Its been exactly 1 week since the camp had ended. RVPS P5 Camp 2010 is the last P5 camp going to be held in the school as the school is replacing it with a P4 camp starting at July this year. I had finally been able to help out since graduation at 2006. Being affected by cca and school activity, this year is my first year officially as a camp facilitator, or perhaps a senior mentor. It is warming to see such a strong group of alumni in this primary school and I am certainly proud to be part of this strong alumni group, while other school might not even have enough "loyal" alumni to be helping out in their camp.
1st Day
Went to school right after my school annual sports meet. Unknown of the future, impending all the new stuffs as it is still my first year in the camp. But stepping up as a senior mentor, there is certainly much more to look on. Reach sch, signed in, and start to find things to do. Settle the students, then wanted to take my dinner, but have to postpone my meal cus of some prize presentation ceremony. It turned out to be a giving of camp facil t-shirt by Mr Mah, the new RVPS principal. Took my camp t-shirt and was proud to be singing my alpha mater school song once again ending with the chorus after the first verse. Then everything continued. Activity started and started my job officially. It was the night treasure hunt. Went for my quick dinner and join the rest in helping the activity. It was fun going to all places in the school, reviving my memories in the school. After that, i think it was wash up cum supper. Help out with the wash up, rushing all the kids as they r reluctant to separate from the clothes. Encourage and off they went bathing. Talk with some of the juniors and teach they something in the end. This year seems to have a lot more new faces and had a hard time recognising them, which i am quite okay now with the new faces. After wash up, had some quick supper, and it was briefing for the campers for next day sengkang explorer, as well as the facils. I was part of the roaming group. After that, sleeping time, gotten the campers to sleep and back to ava room for debrief. Indeed, some bad news, but everyone gotten the message. Had nothing to contribute for debrief while the senior old birds were sharing their thoughts. Me and ben sitting aside, listening, while yx went to talk.
After the debrief, everyone dispersed for their bathing. Me and ben and yx were collating the meals for supper. Had a long time, retook orders again and again and finally settled. We went to bath, last, and then awaited for the meal to come. In the end, some unpleasant things happen, but managed to settle in the end. Talk to some of the facils, then back to music room to sleep.
Day 2
Woke up at 5.30. Should be the first. Changed to the camp facil t-shirt which was designed by me. The design the altered a bit. The shirt was orange in colour, quite nice and every facil was wearing it in the morning. After i finished, most of the facils was up, including hte girls. Went up the hall, surprised, campers were also all up already. After that, back to hall, help to settle the campers down, then was breakfast. After that, rushed through my breakfast, then had a briefing for sengkang explorer. Not long, me and ben set off for the safety checks. But mainly our responsibiility was to demerit and merit the groups which had done badly or do somehthing right. Went round and round, then came back to school for lunch. Rushed through again, was helping out with the cultural thingy, but needed to bring a lost sheep back to his group, took a wrong round, and went round and round. Then decided to be patrolling again, this time talking to axel at a station. After that, finally finished, went back sch, the campers brought down their barangbarangs, and then dinner. Rushed through again, was so full after the dinner. After that was camp fire prep for campers and facils. Settle some chairs quickly and joined the rest in the hall for some cheers and rally by edward and josh. Fun, learnt much from them. Then off for chicken dance and stuffs. Was so high by then. Then proceeded down for campfire. Everything was in place. Started everythign.
Campfire was fun. Video. Then presentation of certs. Then cheers from each grp. Then highlights. The senior facilitator (the very old birds) put up a dance performance for everyone. Called the wonder boys dancing "Nobody". Very nice. THen ended off with prize presentation again. Ben and Emily was the best facilitator.
Campfire ended and started to dismiss the campers. The facils meet up later, and principal talk to us. Then we discuss more. and we retreated to canteen for the final performance. By the SF. THen most went to KFC or Mac to have supper. Me and ben was discussing for the next camp plan.
Reflections
I will like to thank all the senior mentor (edward, joshua, clinton, alastair)for their guidance. Although this year is their last year, and passing down the torch, you all had left a great legacy behind and we look forward in seeing you all 3 years later after your army. Thanks for the wonderful dance also.
Although being in the camp for 1 year, its been a whole new experience for myself, even being through so much different camps. Everything is a new learning experience. I myself had gained many skills and knowledge throughout the camp and I believe all the facils did as we enjoyed our time during the camp. I am pleased to even see it myself that the facils are growing up and becoming more mature as they become leaders. There is a difference between the first day and second day. I wanted to point it out on the debrief on the second day but due to time constraint, i have to do it here. From maids, you all become guides. From facils, you all become soul-mates and friends of the campers. From mature kids, you all become sensible leaders.
This experience I will never forget. I had certainly able to suck in all the valuable experiences and knowledge which will be applicable for me in the next camp. I and ben will try our very best, and will certainly bring the camp to a whole new level. Together with all the facils, we thank the 4 old birds for their contribution as we will see you once again as senior facils for the last time during the upcoming p4 camp.
P5 camp is over.
Here comes P4 camp. Everything will start new. Everything will improve. Every year will be total new experience for the facils and campers.
Always Aflame
Never Extinguish
