Riggs Chan's Sec 3 Camp Reflection

This camp was a great eye opener for me. Being a student leader in the school, I saw how our class came together, formed a big team and overcame all the obstacles. It felt good, contributing to the team, knowing I did something with my class working together to get things done. "Up and On". We pushed on and kept improving ourselves. This camp brought each of us closer to understanding each other, build relationships and mend broken trusts to our old and new friends.

Starting for Day one, I bet the whole class was extremely excited going camping together. As many of us have camped with our friends before, I'm positive that many were elated at the fact that we are going to know each other more in camp! Pitching up tents was out first challenge. While some grasped hold of it easily, others stumbled. Naturally, friends came over to help in pitching up the tents. Thanks to these friends, there was a sense of family in this year's 3S2. I learned things that I never thought would be useful for me. I shouldn't have to be so pessimistic about learning these new skills. Who know's? This may save my life one day! 


What do you get when you have rubber tubes, some long bamboo sticks, ropes, friends and a challenge? That's right! Building a raft! The facilitators splitted us into two teams. I was satisfied with my group as there were more intellectual people there. "Brains is better than brawns." So they say. Having an outburst of ideas, everyone voiced out their own opinions at the same time. Seeing that this was going nowhere, I was able to control everyone and slowly worked out a solution towards a successful raft that would not sink and support us at the same time. Our entire team agreed to proceed on with a square-based raft with small supports in between. 


When our raft was done, we were absolutely delighted that our raft supported the whole team in teams of four and it didn't sink or break apart througout the activity! I speak on behalf of the whole team that it was the best experience any of us had.


Now on to Day 2 of Secondary 3 adventure camp! What I remember most is the Nature's Rumble. What Nature Rumble contains is a whole lot of mud and a whole lot of walking. I remember, each of us, helping one another through the whole way of the trail as some students were not so comfortable walking on this wet and muddy trail. Halfway through the trail. There were girls students along the way! They were as wet and muddy as we were and they looked like a big family. Soon, we stopped dead in our tracks in mud to rest. Being the childish and playful students that we are, we threw mud at out friends and drew faces on each other. It was hilarious!It was a once in a lifetime experience i will not regret. Then we head back and finally....


The Campfire! Wow what a blast! Many performances were on and the battle for the best cheers and the best class was on! Everyone had their game faces on and aiming for that best class in all of Secondary 3. After a range of performance and cheers from every class, our principal announced that we were able to wear long pants! I remember when we all head "long pants". Everyone just shouted for joy! We were definitely excited and ready to go back to school to show off that we could wear long pants! 


The Secondary 3 camp was one of the best experiences. The camp really taught me values that I will keep for the rest of my life. They also taught us that we should also relax from time to time.  Motivation from the instructors and moral support from my friends taught me to do my best in whatever i do.


Done By : Riggs Chan (28)

Sec 3 Camp Reflection

This Secondary 3 camp has certainly taught many of us to be a true sportsman and also to bond with each other in our newly formed secondary 3 class.
It also helped us to gain our sense of belonging in each other in this new year, 2011.

I always dreaded going to camps and hated the leaving home feeling. I woke up , feeling very nervous but a little excited as well. I dragged myself to school and told myself to look to the bright side of going to the camp which is to enjoy the camp with my new classmates and being able to wear long pants. 

As soon as we reached the campsite, i already started regretting coming to camp and wished i was at home still enjoying my sleep. However, my view on that soon changed. Everyone had to pitch our own tents for our lodging for the next two days. I personally hated and didn't know how to pitch tents but with the help of my classmates. After which was our lunch and then our first activity of the day. 

We started our first activity of the day which was rafting. The instructors then gave us our task. We were split into two groups and then asked to make a raft that could float and carry five people into the  sea. We were given four pieces of long bamboo sticks with different height and five Rubber floats and ropes to tie them all together. We had to think out of the box and build the raft. It was soon done and we went out to sea, five by five. Personally , I enjoyed that activity the most as it was very fun and i also think that the rest of us also had a great time rafting. 

