file it was also really disgusting as it looked like it pooped in the file .... quite disgusting if you ask me.
After that it was almost time for us to sleep where we went to take baths , brush our teeth and all that stuff. I was sleeping with Johnathan , Shintaro , Benjamin , William , Glen and Wesley i think hopefully i gt that right and before we slept Johnathan put some powder on his body and the entire tent was filled with it and i could bear to sleep in the tent filled with the powder but i was quite tired so i just laid down and slept
The second day was the most fun out of all of it as that was the day i got to know the Red One and he's a really fun guy to hang out with . This was the day where we had to get down and dirty in mud, where we went out of the camp compound and into a jungle. The trip to the jungle really reminded me of my NCC cebu trip in December with all the mud and after alwhile we reached it. The black swamp filled with mud where we has to sit in and and put on our face paint and more or less painted our shirts with black mud but hey t least it was an enjoyable experience with alot of fun and laughter . Although there was one really annoying part to it which was cleaning ourselves from the MUD where our shoes were we were almost totally black covered with mud , we were sprayed with a hose to clean ourselves before we got our camp t-shirt and went to bath . That one bath felt really awesome after being in mud and finally getting clean . Now the highlight of the camp was about to begin as dusk came around.
The Campfire , the main event of the camp was about to begin . My class was busy preparing for our cheer but when i went out of our lodge where \we were practicing i saw our trainers dancing kind of just knew what they were going to do. Our principle , Mrs Lucy Toh our principle came and lit the campfire where she said the words we were waiting for the whole time "Long pants" . The entire performance was really enjoyable especially the dancing challenge where we sent the best dancer in our class, Riggs , but sadly he only made it to the second last round but he's still awesome . After that was our class cheer where we did something really funny and quite embarrassing but at least we were doing it as a class, what was it? Moving our hips back and forth singing the direction we were moving in . And at last the fire burned out and the campfire was put to an end .
The last night of the camp so many things to do but what i did was sleep, but it was shortened by the rain in the middle of the night where i was the only one awake to close the tent to prevent the rain from coming in while everyone else was asleep.
The last day , we woke up and took all our stuff out of our tent and started to keep the tents for the other schools to use . After that we started cleaning the site and i was in charge of the toilet but it was actually quite fun just spraying the dirt away with a hose. Finally the end of the camp and also the winner of best class , which was it ? Who else but 3S2 where we won and got a notebook . We got onto our bus and said goodbyes to our trainers and went back to school. After the camp there's only one place we went to , Macdonald's where we ate our breakfast before heading home for a long sleep.
The big day arrived, when i arrived at school i saw the entire sec 3 cohort in our pe shirts and all the different radiant colours of the shirts i really felt the mood of the holiday seasons where we dint have to bother about studying . when we arrived at the camp site the sun was blazing hot and we had to wait in it for what seemed like 3 hours and when we finally got to move out of the spot we were sitting in and we went on to pitch our tents which was going to be our beds for two nights so we better pitch it properly so it wouldn't cave in on us in the middle of the night. After that we were give group names from "The Jungle Book" and my class name was "Chil" which was a bird , Our trainers name was Tarzan and the co-trainer was Jane . We first saw Tarzan before we left school and we all expected him to be really fierce but throughout the entire camp he was really fun to talk to and was a nice trainer , so apparently you really can't judge a book from its cover. After that we begun our first activity which was to build a raft which could safely transport us through a small part of the sea which separates what i think was malaysia and singapore , when i saw what we had to build the raft i was thinking in my head "how are we going to get this out in the sea" as we had poles and rubber floats and had to tie it together with ropes which i had no experience with and felt that it might be the major factor that would prevent us from achieving our goal. But luckily for us Johnathan Lum was in my part of the group and he is from the scouts and has experience with tying ropes,now the problem was the design which we first tried a car like design but realised it wouldn't be able to support the weight of us after a while so after a few minutes of brainstorming we managed to get our design, a square like one and it managed to bring us through the entire time while the other team's raft broke down mid-way unluckily Shintaro's spectacles dropped own into the sea and couldn't be found and it was new too , but at least he brought spares which he could still see in . After that we had to dismantle the raft and since we tied it alot it took really long to untie the entire raft so we lost to the other team in that expect .
Other than that another activity i can remember is an event which we had to go around the site looking for thing and remembering them and finally make a map of it. i can remember this challenge as midway through it i saw Cheng boon's group and they found what i think was a maggot and put it inside the file it was also really disgusting as it looked like it pooped in the file .... quite disgusting if you ask me.
After that it was almost time for us to sleep where we went to take baths , brush our teeth and all that stuff. I was sleeping with Johnathan , Shintaro , Benjamin , William , Glen and Wesley i think hopefully i gt that right and before we slept Johnathan put some powder on his body and the entire tent was filled with it and i could bear to sleep in the tent filled with the powder but i was quite tired so i just laid down and slept
The second day was the most fun out of all of it as that was the day i got to know the Red One and he's a really fun guy to hang out with . This was the day where we had to get down and dirty in mud, where we went out of the camp compound and into a jungle. The trip to the jungle really reminded me of my NCC cebu trip in December with all the mud and after alwhile we reached it. The black swamp filled with mud where we has to sit in and and put on our face paint and more or less painted our shirts with black mud but hey t least it was an enjoyable experience with alot of fun and laughter . Although there was one really annoying part to it which was cleaning ourselves from the MUD where our shoes were we were almost totally black covered with mud , we were sprayed with a hose to clean ourselves before we got our camp t-shirt and went to bath . That one bath felt really awesome after being in mud and finally getting clean . Now the highlight of the camp was about to begin as dusk came around.
The Campfire , the main event of the camp was about to begin . My class was busy preparing for our cheer but when i went out of our lodge where \we were practicing i saw our trainers dancing kind of just knew what they were going to do. Our principle , Mrs Lucy Toh our principle came and lit the campfire where she said the words we were waiting for the whole time "Long pants" . The entire performance was really enjoyable especially the dancing challenge where we sent the best dancer in our class, Riggs , but sadly he only made it to the second last round but he's still awesome . After that was our class cheer where we did something really funny and quite embarrassing but at least we were doing it as a class, what was it? Moving our hips back and forth singing the direction we were moving in . And at last the fire burned out and the campfire was put to an end .
The last night of the camp so many things to do but what i did was sleep, but it was shortened by the rain in the middle of the night where i was the only one awake to close the tent to prevent the rain from coming in while everyone else was asleep.
The last day , we woke up and took all our stuff out of our tent and started to keep the tents for the other schools to use . After that we started cleaning the site and i was in charge of the toilet but it was actually quite fun just spraying the dirt away with a hose. Finally the end of the camp and also the winner of best class , which was it ? Who else but 3S2 where we won and got a notebook . We got onto our bus and said goodbyes to our trainers and went back to school. After the camp there's only one place we went to , Macdonald's where we ate our breakfast before heading home for a long sleep.
sec 3 camp (6)(Dinie)
What I have to reflect on Secondary 3 Adventure Camp was that it was filled with different emotions, activities. challenges and lessons learnt. It was a completely different feel from school when I first arrived at Camp Christine. The environment was not as comfortable as I have always been exposed to. Tress, bushes and plants everywhere. Anyway, I have much more to reflect, I will explain in the following paragraphs.
Day number one of the adventure camp, I arrived at the camp site with my secondary three mates. The camp site looked somewhat threatening with the barbed wire which made me think I was going to have a nightmare for a camp and I was a total stranger to 3S2.I thought of the worst that could happen to me. The afternoon activities was the first step towards bonding and adapting to the camp; activities that require teamwork, dedication and listening. I could not remember all the activities, but the best one was the raft activity. Everyone got wet, laughed, got mischievous but worked well with each other. We discussed and tied together to build a stable raft. On the other hand, the night of the camp was a disaster for me. One of the camp instructors roared like a platoon commander forcing us to sleep without a single sound. For me it was chaotic and unorganized. My tentmates kicked me out of the tent just because I did not bathe. They treated me like a pet. I was the last person to bathe before I could come inside. I had to be sneaky or I would have been tortured by the camp instructors.
The second day of the camp was the opposite of the first day of the camp. The activities turned out to be unexpectedly messy and painful. The worst was the Nature Rumble where we had to hike in an unknown forest. To make the situation worse, it had just finished raining so the surroundings of the forest just got awful to the eyes of a typical Singaporean city boy like me. In the hike, we met a bunch of girl campers. My classmates went so wild over the girls except for me. I knew something was wrong with them, and I was right. A rowdy girl allegedly splashed mud right into my eyes, causing it to hurt to no end. The bonding comes when my classmates helped me out and the instructor helped me to shove off the sand mud from my sensitive eyes. If it was not for them, I would have been in trouble. The night was an epic and fun campfire. It was the reward for the struggles I had in the afternoon activities. Different pop and hip-hop songs were played. All of us just let go of our stress in a positive manner and no one goes to sleep in a bad mood.
The last day of the camp came. Could it be that this was the last day of camp. I could not believe it. I am finally going home. Secondary three adventure camp was indeed a fun camp. I had expected it to be a night terror camp but it actually turned out to be a relaxing camp. The trainers were nice to us, We did not go through scoldings that much and we were actually there for one another. Although I do not look forward to such camps, the greatness of the secondary three camp will never be erased from my mind.
Day number one of the adventure camp, I arrived at the camp site with my secondary three mates. The camp site looked somewhat threatening with the barbed wire which made me think I was going to have a nightmare for a camp and I was a total stranger to 3S2.I thought of the worst that could happen to me. The afternoon activities was the first step towards bonding and adapting to the camp; activities that require teamwork, dedication and listening. I could not remember all the activities, but the best one was the raft activity. Everyone got wet, laughed, got mischievous but worked well with each other. We discussed and tied together to build a stable raft. On the other hand, the night of the camp was a disaster for me. One of the camp instructors roared like a platoon commander forcing us to sleep without a single sound. For me it was chaotic and unorganized. My tentmates kicked me out of the tent just because I did not bathe. They treated me like a pet. I was the last person to bathe before I could come inside. I had to be sneaky or I would have been tortured by the camp instructors.
