A maelstrom of events happened over the past few days, or rather one and a half weeks. I believe I never blogged about the Youth camp, as well as the mission trip. But bear in mind, what I will be posting in this post will be Christian related, and for people out there who do not like reading such stuff, you can choose not to read. but if you still want to find out how much fun I had in camp and Thailand, you can read on.
Draconian fatigue is settling in from this long endeavour, but still I am persevering, keeping alive and typing this. And probably my frangible concentration will cause all parts of my body to enter standby mode except my fingers which will go on frenzy autopilot and type rubbish. So, please, give me at least 1 night of sleep before I revisit my blog, and do a quality check.
I would first like to bring across a point that, though camp and trip was both different events (and totally different events, though their theme had various obvious intersects), they were both not connected by anything close to a break. I only had a couple of hours of rest at home, (not sleep, but just a short nap), after camp and then I had to do the packing of my luggage. I know others, Qi heng, nic all had it worst. And perhaps I should feel guilty for complaining so much.
First and foremost, camp. Youth camp is something that I was looking forward to, like since the time I was in Europe, I anticipated, and was pretty excited. I knew about several games, my group members like 1-2 days before, and I was delighted because I knew my group leader, Dom as well as Wei Song is in my group, I felt safe and sound. I don't recall much but here I am going to give a brief overview. As well as a general rate of this camp.
Camp Site 2/10
Perhaps I have been pampered and spoilt by the likes of kuo chuan presbyterian (our camp site last year), this year's venue was totally horrible. If not for the massive and extensive area cleaning efforts that me and some other people had been doing on pre-camp day, the area would be alot worst, and even after all that cleaning efforts, there were still rampant complains and sighs of dissatisfaction. Horrible camp site. Toilet was one stink bomb, bathing was a chore (and most people, I believe, generally felt hesitant about bathing). The school was rather small, congested and lacked pretty facilities. In addition, it was rundown and I believe that there aren't really much schools worst than this. Dunearn secondary, was a horrible choice. Probably a good, decent price, but still, the camp site plays a big role in Camp experience. But looking on the brighter side, it is in the most horrific, the peak of dirtiness and the stepping out of the general comfort zone that bonds people together. Despite the lack of a nice conducive environment, I believe the camp went well, and that is why it didn't get a big fat zero, and once again I believe I have been rather harsh on this segment of my overview. The hall, was rather decent and cosy, in my opinion, though.
Games/Activities 9/10
I would say that this time round, I am rather impressed by the games. They were rather creative and they did a good job in making sure sporty powerhouses don't dominate, giving the less enthuiastic or atheletic to excel. I remember last year where there were a rampant of games like captain ball (which IMO, sucks). The games this year were more intellectual-based, several puzzle-like stuff, or involves getting dirty (which IMO, is not that bad, and ironically, adds to the fun). I don't want to list games here, but there were games which I really enjoyed by self, and there weren't really much sucky/lousy games around. Overall, the activities were generally interesting and usually keeps me motivated throughout the camp. The 2nd day we went to Ubin for an adventure, it rained like crazy. The sky spammed us with rain, but still, I believe that it was in such harsh conditions that people bond. Dirty, dirty, but still, fun, fun.
Sermon 3/10
I know some are going to disagree with me on this. But personally I found the speaker very poor. I am not refering to content of the speaker, but more of style. It hurts my ears and mind to hear someone talking like a TEACHER, or worst still, a principal. I could even remember the person rephrasing a point many times, like we're little children or kids in a school. It is totally annoying to hear a sermon like they're instructions, or rather, in such a commanding or authoritative tone. Perhaps this is what I feel because I know of a teacher that talks exactly like the speaker and it was a great turn off for me.
The theme this time was evangelism, and I believe is one aspect that is lacking in most of us. It was useful but still, there was a couple of other talks in YF, or other activities and seminars about Evangelism which I have attended and alot seemed so repititive to me.
This is my point of view, perhaps all in all, this was the most sensitive part to comment about.
People 6/10
I wouldn't say I am greatly impressed by my fellow group members. My general comment was "okay, good enough to get by the few days". Though there is a certain member of my group which I found disturbingly irritating after awhile, the rest were okay. Dom was a great leader, but could be greater. He lead the team well but I think he didn't really do much in terms of bonding the team together. At the end, the group was, I believe, not united, not at all, I believe. Most of us were just being together in a group and co-operating because we know it was just a short 4 day camp. I don't see much interaction after camp (or maybe it was because I was away, overseas). I see other groups facing the same problem too, the lack of enthuaism.
X-factor 4/10
This camp totally lacked the x-factor. I wasn't touched at all, it didn't feel exciting. It didn't keep me thinking "ah it was a great camp". My most positve comment I ever given was a "not bad". And I believe this camp certainly lacked alot of factors that could make a camp feel successful. I believe the lingering effect of camp spirit, group spirit is what constitutes the "x-factor", along with an array of other ingredients that varies from perception to perception. This x-factor could have been way worst, without "heart of worship" which was the last, but most satisfying event.
Adding on, the games and activities, though really satisfactory, did add an immense toll on the health, and fatigue levels of the people, which had severe effects on people. This caused us to be restless, and generally unaatentive during sermon and during the final "sharing session".
Sacrifice, perhaps.
Overall, I am going to do a no-brainer sum up of scores 24/50. Could have been better, an E grade for camp this year. Though I know that such things aren't really arithimetrically measurable. I believe, that it was a passable (as the score suggests).
I will blog about my time in Thailand another time, my concentration died on me.
Time to rest. Ahuu
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