Blk D session ~

Today was the first session in the new school term, many of our volunteers were present, hooray! Unfortunately, not many boys attended the session, hopefully next week there'll be lots more :)

After separating into the the two sides (tuition or games), we divided ourselves into three groups for the game. Today's was 'The Price is Right', whereby the groups will be shown a series of pictures of real items and had to guess the actual price. Points were given to groups which had the closest value (the number also had to be smaller than the real price).

Sounds simple, doesn't it... but who knew (lithium) batteries actually cost $8.88?! And that New Moon Abalone Yu Sheng was a whopping $45!

The game proceeded smoothly while our volunteers cracked their heads and tried to outdo one another by throwing in a value $0.01 higher. In the end, Group 3 triumphed by earning a grand total of 15 out of 28 points! (They really do know their shopping haha)

The last group, Group 1, had to do a forfeit but again, there was no time. Next week perhaps?

After that, most of us went for supper and the upcoming gathering will be our CNY reunion dinner, join in the festivities and fun over pizza (?!) and yu sheng ~

Last but not least, Happy Chinese New Year people! :D

[xinmu]

Session 20/1/2011

Today was the last session of the holidays. A few volunteers met up for dinner at jurong point while the rest of us met up at the home at 1930. The total number of people who turned up was 18. Hopefully, we can keep up this attendance rate when term starts.

As usual, we splitted up the activities. Tuition on one side and games on the other. As school just started, not many of the boys wanted tuition, so most of the volunteers played games.

Today’s game was inspired by an old game Zhengxin dug up from the archives of this blog. Basically, you had to answer some questions for points. However, the catch was that the letters were written in code, each letter was written as the alphabet preceding it. Thus, the question “who is the president of Singapore” becomes “xip jt uif qsftjefou pg tjohbqpsf”. To make the game harder, each team was given only 30 seconds to decode and answer the question.

Surprisingly, some of the boys were quite adept at figuring out the letters. Within the 30 seconds allocated, most of the boys already knew the answer, prompting Zhengxin to increase the difficulty of the game by allocating only 20 seconds. In the end, my team, Sweeping (named after our dear Siew Ping) came in last but there was no time to do a forfeit as it was already nine o’clock and the staff at the home had to come and ask us to leave.

Then was supper time but sadly, most people just seemed to disappear………………. Leaving only 7 of us………………….

Woeijin

bLk 'D' cAmP

Attending the Block D Camp was probably the most meaningful way to end off 2010!! Honestly, I was a little insecure at first, not knowing what kinda behavior to expect from them, whether we’ll be able to get along etc etc. After all, it was a whole bunch of energetic boys im gonna be dealing with, and being a GL the responsibility falls on me to lead the group. My boys in Bolt were really diverse characters with different temperaments and talents. They really like to wander and disappear ALOT, so im like a mother hen trying to find my little chicks all the time LOL. It was a little awkward at first, slowly learning how to communicate with them through observation and interaction. It's much easier to get them to open up when speaking one-to-one and I was consoled and sincerely happy when through the conversations I see their repentance and willingness to work hard and make amends. Honestly, the boys are really adorable; they like to act tough and pretend they don't give a damn, but deep down I see their sincerity. So touched when Don brought us a plate of chicken wings n cuttlefish balls during performance practice! It’s these small kind acts that show that these boys may appear aloof but actually care for us too. I felt so proud of them when we performed The Reason and You Belong With Me together, though they were so shy (unlike during the practice; stage fright perhaps). When things have to be done they do cooperate to get it done, and I’m so glad I had a group who loved to win so much. For every single game they told me we gonna win it. Love the fighting spirit!! =D