The second day of the camp was the opposite of the first day of the camp. The activities turned out to be unexpectedly messy and painful. The worst was the Nature Rumble where we had to hike in an unknown forest. To make the situation worse, it had just finished raining so the surroundings of the forest just got awful to the eyes of a typical Singaporean city boy like me. In the hike, we met a bunch of girl campers. My classmates went so wild over the girls except for me. I knew something was wrong with them, and I was right. A rowdy girl allegedly splashed mud right into my eyes, causing it to hurt to no end. The bonding comes when my classmates helped me out and the instructor helped me to shove off the sand mud from my sensitive eyes. If it was not for them, I would have been in trouble. The night was an epic and fun campfire. It was the reward for the struggles I had in the afternoon activities. Different pop and hip-hop songs were played. All of us just let go of our stress in a positive manner and no one goes to sleep in a bad mood.
The last day of the camp came. Could it be that this was the last day of camp. I could not believe it. I am finally going home. Secondary three adventure camp was indeed a fun camp. I had expected it to be a night terror camp but it actually turned out to be a relaxing camp. The trainers were nice to us, We did not go through scoldings that much and we were actually there for one another. Although I do not look forward to such camps, the greatness of the secondary three camp will never be erased from my mind.
Reflection on Sec3 Camp (Agustine Wee)
My heart sank when i first heard of an adventure camp during the first week.. I like camps. Before I attended secondary school. It was due to the experience of my sec one orientation camp which to me was a total failure which took away all the joy and excitement of being pulled into a compulsory camp with all guys again.
All I could think of was just doing activities that were not even fun at all,but just to satisfy the camp instructor. The night before the camp. I went around my house,gathering the things needed for 3 days of monotonous life.
Went in with a mug , went out some clothes, and in again with an insect repellent, this time my mother describe me as something she missed ever since her childhood days - the chinese opera actors,clanging in and out with their swords and shields.
Day One.
Finally,the camp came. Or rather,dreadfully. Before leaving my house for school,I looked at my mobile phone and bade it goodbye. I was told repeatedly by teachers that we were not allowed to bring it along. Maybe,telling us is not enough to restrict me,but their words were enforced by a bag check.We sat down at the courtyard in school after morning assembly. I was waiting for the bag check - which did not took its toll.
We boarded the bus and began embarking on a journey which I thought would be boring. On the way there I took a nap after being tired of complaining that I was so naive to believe that there was a bag check and not bringing my phone.
Arriving at the campsite,my mood was dampened even more by the environment there. It was wet,smelly and no proper facilities nor exciting game obstacles appear in sight. The camp officially started.
We went off to play some team building games which just did not appeal to me at all. It was seriously boring. I just did not see the point of playing these games, throughout the game I was just standing there motionlessly,watching what my friends were doing. Periodically shifting my my weight from one leg to the other. I was hoping that day two would come faster as the activities were more exciting as mentioned by my camp instructor. The dreadful day passed by slowly. The seconds did not went " tick,tick...tick" but instead, I swear it went "tick. Pause. Tick. Pause." Stealing a disbelieving glance at my watch,I was convinced the clock hand was moving backwards.
Day two.
Things got better. The first activity we had in the after breakfast was outdoor cooking. This activity was appealing to almost everyone as it only meant more food even after breakfast. We played a couple of team building games later in the day. Thankfully it was better than day one's boring game. These team building games on day two requires us to run about and hop about. Our muscles were also put to the test.
Time was more hardworking on day two(maybe after a good rest on day one) ,the night fell and it was soon time for the campfire. We had a discussion on what cheer we have to come up with. An idea came to my mind, I suggested we do a dance,a funny one at that. I was just briefly presenting my idea to the class,not having the intention of the class really doing the dance. Twenty minutes later,we were already dancing to the whole secondary three cohord. One word to describe it all. Awesome.
Day three.
Waking up was the easiest of all the three days in camp. Thanks to the fact that i was going home just four hours later i got up. Area cleaning was always a compulsory activity before the school let us we leave any campsite. I,as usual chose the easiest job of all. Sweeping. Just collecting things on the ground into the dustpan was the easiest thing to do. well,compared to washing filthy toilets. A gathering of the whole secondary three level was called upon at the field after the area cleaning.
Yes. Equipped with excitement and joy,I happily took my bags and reported at the rendevous. The feeling was a contrast of what I experience on day one in school. Bading our instructors goodbye,we set off our journey home. This time i napped on the bus again. Back in school, we were dismissed after our form teacher,Madam Chong prayed for the class. "Amen!" ,the class shouted,marking the end of the prayer as well as the marking the start of our days of wearing long pants to school. Bye Secondary Three Camp 2011 !
All I could think of was just doing activities that were not even fun at all,but just to satisfy the camp instructor. The night before the camp. I went around my house,gathering the things needed for 3 days of monotonous life.
Went in with a mug , went out some clothes, and in again with an insect repellent, this time my mother describe me as something she missed ever since her childhood days - the chinese opera actors,clanging in and out with their swords and shields.
Day One.
Finally,the camp came. Or rather,dreadfully. Before leaving my house for school,I looked at my mobile phone and bade it goodbye. I was told repeatedly by teachers that we were not allowed to bring it along. Maybe,telling us is not enough to restrict me,but their words were enforced by a bag check.We sat down at the courtyard in school after morning assembly. I was waiting for the bag check - which did not took its toll.
We boarded the bus and began embarking on a journey which I thought would be boring. On the way there I took a nap after being tired of complaining that I was so naive to believe that there was a bag check and not bringing my phone.
Arriving at the campsite,my mood was dampened even more by the environment there. It was wet,smelly and no proper facilities nor exciting game obstacles appear in sight. The camp officially started.
We went off to play some team building games which just did not appeal to me at all. It was seriously boring. I just did not see the point of playing these games, throughout the game I was just standing there motionlessly,watching what my friends were doing. Periodically shifting my my weight from one leg to the other. I was hoping that day two would come faster as the activities were more exciting as mentioned by my camp instructor. The dreadful day passed by slowly. The seconds did not went " tick,tick...tick" but instead, I swear it went "tick. Pause. Tick. Pause." Stealing a disbelieving glance at my watch,I was convinced the clock hand was moving backwards.
Day two.
Things got better. The first activity we had in the after breakfast was outdoor cooking. This activity was appealing to almost everyone as it only meant more food even after breakfast. We played a couple of team building games later in the day. Thankfully it was better than day one's boring game. These team building games on day two requires us to run about and hop about. Our muscles were also put to the test.
Time was more hardworking on day two(maybe after a good rest on day one) ,the night fell and it was soon time for the campfire. We had a discussion on what cheer we have to come up with. An idea came to my mind, I suggested we do a dance,a funny one at that. I was just briefly presenting my idea to the class,not having the intention of the class really doing the dance. Twenty minutes later,we were already dancing to the whole secondary three cohord. One word to describe it all. Awesome.
Day three.
Waking up was the easiest of all the three days in camp. Thanks to the fact that i was going home just four hours later i got up. Area cleaning was always a compulsory activity before the school let us we leave any campsite. I,as usual chose the easiest job of all. Sweeping. Just collecting things on the ground into the dustpan was the easiest thing to do. well,compared to washing filthy toilets. A gathering of the whole secondary three level was called upon at the field after the area cleaning.
Yes. Equipped with excitement and joy,I happily took my bags and reported at the rendevous. The feeling was a contrast of what I experience on day one in school. Bading our instructors goodbye,we set off our journey home. This time i napped on the bus again. Back in school, we were dismissed after our form teacher,Madam Chong prayed for the class. "Amen!" ,the class shouted,marking the end of the prayer as well as the marking the start of our days of wearing long pants to school. Bye Secondary Three Camp 2011 !
Secondary Three Camp!!!
Normally,I would have slept by now.It was 2 in the morning.Sec three camp was just a few hours away.I was up chatting with some of my friends who were equally excited as me.
I woke up moaning and complaining.I was very tired due to the lack of sleep.However, i was re-energised when i suddenly remembered that today was the sec three camp.We left for the campsite after the teacher did a 'thorough' check on our bags for prohibited items.When we reached the campsite, we were greeted by our camp instructors and unfortunately the hot blazing sun too.
We had to sit in the blazing hot sun while the camp insrtuctors expected us to be silent, while they were standing in the shadow of the hut making way much more noise.After the briefing,they taught us how to pitch our own tents.We then had our lunch and proceeded on to our games and activities.I was rather reluctant to participate in the events as the sun was really hot and the activities were not engaging.We finally had our dinner and soon it was nightime.
It was time to sleep.The instructors were guarding our tents, making sure none of us were getting out of the tent for no good reasons.This was camp.What would a camp be without breaking some rules??I got out of my tent and joined my friends from the other classes.We went about the campsite and left to our own devices did some intersting things.
This camp what quite what i expected it to be.It was fun during the night but a little boring during the day.Overall, this camp was pretty fun and exciting.
(Andrew Wong 38)
I woke up moaning and complaining.I was very tired due to the lack of sleep.However, i was re-energised when i suddenly remembered that today was the sec three camp.We left for the campsite after the teacher did a 'thorough' check on our bags for prohibited items.When we reached the campsite, we were greeted by our camp instructors and unfortunately the hot blazing sun too.
We had to sit in the blazing hot sun while the camp insrtuctors expected us to be silent, while they were standing in the shadow of the hut making way much more noise.After the briefing,they taught us how to pitch our own tents.We then had our lunch and proceeded on to our games and activities.I was rather reluctant to participate in the events as the sun was really hot and the activities were not engaging.We finally had our dinner and soon it was nightime.
It was time to sleep.The instructors were guarding our tents, making sure none of us were getting out of the tent for no good reasons.This was camp.What would a camp be without breaking some rules??I got out of my tent and joined my friends from the other classes.We went about the campsite and left to our own devices did some intersting things.