Another activity that i personally enjoy was the mud walk. Even though we had to get ourselves dirty, we all still managed to walk through it together , helping each other. We walked through the muddy pathway and even had to put the mud on our faces as a MUST by the two instructors however, despite the dirty mud on our faces, our class had a good team spirit and helped each other to climb extremely slippery and high rocks. As we were halfway there, we encountered a girl's school with their instructors as well. They were very ill-mannered and also kicked mud in our faces. 

We all had to wash up and get ready for the campfire as soon as we got back from the mud walk. We were all very excited for the campfire and quickly proceeded once we all ate our dinner. Our Principle had the honor to give a speech and also declared that we could finally start wearing our long pants. Everyone gave loud cheers and were extremely happy. All the groups had to perform their cheer infront of the teachers, instructors and also our Principal. There was also a dance competition and We chose Riggs to participate as our group, Chil's representative. 

However, after the campfire, we all went back to our tents and to my dismay, our tent had fallen and our tent was flooded with water and we had to bring all our belonging to sleep at the Lodge place. My tent bunk all had a good sleep except me. I was rudely awakened by the mosquito's buzzing sound in my ear and I flicked them away. As soon as i woke up, my lips had a very irritating pain and i went to the toilet to check. I was very shocked as i had a enormous swollen lip that was pertruding out. I was very embarrased and i went to the camp's medic immediately after our morning briefing. I was told to put ice on my swollen lip but after few hours, it still did not go down. I had no choice but to go to the doctor for medication. 

I joined my class for awhile for their photo taking session with our two wonderful instructors and i was very amazed that we had won the "Best Group" Award throughout the whole camp. The camp then officially ended and everyone was extremely tired, yet happy to have gone for the camp. I believe that through this camp, everyone would be more matured and would strive for success in the future. This camp also changed my perspective of camps and I really enjoyed myself through the three days and two night camp. 


Done by Dylan Jovan Leong ( 13 ) 

Sec 3 Camp reflection “To produce men of wisdom and stature who can stand, in favour with God and man”

This Secondary 3 camp taught me to be a good leader and a sportsman. As our former St Andrew's Principal once said "No one is here by chance." Yes indeed, everybody here are important in this St Andrew's family, and have a purpose. Where else, in my opinion, the secondary three camp mainly taught me to be a sportsman, showing our true honest capabilities and talent, also showing good character. Displaying good leadership and courage to take a step forward and express ourselves. I definately overcome different challenges and obstacles we faced.

What are these obstacles? Well, it all start from day one, when the very first activity was to build our tent. Honestly, I hate building tents, it was troublesome for me and a complete waste of time. But it was for a good cause. And I realised that i'm not the only one doing it, it was the whole secondary three cohort doing it. I would feel very bad about myself if I dont build the tent with my fellow classmates. I'm glad that I chose the right decision of helping out to fixed up the tent for my classmates. Thanks to my classmates, I felt a sense of belonging of this year's 3S2. I definately learned to do the things that I hated, as it could be done together as a class. I could pick up new skills too. And who knows, the things that I hated like building a tents, could turn out to be a hobby. Not for my classmates help, I would have gave up building that tent, and sleep with other insects and frogs company. Absolutely an objection.

I recalled an exciting, hardworking, class bonding activity. it was rafting! We were told by our facilitators to build our own raft with all five black rubber floats secured to the raft. The equipments and materials were nicely laid out for us, it consist of ropes, rubber floats and wooden bamboo stick with different height. We were split into two teams, I was satisfied with my team as there were more well build size and physically much bigger build than the other team. As the time starts ticking, we all start with a plan together on how the structure of the raft should be. With the different opinions and suggestions, it gave us good ideas and to think out of the box. I felt that the sharing of ideas was good, thus showing intiative to share our thoughts together, it shows good leadership among us. At the end of the short productive disscussion, my team finalised and improvised to structure of the raft. Our design of the raft was a triangular form raft with the floats located at all sides, plus the other two float in the middle of the triangle, tied up by a bamboo stick across the area. Based on the teams knowledge, it was build in that form to make the raft move faster, with the sharp edge of the triangular formed raft. And the othe two edge, for stability.

