Secondary 1 Camp (day 2&3)

continued from day 1

All of us in the same hut woke up at around 5:30 in the morning and went for breakfast at 7. After 45 minutes of breakfast, we had area cleaning. Our group was allotted to clean up (or in other words, pick up the rubbish) the path which led from the huts to the white tentage where we had our meals. We finished our task at half past 8.

We took part in Sarimbun Challenge where we competed with other groups in 4 station games. In the first station, nine of us had to walk on six wooden planks or three on two, while others threw as many balls as they could into the basket of the last person of each two wooden planks. This demanded teamwork spirit of each group member. In the end, we managed to get about 289 balls into the basket within 3 minutes, which seems quite a feat to achieve.

In the next station, we were supposed to build a catapult with unlimited wooden planks and ropes. There were disagreements again on the structure of the catapult. Eventually, after some discussion, we settled with a decision. Although the catapult failed many times, we were not discouraged and insisted on not giving up and finally managed to launch a water bomb only eight paces away. However, we were in high spirits and cheered all the way to the next station. Later, we found out that the record was 29 paces while many other catapults were failures.

The third challenge was quite a disaster. We had to walk through parts of Sarimbun that were remote and where the trees are dense. Unfortunately, we misinterpreted the map and went the longer way. Along the way, we were stung many times by mosquitoes and I had an ant bite. Finally, we reached the place where the fourth challenge was held. We were supposed to boil water. This was elementary! We completed the task and went to the place where we should go after finishing the challenge. We were pleasantly surprised to find out that we were the first group to complete the challenge! We thought that we had wasted a lot of time in the second and third task, and for sure there were few groups ahead of us. Till now, I am still pondering about it and please tell me if you had any idea of what had happened.

We had lunch and after that, cooking, fun fitness games and campfire preparation. The fun fitness games were fun, just like its name. The first two games required teamwork from all team members. The third one was where we had the chance to get wet, dirty, muddy and smelly. We slided down and splashed into a pool of muddy water. It was quite fun actually, but many missed the opportunity as rain came pouring down and the activity was called off. During the camp preparation, we practised old cheers and learnt new ones. We showered and ate dinner, probably the best meal we ever had during the 3 days camp. I even took a second serving. It was the campfire afterwards, which was supposed to be the climax of the camp, but I do not think so. It was quite monotony actually. After supper, we went to sleep nearly midnight, terribly exhausted.

We woke up at 6 and embraced the final day of the camp and packed our things. Breakfast that day was the worst meal we had during the camp in my opinion, and was endorsed by many. Personally, I felt that better food was served at the start to give us a good impression and the last meal, you should know. Then, we helped to carried the floorboards of the tents set up for those who were not sleeping in huts. We had area cleaning again, and our group cleaned up the campfire site.

At eleven, it was prize presentation with only two prizes to be given -the best group and the best improved group. Group 17 and 2 won the awards respectively. The journey back to start at 1145 hours and last 45 minutes and thus marked the end of the camp. Back in the boarding school, I repacked my luggage into the going-home mode and boarded the bus at 4:30 in the afternoon. I am back in Malaysia now for the school holidays!

The camp left me a good impression and I have gained much, especially experience, through it. I hope that I am able to take part in future camps and shall grab any opportunities, unless it clashes with more important events.

As we have been temporarily cut off from the outside world with mobile phones and other electrical devices disallowed, I just found out that Liverpool triumphed 4-0 against Real Madrid and advanced into the quarter-finals. Great display. They will be facing (or is it taking place now?) Man Utd and the result shall decide the fate of Liverpool's title hopes. The best of luck, Liverpool!