Boys' Brigade Awards Camp

This is the awards camp 2 report. There are total 4 days and 3 nights of ‘nightmare’ we actually went through in this camp.

DAY 1
On the first day, everyone reached YMCA at around 8.00a.m. There were many 3rd KL and also 1st PJ Company’s boys. After a while, we heard the bugle call and we fall in. we were decided into 7 team for this Awards Camp. Then, we began our exciting journey to the PDS camp.

Everyone still looks very exciting........   

            At around 10.40a.m., we reached our destination. we listened to many briefing and awards introducing. Then, we played two games to understand each other better. Everything was okay, nothing special. After our lunch, the camp instructors brought us to a place called ‘survival village’ for us to learn how to cook rice with a bamboo and also a bottle. Besides, we also learned about a few traps’ names and functions of it.

            Later on, we pitched our tents and it was continued with the ‘survival activities’ where we need to stay in the forest and cook our food. Well, this was the part where everyone suffers. Why? It was because it rains. Many funny things happened. Some groups used their sleeping bags as their umbrellas and some of them sang to pass their time. Soon, the camp instructors brought us back to our campsite at 11.00p.m. as we were unable to sleep well.

            At around 12a.m. the last post was blown and that is the time for lights out.

That was all the main things happened in the first day.

 

DAY 2
Today, we woke up and do morning exercises. After we took our breakfast, we went for the morning devotion. It was led by Mr. Tan. After that, it was the time we jumped into the sea. What??? Jump into the sea.... No la, it was the kayaking activity only. I think everyone enjoyed this activity as it was really fun. We were informed that the next day, we will have our kayaking test and today was just a practice.

            After a tiring activity, we ate a Malay style Chicken Rice. It was really mouth watering. I enjoyed it very much. Then, our Mr. Kan, the tall guy taught us how to tie knot. It was fun. Just right after that, it was the compass marching. Basically, it was only a test on how we use a compass. We went all along in the jungle. It was indeed a tough activity but it brought up our fire for this camp.

            After taking our dinner, we went to the seminar room for the fellowship night done by all the NCOs in the camp. Later, we took our oral test. It was a test about your camper’s knowledge. Everything ran well.

            After the vesper, it signified the end of the second day of our camp.

 

DAY 3           
Today’s morning exercises were supervised by Mr. Kan. The purpose for the exercises were to warm our body up for the kayaking test afterwards. After breakfast, it was the time where we showed our kayaking skills.

It was different from the day before this. The ‘ombak’ today was indeed stronger than yesterday’s. I was paired with Danny So. After we both got into the kayak, half of the kayak already filled with water. I was really scared but I still need to continue the activity. Hahahahaha....... It was really FUNNY!!!!! After all the obstacles we went through, we finally reached the ending point. All of us passed the test.

            After that, we had to cook our lunch by ourselves. Everyone had no other choices but to eat the ‘maggi mee’. Yummy, actually maggi taste better than rice. Hehehehe. After that, we went for the abseiling. Not to say hard but after all we are not professional enough. Only a few of us did the abseiling successfully.

            It was then followed by the expedition walk + nature awareness walk. We walked around the place and reached back our base by 7.30p.m. Just right after we came back, we took our dinner.

            Later on, we had our theory test. I think it was not that hard but just some part I could not remember well. This was really tiring. After the test, we had to sit for another test. It was the fire test. In order to pass, we need to build a fire. It was really doom. One of the light bulbs in our camp broke and our whole camp did not have any lights. This was because the light bulbs were connected in a series circuit. Besides, my torch light could not function all of sudden that time. So, I failed my test. Sob...it broke my heart man.....

            Then it was time for lights out.

 

DAY 4
Actually, we planned to build our camp crafts early in the morning but trials came once again. It rained heavily. So, we had no choice but to continue our sleep.

            Until 7.00a.m., finally the rain stopped and we quickly used the chance to build our camp crafts. Later on, we went for an inspection by the PJ Company’s officers. After that, everyone packed their things up and went for the closing. Mr. Tan set a time for all of us to reach the seminar room. One minute late will drop for 10 pumps. Unfortunately, L/Cpl Sean Au and I couldn’t reach there on time because of the rubbish and some lost and found left by the other campers. So, we reached there late.
Mr. Tan dropped us for 50 pumps only. Actually, we need to do around 240 pumps but when we did until 50 pumps, Mr. Tan shouted ‘UP’. Then, he taught us two VALUABLE LESSONS:

Later was the awards giving session. Our company won 3 of the trophies. Congratulation for our L/Cpl Sean Au who won 2 trophies and Pte Justin Tan who won the ‘most brave camper award’.

After that was the photo session and the awards camp 2 had came to a full stop.

By,
L/Cpl Ng Charn Chuen of 3rd KL Boys' Brigade