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ELDDS Camp 2008

Saturday, November 29, 2008 ( 1:23 PM )

ELDDS Camp 2008

Ah hem, get ready for a long and 'eventful' post!

OK, ELDDS Camp 2008 ended in 27th probably the first NCELD camp ever I think, or rather the first ever since NC moved to Seng Kang. I'm proud that we are one of the few CCAs which would organise such a camp, and moreover, I can still barely believe I had been part of the organising team. Shocks, conflicts, surprises, were inevitable, but overall, dare I say, it was a fun and at the least, enjoyable camp. It was not exciting, exhilarating like sec 3 camp, since there were no 'life-threatening' activities. At the end of the Camp, all of us did reflections, including Sebast and I. Everyone had to write down 3 most memorable moments, 2 improvements to be made, and 1 thing learnt. The reflections I wrote then was brief, because I want to leave the best part right here, right now.

Preparing the Camp
Right before my O's even end, I had met up with SM, Seb to discuss about the Camp, and within let's say 4 hrs, we came up with the full timetable and many fun and games (thou many of them were omitted on the day itself!) Then after the very last paper, Vin, SM, Seb and I met up again, and this time we talked about the details of the games. So, we divided the jobs among us, and wah la, we're ready for the games part of the Camp. Now, food. Well well, we did a lot of shopping on Thursday, 20th after the Camp briefing. Bought many packets of sachets of Milo, biscuits etc... When 25th arrived, I couldn't believe it the Camp is here alr! It's like so suddenly. And when the juniors ended off their final rehearsal of the script Macbeth at 4pm on 25th, that's when it all began...

The Camp
As planned, I chased the whole drama out of the room so a few seniors (us!) can mop the floor and so everyone gets a clean floor to sleep on. So after the water on the floor had dried up, everyone was only allowed to put their slippers in front of the room, and get barefooted! It's like a chalet. Then, we began the first game, obstacle course. It was hell lot of fun, because there were spraying of water everywhere and throwing of soft balls, and as expected, the driest of all (me and Seb, who didn't play) would end up being the target of everyone. Zhiyu literally pour a whole bottle of water on me! So everyone gets to bathe, while a few seniors went to boil water for the dinner. Cup noodles it was. Eat... Next, Park Bench. That was when I finally found time to bathe, all alone at around 8pm. Creepy, was my first thought, but when I bathed, nothing came to scare me or what, and I found it relax because I don't have to rush for my shower! Haha. As of the Park Bench, you all know what went wrong, and you jolly well be remorseful, cause I'm not gonna say anything.
So, it was Night Trust Walk, whenever I think about it, I couldn't help but think it funny! The atmosphere before we started was tense, and also because of that, it was hilarious!! Because those who aren't blindfolded, Me, Seb, Vin, Eu, SM knew very well nothing would happen. We set off outside HOD room. It was a total different experience from Sec 3 camp because this time round, I was running around the school from team to team to make sure each leader was handling things OK. At the end of the game, I was drenched with perspiration! Sad case, I just had my bath ya know. Then supper, and then Movie!! In the reflections, the movie (Evan Almighty) was one of the 3 memorable things I wrote. Because I realised I finally got a rest. Relieved. Then night shifts, which was again, one of the thing I wrote as the 3 most memorable things. I donno, it was really fun, really quiet and cosy to be in the small room with a few friends, trying to fight the sleeping spells together. Eu even realised Ning Wei was her ex-neighbour after chats. After sleeping and waking and sleeping, Day 2 came.

Began with breakfast, and then Dog and Bone game in the quad. It wasn't fun for me, because all I did was shout 'GO!'. Then the Fairytale suitcase, hmm, it kinda turned out to be a failure. I donno how Mark did it, but it was really fun and interesting then. But this time..., perhaps because the debate was too heated. Come to think of it, I couldn't really recall what the morning was like. Then lunch, Mac burgers. And there was a crisis, which I shan't elaborate about, and we basically wasted off the whole afternoon. And only until 3, we decided to let everyone play Captain's ball and have an early bath. The crisis - settled. After bath, we gathered everyone and have them prepare the clues for Treasure Hunt in the Dark. Then dinner, Lee Wee Brother's bee hoon and nasi lemak. Yummy Yummy! After dinner, we had everyone separated into teams to prepare a skit, while Seb, Me and Ms Lim went around the school to to paste the Treasure (smiley stickers). This, was the third most memorable things. It was really exciting, it felt more like we were the Treasure Hunters, because the whole school only had the 3 of us walking around. At the basketball court, we heard something like a bicycle running passed the drain, then the 3 of us suddenly turn right to look (facing the library). Nothing there. Then the sound was continuous, and we decided to conclude that it was the rain drops. Lol. It was really fun, probably the most exciting thing done ever during the Camp! Pinhui and Wenyi also came to look at us have fun and helped took a lot of pictures, I think. Had a great chat with both of them too! Then supper and then movie. Wah, the movie hor (Get Smart) was good of course, but I kept dozing off, I think this happened to everyone too. Then I also called home to keep myself awake. PS, I slept in the air-con room when it wasn't my night shift, though I was supposed to sleep in the smaller room. Heeeeee. Soon, it was morning and the auntie had raised the three flags in the quad. Day 3.

Day 3 was plain and simple. The only game played was Dog and Bone, which I joined in too. Yipee, I even helped to score once. Then we had Minyu, Daniel, Kat to be in charge of cleaning up, and we gathered in a circle to write down the reflections. Then, I said somethings, debrief, and -break camp-.

After the Camp
I must say, the Camp has helped me to learn a lot of things. Hmm, I have never in my life, contained so much anger and frustration in me, and I could really feel myself being suffocated. It was so overwhelming, especially when people don't appreciate what we have done. At times, plans may not be welcomed, but we all know it's a must. I even had times trying to hold back tears, when I received deprecating remarks. But we all know, once anyone of us break down, the Camp would change completely. Glad enough, I got 'stronger' and found how to repel these and be FIRM. At the beginning of the camp, when people reject my idea, I would give in, but towards the end, I took my stand. I've learnt much more than anyone else in the Camp, for I finally know, what it takes to be a leader. Thank you ELDDS, for giving me this great opportunity.
-THE END-