This camp what quite what i expected it to be.It was fun during the night but a little boring during the day.Overall, this camp was pretty fun and exciting.
(Andrew Wong 38)
Matthews Sec3 Camp
The previous night before camp, t was packing my bay, trying to fit everything in. I was also trying to get to sleep before 11pm so that I could have some enrgy in morning when i woke up. I folded all the clothes so that it would fit only to get my form teacher asking my to empty out my bag which was packed very neatly. I just stuff everything in and I thought that the bag would tear or something.
As we were travelling to that isolated place in the middle of nowhere, Istarter to think of the fun I could possibily have at the camp only to come out with two positive thoughts, a break of studying and having fun. I was also amazed seeing the high elements which made my mind full of fun ideas to do. Once we reached there, hell kinda started by sitting in the HOT sun for 30 minutes just waiting for other classes to arrive. The worst thing was that we had to set our own tent and which made my rubber zip melt, burning hot. I burnt my finger trying to open it and we had to sit in the sun again to wait for the camp commandant to give a speech.(waste my time)
Anyway, the camp was ok i guess after the lame activites we did which did not include high elements but instead low elements. The best thing I liked about the camp was building your raft which was fun as we could splash water and our friends.Last but not least, I had agreat lunch which my friends at KFC after we came back.
After all, we had good good bonding and a good expirence. ( Sorry for the Late Post it took me a long time to find this page)
As we were travelling to that isolated place in the middle of nowhere, Istarter to think of the fun I could possibily have at the camp only to come out with two positive thoughts, a break of studying and having fun. I was also amazed seeing the high elements which made my mind full of fun ideas to do. Once we reached there, hell kinda started by sitting in the HOT sun for 30 minutes just waiting for other classes to arrive. The worst thing was that we had to set our own tent and which made my rubber zip melt, burning hot. I burnt my finger trying to open it and we had to sit in the sun again to wait for the camp commandant to give a speech.(waste my time)
Anyway, the camp was ok i guess after the lame activites we did which did not include high elements but instead low elements. The best thing I liked about the camp was building your raft which was fun as we could splash water and our friends.Last but not least, I had agreat lunch which my friends at KFC after we came back.
After all, we had good good bonding and a good expirence. ( Sorry for the Late Post it took me a long time to find this page)
Sec 3 Camp
Just the thought of not being able to use my mobile phone for 3 days, really made me feel ,that I wasn't going to enjoy the Sec 3 Camp, because to me the usage of the mobile phone was a need. Nonetheless, I tried to convince myself that the camp would be fun. It was the morning of the Sec 3 Camp,everyone came to school with big bags and some even brought their luggage. There was the usual morning assembly followed by a bag check. My form teacher just checked some of our bags and was convinced no one brought any unauthorised materials.
Then we boarded the bus to the campsite,the journey to the campsite was about an hour. The ride there was quite fun as me and a few friends just kept all talking and talking. When we were about to reach our campsite,we passed by many cemetries,and looking at the amount of tombstones just gave me the chills. When we arrived at the campsite,we realised it was a girl guide's camp,but that didn't really bother me because i just wanted to find a place to put my big bag down.
To the start the camp of there was a mass briefing about the camp and stuff. All the Sec 3 classes had to sit on the grass patch for the briefing,and to make things worse the weather was really hot. In fact,it felt like i was going to get a sunburn.After the briefing,we were taught how to pitch our own tents,after pitching our tents we dumped our bags in it. There was many outdoor and indoor activities for the next 2 days,activities which made me get to know my new classmates better and to get bonded with them.
At the end of the camp,i realised it wasn't as bad as i thought it would be and to be honest i kind of enjoyed the camp, a little. In the days and months to come,I would like to get to know all of my classmates better.
Ryan Chen(29) 3S2
Then we boarded the bus to the campsite,the journey to the campsite was about an hour. The ride there was quite fun as me and a few friends just kept all talking and talking. When we were about to reach our campsite,we passed by many cemetries,and looking at the amount of tombstones just gave me the chills. When we arrived at the campsite,we realised it was a girl guide's camp,but that didn't really bother me because i just wanted to find a place to put my big bag down.
To the start the camp of there was a mass briefing about the camp and stuff. All the Sec 3 classes had to sit on the grass patch for the briefing,and to make things worse the weather was really hot. In fact,it felt like i was going to get a sunburn.After the briefing,we were taught how to pitch our own tents,after pitching our tents we dumped our bags in it. There was many outdoor and indoor activities for the next 2 days,activities which made me get to know my new classmates better and to get bonded with them.
At the end of the camp,i realised it wasn't as bad as i thought it would be and to be honest i kind of enjoyed the camp, a little. In the days and months to come,I would like to get to know all of my classmates better.
Ryan Chen(29) 3S2
Secondary 3 camp reflections By: Muhamad Redhuan (23)
Actually when i first thought about the sec 3 camp i thought it was a waste of time, but on the day itself i looked forward to it with a positive mindset and maybe learn something new or get to know the new classmates who joined my class this year. Our trainers had assigned group names from the "Jungle Book". Our group name was "Chil". Our trainer assigned to us was named "Tarzan", a trainer whom we suspected to be fierce and cruel, but we found out that he was a very nice person and was very lenient towards us. Upon reaching the camp, the trainers assembled us in a clear field, and we were briefed in what was expected from us. Sure enough, many of us were already cursing at the fact that we were sitting in the scorching sun, and I thought I was already sunburnt at the beginning of the camp.Oh well, life is rough, so i have to bear with it. Anyway, i didn't go there to curse about the bad conditions we were going through, because this camp itself was a test for all of us.
First order of the camp: pitching your tent. I already had experience pitching tents back when i was in primary school serving in the scouts and when i sleep over at Changi Beach with my family, so it was a breeze for me. I, together with Shintaro, Lucas,Jonathan,Sean and a few other people whom i forgot their faces to pitch a 8-man tent. The next activity was one of my favourites: rafting! Oh boy, i never thought that the most enjoyable activity for the camp was the first activity we are supposed to participate in. We were split into two groups, with Shintaro, Lucas,Matthew, Jonathan, Benjamin Sim, Sean, Andrew Woon, Dinieand a few other people. We were given two wooden sticks and four rubber floats. We made a box-shaped raft, and with God's blessing, our planning, teamwork and Jonathan's expertise in tying knots saved us from sinking to the bottom of the ocean when we tested it out. I went in first together with Aakash, Lucas and Shintaro,and the experience of riding a raft which we made ourselves sank deep into our memory and we felt proud to be successful. Coincidentally, it was Jonathan's birthday, and we splashed water into him as a birthday "gift". We all laughed at the sight of Jonathan getting wet on his birthday. We also felt proud that our raft was the sturdiest of the two groups, and managed to survive till the end, unlike the other group, whose raft dismantled in the sea. Unfortunately for us, our raft was the sturdiest AND the HARDEST to dismantle after the activity. I felt pain in my hands because untying the thick rope that held our rafts to the wooded sticks.
I could only remember some activities, one of which was the NATURE RUMBLE. We were separated into four groups, i think. Our task was to find specific plants and animals, and bring specimens of them back to our base of operations. Well, we were partially successful, managing to only find about two fifths of the specimens we were supposed to retrieve. After that was lunch, which was appetizing, after what we all went through.
I can only remember some of the activities, one of them was Trekker's Challenge. We were all supposed to hold a rope in a circle and a person has to walk ON it without falling. Well, we hands ached after that, given the extreme weight we had to lift the rope up. But this activity proved our strong teamwork and perseverence to complete a specific task, and we also developed a strong bond and a sense of trust among our friends there. We went through many other activities that tested our teamwork and coordination, and we quickly became one of the most fun classes in the entire camp.Night soon fell, and we participated in the Blind Man's Trail. We were supposed to blindfold our eyes and navigate around the place by only trusting the person in front of you. We also disturbed and pranked on other students because it was our way of having fun. We also had to find our way back to our own group by only using our mouth and our ears. Once again, we proved our strong teamwork.
It was soon sleeping time, and we showered in the toilets, despite the atrocious smell and the bad condition the toilets were in. I did my prayers in front of everybody before i went to sleep.(the muslim guys should know what i am talking about, because they saw me doing it too.) I was sleeping with Faiz, Jefferson, and a few other guys from 3ST. I only slept at 2 a.m. because it was stuffy, and i kept waking up at two hour intervals. Well, at least i was the first in the tent to wake up the next morning after hearing the prayer call sounded by the fishing village just offshore. We brushed our teeth and had breakfast.Some of us were still lethargic and tired, due to the fact that they could not sleep the previous night. We underwent a series of activities which once again tested our ability to communicate,to plan, and to coordinate with one another while having fun at the same time. One of them was to build a catapult and to launch a waterbomb to hit the assigned target. Although it failed, it was a good attempt and it was only due to the faulty launcher and overall the structure of the catapult was fine. The best activity we took part in was the MUD WALK. Haha,i thought we would be swimming in the mud, but we only trekked through the neighbouring jungle in mud which was knee-lengthed. One of our guys, Dinie, was injured when one of the girls from another school splashed mud into his face. In retaliation, Shintaro and I were just about to throw balls of mud back at the girls, but backed down when their trainer warned us not to. We were cursing as we did not do anything towards them, they were the ones who mocked us when we first when into the jungle. At least we were not forced to sit in the mud like them, and we enjoyed hearing them squeal in fright. The walk also showed me what life was like in the jungle. We also made a few funny drawings on our shirts, the funniest drawing i found to be the funniest was the smiley face on Jonathan's shirt. I imitated his drawing on mine too, and we drew on each other's faces too.....for fun of course.
At night we had our campfire, and we all saw our trainers dance and perform to the music. The campfire was the event in which the principal made the decision to allow us to wear long pants as a sign of becoming part of the upper secondary cohort. In addition to that, we also did our class chear. Before the campfire, we rehearsed our class cheer until we got it right. To me it was the beginning which was embarrassing: "My side,my side, my side my front my back! My side, my front, my side, my back, my side, my front, my back!" haha it was good times........
