Back from Hong Kah Sec 3 camp yesterday... it was very different from the other camps i had done because for this camp, the majority of my campers were Malays. initially, i thought i would have difficulty handling them as i do not know Malay, but fortunately for Rashid aka Instructor Crispy, it was a breeze! =) initially, i did not have a good and positive feeling for this camp as from what Chief Jeff said about last year's camp, the kids have some disciplinary problems. therefore, i was praying hard that my campers are not rowdy and disobedient. in the end, the kids not only proved to me that they are obedient and well-behaved, they really wow-ed me at campfire and supported me during the cheer segment, which i deeply appreciate.

We did the standard jbac activities: rafting, kayaking, nature rumble, kidnapped!, general stations, challenge ropes course, abseiling, and zipline. nature rumble was the highlight for 1st day as most of my campers really enjoyed the activity a lot, getting themselves dirty and wrestled with no restrictions in the mud pool. during the 2nd day, the general stations segment kinda brought the moods of the campers down; in addition, they did not do a good job during lunch duty, which resulted in me 'grilling' them for about 15min during the challenge ropes course segment. initially, i thought the 'grilling' session will turn out to be a backfire for me; whereby after i scold them, they will just disregard what i said and carried on their normal ways. BUT they really proved me and rashid wrong when they really worked together as a class, and rehearsed their campfire performance as a class, and without our spoon-fed help, they managed to come out with a breakdance-shuffle-jump star performance, all by themselves! =) in the end, although we did not get most improved class, shafiq managed to get Best Male Camper, which Rashid and I truly felt that he deserved it for the help he had rendered towards the class during camp.

To 3N2: Thanks for the 3d2n memories you all had given me. You had proven me wrong by working together as a class, Malays and Chinese together. I really hope this positive working relationship will persist even after camp. Fights and quarrels are inevitable, but if possible, try to work things out peacefully before going into a fight. It is really not worth it to fight over trivial issues, and it will only result in regret. All the best in your studies! =)))

I should be taking a short 1 month break from doing camps and concentrate on my current semester. i know i will definitely miss doing camps, so till then, Potato will be back on 4th Aug'08!

if you never try, how you know?

potato signing off 12:47 pm