7th-8th January 2010

I had just returned from the Sarimbun Scouts Camp yesterday. As I was too exhausted, I failed to blog about my experiences there the day before. Before we departed from the school, we were introduced to the Camp Chief Rio and our trainers. Our class had Jay, a former pilot, and Leonard as our trainers for this particular camp. Well, when we reached the camp, it was quite muddy due to the rain that had fallen all over Singapore. I learnt that there was another school, which was St Margaret, in the campsite too. After a long welcome briefing by all the trainers, we headed to our respective dormitories. We had to sleep in a large classroom with boys from Class 1-03 and 1-07. Of course, I later learnt that the boys from 1-08 and 1-09 got to sleep on mattresses. I thought that was ridiculous and it could be quite unfair for some people.

After that, we played ice-breaking games like "Identity Hunt" and "Flag Making". This was how we began to adopt our weird but somehow interesting group name-The Laughing Barbarians. It was created for no particular reasons, though. Then, after the activity, we had lunch in the cramped mess hall. It was just fun and games after that. We had done absailing done the rock wall and the "Challenge Valley" before taking on Class 1-02 in the Rafting challenge. Of course, we lost due to the fact that we were not working as a team. I also failed to participate in the absailing as some people were late and lacked a sense of urgency. Fortunately, those who could not try the activity had either did that before or did not want to participate in the first place. Luckily, I had attempted it before when I was in P5. All of us got really damp in the "Challenge Valley" but that was arguably the best ride in the Sarimbun Scout Camp. The water was okay and it washed away some of the mud on my shoes and on me, of course. We also did the activity that involved some swinging car tires. I managed to get across it and I felt really satisfied with my achievement.

It was dinner time after that. I swear, the food at dinner time was the best compared to the meals tomorrow or at lunch time. I gobbled and wolfed down the sumptuous and scrumptious meal. Even though we had a regimented schedule and had only a little time to eat, I managed to finish almost everything on my plate. We had a song session later on before the highly anticipated Night Hike at 10 o'clock. My classmates and I were forced to sing Olympic songs like "One Moment In Time" and "The Power of the Dream", one of which had to be sung on our badge ceremony on next Friday. We also had to sing a strange song known as "Eppo E Tai Tai" with dumb actions. I had no choice but to follow them. I later discovered that the song was originally an insult before the lyrics had been changed.

Then came the Night Hike after 45 minutes of torturing music. Our class had to venture through a forest, possibly a primary one, in the darkness and without our torchlights. We could only trust our trainers and friends in front of us. It was even more muddy than expected and I emerged with a pair of mud-caked shoes and muddy track pants. I tripped halfway through but I escaped unscathed. We continued to follow the narrow and undulating dirt track until we reached the exit from the forest. During the activity, we encountered fallen logs and stuffs like that. Our class, unfortunatly, had to sit on stones and wait for the other classes to complete the hike in the drizzle. In the end, Rio, not to be mistaken with Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, explained to us the reason of this activity. He wanted us to know that in times of difficulty and darkness, there would always be our teachers and parents to guide us through. The only thing was whether we wanted to listen their advice. From this activity, I understood that teamwork was important and the key to it was simply trust. Rio also shared with me something I probably would never forget,"Coming together is a beginning, staying together is a process; working together is a success." I bet this would prove to be essential when I enter the big, bad society in the future. I reckoned that I would share with my siblings and other friends when I had returned back to my comfortable dwelling.

Everyone was given a shower and supper after that. However, there was no water in the water tank in the toilets we were supposed to use soon. Some people were covered in shampoo or soap when they realised the bad and unbelievable news. They were whining and crying like babies in the cubicles, stirring amusement and laughter from others. Well, it looked like as if this would haunt them in their nightmares in the rest of their lives. Indeed, I sympathised those SST students. There was also no water coming from the taps too. Sigh...I could not wash my face due to this. We had our lights off at 12 midnight after I had packed everything in my haversack. Well, it would be a long day tomorrow... ...

The next day, we had to go for our breakfast at 7 o'clock. Since I had woke up early, I had more than sufficient time to prepare everything. The breakfast was horrendous, with a tasteless sausage and some dry bee hoon. Soon, it was "Area Cleaning" time. We did our chores quickly and proceeded to our next activity-the CRC, otherwise known as the Challenge Ropes Course. There were high elements like Catwalk, Broken Bridge, Leap of Faith, etc. I participated in an activity whereby I had to climb three storeys high before walking on a rickety wooden plank. I could only hold the strings dangling from above for support. As I had a fear for heights, I tried not to look down at my friends. In the end, I finished everything and I felt pleased about this prodigious achievement.

After that, it was Team Building time. We had to complete three games as a group. Despite failing to complete the last game successfully, our bonds had already got tremendously better and we were giving everything we had. We had also developed a sense of camaraderie too. We could communicate better then and could be considered as the best team in our cohort. Soon, it was lunch time at Sarimbun Scouts camp. It was lousy but we had to eat it due to our growing hunger. Subsequently, we had the last activity involving water bombs at this campsite-the Telematch. All nine SST classes had to battle it out for the first place. Our team started quite well and we did our very best. In the end, we appeared victorious and got first place. Of course, we celebrated happily but hoped to keep up our good work. Our class vowed to strive in the future and I would be looking forward to it.

We had area cleaning again before a final evaluation and debrief. We were relieved that we did not have to clean the gross toilets with soap. Our task was extremely simple-pick up little on the ground and throw it into the trash bag. We had some time and had our last chat with our trainers before Mr Aurelius Yeo took over and talked to us about things on Monday. Finally, some prizes were given out before the end of the camp. In spite of our failure to receive a prize, we were already fortunate enough to have a class with close relationships. When we departed from the camp, I had mixed emotions-happiness and sadness. I was glad that I could finally return home and that I had learnt a lot of things which could be applied to my journey in SST and possibly, in society. I was elated that I would have tasty and homemade food when I return instead of disgusting and unpalatable food at the camp. However, I was crestfallen to depart Trainer Jay and Trainer Leonard. We were like close buddies in this camp and I would miss them dearly. I wished we could meet them again in our next camp.

Well, my MacBook Pro's battery is running out now. I will blog about my school experience on Monday. I hope there will not be a lot of tasks from the next week onwards. Sigh...it seems that I will have to persevere from now on.