Camp Metamorphosis
After being at so many camps, this is the most unique and the most memorable as well. The bonding is what I will define as the strongest, and maybe a little of being the silliest, but not forced.
The start was in my terms ‘undesirable’. Its not because one of them had green hair, nor that the other had a lot of studs, but because they all seem like a stone – Expressionless. Yet at the end, the smiles that greet warm all.
We were lost at group identity. So lost and so random with our choices. Yet when we tried, we could easily conclude with one – Cheese. And up goes our flag, with the little spray cans and our little random art work, we produced a masterpiece. Now I wish we have photos.
I think we were the silliest, with our little cheer. I started it in hope that the youths will participate and come up with fantastic cheers after hearing one that most might refer to as laughable. However, the cheer ended up being personalized to be the song that makes us laugh whenever we think of it. It was the first element that brought big wide smiles onto EVERYONE’S faces, including the counselors. We scored the lowest, but that was the start of our bond to be the closest.
We are yellow,
We are yellow,
We are all cheesy fellows,
We will smile (hand sign on friend’s face) and say hello,
And show you how we flow, YELLOW(pose)!
We progressed to the next game and decision making within the group and silence is broken. The poison river that allowed the group to link hands, hold on to each other and so close to getting a first. In fact, mistaken as being the first but honest in the parts of those who knows that they were 2nd and admitting it. Honesty in our group is highlighted and they are in fact one of the most honest bunch!
We next chose our queen Cheese, strategize and successfully protected our queen. Defending and ensured that the queen is safe from all the water bombs. We won and that boosted our confidence in the group. Followed on with captain ball, that allowed all to work together as a team. It took time to work out using the first game, but more importantly the team trusted each other and worked even better for the 2nd match that allowed us to clinch the 3rd position. Such progress and effort put into it, even mere actions like changing into the right attire shows their interest in the group and their respect for the game. That encouraged everyone.
The skit that highlighted individual’s talent and marveled everyone with their good acting skills. They were natural and enjoyed every part of it, contributing and providing ideas to each other. They did not even require us to prompt much though it was indeed tough to start when choosing the roles. Yet they decided, practiced flexibility and aided each other like accepting a change of roles when necessary. They discussed among themselves for their parts and allow me to trust that they will produce another masterpiece. They gained my trust in their responsibility of their roles.
Candle fight allowed one of them to further surprise me with his enthusiasm and his impromptu cheer, which further hyped up his team member! That was indeed a surprise! Working well and when they heard their team mates shouting for help, they returned to defend and protect. All in one phrase ‘They are a team’.
Night trekking allowed them to demonstrate their endurance. Anger boiled in them but they controlled, continued and completed it. They think of fairness. In extremes, I was actually glad they think of self first. It reminds me that in this harsh reality, sometimes we have to protect ourselves. However, I was glad that they always looked for options to equate out the benefits, thinking of fairness instead of being directly selfish. It shows that they cared. Yet all ends up as good fun.
They heard about their weaknesses. One was way too trusting. At one point, another lost the trust of his team members after being tricked. They then learnt their consequences. The girls found one to trust right from the start. They guys went straight on and found out that they reach a point where they need to trust someone to guide.
War games allowed this team to demonstrate even more traits that they have. They valued their team players above all, which I find highly commendable. To be willing to give up the potential of winning and redeeming one of their players was a straight one off choice they decided. To them it seems like winning was not the main focus, but playing as a team is. That impressed me. They will go full out, persevere to gain points to cover for what they have lost and never lose hope despite the drenched flags. They keep my spirits and enthusiasm going. I am not born hyper; it takes the group to make me want to keep my spirit at sky high and cheer for them endlessly.
Even at meal times, this group is not individual basis. They will wait, even though they were hungry, for all to gather at the table before starting their meal. They will help each other take their food, get their drinks and get settled down together before beginning. They do their part in stacking their finished boxes together but always forget to discard it as a whole and clear the cups! However, when told they will finish the job and done to the best.
Family day was in fact most significant to most of them. Despite that some claims that they hope their parents will not come, deep in their eyes one can tell their hopes of the arrival of their parents. Whenever a car turns in, their eyes light up and they dash to check. I was touched when one confided that he did not know if his parents will be able to make it, but he still wants to wait for them to eat together with them. Thankfully, we managed to call his parents and the knowledge that they were on their way soothes him. To see him sitting at the steps by the driveway, melts the heart. To see him work with his parents in the activity, enjoying himself and hugging them almost racked up the water in my eyes. Its comforting.
Another who’s parents were late, spark the concern he had in him for them. The anxiousness when they were unreachable, the relief when they returned the call and confirmed their arrival, and the anticipation he had for them to arrive could be felt. To the point he dashed up the driveway, just to clarify if it was them. When they finally arrived, he might have bickered a little with them but deep down inside I know he was glad and happy. I think his parents were touched too when they realize his concern for them. To see them hug and his grin when taking a photo with his parents brings smiles to my face.
Yet it can get so disappointing to find that not all parents keep to their words. Maybe they sincerely forgot but the disappointment in the child was deep and hurtful. He confided that he did not manage to talk to his mom before he left for camp so he was unable to remind her, and he simply could not recall that new number of hers. I hope they will manage to find a time where he can hug his parents and have a photo with them like the rest of his group mates. To see him walk out as the parents and child are taking a photo and hugging, hurt me as well.
I hope all their families will help them to be strong, will aid them in their decision making and give them a hand like how mine have learnt to guide me in their unique fashion. I hope their family will find their unique means and get closely knitted but it is definitely not an easy process. I wish them all the best.
Cheese did not win the championship of the camp groupings, but they were shortly behind by 10points. It would have been a bonus if they did win. Neither me nor Josh could name one of them to be the best camper, because uniquely for our group, there was no individuals but only 1 team. All of them were best contributors and even though they were from such diverse personalities, they were able to come together n not leave each other out. They took the initiative to get their group member when another was found to be alone. One even found a new confidante within the group which he could share his inner feelings with.
From them I learnt that they need not verbally show their concern, but through their actions and decisions, they were most concerned for each other. They did not rival to be the best, but stayed strong together. They stand up for their members despite the common ‘suanings’. I love this group. For action speaks the loudest and their actions screamed.
Cheese cheers!
this entry is my own reflections. Its long but its my heartfelt words for this camp. I’ve never been this touched in a camp. N this camp further makes me consider working with the youths in my social work career. Thanks cheese, Thanks for giving me this wonderful experience. Thanks TFSC, for organizing such a great camp. Seriously, if they don’t mind my noisiness and my nonsense, I will make an effort to join again if they do need volunteers. =)
I know many tend to look at them and label them. There were even some who asked if our group were doing ok cause they thought some of them look like those that might be rather difficult to manage. I thought differently, if one look beyond their appearances, they are fantastic ordinary people with unique personalities. Just that they are different from us does not make them more difficult. Maybe their colour choice for hair is rare, their studs are located at more visible areas does not make them less manageable. Please don’t deprive them of chance to share with you who they are first just because they look what you consider them as ‘different’.
Now I wish I have photos. I wish there was a video montage to show us all our ugly photos that they took at the camp so we could laugh at it together. I wish they rewarded all of u for the best teamwork cause I think cheese deserves credits. N I wish all 6 of you will make your choices wisely.
There’s also fabulous volunteers who share games, laughters, knowledge and skills throughout this camp as well. I’m sure we’ll be even closer with this and even if we may not gather for another similar camp, I’m sure we’ll be able to meet up and catch up. Cheers! I’m great I know you marvelous peeps! Haha even washing up becomes fun.
Smilez.
