Upon reaching the campsite early in the morning on the 24th June, Instructor David Lee and 3 helpers who spent the previous night preparing at his house, they started the campfire. Meanwhile Instructor Jason, Irena and Barnabas were franctically looking for the 6 leaders (campers as they were called,) at Yishun MRT Station. After having their breakfast, they set off for the campsite in the Church van. Upon reaching the campsite at approximately 10am, the leaders had a short briefing and were told what they could expect of this camp, that was when their enthusiastic smile gradually faded away..... The leaders then began to pitch their tents and tie their ponchos. The camp was then officially started. At 1pm, it was lunch time. The leaders licked their dry lips in hope of some sumptuous meal,only to be given mess-tins and a couple of tinned uncooked stuff which they were suppose to ration among themselves. Our courageous leaders took it disappointedly but bravely, making them even more resolved to complete this camp well, Hallelujah! Then, they had the Initiative Activites, which they ended up owing the Instructors 440 push-ups, each. At 6pm, they had their powder bath and took their second meal together. Later, they spent 3 and a half hours with Instuctor Barnabas who taught them some scriptures and told them to memorise a few verses of the Bible. After that, it was past midnight and just when they thought that it was resting time, Instructor David Lee told them that they were going for a Night Hike, without the torchlights! Not knowing that the helpers and instructors were station throughout the dark forest paths, our brave leaders venture one by one down the path without their torchlights and only depended on the dim moon light to light their way back. Some ran through the course and broke the record (Cheers....Hurray), just kidding. While a few almost went the wrong way, but thanks to the helpers and instuctors, they were guided back to the course.
The two young ladies spent the night in a small 3-person dome tent, while the four guys took refuge under just a poncho! The rest of the campers (consisting of 4 helpers from the top left row, and the five instructors), rested under the larger poncho and hammocks. Mosquitoes came in swarms to attack us and sulphur was spreaded around the tents, poncho and hammocks to prevent snakes as well.
After the refreshing and
much needed sleep, the leaders ate their breakfast and warmed up themselves
for an endurance run to the dam. Along the way, one of the campers got
injured and had to be helped back to the campsite. The others, upon reaching
the dam, rested and panted for breath as their exhausted bodies tried to
hang on in there. The guys were made to dip into the grotesque muddy water
and they stank when they returned to the campsite. After having, their
lunch, Instructor David Lee had some surprise for the leaders, he told
them to get a stick as their weapon. The puzzled leaders did as they were
told, some conservative ones took small sticks while some greedy ones took
huge sticks. Then they were told to recite the 39 books of the Old Testaments
while holding theit sticks with their arms straight and parallel to the
ground. The were made to hold this postion for almost 45 mins! They endured
as they used their mind over body. Then Instructor Barnabas took over and
told them to recite the verses he told them to memorise the night before
while standing and balancing on one leg. Again, they held that postion
for almost 45 mins! Finally they relaxed and the camp was now almosty over.
All the campers then played some light games and packed up before going
to Instructor David Lee's and Instructoress Shufen's place to bathe. Then
all the campers met at NorthPoint to have their sumptuous celebration dinner
at KFCs, courtesy of the Church.