We then went to sleep. THIS time i managed to sleep till morning and THIS time Jefferson had to wake me up. We washed up and prepared to unpitch the tents. Again with superior teamwork that we had built over these two days, we unpitched our tents within 10-15 minutes. I could not believe that we won the "Most Fun Class" award and we were told that we would get a PSP, in the end, all we got was a "Portable Stationary Pen" or THEIR version of PSP....... or in other words, a small notebook. We were saying "EPIC FAIL!" and we were quite pissed because we ACTUALLY thought that we WERE going to receive a Sony PSP. Well, not everything is what it seems. We went back to school with tired bodies and happy memories. In this camp, I made many VERY good friends, a few of them are: Lucas, Jonathan, Matthew and Shintaro. All were very friendly and easy going friends. I will treasure the moments i spent with them and my class in the camp and hopefully we will remain the best of friends for the entire year. The End.
Muhamad Redhuan (23)
3S2
First order of the camp: pitching your tent. I already had experience pitching tents back when i was in primary school serving in the scouts and when i sleep over at Changi Beach with my family, so it was a breeze for me. I, together with Shintaro, Lucas,Jonathan,Sean and a few other people whom i forgot their faces to pitch a 8-man tent. The next activity was one of my favourites: rafting! Oh boy, i never thought that the most enjoyable activity for the camp was the first activity we are supposed to participate in. We were split into two groups, with Shintaro, Lucas,Matthew, Jonathan, Benjamin Sim, Sean, Andrew Woon, Dinieand a few other people. We were given two wooden sticks and four rubber floats. We made a box-shaped raft, and with God's blessing, our planning, teamwork and Jonathan's expertise in tying knots saved us from sinking to the bottom of the ocean when we tested it out. I went in first together with Aakash, Lucas and Shintaro,and the experience of riding a raft which we made ourselves sank deep into our memory and we felt proud to be successful. Coincidentally, it was Jonathan's birthday, and we splashed water into him as a birthday "gift". We all laughed at the sight of Jonathan getting wet on his birthday. We also felt proud that our raft was the sturdiest of the two groups, and managed to survive till the end, unlike the other group, whose raft dismantled in the sea. Unfortunately for us, our raft was the sturdiest AND the HARDEST to dismantle after the activity. I felt pain in my hands because untying the thick rope that held our rafts to the wooded sticks.
I could only remember some activities, one of which was the NATURE RUMBLE. We were separated into four groups, i think. Our task was to find specific plants and animals, and bring specimens of them back to our base of operations. Well, we were partially successful, managing to only find about two fifths of the specimens we were supposed to retrieve. After that was lunch, which was appetizing, after what we all went through.
I can only remember some of the activities, one of them was Trekker's Challenge. We were all supposed to hold a rope in a circle and a person has to walk ON it without falling. Well, we hands ached after that, given the extreme weight we had to lift the rope up. But this activity proved our strong teamwork and perseverence to complete a specific task, and we also developed a strong bond and a sense of trust among our friends there. We went through many other activities that tested our teamwork and coordination, and we quickly became one of the most fun classes in the entire camp.Night soon fell, and we participated in the Blind Man's Trail. We were supposed to blindfold our eyes and navigate around the place by only trusting the person in front of you. We also disturbed and pranked on other students because it was our way of having fun. We also had to find our way back to our own group by only using our mouth and our ears. Once again, we proved our strong teamwork.
It was soon sleeping time, and we showered in the toilets, despite the atrocious smell and the bad condition the toilets were in. I did my prayers in front of everybody before i went to sleep.(the muslim guys should know what i am talking about, because they saw me doing it too.) I was sleeping with Faiz, Jefferson, and a few other guys from 3ST. I only slept at 2 a.m. because it was stuffy, and i kept waking up at two hour intervals. Well, at least i was the first in the tent to wake up the next morning after hearing the prayer call sounded by the fishing village just offshore. We brushed our teeth and had breakfast.Some of us were still lethargic and tired, due to the fact that they could not sleep the previous night. We underwent a series of activities which once again tested our ability to communicate,to plan, and to coordinate with one another while having fun at the same time. One of them was to build a catapult and to launch a waterbomb to hit the assigned target. Although it failed, it was a good attempt and it was only due to the faulty launcher and overall the structure of the catapult was fine. The best activity we took part in was the MUD WALK. Haha,i thought we would be swimming in the mud, but we only trekked through the neighbouring jungle in mud which was knee-lengthed. One of our guys, Dinie, was injured when one of the girls from another school splashed mud into his face. In retaliation, Shintaro and I were just about to throw balls of mud back at the girls, but backed down when their trainer warned us not to. We were cursing as we did not do anything towards them, they were the ones who mocked us when we first when into the jungle. At least we were not forced to sit in the mud like them, and we enjoyed hearing them squeal in fright. The walk also showed me what life was like in the jungle. We also made a few funny drawings on our shirts, the funniest drawing i found to be the funniest was the smiley face on Jonathan's shirt. I imitated his drawing on mine too, and we drew on each other's faces too.....for fun of course.
At night we had our campfire, and we all saw our trainers dance and perform to the music. The campfire was the event in which the principal made the decision to allow us to wear long pants as a sign of becoming part of the upper secondary cohort. In addition to that, we also did our class chear. Before the campfire, we rehearsed our class cheer until we got it right. To me it was the beginning which was embarrassing: "My side,my side, my side my front my back! My side, my front, my side, my back, my side, my front, my back!" haha it was good times........
We then went to sleep. THIS time i managed to sleep till morning and THIS time Jefferson had to wake me up. We washed up and prepared to unpitch the tents. Again with superior teamwork that we had built over these two days, we unpitched our tents within 10-15 minutes. I could not believe that we won the "Most Fun Class" award and we were told that we would get a PSP, in the end, all we got was a "Portable Stationary Pen" or THEIR version of PSP....... or in other words, a small notebook. We were saying "EPIC FAIL!" and we were quite pissed because we ACTUALLY thought that we WERE going to receive a Sony PSP. Well, not everything is what it seems. We went back to school with tired bodies and happy memories. In this camp, I made many VERY good friends, a few of them are: Lucas, Jonathan, Matthew and Shintaro. All were very friendly and easy going friends. I will treasure the moments i spent with them and my class in the camp and hopefully we will remain the best of friends for the entire year. The End.
Muhamad Redhuan (23)
3S2
Sec 3 camp reflection - Benjamin Sim (6)
At first, I thought this camp would not be fun as I heard that there were many boring activities. However, when we boarded the bus to bring us to Camp Christine, I was feeling excited and thought that this would be a good departure from a normal dreary school day.
The camp did not start out on a good note as we were one of the first classes to arrive and we had to wait in the baking sun for the other classes to arrive. We tried various means to keep our bodies from the burning rays but they were not very effective.
After the camp briefing, the first thing we had to do was to pitch our tents. We were given a demonstration by the trainers, then we had to do it on our own. We had a nasty shock when we found a pair of socks and a hairclip inside our tent but we were even more surprised at seeing toads around our tent.
After that, we had our first activity, rafting. We had to build our own rafts from logs, four rubber tyres and ropes. Each of us had a go at sitting on the raft and in the midst of all the spraying of water at each other, Shintaro lost his glasses as he tried to dodge water being splashed at him. It was disappointing to know that although most of us comforted him, there was a few boys that took advantage of the situation and made fun of him.
We had our Nature Discovery after that, where we walked around the campsite looking for leaves, plants and insects. Then, we had Trekker's Challenge where a student was to walk on a rope supported by the rest of us. I found it rather fun, if not dangerous and painful as one of the students stepped on my hand while trying to make his way around the rope. After that, we had Space Odyssey where we did some activites which I found kind of boring.
Night came and after dinner, we had a Blind Man's Trail where we walked around the campsite blindfolded. I felt vulnerable as you had to trust the person leading you and you never know what the next step is going to be like. After that was supper and to hit the sack, or rather, tent. It was uncomfortable as we had eight people in a tent and you couldn't really move without hitting the person next to you. We felt like sardines in a can.
The next morning, our first activity was outdoor cooking where we cooked apple cinnamon, sausages and some dough. We got to ate what we cooked and surprisingly, it was relatively good! We never knew we were such good cooks. Next, we had low elements where we had to swing across a rope and build a bridge from logs over "water". This was fun as it required teamwork and support from your friends.
However, it started to rain before the next activity, Mad Max could begin so we had to do it indoors. This activity wasn't fun as we did it in a confined area and we had to form objects with our body, which to me doesn't make much sense. After that, we had Gladiator Challenge where we were to build catapults to launch water bombs at a target. This failed miserably as neither team could even get the bomb flying towards the target!
Finally, we had, to me, to do the most dreaded activity of all, Nature Ramble. This involved walking in a mud pit with mud up to your shin. We used the mud to draw on our friends' shirts and faces. Though it was fun, I did not like the washing up and the feeling of mud all over me. Our shoes were ruined and many, if not all threw their shoes away after that.
After dinner, we had the most fun activity of all, the campfire! We performed our class cheer in front of everyone and the trainers even played many of our favourite songs and Mrs Lucy Toh finally declared us
mature enough to earn our long pants, much to the delight of everyone. The trainers kept us entertained until it was time for reflection. After that, it was bed, no, tent time again and day two had passed in the blink of an eye. How ironic! The camp was ending just as I was starting to enjoy it.
The following morning, we had breakfast before doing area cleaning and taking down our tents. Soon, it was time for camp debrief. We had a surprise as our class was chosen for the best group and our prize was a "PSP", which in fact was a notebook. Three days had gone by like three hours and as I left the campsite, I felt rather sad about breaking camp. I never thought I was going to feel this way but in fact I really liked the camp, and unlike many people who came to the camp for the sake of the long pants, I came and enjoyed myself, despite my initial mindset and the many drawbacks such as the dirty toilets and small halls. This was a good opportunity to get to know my classmates better and to know how well we bonded together as a class.