It was a hectic and tiring camp; the games were meant to tire them out, but we got exhausted instead! They guys are really sporty and fit! NTU guys lost by a landslide during tug-o-war with them! Disgrace! LOL. I had a really fun time playing the games with the boys; hadn’t indulged in such fun sports since orientation camps! Soccer, captain's ball, volleyball, frisbee plus the circuit games and dirty games and wet games. Never-ending action all day long!! The boys really enjoyed playing (and winning) and it was through the games that they really exhibited team spirit and support. They kept their spirits high even if we lost, always determined to win the next game. A couple of my boys seemed tired out with the non-stop activities but they recharged real fast and participated enthusiastically J

The camp changed my views about the boys at the home; previously there wasn't much interaction, but through the camp I got to know their personalities and tempers better. Learnt how to banter with them, and the ways to coax and persuade them. The guys are indeed very rowdy, but you can tell that behind their facades they lack self confidence, being really shy to display their talents. It isn't that they are bad or rebellious; a lot of them were unlucky to meet the wrong crowd and made bad decisions. Some of them committed crimes out of impulse; some have tempers that need greater control. I’m heartened to see a lot of them wanting to study to at least achieve their N Levels, and that many of them want to pursue their education further. I wish the society could see that these boys aren't hopeless; they just need guidance and time to grow up. Humans are susceptible to biases, and I once stereotyped them too, though now I’m thankful for the chance to change my perceptions. Some of the boys are leaving the home soon, and I share their joy in that. Really hope that they'll stay on the right path and have a bright future ahead!

~Xiangyi~

D camp 'ROCKs'

I will keep the blog short since majority of the events during the camp had already been mentioned. Although the camp had ended 1 week ago, everything that had happened during the camp is still fresh in my mind...

ARMSTRONG (ROCK):
All the youths in ARMSTRONG have did a great job throughout the camp starting from day1… They are always willing to share their ideas and creativity to design the flag, mascot, cheer and even the dance (they have done Armstrong proud). During the games, they are always working hard as a team and aiming high (to be the champion). Each individual youth is able to contribute in one way or another despite the difference in age, size and height… One thing that I am glad to see is that they are always willing to let each individual member to participate or contribute to each game despite in the difference in ability for each game. Their never say die attitude is the reason for their good performance during the camp.

Overall:
Overall I think the camp is a success since the camp is carryout quite smoothly (although there may be some unforeseen circumstances occurring…). However, I did not manage to have a lot of interaction with other youths other than my team, ARMSTRONG (they ROCK). Maybe next time can swap group or have sister group system (just random suggestion). As for the prize, I think it is better to just announce the top 3 while just stating consolation prizes for the rest as compared to announcing their position (so as to keep their morale high for the next day). The games planned were quite fun and I believed most of them enjoy it too (especially my ARMSTRONG). Special thanks to all the games IC and logistic IC. Lastly, I would like to take this chance to thank BLK D centre head, Zheng Xin for allowing me to join the camp, all the game IC and logistic IC for their efforts during the camp (I believe the youths appreciate your effort too). And not forgetting my ARMSTRONG GLs (SW, Adillia, HX, ZJ), without you all I will not have so much fun in the camp with ARMSTRONG :) . 3 cheers for BLK D… and enjoy your remaining holiday :)

Kimleng

Nite Cycling!

A nite filled with tiredness and gossip. Nite cycling was initiated by zhenjie and meixiu. Didnt get too many ppl out...maybe bcos we knew most of them could not overnight or its inconvenient for too many ppl to cycle in a grp. We traveled from bukit timah to newton food centre, after which we went separate ways home. Most of the time is spent gossiping about youth at newton's food centre...not going to share!

Zhenjie and zhengxin was looking around to buy food, and they bought their carrot cakes from the same stall, one white and one black. Im sure its due to the Good Food recommendations which attracted them. Our block head running out of luck! Firstly the front wheel punctured, then the rubber tube came out until it could not even turn! Time to do some good deeds!

Msg from block head: Keep the camp reflections coming! Its heartening to see all your views on the camp in different perspective. Do include some feedback on improving it for next yr as well! Hope that u all will enjoy 2011 with Blk D!

