| Friday, February 29, 2008 |
| Overseas Camp - J'08 |
The overseas camp was led by Mdm Mas and accompanied by Mdm Lyn with girls from CHIJ Katong Convent, Geylang Methodist, NUS High and Zhenghua Secondary School. We had been meeting up for at least 3 months to prepare for the cultural exchanges. It was a 7-hour flight from Singapore to Sydney. Then, we had a 2-hour transit at Sydney before the 3-hour flight to Christchurch.
Upon arrival in Christchurch, we were escorted to the Cracroft Guide House where we guides were to stay. There, we met our counterparts from Malaysia, Wales and Northern Ireland. The food they served was in huge portions that even I a big-eater was eating with difficulty while thinking of chicken rice. That very night, we had a mini campfire where we were formally introduced and we all sang songs. The Singapore contingent had its fair share when we sang the song, ‘Singapore town’. The crowd loved it! On noon the next day, we departed from Cracroft for Canterbury Agriculture Park – The J’08 site.
We arrived at the agricultural park in no time and with much excitement. There, GiGi [who is she] greeted us with embrace. After taking pictures with GiGi, we were directed to the international tent to settle our arrival and administrative matters. There, we received our didi bags (meal bags), a foam mat, a lunch box and an extra thick sleeping bag. After which, we were told of our groups. I was assigned to Unit 12 in “lles” (meaning pink) along with the NUS High girls. The rest of our Singapore contingent was split up as well. There were other international campers from Australia and Fiji as well.
When we proceeded to our campsite, we saw many people pitching their tents too. So, we instinctively helped to pitch as well. After all the main activities were over, the fun activities began. Later that night, we had an introduction to J’08 and were treated to a Maori performance.
The next few days saw us making trips to the International Antarctic Centre, zoo, Hanmer Springs, night club (where non-alcoholic drinks were served) and Christchurch Science Centre (Science Alive!) where we experienced being in a weather simulator of -8°, spa, jet boating, and a vertical slide. There were even days when we had a DJ spin music in camp to work up an ambience for us to dance!
On the last day of the camp, we performed a Malay cultural dance to entertain the locals there. That afternoon, we had a J’08 live concert in which 3 local bands from New Zealand “rocked the house”!
The next day, we left camp for our home hospitality which was hosted by the local New Zelander families. I was grouped with a guide from Geylang Methodist and another from CHIJ Katong Convent. We were taken care of by a granny who has a granddaughter (a fellow camper in J’08) and a grandson. Both are in guiding and scouting respectively. She brought us out shopping and gave us the opportunity to appreciate crafts and knitting at the Christchurch Art Gallery. On the 3rd day of the home hospitality, we had to bid a sad goodbye as it was time to leave New Zealand. Thus began our return journey to Singapore.
This is, what I call, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If I had a chance to go for another Jamboree (which is held once every four years), I would. This overseas camp has taught me to be independent, to acquire leadership skills and, most of all, to make friends with people of different cultures. We were no doubt different, but we have one thing in common – that is, we are all girl guides. This would be a memory that I will never forget. Most importantly, it reveals the great pride I have of being a Singaporean and being able to represent Singapore in a foreign country. It also pleases me to be able to share information of Singapore to others. It was worth everything just to be able to participate in an international Jamboree such as this.
Reflections by:
Samantha Anne Grant
3E1 Labels: Having fun |
| posted by Our Guides Family @ 10:55:00 AM |
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