The camp did not start out on a good note as we were one of the first classes to arrive and we had to wait in the baking sun for the other classes to arrive. We tried various means to keep our bodies from the burning rays but they were not very effective.
After the camp briefing, the first thing we had to do was to pitch our tents. We were given a demonstration by the trainers, then we had to do it on our own. We had a nasty shock when we found a pair of socks and a hairclip inside our tent but we were even more surprised at seeing toads around our tent.
After that, we had our first activity, rafting. We had to build our own rafts from logs, four rubber tyres and ropes. Each of us had a go at sitting on the raft and in the midst of all the spraying of water at each other, Shintaro lost his glasses as he tried to dodge water being splashed at him. It was disappointing to know that although most of us comforted him, there was a few boys that took advantage of the situation and made fun of him.
We had our Nature Discovery after that, where we walked around the campsite looking for leaves, plants and insects. Then, we had Trekker's Challenge where a student was to walk on a rope supported by the rest of us. I found it rather fun, if not dangerous and painful as one of the students stepped on my hand while trying to make his way around the rope. After that, we had Space Odyssey where we did some activites which I found kind of boring.
Night came and after dinner, we had a Blind Man's Trail where we walked around the campsite blindfolded. I felt vulnerable as you had to trust the person leading you and you never know what the next step is going to be like. After that was supper and to hit the sack, or rather, tent. It was uncomfortable as we had eight people in a tent and you couldn't really move without hitting the person next to you. We felt like sardines in a can.
The next morning, our first activity was outdoor cooking where we cooked apple cinnamon, sausages and some dough. We got to ate what we cooked and surprisingly, it was relatively good! We never knew we were such good cooks. Next, we had low elements where we had to swing across a rope and build a bridge from logs over "water". This was fun as it required teamwork and support from your friends.
However, it started to rain before the next activity, Mad Max could begin so we had to do it indoors. This activity wasn't fun as we did it in a confined area and we had to form objects with our body, which to me doesn't make much sense. After that, we had Gladiator Challenge where we were to build catapults to launch water bombs at a target. This failed miserably as neither team could even get the bomb flying towards the target!
Finally, we had, to me, to do the most dreaded activity of all, Nature Ramble. This involved walking in a mud pit with mud up to your shin. We used the mud to draw on our friends' shirts and faces. Though it was fun, I did not like the washing up and the feeling of mud all over me. Our shoes were ruined and many, if not all threw their shoes away after that.
After dinner, we had the most fun activity of all, the campfire! We performed our class cheer in front of everyone and the trainers even played many of our favourite songs and Mrs Lucy Toh finally declared us
mature enough to earn our long pants, much to the delight of everyone. The trainers kept us entertained until it was time for reflection. After that, it was bed, no, tent time again and day two had passed in the blink of an eye. How ironic! The camp was ending just as I was starting to enjoy it.
The following morning, we had breakfast before doing area cleaning and taking down our tents. Soon, it was time for camp debrief. We had a surprise as our class was chosen for the best group and our prize was a "PSP", which in fact was a notebook. Three days had gone by like three hours and as I left the campsite, I felt rather sad about breaking camp. I never thought I was going to feel this way but in fact I really liked the camp, and unlike many people who came to the camp for the sake of the long pants, I came and enjoyed myself, despite my initial mindset and the many drawbacks such as the dirty toilets and small halls. This was a good opportunity to get to know my classmates better and to know how well we bonded together as a class.
Sec 3 Camp Reflection (Absent)
Sec Three Adventure Camp might have been an enjoyment to most, but not to me. I absolutely dreaded it. Two days before the camp, I was busy thinking of a way to skip the camp. However, one day before the camp, God granted my wish, and a searing pain shot through my ear. It was a thing that would have upset most, but I was glad. I happily told my parents about it, who informed me that I would have to see a doctor on the first day of the camp. That night, I could not sleep, as I was too happy.
Day one of the camp. I woke up with a smile on my face. I imagined what the other secondary threes were doing at the present. Skipping down the stairs, the thrill of having a three day break sunk in. I rushed through my breakfast. After slurping down my cup of Milo, I dragged my bag out from under the table. Unzipping the book compartment, a few books fell out, creating a mass on the floor. I selected a heavy pure chemistry book. Very soon, I lost track of time while reading through it. Before I knew it, it was already one in the afternoon. My mother had arrived in the driveway, she took me to the hospital for an ear check up. the air in the National University Hospital smelt of various different medicines and drugs. After the checkup, I went home with a three-day Medical Certificate. Satisfied, I went to sleep upon reaching.
Day two, I was exhilarated at skipping the whole camp at a low cost, so as I thought. I happily turned on the computer. After playing for a while, I stopped and went to study pure physics. Finishing up with pure physics, I took a shower and then went to eat lunch. I gobbled down my lunch, then I went to play computer games again. A while later, I was back at the study table studying math. After dinner, I felt drowsy and fell asleep at the study table.
Day three, I was feeling a little sad, as my little "holiday" was coming to an end. I decided to make the most of the day by studying a lot. I spent most of the day studying pure science and additional mathematics to get ahead of the rest of the class. Even though, I didn't take pure sciences, it was the school's fault that I couldn't take it, not mine. I slept early that night, as I had school the next day.
In conclusion, the three days of rest was fruitful. as I could study more. I also benefited, as I did not have to waste three days of my time. I appreciate the days of rest, and I truly am grateful for them.
Done by: Raymon Goh
Day one of the camp. I woke up with a smile on my face. I imagined what the other secondary threes were doing at the present. Skipping down the stairs, the thrill of having a three day break sunk in. I rushed through my breakfast. After slurping down my cup of Milo, I dragged my bag out from under the table. Unzipping the book compartment, a few books fell out, creating a mass on the floor. I selected a heavy pure chemistry book. Very soon, I lost track of time while reading through it. Before I knew it, it was already one in the afternoon. My mother had arrived in the driveway, she took me to the hospital for an ear check up. the air in the National University Hospital smelt of various different medicines and drugs. After the checkup, I went home with a three-day Medical Certificate. Satisfied, I went to sleep upon reaching.
Day two, I was exhilarated at skipping the whole camp at a low cost, so as I thought. I happily turned on the computer. After playing for a while, I stopped and went to study pure physics. Finishing up with pure physics, I took a shower and then went to eat lunch. I gobbled down my lunch, then I went to play computer games again. A while later, I was back at the study table studying math. After dinner, I felt drowsy and fell asleep at the study table.
Day three, I was feeling a little sad, as my little "holiday" was coming to an end. I decided to make the most of the day by studying a lot. I spent most of the day studying pure science and additional mathematics to get ahead of the rest of the class. Even though, I didn't take pure sciences, it was the school's fault that I couldn't take it, not mine. I slept early that night, as I had school the next day.
In conclusion, the three days of rest was fruitful. as I could study more. I also benefited, as I did not have to waste three days of my time. I appreciate the days of rest, and I truly am grateful for them.
Done by: Raymon Goh
Sunday, February 13, 2011
sec3 camp reflection
My stomach was squirming when i got on the bus which took us to the camp.When we reached the camp ,we met our new traniers who briefed us about what are the acctivites we are going to be doing in this theree days two nights camp. Firstly we piched our own tents , where eight and five people would seelp in their various tents. As soon as we finish piching our tents we unloaded or heavy bags and went of to our first activity , rafting .
we splited ourselves into two groups , cool and un-cool group. I was with the cool ones. After finishing raft , which looked like a f1 car we let it a rip. Every body had the chance of riding it on the sea .Soaked and wet , we went to do another activity , where we split up into groups of five and went finding differents kinds of leaves and animals , somthing like a treasure hunt. After that LUNCH!!
As much as i could remember we did some cheers for the grand campfire.The first day went past in a blink of an eye and it really made us tired. so we had our supper and went to our tents , as soon as i closed my eye i went to a deep sleep, so seep that cant even wake up on time.
As for the second day , it wasn't that much of activities but , we had a lot of class bonding activities , like we "must " help each other to get trough the obstacles . but truly the most interesting thing was the night's campfire , where we had song , traniners performing for us and many more .More over we sang all our cheers and had a fun and quality time which could not be exchanged for anthing . But the sad thing is that all this things ended in a flash ..the final day was simply taking of our tents and for us to get back home. we were all tired , but back in school I reflected on how this camp taught meon teamwork and courage and most of all , bonding in 3s2.As i am looking foward to a adventurous year ahead....
G.Ponnijandan (16) 3s2
we splited ourselves into two groups , cool and un-cool group. I was with the cool ones. After finishing raft , which looked like a f1 car we let it a rip. Every body had the chance of riding it on the sea .Soaked and wet , we went to do another activity , where we split up into groups of five and went finding differents kinds of leaves and animals , somthing like a treasure hunt. After that LUNCH!!
As much as i could remember we did some cheers for the grand campfire.The first day went past in a blink of an eye and it really made us tired. so we had our supper and went to our tents , as soon as i closed my eye i went to a deep sleep, so seep that cant even wake up on time.
As for the second day , it wasn't that much of activities but , we had a lot of class bonding activities , like we "must " help each other to get trough the obstacles . but truly the most interesting thing was the night's campfire , where we had song , traniners performing for us and many more .More over we sang all our cheers and had a fun and quality time which could not be exchanged for anthing . But the sad thing is that all this things ended in a flash ..the final day was simply taking of our tents and for us to get back home. we were all tired , but back in school I reflected on how this camp taught meon teamwork and courage and most of all , bonding in 3s2.As i am looking foward to a adventurous year ahead....
G.Ponnijandan (16) 3s2
Sec 3 camp reflection. Wilson Chan Cheng Boon
Hmmmm.... camp obviously did not start well with a mentality of me thinking it'll be a total waste of time but i was wrong...