D' camp two o one o :)

D' camp was my first camp since 3 and a half years ago. Thank you all, for reversing my impression of camps, all the volunteers and boys.

Since I was one of the game ICs, I shall talk about games.
Day 1: Circuit games/ Captain's ball. From the flour game, I know we will die from determining the winners. They were too good at all kinds of games. But despite their competitiveness, many still wanted to play fair. And despite their rowdiness among themselves, many were still gentle and nice.

Day 2: Mod. Table Soccer/ Scissors Paper Stone. Table soccer was certainly a test of their patience. Even I got irritated by the sight of them having to hold the poles lol. I think if we allowed them to break it, they would definitely break it. The GLs were very supportive of their groups and made up for the insufficient numbers. I think that meant a lot to them. The kind nature of some boys were revealed more and more through the games, especially the dirty games. I don't know how to play the scissors paper stone game and thank you Zhiyu for helping me and we at least managed to finish it. It was super difficult to gather the boys when they saw the flour and brown liquid on the canvas so it was really phew when one of the boys from Phelps actually volunteered to be first and even gathered the rest of the group. Armstrong was also very spontaneous. Thanks to their spontaneity, the game was easier to conduct and I laughed like mad at the way they flipped instead of just rolling. Kudos to the GLs in this game as well you were faster than the boys in lying down :)

I think the performance on the second night was the highlight of the camp. Cute, fun, dorky, humourous, daring and undeniably talented. I thought the performance part would turn out haywired judging from their heck care attitudes but hahaha apparently I was very wrong.

I think my only regret was not being a GL because being a GL would be a legitimate reason to sit with your group and more time for interaction, compared to the position of a game IC. I did not dare to find the group for fear of them thinking I am coming in and out and would be irritated. Hence the only time I spoke to them was during the barbeque and some of the boys asked why I was not one and I didn't know what to say. Nonetheless, thank you Armstrong boys for acknowledging me in your thank you note and Soh Woon for always leaving a seat. It was so very heartening as well to hear them asking about you and whether we would be coming for sessions. So hope to see all of you boys soon :) As for the volunteers, sorry I still do not know some of you but I believe more chances are coming the way. Those whom I got to know, you are all nice people hee hee.

Thank you D' Camp for wrapping up my 2010 so meaningfully. Happy New Year everyone let's embrace 2011! :>>

most fun camp of 2010

2010 Blk D camp rocks! That’s how I feel honestly about this camp entirely. It was a success in my opinion, thanks to everyone (volunteers and boys)! Memories still in my mind...

I was at first hesitant to being the GL because I doubted my ability to hype them up especially since I dunno them well with only one interactive session with them. And that was one month ago! Did not expect them to rmb us.. but now I’m really glad that I was one of the GLs and had the opportunity to interact so much with the boys…

Day 1: Getting to know each other

The icebreaker games prove to be a challenge to the younger boys especially with the game concentration and give me tempo ready go. It was funny to see how cute they are when they got it wrong and would rub their heads. During the flag identity creation time, I saw a lot of team efforts among the boys. I also noticed talent among them with some especially good in drawing and designing; one of them is even going ITE taking up digital animation. Cool! Heartening to know that he has interest and talent in that field..

At night, cheer fight. Even though the boys thought 'singing' "Konichiwa, konichiwa..." is too cutesy for them, they still did it! And also, I saw that one of them is especially good in public speaking, even during impromptu situations. Proud of them to won second for the cheer fight with their efforts put in!

Before the night ended, we were told that we were given the "Cartoon" theme for their performance the next night and this had all of us stumped....

Day 2: Dirty games time!

The boys played with extreme enthusiasm during the 'Scissors Paper Stone' game. They totally do not mind rolling in the mud just to win. Really alot of 敢玩 and 玩到底 spirit. Haha. I finally joined the boys during the soapy tug of war game. This had not proved to be anything tough for the boys despite their small size compared to other groups. Although they were not highly seen to be the winner for the tug of war, they had ultimately beat other groups with their determination to win fair and square. Totally proud of them! It was really the most fun tug of war I had ever played. The feeling was indeed indescribable at that moment...

