Camp Rainbow. Still my favourite volunteer experience.
It was a refreshingly new camp experience this time round, being in the youths category and taking care of the two most independent kids in camp. As (self-declared) part-time camp photographers, they rampaged about with giant DSLRs and snapped down some of the most unglam shots of us befrienders (myself included). I imagine they have enough material to run a blackmail syndicate. But anyway, my challenge was in keeping my reins to a bare minimum, looking after their health and safety while letting them loose with everything else.
I loved catching up with old friends and meeting new characters. My ex-kids group are just as fun and energetic as ever, though i wish they could cut down on the relentless poking of me and Luke haha. Belle and RJ grew up to the youth group too. Oh, and Gary was in the same group too, and it was nice getting to know him better. Longtime GLs Smurfette and CK had an opposite leadership style from Ben and Pohlin, which i thought worked well with the youths. And who could forget the bubbly doc n nurse pair, perhaps too bubbly... i couldn't differentiate them from the kids, really. Haha.
The youths were a great bunch of kids, from the more restrained but still funloving Ed & Jas, to my two kids and Ira, Sarah etc. It's interesting to see this mix of characters sleep and play together, and though i wish they'd break into cliques less, i think they were still pretty close together.
I like the rebellious nature of our grp, always being the late one and skipping official programmes. We're truly deserving of our grp name, Black Sheep... well, the blackest of sheep might have the purest of hearts! I like to think we injected some chaotic fun and laughter into the camp, haha. Our mascot was universally adored after all (might post up a pic soon).
I think this year's camp had some interesting programs, such as the visit to the zoo, the ducktour and the photobooth during Carnival night. But somehow it felt messier, logistics and coordination-wise. Afterwards i heard that there were some politics going on, and a divide between the comm and the GLs. This kinda reminds me of the challenges i faced during my time as FOC chair. To me, intuitively i knew everyone had to be on board to change things for the better. That was what i thought was my greatest challenge, forging a team of diverse characters and getting everyone to buy-in on the same vision. Hopefully next year's team can move on as one after some rumored reorganization going on.
Anyway, it was a great camp as usual and kudos to everyone involved for making it happen! Looking forward to upcoming outings and next year's camp alr. Not sure which age group to go for - I might say i enjoy the energy and closer interaction with younger kids, but i relish the autonomy and deeper conversations with youths too.
Either ways, here's to more years of some of the most fun and meaningful times in my life.
No comments:
Post a Comment