It all started on day one of the camp when we alighted from the bus, the place was stinking! i was telling myself that this three days will be hell! well, it started to be like that though! but slowly as the day progresses, things got better and better.
Day one of the camp was all about introducing ourselves to the class with our names , what CCA we're in and what we love to do, simply all the things we do! It was really nice knowing all my classmates, they are really a bunch of fun people to be with in the next two years of my academic life!
Day two was when all the challenging and team bonding games come in where we need to squeeze our brains dry to think how to overcome all the obstacles that are in front of us! My class did generally well, we began to really start gelling together as a class!! We had a campfire at night too!! We all really let ourselves out to have fun as a class of 3S2! Really memorable!!
Finally the final day came... i remembered there was one moment i was sitting all alone and was thinking through what had i done for the past three days and i came to think that this is a amazing class to be in and I think God put me in this class for a reason, to become a mentally stronger and a more refined person with more values great character....
It all started on day one of the camp when we alighted from the bus, the place was stinking! i was telling myself that this three days will be hell! well, it started to be like that though! but slowly as the day progresses, things got better and better.
Day one of the camp was all about introducing ourselves to the class with our names , what CCA we're in and what we love to do, simply all the things we do! It was really nice knowing all my classmates, they are really a bunch of fun people to be with in the next two years of my academic life!
Day two was when all the challenging and team bonding games come in where we need to squeeze our brains dry to think how to overcome all the obstacles that are in front of us! My class did generally well, we began to really start gelling together as a class!! We had a campfire at night too!! We all really let ourselves out to have fun as a class of 3S2! Really memorable!!
Finally the final day came... i remembered there was one moment i was sitting all alone and was thinking through what had i done for the past three days and i came to think that this is a amazing class to be in and I think God put me in this class for a reason, to become a mentally stronger and a more refined person with more values great character....
Sec 3 Camp Reflection, Aakash (1)
Initially I was not looking forward to this camp at all. Actually I thought it would be a complete waste of my time. Upon reaching the camp, the trainers made us sit down in the mid day sun and briefed us on our activities. Okay, so it was not really a good impression of the camp, with its pungent smelling toilets and its small mess hall. Things would get better, I thought. We were soon introduced to our trainers Tarzan and Jane and we started our first activity soon after.
We got started on our first activity, which was to help pitch up tents for the whole level. The first activity instantly taught us on how important teamwork was in pitching tents. The first day went past in a flash and it really made us tired. After a warm cup of milo, I instantly fell asleep in our hot tent. The second day was more fun and exciting than the first. The highlight of the second day would be the Nature Ramble, where we got dirty and muddy from trenching around in the mud.
Truly, the highlight of both days was the campfire, where we sang songs and cheered for our group, Chil. The moment I woke up, a feeling of great sadness filled me as I realized that we were leaving the camp today. As I travelled back to school in the bus, I reflected on how this camp taught me both teamwork and courage.I hope to go to more of these fun and educational camps and I sure would miss Camp Cristine. I had indeed bonded with my classmates and was looking forward to working with them in my schooling days.
Aakash Rama (1)
We got started on our first activity, which was to help pitch up tents for the whole level. The first activity instantly taught us on how important teamwork was in pitching tents. The first day went past in a flash and it really made us tired. After a warm cup of milo, I instantly fell asleep in our hot tent. The second day was more fun and exciting than the first. The highlight of the second day would be the Nature Ramble, where we got dirty and muddy from trenching around in the mud.
Truly, the highlight of both days was the campfire, where we sang songs and cheered for our group, Chil. The moment I woke up, a feeling of great sadness filled me as I realized that we were leaving the camp today. As I travelled back to school in the bus, I reflected on how this camp taught me both teamwork and courage.I hope to go to more of these fun and educational camps and I sure would miss Camp Cristine. I had indeed bonded with my classmates and was looking forward to working with them in my schooling days.
Aakash Rama (1)
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Sec 3 Camp Reflection. Faiz (25)
To start things off, i honestly wasn't looking forward for the camp. i was excited at the beginning but as time flows by i was packed up with my other camps. I didn't know what to expect from the camp and wasn't sure of my intention of going through it. The day before the camp i did a last minute packing at 8 P.M. Still i thought to myself if i should really go for the camp or not. The day finally came, i waved goodbye to my bed and kiss my IPhone as i walk towards door.
I tried to convince myself that its going to fun on the way to school but i am still stuck in the dilemma. Right after morning assembly we were brief by the camp trainers on the expectation and rules of the camp . The trainers were then assign to their respective classes with a group name base on the character of the "Jungle book" . I still can clearly remember our class assigned group name, "Akila". Then the perfects were called out and were told that the school wanted to see more involvement especially from the prefects. Now keeping that in mind i had to take my chances to shine and take the lead, "the fun has just began....." i thought to myself. anticipation rushed through me at an instant. We were then dismissed class by class to the big-step to get on our bus and head for the camp site. An hour of sleep made up for the travel time and we soon arrived. We were brought to the gathering area and were brief once more before the respective class trainers took over. we were told to picth our own tent that we would used to sleep in for the next two days. The class was splitted into small groups to complete the task. we were splitted randomly and had to work together to pitch the tent, as soon as it started i made friends already. Honestly i didn't had many friends in class yet as majority of the class population consist of people from other classes. The first official activity kicked off right after we finsihed pitching our tent.
All the activities are teamwork theme. we had to work together as a class to complete the given task in time limits and level of difficulties. Our class showed perseverance and determination in very of the activities. One activity i specifically remembered was when i successfully took charged and made the record for the fastest team to ever complete the mind challenging game. from that i learnt a few things about my other classmates and my self confident boast as i am able to lead and communicate to get the task done. well i can say as the days moved on i finally feel accepted and welcomed to the class, we had no internal disputes along in the camp and very thing went smoothly. The camp fire was the highlight of the camp, i have to admit our class wasn't the most happening and anticipating class comparing to other classes but i appreciate those constant flow of ideas being presented and the bravery to do the cheer as one.
In conclusion i didn't regretted a single second being in the camp as every other of my classmates are having the time of their life's in the camp!!
I tried to convince myself that its going to fun on the way to school but i am still stuck in the dilemma. Right after morning assembly we were brief by the camp trainers on the expectation and rules of the camp . The trainers were then assign to their respective classes with a group name base on the character of the "Jungle book" . I still can clearly remember our class assigned group name, "Akila". Then the perfects were called out and were told that the school wanted to see more involvement especially from the prefects. Now keeping that in mind i had to take my chances to shine and take the lead, "the fun has just began....." i thought to myself. anticipation rushed through me at an instant. We were then dismissed class by class to the big-step to get on our bus and head for the camp site. An hour of sleep made up for the travel time and we soon arrived. We were brought to the gathering area and were brief once more before the respective class trainers took over. we were told to picth our own tent that we would used to sleep in for the next two days. The class was splitted into small groups to complete the task. we were splitted randomly and had to work together to pitch the tent, as soon as it started i made friends already. Honestly i didn't had many friends in class yet as majority of the class population consist of people from other classes. The first official activity kicked off right after we finsihed pitching our tent.
All the activities are teamwork theme. we had to work together as a class to complete the given task in time limits and level of difficulties. Our class showed perseverance and determination in very of the activities. One activity i specifically remembered was when i successfully took charged and made the record for the fastest team to ever complete the mind challenging game. from that i learnt a few things about my other classmates and my self confident boast as i am able to lead and communicate to get the task done. well i can say as the days moved on i finally feel accepted and welcomed to the class, we had no internal disputes along in the camp and very thing went smoothly. The camp fire was the highlight of the camp, i have to admit our class wasn't the most happening and anticipating class comparing to other classes but i appreciate those constant flow of ideas being presented and the bravery to do the cheer as one.
In conclusion i didn't regretted a single second being in the camp as every other of my classmates are having the time of their life's in the camp!!
sec 3 camp reflections - Bryan Lee, 8
It was a normal morning assembly as we all sat according to our classes and the same old routine. But this time it was all different, all the secondary threes were carrying luggages and bag full of camping stuff. I was quite uneasy about the whole idea of going to camp as I have only been to church camps and I know that this is nothing like church camps at all, we were all learning about something else, something quite important and essential for our lives.
And in a blink of an eye, the boring assembly ended and all the secondary threes had to stay behind to hear our group names and assigned to a teacher in charge. Our group name was something like "Chil" which I thought was kind of cool and it was a name of a bird which made it cooler. I have always admired birds, they live such carefree lives and have practically no purpose other then to be shot down dead or just to die naturally and you even get to glide effortlessly in the wind. But that was not the point, and before I knew it, we were at the campsite and it looked rather surprising.
It was not very dirty or old, but it looked rather well maintained and there was a very big field of bright lime green grass which we later found out we had to pitch our tents and sleep on. We did not waste anymore time and started on our activities after the long wait on the grassy green pastures under the immense heat of the sun. We were thought how to pitch the tents they had and we were all assigned tents to sleep in. The whistle was blown signaling the start of our activities.
Well I had to admit that day one was not as fun as when we started out the few team bonding games not all of us were helping. Do not get me wrong, I do not mean that we were anticipative but they were all too worked up when we took a while to do something like building a raft. They all wanted to do the work and there was not enough things for all of us to do and as I look to my left and right I see a couple of my friends just standing under shade watching my work eager classmates complete the whole thing themselves. I did help out a bit but there just shoved me away wanting to do all the work, but I was cool standing in the shade anyways.
Camp seemed boring at the start but the fun was pacing up as each day passes by. And I thought the activities was pretty interesting and most, almost all of the activities needed a lot of teamwork and coordination. I had an amazing time with this unique class of cool people! Everything just seemed really fun and thrilling. It must be tiring to organize such interesting mind and boggling games for us.
We played various games like one where we had to build our own catapult on our own with a couple of long wooden sticks and strings. It was really interesting the many different ideas we all had to build the catapult and how we picked the best sounding idea and following along with it, and soon we managed to accomplish it! Although it wasn't really good we had a lot of fun making that wooden thing. We even won the first prize for the best score for each activity!
