Day 1:
The first day of our first overnight camp proved interesting. Some of us unduly worried for what laid ahead of us, some clearly overexcited. The opening of our first Guides camp was simple and something all of us had experienced at least once before: the breaking of colours. Still unaccustomed to the long event, our juniors could be seen rather uncomfortable after standing still for so long. The rest of the day included our group bonding, tent-pitching, indoor cooking, shower and night-walk.
- Group bonding was a chance for most of us to get to know each other for the first time. It was a good start to our camp and most of us were happily exchanging words within our groups and beyond as we did painted our group flags which were a combination of our ideas as a group.
- Tent-pitching was very much the most enjoyable activity my group had concluded. It held the very essence of Guides and was definitely the best experience the Sec 1s had to have their first tent-pitching with fellow guides than brother scouts.
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| Katty AQM & Jiawen CL in action! |
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- Indoor cooking was an activity many guides actually looked forward to. Our only problem was the managing of time:P Nonetheless our fellow guides enjoyed the interesting feel of cooking away from the messy kitchen.
- Shower- quick and easy. Manageable for most people.
- Night walk was very interesting. We asked around and got along with other groups to help us. Ends up, we helped more than got help.. Either way, it doesn't really matter about winning:)
- Sleep, I love tents. Not everyone else did though. Be it the heat, the toad or other factors. Sleeping outdoors is a good experience for all.
Day 2:
Main event of the day, hiking! Unexpected end with a little touch of cheekiness. Lunch, gadget-making, intensive drilling, PT , dinner-indoor cooking, shower and Running Man.
- Hiking was given a good start with an early morning warm up exercise and some good cheers as we waited for our cue to set off. Waiting for our turn, my group being last, gave us a lot of time for us to talk and understand each other better before the solemness was broken by a monkey news flash. The trip along the reservoir was quiet which gave us all a chance to settle within ourselves to reflect upon ourselves and enjoy the serenity of the place. The trip was cut short only by more monkey news and we found ourselves back and cheering in the extra time.
- Gadget-making is yet another important aspect in our guides experience. Knots and gadgets were a sign of our independence from factory produced items. We were having fun laughing over each other getting our fingers tangled into the twine and the juniors ended up being much better than how most of us were in sec 1.
- Intensive drilling and PT are inevitable in guides, not that they are not fun that is with cheering and training.
- Running Man is possibly the funnest activity along with tent pitching. We were hiding and running and holding our laughter so hard we could burst. The tension was enough to keep many of us going for round 2 and 3 and on if not for our sleep.
We were all up earlier, most of us to catch the last hours of our first guides overnight camp ever. Breakfast was good and just two hours later, our tents and all had been taken down and cleared up, as if we had never been there at all. Less than an hour later, we were released after the closing ceremony. 3 days passed so quick.
These 3 days we as guides learnt to improve and brush up our skills and attitude as a girl guider. All for one and one for all. We still have a long way to go before truly being able to embrace the true meaning of being a part of Girl Guides.
-Cheng Sing