During the day, all of us were helpless without adillia since all of us couldnt dance. Lucky Armstrong, adillia turned up and saved the entire group with her choreography of easy dance steps for everyone. In the end, I was sure everyone enjoyed performing during the time for performance. The group won first and they were really ecstatic. My applause for them couldnt be louder than ever.

It was a pity that I did not interact that much with the boys during the barbeque session..would have love to take the chance to know more about them. But, I still managed to get to know some of the boys' future plans...overall I'm really glad that some of them already know what they want to do. Only hope is that they would really work hard towards their goals...

Day 3: Farewell....

Before we left, all of us made cards for the boys, penning our thoughts and wishes to each and every one of them. I hope that they would follow the advice given and do well in the future. Can't wait for session soon, because I cant wait to help them materialize their goals and hope to play a part in shaping their future. I hope everyone really enjoyed themselves during the short period of time, because I had immensely did :)

- Soh Woon

D'CAMP IS LOVE- More than words

I dont really blog, but D camp is really worth blogging about =)

Having been to so many camps, D camp was probably one of the best and it was really a different experience. Initially, i was like worrying about them not being enthu or they would just heckcare us but i was wrong! =X

maybe for a start, they dont really crap much. but by mascot design time, their crappiness and cuteness start showing already. i remember how they insist that they cant draw/ draw not nice/ art fail. but when they try, it's really not as bad as what they say! some can even draw really well!

gradually, the boys start to open up and i get to know more about them. one boy also mentioned that he resign his work that day so that he can come to the camp! XD

My group Phelps isn't that good at sports as compared to other teams, so i think we lost like most of the matches. but what was commendable was that all of them tried their very best with the motto "输不要紧,最重要是输得起" quoting from one of the boys. basically, it means that it's okay to lose, but most importantly, we should not be sore losers. a simple idea of sportsmanship that not everyone can exhibit. but here, I see it resonating in all our boys ^^

and like what siewping mentioned, many of the boys have their own dreams and goals in life. im really glad to hear all that from them.

personally, i feel that the highlight of the camp for my group was really the performance.

the boys didnt want para para so they decided to freestyle their way.

jumpstyle, gliding,tectonic. they tried teaching us but to no avail.

so they decided that we do something that everyone can participate.

eight beats of easy para before the boys have the stage to themselves.

seeing them showcasing all their talents during practice time really show how much they love dancing and they can dance really well! XD

the night of the performance, the boys kinda freaked out like totally!

BUT, they still gave their all dancing to the music in front of all their friends! ^^

I can see that most of them enjoyed the camp, like i did.

And as much as they dont want to admit, the boys are all caring people deep in their heart.

just two days but i believe that many of the boys and the volunteers have bonded much. the camp wont be a success if not for all the volunteers and boys.

and thank you king and siew ping for leading the group together!

"to err is human. whatever the reason, the mistake is made in the past. the most important thing is to learn from mistakes"

i told one of the boys this, and he told me hes glad i understand that.

i guess at the end of the day, all they want is our acceptance and not judge them with tinted glasses. every little acts of sincerity and kindness, they'll rmb it.

AWESOME CAMP

I would say that the camp is successful because most of the boys are cooperative and that our plans were not really affected by the bad weather! This camp is like a stepping stone for all the new volunteers to know more about the boys before our sessions for the year officially start!

After hearing some of the boys who shared their opinions about studies and life, it's really heart-warming. It shows that some of them are really determined to change for the better and throughout the games i can see team spirits in them which is a good sign as well (: Despite the fact that some of them tend to disappear at times but eventually they will be back to the group when we need them!

Overall, i really enjoyed the camp because of the games, team leaders and the boys from Jordan! Although we got the 6th place but i know all of us tried our best! So cheers to all the groups and especially JORDAN!!

YATING