This camp has thought me a lot about teamwork and how teamwork is important for my class, or any other classes. A class that has no teamwork is like a bunch of individuals doing their own thing.
And in a blink of an eye, the boring assembly ended and all the secondary threes had to stay behind to hear our group names and assigned to a teacher in charge. Our group name was something like "Chil" which I thought was kind of cool and it was a name of a bird which made it cooler. I have always admired birds, they live such carefree lives and have practically no purpose other then to be shot down dead or just to die naturally and you even get to glide effortlessly in the wind. But that was not the point, and before I knew it, we were at the campsite and it looked rather surprising.
It was not very dirty or old, but it looked rather well maintained and there was a very big field of bright lime green grass which we later found out we had to pitch our tents and sleep on. We did not waste anymore time and started on our activities after the long wait on the grassy green pastures under the immense heat of the sun. We were thought how to pitch the tents they had and we were all assigned tents to sleep in. The whistle was blown signaling the start of our activities.
Well I had to admit that day one was not as fun as when we started out the few team bonding games not all of us were helping. Do not get me wrong, I do not mean that we were anticipative but they were all too worked up when we took a while to do something like building a raft. They all wanted to do the work and there was not enough things for all of us to do and as I look to my left and right I see a couple of my friends just standing under shade watching my work eager classmates complete the whole thing themselves. I did help out a bit but there just shoved me away wanting to do all the work, but I was cool standing in the shade anyways.
Camp seemed boring at the start but the fun was pacing up as each day passes by. And I thought the activities was pretty interesting and most, almost all of the activities needed a lot of teamwork and coordination. I had an amazing time with this unique class of cool people! Everything just seemed really fun and thrilling. It must be tiring to organize such interesting mind and boggling games for us.
We played various games like one where we had to build our own catapult on our own with a couple of long wooden sticks and strings. It was really interesting the many different ideas we all had to build the catapult and how we picked the best sounding idea and following along with it, and soon we managed to accomplish it! Although it wasn't really good we had a lot of fun making that wooden thing. We even won the first prize for the best score for each activity!
This camp has thought me a lot about teamwork and how teamwork is important for my class, or any other classes. A class that has no teamwork is like a bunch of individuals doing their own thing.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Sec Three Camp, Reflections. YuanSheng (39)
Sec three camp, something which i dreaded yet somewhat looking forward to. On the first day, after morning assembly, we assembled in the courtyard and waited for the coordinators and buses to arrive, we sat together talking about what to expect from the camp and places to hide supposedly "contraband" items into our already crammed bags. After which, we were split into groups with names derived from the characters in "Jungle Book", we headed towards Camp Christine, which was somewhere deep inside Lim Chu Kang.
After about approximately 45 minutes of bus ride, we finally reached our destination, and it was pretty much far from what we had expected it to be. Toilets that would send us reeling from 20 meters away,tents with decomposing lizards, and not to mention..FROGS! Before we could even adapt ourselves into the environment, the camp commander made us melt under the blazing hot sun for an hour, talking nonsense which obviously no one was listening to.
After that, we were introduced to our group leaders, tarzan and jean, the most fun and awesome group leaders in the camp! They taught us how to pitch tents and we spent the whole the rest of the morning pitching tents and moving tents, and we had lunch. The food provided was surprisingly good for a camp. After that we had water rafting, where we had to built the raft big and sturdy enough for at least 6 students to sit. We had to fasten the knots ourselves and carry the structure into the sea. Then we played some kind of treasure hunt which was boring, after the treasure hunt, we had an activity called trekker's challenge, where a student had to walk on a rope and the others had to support him and prevent him from falling. It was rather dangerous as there was a risk of the student on the rope falling down and injuring himself if any one of us let go of the rope. Thankfully, our group showed excellent teamwork and perseverance and we managed to complete the checkpoint without much difficulty. After a nail-biting game of trekker's challenge, we went on to our next activity, space odyssey. The objective of the game was to transport the whole group across the hula hoop without touching the hoop. It was relatively easy and we manage to transport the group across without touching the hoop.
Then, we had dinner and then we had a blind men's trail. It was very boring as we pretty much couldn't see anything so many of us just slacked off and went around disturbing other students. After that, it was supper, wash up and lights out. I didn't really sleep well as our tent was cramped with eight students and i had to wake up on many occasions to close the flap as it drizzled during the night.
Day two, my tent-mates and i overslept, so we decided to just skip brushing our teeth and went for morning exercise and breakfast. But, being a hygiene freak myself, i just couldn't stand not brushing my teeth, so i went to brush with some of my friends after a quick breakfast. After breakfast, again, it was activities time. First, we had outdoor cooking, where to had to cook sausages, apple cinnamon and dough stick ourselves. It was rather fun as not many of us have tried that before. After that, we had low elements, which requires us to swing from one point to the other on a piece of rope, and one of us had to carry a pail of water along. It was simple as it was rather straightforward, so we managed to complete the activity in around 15 minutes. The next activity, mad max, was carried out indoors as it began to rain. In mad max, we had to form different objects with our body. It was quite boring and i didn't really learn anything from that activity. After that, we had gladiator, where we were supposed to transport our classmates across the room with wooden poles, it really tested our teamwork, perseverance and muscles as all of us aren't exactly light. The game was rather similar to trekker's challenge, and really showed how we bonded as a class in the camp. Then, for the next activity, we had to build a structure similar to a catapult, and use it to topple down bottles. The catapult was pretty much a failure, and there was one time, a group leader from another group, tried to launch our catapult, but, instead of hitting the bottles, it landed straight on my head. Then, the most dreaded activity in the whole camp..the NATURE RAMBLE! At first, many of us whined and kicked up a huge fuss, but, after getting into the mud, we just totally forgot about the dirt and really had fun dirtying of ourselves! Unfortunately, we ran into some girl's school and there were some clashes, but still, we decided that we shouldn't let them dampen our spirits so we just ignored them and continued having fun, drawing on our faces, shirts and some other places. After that, we went back to the campsite and we had a quick debrief and went to bathe. After washing up, we went to practice on our cheers and campfire songs for the songs later in the evening. The campfire was really, really awesome, where we sang, danced and cheered as a class! After that, our Guest-Of-Honour, Mrs Lucy Toh, our school principal came to announce that we are now, finally allowed to wear long pants! After all the sweat, mud and dirt, we finally could wear long pants to school!! Next morning, we struck our tents, took group photos, had a mass debrief and prize giving ceremony. I'm very happy and proud to say that our group, Chil, won the best group award! After Jared went up to collect the prizes, we broke camp and boarded the bus, headed back to SAS.
In conclusion, i feel that it was although a tough camp, it was really fun and our class certainly bonded and has grown much closer. And after seeing so many of my friends' weird habits, i really think that my class is really unique in it's own way!
After about approximately 45 minutes of bus ride, we finally reached our destination, and it was pretty much far from what we had expected it to be. Toilets that would send us reeling from 20 meters away,tents with decomposing lizards, and not to mention..FROGS! Before we could even adapt ourselves into the environment, the camp commander made us melt under the blazing hot sun for an hour, talking nonsense which obviously no one was listening to.
After that, we were introduced to our group leaders, tarzan and jean, the most fun and awesome group leaders in the camp! They taught us how to pitch tents and we spent the whole the rest of the morning pitching tents and moving tents, and we had lunch. The food provided was surprisingly good for a camp. After that we had water rafting, where we had to built the raft big and sturdy enough for at least 6 students to sit. We had to fasten the knots ourselves and carry the structure into the sea. Then we played some kind of treasure hunt which was boring, after the treasure hunt, we had an activity called trekker's challenge, where a student had to walk on a rope and the others had to support him and prevent him from falling. It was rather dangerous as there was a risk of the student on the rope falling down and injuring himself if any one of us let go of the rope. Thankfully, our group showed excellent teamwork and perseverance and we managed to complete the checkpoint without much difficulty. After a nail-biting game of trekker's challenge, we went on to our next activity, space odyssey. The objective of the game was to transport the whole group across the hula hoop without touching the hoop. It was relatively easy and we manage to transport the group across without touching the hoop.
Then, we had dinner and then we had a blind men's trail. It was very boring as we pretty much couldn't see anything so many of us just slacked off and went around disturbing other students. After that, it was supper, wash up and lights out. I didn't really sleep well as our tent was cramped with eight students and i had to wake up on many occasions to close the flap as it drizzled during the night.
Day two, my tent-mates and i overslept, so we decided to just skip brushing our teeth and went for morning exercise and breakfast. But, being a hygiene freak myself, i just couldn't stand not brushing my teeth, so i went to brush with some of my friends after a quick breakfast. After breakfast, again, it was activities time. First, we had outdoor cooking, where to had to cook sausages, apple cinnamon and dough stick ourselves. It was rather fun as not many of us have tried that before. After that, we had low elements, which requires us to swing from one point to the other on a piece of rope, and one of us had to carry a pail of water along. It was simple as it was rather straightforward, so we managed to complete the activity in around 15 minutes. The next activity, mad max, was carried out indoors as it began to rain. In mad max, we had to form different objects with our body. It was quite boring and i didn't really learn anything from that activity. After that, we had gladiator, where we were supposed to transport our classmates across the room with wooden poles, it really tested our teamwork, perseverance and muscles as all of us aren't exactly light. The game was rather similar to trekker's challenge, and really showed how we bonded as a class in the camp. Then, for the next activity, we had to build a structure similar to a catapult, and use it to topple down bottles. The catapult was pretty much a failure, and there was one time, a group leader from another group, tried to launch our catapult, but, instead of hitting the bottles, it landed straight on my head. Then, the most dreaded activity in the whole camp..the NATURE RAMBLE! At first, many of us whined and kicked up a huge fuss, but, after getting into the mud, we just totally forgot about the dirt and really had fun dirtying of ourselves! Unfortunately, we ran into some girl's school and there were some clashes, but still, we decided that we shouldn't let them dampen our spirits so we just ignored them and continued having fun, drawing on our faces, shirts and some other places. After that, we went back to the campsite and we had a quick debrief and went to bathe. After washing up, we went to practice on our cheers and campfire songs for the songs later in the evening. The campfire was really, really awesome, where we sang, danced and cheered as a class! After that, our Guest-Of-Honour, Mrs Lucy Toh, our school principal came to announce that we are now, finally allowed to wear long pants! After all the sweat, mud and dirt, we finally could wear long pants to school!! Next morning, we struck our tents, took group photos, had a mass debrief and prize giving ceremony. I'm very happy and proud to say that our group, Chil, won the best group award! After Jared went up to collect the prizes, we broke camp and boarded the bus, headed back to SAS.
