Blk D Annual Camp 2009

Heyy all.....

Hope all of u are having a good time holiday-ing... I know i am... Haha....

Anyways.. I wanna talk about the camp... Well done everyone!! =) You all did a great job... Thanks to all those involved for attending the camp and making it a success... It wldnt have been what it was without ur support and enthusiasm throughout the camp... Once again, job well done!! =)

Thanks to Alvis, Adillia and Maryam for helping out as well.. Hope it was a great experience for u guys.. Also... Thanks to Chinhan for always giving ur support... Thanks also to Peggy, Huiwen and Huikoon for coming.. =) Sorry didnt really entertain u guys.. =x

Personally, i had fun throughout the whole 3D2N... Conducting the games.. Interacting with the boys.. And not forgetting bonding sessions among us fellow volunteers.. Not only that.. It was an eye-opener and gave me many valuable lessons... I find it enriching and it benefitted me a lot.. I hope the same goes for all those involved in the camp.. Will be looking forward to future camps and i hope more will take part next time.. Hee.. =)

Below are short writeups by sum of those involved in the camp... =)


It wasn’t an easy 2 days doing activities for the Boys’ home camp! It was a challenging yet rewarding one. Ranging from folding the map game to mummy’s water bomb, it was played with much enthusiasm and competitiveness from the boys. Through the games, we were able to interact with the boys though at times they were very competitive and do everything to be the best! The camp began with ice breaker games where they were actually quite sporting to play those indoor games. Being boys going through their teenage days, they were energetic and would love to run around and play ball games! 2 days of fun ended with mummy water bomb where the boys put all their efforts to go against the volunteers and attack with all their might! It was a fun 2 days where both the volunteers and the boys had loads of fun, not to mention the volunteers had various bonding session in the bunks! I believe I got to know the rest of the volunteers more and better, making good friends along the way! It was not a wasted effort in preparing for the games!
-Zaidi (aka RAFFLES BOY!!)


The block D camp turns out to be more smooth than expected. Although it rain for the first and second day, most of the activities were carried out quite smoothly. Before the camp, most of us are still worrying that the boys may not be participative and not enjoying the games that we organise but it turns out well. Most of them enjoyed it very much and through some of the games can tell that they have built quite a strong friendship and bonds from the days in the home in their own clicks. Being a group leader turns out to be easier than expected. Initially find that it is really a bit hard to get to the same frequency with them as cannot really find a lot of common topics to talk about but after the camp, really think that by organising events such as camps can really bond the volunteers and the boys together. Since during the games the whole team actually got together, think and work with one another to complete the tasks. Day one of the camp ended with a night walk that the staffs organise. Day two of the camp seems to entice the boys more maybe due to the fact that they prefer more physical activities. Games such as fragile captains ball, mummy water bomb, soapy Tug-of-War and the slightly different soccer match conducted in the canteen were more popular and participative among them. Day two of the camp ended with a buffet BBQ that was setup by the boys and the performance by the team. Although I did not participate in the performance put up by the team, by sitting below the stage and watching them putting up the skit all by themselves make me feel proud of being their team leader. Had a small bonding sessions after the performance as the teams shared the prizes they won. Really get to know some of them quite well as some actually came to me and ask about stuff like how to get into university, and national service while few even mentioned how they end up in the home and their future plans. Overall it was a very meaningful event that I have attended and I think such events should have been carried out more frequently as this allows us to get to know the boys more.
-Zhengxin


All I wanted to say is that I have totally enjoyed this camp and it has helped not only the boys to strengthen their relationships with each other, but also brought across volunteers from different youth blocks together as one and made the camp such a success. Some of the boys at the camp were from Block E, and they were transferred to Block D due to their good behavior and recommendations from their officers and social workers. It was great to see them once again after so long, and I hope that the next time I see them, it will be outside (full discharged) and not inside the Home.
-Alvis (Blk E)


We live in 2 different worlds." It was a huge reality check for me when i heard that statement from one of the boys. Or probably it's just that I have been trying to ignore this "fact". Bonding with the boys has made me realise the importance of having an education, good peer influence and a bonded family tops the list. I feel that it is important for us to try our best in changing that perception of theirs; us and them leading very different lives and it is almost impossible for them to "cross-over". We need to show them that there are people out there who GENUINELY cares for them. This is because they kept questioning why the volunteers would want to "waste" 3 days being in the camp with them and whether we got anything out of it. But when they saw that we were truly sincere in being there at the camp, it was nice to see them opening up and sharing their life experiences without any hesitation. We need to earn their TRUST. What they need most now is for us to be their listening ears and for us to motivate them and not give up on them. I always believe that people can change and if these boys are willing to change for the better, we should give them the support that they need! I am really happy that I went for this camp and i urge more youths out there to take up this opportunity if it ever comes your way! You'll not only be helping society but it is also good for the soul! (:
-Adillia (Girls Home)


I think of the many camps that I've been to, this has been one of the most eye-opening ones. For me, this camp did not just benefit the boys from the home, it benefited us as volunteers and me, personally, as an individual too. On the whole though, I feel more effort needed to be made to reach out to the boys on a level that went beyond just playing games and sharing jokes. Many of these boys had stories that were waiting to be told, and both groups, the volunteers and the boys, were only just learning about how different, yet similar we were, by the time the camp drew to a close. On a side note, perhaps more Malay volunteers should be included in future camps, as I feel language was a major factor in being able to reach out to the boys. Having said so, I think we had a great time bonding with the boys from different races, cultures and backgrounds, and I certainly look forward to being a part of such camps again in the future.
-Maryam (Girls Home)

First Session (22/10/09)

It was our first session with the boys at Block D and I was filled with trepidation because it was the first time I will be doing voluntary work at a boy's home and I could not wait to know how the boys are like and what games will be in store for us. We were brought into their classroom and waited for the boys to come. I could not really remember most of the volunteers' names as it was just my second time meeting them so we minger around and introduced ourselves (again, haha)

The boys came in shortly. I could tell that some were going to be loud while there were some who were rather shy and withdrawn. We then introduced ourselves to get ourselves warmed up. It was pretty interesting and funny to hear the "imaginative" names that they have given each other like "Roti","Noti", etc. Hahah..

We started the games by playing Whacko ( in a more innovative way ), and it was definitely effective because after the round of introductory, my poor memory was still unable to note down every single boy's name. And the Whacko game helped me remember their names better. It was great to see everyone enjoying themselves too.. I laughed alot the whole time during the game as it was really funny to see everyone's reaction when they want to say a name out but just could not remember.

Then, we played this game called " Guess who's not there " ( Okay, i named the game myself ). Someone will have to sit on a chair back facing everyone and one person will leave the room, that someone will then have to guess who's not there. I enjoyed myself thoroughly during this game too. I got to see the cheeky side and the funny antics that the boys' displayed during the game when trying to take a peek at everyone.

We then finished off the games and said our goodbyes..

I was super glad that the boys enjoyed themselves and was able to get to know everyone of them a little better, including the volunteers. I would definitely say that the boys were responsive to the games and us and this made me more excited to my next session with them! I had truckloads of fun and laughter during my first session cum supper amongst us volunteers. :)

-Julia :)