It was much of a brainstorm. Well, now its time to let the actions do the talking. With all the material in our use, it was time to build the raft. Despite the hot and scorchy weather, our enthusiasm and endurance never fail us to progress on. The tightening of the wooden bamboo sticks were good for our team, but half of the technique of tieing the ropes in a less tideous way are wrong for us. Our facilitators then teached us the proper way of tieing it. We took over from there, we were progressing slowly for our team, slow but steadily for sure now. I still recalled the moment when my classmate, Jerald. He had difficulties tieing the ropes together with the bamboo. Me and my closest friend went to give him a helping hand. Together, we used the edge of the rope to loop through the holes of the ropes and went around the bamboo stick, it was half done, we needed the last push, we gripped the ropes tightly, and the count of three, we pulled it much greater forced together. Leaving no gaps in between the ropes to appear. This gave us a recognition that obstacles could be overcomed and accomplished. I also learned that its not about size that win the game. It is the team which work together and help one another will lead to success. Yes indeed, both teams did a great job, although we face difficulties, no one was there to blame anyone, and the two raft was build successfully.

The next step was too show the final showdown whether our raft could float, we brought the raft in the sea. A maximum of four peolpe are allowed in the raft. I was lucky that I was the first batch of four to go in. It was a great experience when we manage to float with our raft, I felt a sense of accomplishment. I could even imagine this boat crossing to the other island nearby. Unfortunately, we were not allowed. While the next batch when in, some of our classmates were afraid to go in the sea with the raft, it was just a fear for them. It took some time for the facilitators to calm them down and make them feel better. It may feel easy for us just to get in the raft, but not for some. They need motivation, the great support from us. They eventually got in the raft, with much courage, taking a the step forward, I was very proud of them. At end of the day, they would not get the fear of the sea installed in them, instead it would be a fun loving time of pleasure for my classmates.

The end of the camp was near! With the shouting of 'long pants' kicked in. The camp fire started, with our new principal, Mrs Lucy Toh came to join us with the rest of the teachers. At this point of time, I did appreciate for the teachers who bothered to come and join us through the camp. Giving the support and care for the fellow students. This camp did teach me moral values, to learn to help one another in need, sharing your ideas and feelings. And also, motivate each other to press on. This camp certainly made me a more mature and initiative person to do well in the near future.
"Every boy a sportsman"

Sec 3 Camp Reflection (Absent)

Sec 3 Camp Reflection by Eric Aw


  A day before the camp, I suffered from headache, fever and joint pain, so I rested at home in hopes of quickly recovering from my illness. I then went to see a doctor who prescribed me some medicine to take after meals and gave me an MC to skip school (or the camp) for three days. Not only did my illness restrict me from going for the camp, it also put me on a restricted diet where I could not eat any fried food or drink milk and carbonated drinks.

  On the first day of the camp, I slept peacefully till 9 a.m in the morning. Then, I brushed my teeth and had breakfast before taking my medicine. To pass the time, I played computer games for two hours before taking another nap. I then had a late lunch in which I went through, again, the boring process of having food (plain porridge with water) before medicine. In my mind, I imagined myself in my free time playing basketball with my friends and scoring shots through the basketball hoop. I sighed in envy of my classmates who were probably enjoying the activities in the camp now. Then again, I thought, some of friends do not enjoy going for any type of camps at all. I then went off to finish whatever homework that I had left and to my surprise, there were not much left. I also listened to music as I studied History and Chinese. Finally, it was 7 p.m and I had dinner with my family at home. Before trudging off to bed to catch an early shuteye, I watched part of an action movie on television.


