15th - 18th June 2006
Everyone met at 7.30am at Lavender MRT on Thursday (15/6/06) where we met our race adventure instructors for our individual groups. We were split into 4 groups each consisting of 15 – 17 people, including 1 group leader and 2 assistant group leaders. We then boarded 2 buses and departed for the Rainforest Adventure Centre. It took about 2 hours to arrive at the centre. There, we learnt to set up our own tentages at the campsite and had our lunch at the canteen. Following lunch, our instructors led us to set our objectives, writing down what we wanted to gain from this camp. After several ice-breaking games as we waited for the rain to stop, we set off in our groups to experience the low elements – Rebirth, Indiana Jones, Abseiling, and Rock Climbing. All these activities were challenging and called for trust and teamwork with your team members. Everyone encouraged and helped each other achieve the best they could. The rafting competition was next, and the all of us were split into 2 big groups to build our own raft and compete against each other in rowing across a small lagoon. This really tested our ability to communicate and work well with each other, and the team spirit of the combined efforts of group C and D showed through as they emerged the winner. But in the end, this experience made the teams more bonded and everyone still enjoyed themselves. Later at night, we took a magical ride through a mangrove river to see millions of fireflies dancing in sync with each other. It was a beautiful and soothing sight.
On day 2, we had a mini expedition up Gunung Panti after morning calisthenics and breakfast. It was a new and tiring experience for some of the HIs, but with the patient help of the volunteers, they managed to make it up and down the 13km trek. Upon reaching the peak, we cooked our own lunch with outdoor cooking utensils. Although the food was peasant’s fare, it was the satisfaction of having cooked it ourselves in the wild after 3 hours of hard climbing that made it memorable. The route down was slippery due to light drizzles and everyone had to support each other, both physically and morally, along the way. Exhausted but happy, all of us tucked in to a steamboat buffet dinner and had a short group appraisal where we wrote down every member’s strengths and passed it to them. That night, we were all glad to have learnt something new about ourselves and also to be able to move out of the tents into our resort rooms for a good night’s sleep.
We left the Rainforest Adventure Centre on the morning of day 3 for relaxation at Kota Tinggi Waterfalls. The water is cool and refreshing to relax in, and many had fun playing in the waterfall. Next, we proceeded to Desaru’s fruit farm, a popular tourist attraction, for a buffet lunch including a delicious spread of tropical fruits such as Jambu, Jack fruit, Dragon fruit, and Chiku. Following a guide around the farm, we were introduced to many varieties of fruit trees and their gestation periods. Later, we checked into our chalets at a Desaru resort and had free time to ourselves. Some played beach games while others gathered to chit-chat. Many new friends have been made and this was a great time to get to know each other better. At 7.00pm, everyone gathered for a sumptuous barbeque closing dinner, ending off with a short speech by all the main committee members as well as a session for the HIs to express their experiences and thoughts on Camp OutReach 2006. It was a very heart-warming session.
Day 4 was the last day of the camp. Some woke up early to catch the magnificent sunrise while others slept on after a night of fun with their friends. We packed up and left for Singapore, leaving behind Kota Tinggi and Desaru, but bringing with us all the wonderful memories these places have given us.
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