Volunteers' Orientation Camp '09

On 24th September, Camp OutReach (COR) joined Regular Service Project -Hearing Impaired (RSPHI) for their annual Volunteers’ Orientation Camp (VOC ’08). The one-day camp was held at Aloha Loyang. The objectives of the camp were to provide an opportunity for all members from the COR family to bond and to allow interactions between COR and the respectively RSPHI centres: Kallang, Farrago and Clementi.

The day started in the wee hours of the morning when the main and subcommittee members gathered at Pasir Ris MRT Station. After which, we took a shuttle bus down to Aloha Loyang for the start of orientation. As it was raining then, we began the indoor activites with icebreaker games, followed by the learning of cheers.

Fortunately for us, the rain soon stopped and we could then start playing intra-centre games so as to build stronger friendships. The games we played included Blanket Game, Follow Me, Human Entanglement and Puzzle Game. An important lesson learnt from the teambuilding games was that, as a committee made up of many unique individuals, we can strive towards a better goal by compensating for each other shortfalls. Teamwork divides the task and doubles the success. I believe all of us took home with us this important message.

For the inter-centre games, we began by playing less physical games such as Pass the Parcel and obstacle course telematch. This was followed by the physical games of Captains’ Ball and Water Telematch. Last but not least, to end the camp with a bang, Battle of the Day was held, where the four centres were to battle with each other using water bombs to save their tied-up chief group leader.

Following these fun but exhausting games, we were given time to wash up; and then, it was time for dinner. It was a sumptuous buffet dinner as there was a spread of food, ranging from finger food to curry and to a cocktail desert. Meals were also a good time for us to interact with one another. Then, there was a surprise birthday song and cake for the September babies. After which, those who wanted to stay over at the chalet could stay, while the rest who had to leave, left by the 2015 shuttle bus.

All in all, it was a fun and enriching camp, which gave COR the opportunity to interact more with one another and form stronger friendships.