  On the second day of my absence from the camp, I woke up at 8 a.m and had to use the toilet as I had a stomachache every two hours. Despite this, I still went through my daily routine (surfing the internet) and had my food as usual. However I did not tell my parents of my condition until dinner when my stomach began to feel even more painful. They told me to wait until the next day to see if my pain would subside before taking me to see the doctor again.

  On the third day however, my stomachache was unbearably painful and I had to wake up and rush to the toilet two times after another while I was sleeping. My mother took me to the doctor's again and I was found to have stomach flu. No wonder I had to use the toilet on the second day seven times. This was bad news to me as I had to take even more medicine but thankfully, the pain subsided at least an hour after taking the medicine and I had another MC for the day after. Feeling better, I played games on my video game console. By the end of the day, I felt a lot more better as I had recovered more from my sicknesses.


  In conclusion, I was a little sad and disappointed that I had to give the Sec 3 camp a miss due to my illness but at least I could stay at home for three days to relax and recuperate.

sec 3 camp reflection( i was absent)

I did not went for the secondary three camp as i was having a headache .During that three days , the first day i was resting because the headache was very bad . The next day i was recovered in the afternoon and i played basketball around 3pm and came back home around 5pm . After that i went to tuition around 6.30pm and came back around 8pm . Next i use computer and wasted my time till 9pm . The next day was a routine , i felt very bored being at home .

sec 3 camp reflection by Jared Ho

“To produce men of wisdom and stature who can stand, in favour with God and man” -school mission

Our recent Secondary 3 Adventure Camp was a true stepping stone to greater things we could achieve in the future. I personally gain a substantial amount of experience through this exhilarating journey of epic proportions.

When I left school for the Camp, my heart was pounding, more anxious than excited. I was never the “outdoor” type of person but nonetheless not introverted. Who knew I was about to do things I’d never would have done in a million years.

Arrival was a warm welcoming greeting from the facilitators of the camp. A woman, by the name of Dawn, was our programme coordinator and she introduced us to the other facilitators. Frankly speaking I did not at first cared who our instructors were and I just wanted to get this camp over with but soon enough my viewpoint was completely altered.

 After the introduction we went to pitch our tents. I myself was surprised that my group, Chil, could work together and pitch the tent well. We had lunch after the session of tent pitching. Many underestimated the quality of the food and were quite delighted that it was not too bad. When we were done, our first activity began.

We started with rafting and our job was to build a raft. I was intrigued by the uniqueness of our raft but skeptical that it could float. The work done by my teammates indeed proved me wrong and we spend a great time rafting. The activity that succeeded rafting was our nature discovery hunt. We were tasked to find some natural elements of the camp such as trees or animals, and then map out where we could find these flora and fauna. It was an enjoyable experience that I wouldn’t mind trying again if given the opportunity,

Next we had the Trekker’s challenge. This activity required strength, both mental and physical. We started with the yurt circle. About 19 boys had to surround a nylon rope and pull it backward while 1 had to walk around that rope. It involved a lot of resilience and struggle but I managed to do it. It was hard for me but I conquered it and I was pretty proud of myself. My classmates really displayed focus and teamwork and I did feel a sense of belonging in a sense that they would help me.

It was dinner time and I was assigned to be my class’s representative. It was quite a heavy responsibility to carry but definitely not a burden. Our facilitators, whose codenames were Tarzan and Jane, were indeed really nice people and great guides. Besides me, a few other classmates distributed the food to the rest of the boys. After dinner we decided to practice our cheer. ”My side, my side, my side, my front, my back. My side my front my side my back my side my front my back”

At 8 p.m. we had our night activities. It was a blind man’s walk. We had to cover our eyes with a handkerchief and be virtually blind for about 45 minutes. It was a painful experience but it taught us how to use our other senses. After awhile we were positioned in different areas to locate our teammates with the help of our animal call.

