Year 1 Inbound Adventure Camp

During the last week of Term 1, there was a three-day camp for Year 1s and some Years 2s and 3s who did not go for the overseas trips. The camp was very engaging and fun. We had multiple activities like rock climbing, lightsaber dueling, ice-skating and many more! I had a lot of fun during the three days, bonding and knowing more friends. Ice-skating was my favourite personally and probably many others too! I really enjoyed the fishing experience as this was my first time trying my hand at it.

My friends, Si Rei and Taasha, had been good leaders taking care of Oldham and TCT Houses respectively. They cared for one another, helping each other carry heavy boxes of water bottle.

Overall, I felt that the camp was very cool and gratifying. I hope the next batch of students would enjoy the camp just like we did!

Fong Cho Yi (Chloe), 1 Oldham

Day 1

Nature Walk

The Year 1s started their camp with different activities according to their group. Our group which consisted of 19 SVM and 19 GHK House students went on the nature walk as our first outdoor activity. It was almost a 2km walk from Mount Faber to Hort Park. Through the journey, we passed by the Henderson Waves, the Singing Forest, the Forest Walk and the Alexandra Arch.

The route we walked on was called the Southern Ridges. The walk was very interesting as we got to see many different species of birds, plants and flowers. It was a memorable experience. At Hort Park, two tour guides brought us around. They also showed us different plants, insects and flowers, and told us how they are good for the world and our environment, and which plants are good for different types of environments or surroundings. We even learnt that one of the plants can help reduce pollution. We were glad that we learnt a lot of things and hoped that the others learnt something too.

Rock Climbing

Rock climbing was very, very, VERY fun. The purpose of  thiis activity was to overcome our fear of heights, also known as acrophobia.

Before we started to climb, the people-in-charge demonstrated how to put the rock climbing attire and how to go down properly. We feel the best part was when we all landed: letting go of the rocks or just holding the wire, and cooperating with the people-in-charge to ensure a good and safe landing. We are certain that everyone would love to do it again.

Day 2

Lightsaber Duel

This activity, which was held in the CAGE, required a lot of perseverance and acceptance. We needed to be competitive and to concentrate.

Before we started to play with our friends, our safety was addressed. Then we were taught how to use the lightsabers. It was very fun and exciting, but it was also a bit scary as it’s very painful when one gets hit. After learning how to use the lightsabers, we did a few practice rounds. With the basic knowledge, we started doing different variations of drills. It was very fascinating. Nearer to the end of the session, we got a chance to play or battle with our friends. Some of us did not want to compete due to different reasons, but at the end of the day, we learnt that in this world, we have to or are competing with everybody. Even your best friend.

Fishing

This activity required A LOT of patience, determination, perseverance and acceptance. It took a lot of time to catch some fishes.

Before we started to fish on our own, the professionals helped us to use the fishing set-up properly and taught us how to remember the parts correctly. We watched a demonstration on how to throw the line or, in fishing terms, cast the line well. We were told that we had to use the food the fish like to eat, not what we are  comfortable with… So we used chicken liver!!! The professionals helped us hook it to the sharp hook at the end of the fishing line. It required some time but the results (i.e. the fish being caught) were worth it.

Day 3

The Amazing Race

This activity required teamwork, critical thinking, patience and determination. The purpose of this activity was to solve mysteries. At the Botanical Gardens, we had to look for answers to the questions that we were given as a group or team allocated to us.

Ice-skating

This activity required balance, control, alertness, etc. The purpose of this activity was to learn to balance properly and to be alert. We were put into two groups – one who knew how to ice-skate and one which needed coaching.

The group that did not require coaching was bigger in size and had more people including the public stayed in a bigger area. After some of us had experienced coaching, it was time to welcome the next batch and move to the bigger area. There were quite a lot of accidents like falling down, etc., but it was quite fun. After that, to wrap up, there were gifts for the three winners of the amazing race, and gifts for participating in this camp.

Overall, we had three full days of fun, excitement and abundant learning of the real life, outside of the four walls of the classroom. It was quite engaging and fulfilling to connect with new friends, coaches and the public. We are quite sure that everyone enjoyed this experience thoroughly to the fullest. It was a bit disappointing on the final day that it had to come to an end, but our school would definitely provide us with plenty of such opportunities in the future with more exciting activities.

Special thanks to the organisers, teachers who have accompanied us, coaches of the individual activities and most of all, our fellow students who were full of enthusiasm.

Mohit Kamaraj and Darnesh Ramu, 1 SVM