National Camp 2008
11th – 14th August 2008
National Camp, one of the prestigious camps that is organised on a biennial basis, allows members of the different youth uniformed groups in the schools to meet, interact and to share their experiences through participation in the various types of outdoor activities. The National Camp is also an exclusive activity undertaken by the youth groups to celebrate National Day. Hence, it is traditionally held immediately after National Day. The theme for this year’s National Camp, which was organised by the NPCC, was ‘Nurturing Youths@World.Singapore' and it was chosen to reflect their intent to help nurture and mould the youths into rugged individuals. The camp was held at Camp Resilience at Pulau Ubin.
Day 1: When I reached Camp Resilience, there was already this ‘National Camp’ atmosphere as the place was decorated with a lot of banners and there were pictures of cadets from different uniformed groups. Upon reaching, I was assigned to Group Alpha. First, while waiting for President S R Nathan to arrive, we had this Ice-breaking game to start bonding us together. We also learnt a few cheers and soon enough, some of us were already talking to each other. After the National Camp was declared open, we were brought to our assigned tentages and let me tell you, it was the first time that I slept in a real tentage, and not those that one can buy in a bag, and there was indeed lots of ‘National Geographic’ in my tent. For the first day, we had team building games and low rope courses. I will just elaborate on one of the games that we played. There is this game ‘Water Pipe’ organised by the Girls’ Brigade. Our team had to build a pipe using materials given and transport water from one point to another. However, there were holes in the pipe, thus making it more difficult, and at some time the pipe broke and all the water just flows out. We had lots of fun as all of us had our shoes drenched and we also learnt that it will not be possible to transport all the water unless we work together. After having our dinner, all of us went back to sleep and that’s all for the first day.
Day 2: After having a heavy breakfast, we went for rock climbing and went through the maze, organised by NPCC, and nature walk, organised by the Red Cross. For the rock climbing, I did not manage to finish it as it is just too difficult and when I went down, my hands were trembling as I had overstressed my muscles. Next, we went into an underground maze. The instructors told us to enter a hole and they immediately shut the entrance when all of us were in there. Let me tell, although it was afternoon at that time, but there was not even a single trace of light and it was very creepy to be the first and last person, as you will not know when you will be touched! Finally, we found our way through and it was happy to be able to see light. From this game, I indeed experienced what does it feel like to be blind, and learnt to treasure my eyes even more. After having lunch, we went for kayaking, organised by NCC (Sea) and Water confidence jump, organised by the NPCC. The kayaking was fun and the water confidence jump was quite exciting. This activity is whereby you will be wearing life jackets and will need to jump off a plank. This activity is to allow some of us to conquer the fear of water. After that, all of us were famished and tired, so we had our dinner and went to sleep.
Day 3: All of us woke up to an exciting morning as our first station was the archery range. We were able to use different kind of archery, and learnt that in order to get a bull’s eye, one has to adopt a position, and the bow must be pulled at an angle. We also tried out various intermediate rope courses and I admit it is certainly more challenging than the rope courses that I had encountered before. At night, it was time for the closing ceremony and all of us sang the campfire cheer. We certainly had a great time.
Day 4: This day was the day whereby all of us dreaded the most. It was the day whereby we bid farewell to each other and thus might not have the chance to see each other again. Before we left, my group, Alpha, sang the song ‘Graduation by Vitamin C’ and most of us were in tears as we hugged each other, before having to report to our various uniformed groups. After that, we sat on a ferry and went back to Singapore. Well, I had indeed learnt a lot from this National Camp and will certainly cherish the times in National Camp and to those that are pondering as to whether to join National Camp in 2 years’ time, let me tell you ‘Go for it !’
By:
SSG Tan Qi Guang
Part C IC '08
Part A IC '09
NATIONAL CAMP 2008
National Camp 2008
11th – 14th August 2008
National Camp, one of the prestigious camps that is organised on a biennial basis, allows members of the different youth uniformed groups in the schools to meet, interact and to share their experiences through participation in the various types of outdoor activities. The National Camp is also an exclusive activity undertaken by the youth groups to celebrate National Day. Hence, it is traditionally held immediately after National Day. The theme for this year’s National Camp, which was organised by the NPCC, was ‘Nurturing Youths@World.Singapore' and it was chosen to reflect their intent to help nurture and mould the youths into rugged individuals. The camp was held at Camp Resilience at Pulau Ubin.
Day 1: When I reached Camp Resilience, there was already this ‘National Camp’ atmosphere as the place was decorated with a lot of banners and there were pictures of cadets from different uniformed groups. Upon reaching, I was assigned to Group Alpha. First, while waiting for President S R Nathan to arrive, we had this Ice-breaking game to start bonding us together. We also learnt a few cheers and soon enough, some of us were already talking to each other. After the National Camp was declared open, we were brought to our assigned tentages and let me tell you, it was the first time that I slept in a real tentage, and not those that one can buy in a bag, and there was indeed lots of ‘National Geographic’ in my tent. For the first day, we had team building games and low rope courses. I will just elaborate on one of the games that we played. There is this game ‘Water Pipe’ organised by the Girls’ Brigade. Our team had to build a pipe using materials given and transport water from one point to another. However, there were holes in the pipe, thus making it more difficult, and at some time the pipe broke and all the water just flows out. We had lots of fun as all of us had our shoes drenched and we also learnt that it will not be possible to transport all the water unless we work together. After having our dinner, all of us went back to sleep and that’s all for the first day.
Day 2: After having a heavy breakfast, we went for rock climbing and went through the maze, organised by NPCC, and nature walk, organised by the Red Cross. For the rock climbing, I did not manage to finish it as it is just too difficult and when I went down, my hands were trembling as I had overstressed my muscles. Next, we went into an underground maze. The instructors told us to enter a hole and they immediately shut the entrance when all of us were in there. Let me tell, although it was afternoon at that time, but there was not even a single trace of light and it was very creepy to be the first and last person, as you will not know when you will be touched! Finally, we found our way through and it was happy to be able to see light. From this game, I indeed experienced what does it feel like to be blind, and learnt to treasure my eyes even more. After having lunch, we went for kayaking, organised by NCC (Sea) and Water confidence jump, organised by the NPCC. The kayaking was fun and the water confidence jump was quite exciting. This activity is whereby you will be wearing life jackets and will need to jump off a plank. This activity is to allow some of us to conquer the fear of water. After that, all of us were famished and tired, so we had our dinner and went to sleep.
Day 3: All of us woke up to an exciting morning as our first station was the archery range. We were able to use different kind of archery, and learnt that in order to get a bull’s eye, one has to adopt a position, and the bow must be pulled at an angle. We also tried out various intermediate rope courses and I admit it is certainly more challenging than the rope courses that I had encountered before. At night, it was time for the closing ceremony and all of us sang the campfire cheer. We certainly had a great time.
Day 4: This day was the day whereby all of us dreaded the most. It was the day whereby we bid farewell to each other and thus might not have the chance to see each other again. Before we left, my group, Alpha, sang the song ‘Graduation by Vitamin C’ and most of us were in tears as we hugged each other, before having to report to our various uniformed groups. After that, we sat on a ferry and went back to Singapore. Well, I had indeed learnt a lot from this National Camp and will certainly cherish the times in National Camp and to those that are pondering as to whether to join National Camp in 2 years’ time, let me tell you ‘Go for it !’
By:
SSG Tan Qi Guang
Part C IC '08
Part A IC '09
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