SL Camp 2009 - iLead Camp

I nearly did not make it for the camp.

I did not receive any notification nor reminders and I was asking myself - 'Nak buat bodoh, atau nak buat pandai?' (To plead ignorance or take the initiative?)

Commonsense overtook me and there I was, smsing to Yanis, confirmed, and there was I, reaching school at after 8.00 a.m. that beautiful Monday, 15th and being hurriedly onto the bus for Sembawang's High Elements.

And what a camp it was!!! :)

My main aim was to help my sisters, Yanis and Faezah and alhamdulillah, not only was I able to help (for the Lifeskills Coaching, I was the only teacher around, the rest were at Sembawang) I felt I learnt a little more about them...bonded a little more with them too :) I really do miss you gals...

Also, I wanted to play the role of the Observer, so there I was, notebook in hand, and busily jotting down notes about what I saw and felt...

Here goes...

1. Sembawang High Elements

Those I thought were timid, turned out to be brave, and those I thought were brave, turned out to be braver, for they conquered their fear and came up on top, literally, of things.

Nabmo is an outstanding example. A confident, bubbly girl, I never knew she had this thing about heights and wow! Only Allah knows how she conquered those jitters and completed the Jacob's Ladder, which I was told, was the most difficult of the stations there. In fact, two of our primary girls fell through the rungs and had abrasions on their hands. At one point, Nabmo was counting the rungs she had to step on in order to complete the course!

And the Thinker! :) I don't think he quite heard all the encouragements he was getting from below, so focused was he, and so determined to complete the course! At one point, I just wanted to shout to him 'Don't think! Just do it!' Arif, arif...

We all heard Maryam's 'victory' scream...

Harith completed his station in good time..looked pretty confident from down here..

Fathullah, frail-looking that he was, actually was all-hands when it came to relaying the rope and he almost looked like running as he completed the log-like station - Amazing, truly! I remember thinking he must have done this many times before.

Zubair was surely the surprise of the day for me. The nondescript, laidback Exco member surprised me with his gunghoism and he was the first student to go up the Champions Pole after Mr Izzad! Imagine!

Abu, for all his 'giler-ness' (hei, I did not say he was, that was what his friends called him...!), actually looked pretty nervous before he climbed up the Champion's Pole. I was actually worried for him, what with Shah shouting dares at him - challenging him to do pull-ups all the way up there. And yes, he did all fives of those pull-ups! :)

And Sis Faezah! Wow! She really conquered that fear to let go at the end of the course and just, well, let go! Salute to you sis, SALUTE!

Me?? Managed to skip the temptation and encouragement from the kids and did not do the elements. Why? Because the sky is high... ha!ha! I AM afraid of heights...

2. Lifeskills Coaching

I like the 'storm' session best. Noisy, bingit, but best to the max! I must say the Aljunied's Student Counselors were confident, know their stuff well and managed to prod the very shy Irsyadians to participate and open up a little. I identified two who had outstanding leadership qualities, not knowing that these two were actually the Head Student Counselor and Vice Student Counselor. May we have more future collaborations with them...

3. Campfire, turned candlelight, turned Spotlight session

Kudos to the Exco for making this happen. They managed to invite ex-SLs and from the feedback sessions, you can sense that the kids have learnt a lot from the sharing.

Other Observations:

1. I like the 'Twister'- like game during Amazing Race - funnn!!!
2. I heard different versions of the Night Walk, and since I did not go, I guess I'll have to abstain from any opinions here... :) Just an observation though - I came back on the second day of the camp at about before 8.00 a.m., expecting activity at MPR, but it was so deathly quiet...I was wondering where everybody went when Zaimah pointed out to the Canteen benches and then I saw...-hic- people still sleeping...i hope they don't fall off those benches...
3. I like the acting-presentation for the Problem-solving session. Our SLs are a talented lot, no doubt...
4. Zulzuwaid was the silent leader - very in control, but very democratic in his leadership style. :)
5. Hidayat could hold the audience attention...Good.
6. Now I know why Farid would not smile, he did not want to break any hearts, for when he did, the smile really lit up his face! Break more hearts,Farid! :)
7. Most hardworking: Hafizz
8. Dhania, Hijannah, Hurun, Syairah - Tis okay, you'll be more confident in the next event, insyaAllah -
9. Forget about that technical glitch - To the present SL Exco - you people have the makings of a GREAT TEAM! Work on!

Had to leave the photography session because of something back home. I was pretty much worked up that time...very.

All in all, I appreciate all the ground work and recky and thought that has gone into, during and after the camp. Syukran for making it all happened! It was surely an unforgettable experience!