CAMPING TRIP

‘Wake up, c’mon. Wake my dear’ the soft sound of my mom waking me up. ‘You’re going late for camping trip if you do not wake up right now’. I can still remember how my mum used to wake me up when I was younger.  It has been 8 years since then but the memory is still fresh in my mind. When life is perfect there is this feeling of overwhelming smiles. Like I want to scream or yell just because my life is so incredibly perfect. This is what I had felt during my first camping trip in 2007.

It was Friday morning and it was school’s break, I woke up lazily but I needed to pull all spirit and get myself ready for my camping trip and I need to be enthusiastic and excited because it is my first camping trip! After I had my breakfast, my mum and I wait for the van that will be fetching us. After a while, the van came up and my mum helped me to carry me camping bags and equipment. First I felt like I want to cancel my camping trip with the church members but then my mum said I should try to be independent.

The ride is quite bumpy and boring because I was keep thinking about home as it is my first camping trip. When we reached the campsite, I am amazed with the surrounding and the people that welcome us. I wasn’t really excited for this camping trip because the first thing that came across to my mind was unappetizing vegetarian food and early morning stretching when we reach there.  Apart from that, the camping activities on the agenda were rather not appealing to me – well except for a few activities. In addition, I thought we were going to sleep in some small tents. However, all my perceptions became a false statement because after the first day of camp, I had totally fallen in love with the whole experience and the compassion from the people around.

The moment that I still remember and love the most is when we get the chance to socialize with the community and I had learned new things. I really can’t judge anything before I really try it and we had also learned how to make some handicrafts which is the main source of living to the community. When I was doing handicrafts, I was actually having fun. It really reminded me when I was a little kid and the carefree things we did and we enjoy what we have.  Then as for the team activities, I couldn’t ask for a better team and better competition. The best part was that it really didn't matter who won the game or who got the ball the most or who was the best. All that mattered was that everyone got to play and had a blast.

Some of the campers that I’ve known during the ice breaking session shared some of their experience during the activities and they were like "Look at my friendship bracelet." "Look at this awesome dance move." "Wanna hear this joke?" I was so thrilled that they had so much fun and how excited they were when they told me their stories. I really look up to the passion and spirit of the people here, be it young or old.  There is a unity among us and I can say that we were close like brothers and sisters. Just seeing all the similes and laughs this entire time, this made me never want to leave this moment.

Camping is one of the best things that happen to me where I get the chance to socialize with the community and I had managed to be independent when I’m away from home. I was truly blessed with the people that I had met at the camp. This whole experience also make be more confident and increasing my personal awareness among the community around us. On that night, after the activity ended, I hugged every single person in that room. I had no idea who tapped me, but I knew that I truly loved every person in that room. Whenever I feel lonely and worthless, the memories will forever turn my emotionless pout into that same goofy grin.

Prepared by: Andrea Umang