The night activity was rather shallow but it taught a lot of life skills. We had a reflection afterward and then it was off to bed. 6.30 was the time we had to wake up and it was hazy as usual. We had breakfast at 7 and the nice cup of hot milo indeed refreshed us all.

Our first activity was outdoor cooking. It was really fun to use twigs as sticks for eating the sausages and jungle donuts. Our second activity of the day was average. It was the low elements.  I got rope burn and it hurt a lot but the scar was pretty cool. Again my class displayed excellent teamwork.

The following activity was titled mad max. It stood for maximum madness and involved, as its title suggests, maximum madness. There was a lot of climbing, both vertical and horizontal and it was an endeavor I was proud to overcome.

After that, we went for the mud walk. We walked through this long and muddy pathway and even sat in tar mud. It was pretty dirty but nonetheless enjoyable. The only issue we had was a negative encounter with a girl’s school. They were kicking mud in our faces and even their instructor did so. We weren’t happy about what happened but nonetheless did not take our revenge.

When we walked back to camp, it was shower time and the cleanup was very messy. Dinner was average but still better than nothing. After dinner was the highlight of my trip at least. It was the campfire. All the groups took turns to display their cheer and it was indeed fun. The facilitators also had performances of their own and their dances were spectacular.

After our principal declared that we could wear the long pants, I heard the loudest cheer ever in my life. It was bedtime and we went to sleep. The next and final day f the camp was pleasant. We had an overall briefing and they were announcing the winners of the two competitions. First was the “best cheer award.” This went to team banderlog.

I was very surprised and quite honoured that our class Chil won the best group award. I was the representative who collected all the Psp’s. (Personal stationery paper).

The journey ended on a high note and I learnt every single one of us was a sportsman.

Reflection on Sec 3 camp A sense of belonging

       It was the first day of the camp and it was a very hot day, so hot that most of us were not in high spirits when we arrived at the campsite. However, that changed when we got our activities started. The first thing that we did when we arrived was to hear a briefing by a lady named Dawn. As the day was very hot, she quickly finished it and we started off with the setting up of our tents. As it was my first time I listened carefully to the trainers instructions and found out that setting one was really a walk in the park. Right after we finished pitching our tents, we hook our day packs and mugs and went of to the lodge for lunch.

        Before they distributed the food, everyone was worried whether the food will be satisfactory or will it be horrible. As they distributed the food and spoons everbody had a worried look, however, their worries dissappeared after they had a taste of it and what was served at lunch became the topic that most of us talked about during lunch.
     
       After lunch,  we went on to the first activity of the day and that was rafting. As the title suggests it, we were required to build a raft that would at least accommodate a minimum of 5 people. We splitted up into 2 groups, they gave us the materials needed and we quickly started on our ideal raft. Within a short timespan of 10 minutes, we had a idea of the raft that we wanted to build. After having gotten the all clear signal by our trainers we started tying the the poles to the tires soon, our ideal raft was completed and right infront of us. However, when our teacher said that we were going to the sea to test and see if it will float with 5 people on it, I was skecptical about it, but, my teamates proved me wrong when 5 of them actually got on the raft and managed to go a distance from the shore. After everyone had gotten a try at sitting on their rafts, we moved on to the next activity in high spirits.

      Our next activity was nature discovery. We were required to roam around the campsite finding the items that were on our list and after that, we need to draw a map of the campsite. So to get the activity started, we quickly splitted up into groups again and went off on our search. However after about 45 minutes or so our group did not do well but we enjoyed the time that we had finding the items and having been able to work as a team.

      After that, we played a game called space odyssey which we had to help our friends go through a ring without touching the strings, but, some of us in the process were so caught up in winning and got frustrated when some people stood too near to the strings and touched it. However, everyone got through and we had a fun time helping and supporting each other.
    