In conclusion, i feel that it was although a tough camp, it was really fun and our class certainly bonded and has grown much closer. And after seeing so many of my friends' weird habits, i really think that my class is really unique in it's own way!
Sec 3 Camp Reflection- By Damon Ong
Secondary 3 camp was something I wasn't looking forward to during the weekend before the camp. There were tons of things to pack and buy and it really stressed me up, and I was praying beforehand that I would fall sick on that day and could stay home like my fellow classmate BOONKIAT did.
Alas! It did not happen and it was time to board the bus to Camp Christine; the place where the Sec 3 Camp was held. We were the first class/group to reach the campsite so we sat the longest amongst the batch out in the hot, irritating sun waiting for the Camp Chief Coordinator to finish her seemingly draggy speech.
Finally, the moment all of us had been waiting for: We could finally escape the hot sun! But to find that we were going to learn how to pitch a tent!! Luckily, it was a breeze and everyone had a fine time with this first team building activity. We even got to see a frog and a DEAD Squid! It was a gross sight.
Lunchtime arrived and to our disdain, the food looked just as we expected, packet food that probably cost $2?? $3?? Although once I started digging in, it wasn't so bad. Quite tasty. Soon, we moved our bags into a tent . My group were praying that we wouldn't get assigned to the tent with the dead squid or insect of some sort. We didn't.
The first activity of the day began! We split up into 2 groups in the class and had to build a raft that could support 5 men on it. The materials provided were 4 tires, a few logs and many ropes. We had a hard time coordinating and it really got me thinking when I saw many people standing around not trying to do anything to help. Sooner or later, they did pitch in to finish up the raft. We managed to make the raft work! And what success it was! I was really elated that the first activity was so well handled. I thought to my self: " Maybe this camp ain't that bad ".
Day 1 passed fairly easily but quite boring at the same time. I realised as we progressed through the camp, our class bonded closer and closer. I could feel it. I distinctively knew who were the leaders of the class and who were the ones at the back of scenes doing work. I had never seen a class so united, understanding we all came from different classes last year.
Day 2 really took the breath out of me! Our final and the activity we all feared was the "Nature Rumble"! We had to trek through mud that came up to my knees! It had been raining so the mud was icky. We walked through it and all of us got dirty from top to bottom. There was another camp going on and they were at the "mud bath" too! They were mocking us for not being dirty enough! So we started covering each other more and Jerald Saw even drew I <3 You on my shirt! It was a memorable experience.
We cleaned up and it was time for Campfire Night! We practices our cheer and we created fun and even more fun cheers and at that moment, I knew how much fun this camp had been for me. The campfire was a blast as the Coordinators did it extremely well and we saw their amazing dance skills!
That night, I slept and I felt great, and blessed to have been at this camp, with this class, in this school, in Singapore, on the Earth, Under God. I really gave thanks to my Almighty Father.
The final day was Area Cleaning and we did it with Gusto! I was so happy to achieve our title of Best Group! Our trainer was the best! We all appreciate both of them I'm sure.
In overall, it was an unexpected super duper fun camp!
Done By:
Damon Ong
3S2 (11)
Alas! It did not happen and it was time to board the bus to Camp Christine; the place where the Sec 3 Camp was held. We were the first class/group to reach the campsite so we sat the longest amongst the batch out in the hot, irritating sun waiting for the Camp Chief Coordinator to finish her seemingly draggy speech.
Finally, the moment all of us had been waiting for: We could finally escape the hot sun! But to find that we were going to learn how to pitch a tent!! Luckily, it was a breeze and everyone had a fine time with this first team building activity. We even got to see a frog and a DEAD Squid! It was a gross sight.
Lunchtime arrived and to our disdain, the food looked just as we expected, packet food that probably cost $2?? $3?? Although once I started digging in, it wasn't so bad. Quite tasty. Soon, we moved our bags into a tent . My group were praying that we wouldn't get assigned to the tent with the dead squid or insect of some sort. We didn't.
The first activity of the day began! We split up into 2 groups in the class and had to build a raft that could support 5 men on it. The materials provided were 4 tires, a few logs and many ropes. We had a hard time coordinating and it really got me thinking when I saw many people standing around not trying to do anything to help. Sooner or later, they did pitch in to finish up the raft. We managed to make the raft work! And what success it was! I was really elated that the first activity was so well handled. I thought to my self: " Maybe this camp ain't that bad ".
Day 1 passed fairly easily but quite boring at the same time. I realised as we progressed through the camp, our class bonded closer and closer. I could feel it. I distinctively knew who were the leaders of the class and who were the ones at the back of scenes doing work. I had never seen a class so united, understanding we all came from different classes last year.
Day 2 really took the breath out of me! Our final and the activity we all feared was the "Nature Rumble"! We had to trek through mud that came up to my knees! It had been raining so the mud was icky. We walked through it and all of us got dirty from top to bottom. There was another camp going on and they were at the "mud bath" too! They were mocking us for not being dirty enough! So we started covering each other more and Jerald Saw even drew I <3 You on my shirt! It was a memorable experience.
We cleaned up and it was time for Campfire Night! We practices our cheer and we created fun and even more fun cheers and at that moment, I knew how much fun this camp had been for me. The campfire was a blast as the Coordinators did it extremely well and we saw their amazing dance skills!
That night, I slept and I felt great, and blessed to have been at this camp, with this class, in this school, in Singapore, on the Earth, Under God. I really gave thanks to my Almighty Father.
The final day was Area Cleaning and we did it with Gusto! I was so happy to achieve our title of Best Group! Our trainer was the best! We all appreciate both of them I'm sure.
In overall, it was an unexpected super duper fun camp!
Done By:
Damon Ong
3S2 (11)
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
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
Secondary 3 Adventure Camp
The secondary 3 adventure camp has taught me many important values which can be applied in life. Values like teamwork , awareness and communication are a few examples of these values taught. These values can be applied in many situations and will benefit us greatly.
Aside from being educational, the camp is also fun filled. There were many interesting activities like rafting , water balloon catapult thing and also the mud walk. Personally, my favourite was the rafting activity. The class was split into two groups and each group was required to build a raft which would help us go on a fun ride out in the ocean for a few minutes. If we failed to build a good raft, it would sink and my group would not be able to enjoy the activity which we supposed to. However, thanks to the teamwork and communication between everyone in the group, we were able to build a stable and good raft which did not sink, allowing us to have a fun time splashing each other with sea water.
Even though there were many rumours about the camp and those rumours made me have negative views on the camp, I enjoyed every second I was in the camp and am really thankful to my trainers Jane and Tarzan, who helped made the camp a success to me. I hope that there would be a camp like this again in the future!
Bryan Lim (21)
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Sec 3 camp
The minute I reached the campsite I felt very disgusted as the toilets there were super dirty, we had to sleep in tents. The minute i meet the camp coordinator i detested her. She made the whole cohort sit under the sun for an hour.
Then, we started out making the tents. Through making the tents, i have learnt to communicate with my friends as you cannot set up a tent on your own. Then after that was lunch. The food was really good. After lunch we had to build rafts. The class was split into two groups. In our own groups, we had to build the rafts and making a raft is not easy. We had to help carry the structure when our group members had to tie the knots and when some people are not helping it is really frustrating so you really got to keep your cool. then after making the raft, we had to put it to the test to see if it could move. We also had to communicate to move the raft towards the instructor. After rafting, we had something like a treasure hunt that was boring. After the treasure hunt we played space odyssey. This game was fun. We had to help each other got through the obstacles and control our anger when we had disagreement. Then we also played a very dangerous game, in this game we really have to trust our friends because we were walking on a rope which our friends were holding. If we did not trust them we simply could not play the game.
On the second day of the camp we had to wake up really early. We woke up and started with morning exercise. After that was breakfast. After breakfast we played low elements. The games were kind of lame. Because it was not fun enough. But we really had to have teamwork and people who took the initiative to lead the class to complete the activity. We had to transport a bucket of water across a grass patch by swinging from one tree trunk to another. We had to think of an idea to get the bucket of water across. But unfortunately it rained for the whole day and all our activities were held indoors. There was this one game which i found interesting, it was called verical ladder, we were only given a few sticks to move from one place to another. We had to trust the people holding the sticks. I think that game really instilled the trust i have within my classmates. We also had this activity called nature rumble. It was when we had to go into the widerness and walk into the mud. This really showed who your real friends were. It showed us how bonded as a class we were because one someone is about to fall down you will support him. Then we had to come up with a cheer. Kudos to those that took the initiative and shared the cheers that they know, i think that they really make good leaders not only did they come up with the cheer, they also lead us in the cheer infront of the principal and vice-pincipal during the campfire night. The campfire was really very mordenised with all the hit songs blasting on the quality speakes. It was really superb.
On the last day it was area cleaning. We had to vlean up the whole campsite lucky for us, we did not have to clean the toilets. We just had to clean the lodges. It was just sweeping of the floor. When we were about to be dismissed, they annouced the class that was the best and had the best cheer. The class with the best cheer was 3ST, but i was really surprised that our class 3S2 was the best class.
To conclude, i think through this camp i have learnt that we have to take the initiative to lead the class, help each other and also communicate.
Done by :BENJAMIN WONG (37)
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