      Later that night, while we were having dinner we talked about how the games were fun and not as bad as we though. That night, after dinner, we had our our last activity for the game and that was the night walk. We had to blindfold ourselves and walk on what the trainers called the blind man's trail without relying on our sense of sight. We started it off without knowing whats infront of our expect for the information that our friends infront passed on but for the next 45 minutes we walked blindfolded and the trainers splitted us up individually and gave us an animal call to find each other. After that activity we did a reflection on what we learnt today and how we felt. After that we had a quick supper and off we went to have our shower and retire for the night.

     The next day, we started off with morning exercises followed by breakfast. After that, we played a game called low elements which needed us to swing using a rope that is tied to the tree from one end to the other and one of us had to carry a bucket while doing that. Indeed it was no easy feat but after a few tries we were ready for the actual challenge. Our trainer challenged us to get everyone over below 3 minutes and we managed it when we had a few bigger sized friends in our class. Through the course of the entire thing my friends that I did not had such a good impression on, helped out their bigger sized classmates but whether or not if it was during the zeal of the moment or if they really sincerely had the intention to help is an entirely different thing, but I was really glad to find out that everyone in 3S2 will support their friends when they are having difficult times and will be there to help them. Then, it was at that time that a thought came into my mind, "3S2 really is a place that I belong to."
   
       Next up was mad max. It stood for Maximium Madness and in this game our friends had to climb a vertical ladder that was held by us using poles. Before the game started, our trainers told us that for this game to work we needed to trust our friends that they would hold on the the poles firmly and that they would not let go when our friends were "climbing". After this, I realised that it was to build up the level of trust amongst us so that everyone would feel comfortable during this new term as we will be with a new class with friends and would not want anyone to feel that they do not belong in this class.

     Finally the game that everyone had been looking forward to and that is nature rumble. This game needed us to trek through a jungle and going into mud which everyone found it to be very disgusting and dirty but everyone's attitude changed when we actually got into the mud and rubbing it on our arms, hands, legs and even our faces! But while we were having a good time, another group of students from another schools came and kicked mud in our faces luckily none of us had mud caught in our eyes expect one who could not open his eyes if not for our trainer called Tarzan.

     After nature rumble we went back to camp and washed up. Then we had dinner and gathered around for the campfire. Right before it started, everyone practised their cheers and went to the gathering area with a happy attitude. When the campfire started, everyone was stunned as everything from the performances of the trainers to the cheers of the groups was all spectacular. Everyone had a fun time doing their cheers that includes us, shouting and doing our cheer as one group as one 3S2 and at that time I finally thought, "Yea, 3S2 really is a fun class and it really is the place where I belong."

    Sadly, all good things have to come to an end and as the campfire fire died out, the principle came and took over with the long awaited annoucement of us being able to wear our long pants. As she walked up, there was an awakard slience from the whole cohort and then, when the long awaited words, "Long pants it is" came out, cheers and joys of laughter filled the air and that ended our exciting second day.

    On the last day, we packed our bags and striked our tents. We cleaned the campsite and prepared for the presentation of prizes for the "Best cheer award" and "The Best Group award" with the best cheer award's prize being presented to the team called bandalog we kept our hopes high for winning the best group award. The looks of everyone was tense and as the camp commandant slowly and dramatically annouced the winning everyone tensed up hoping that their group will win and finally the group's name was called and it was us! Chil! everybody jumped for joy  and that ended the day on a happy note with everyone getting a Psp(portable sationary pen) and as we walked out of the gate I though of how exciting and fun it was bonding and making new friends in my class and that last though of the day, "yea it really was the right choice to come to Saint Andrews. It really is the place I belong too............"

    With that we boarded our bus and left the campsite with a smile on our face and good memories of our Secondary 3 camp at the campsite called Camp Christine.

Done by:
Jefferson Lee(20)