NIGHT CAMP
19th Jume, 2009: Watermelon & Banana Class
For the Kindergarten Class children, the Annual Night Camp signifies a treasured status similar to the famous Mercedes
Benz advertisement – “You’ve Arrived!”. They knew that this is an event only for “Big Children” – Kindergarten and Student Care only, not for the younger children. To them, staying overnight in school without their parents symbolises independence in its highest form! It is an event that is sought after by those who had experienced it in previous years but for the first-timers, it is a worrying yet thrilling experience.
This year’s camp theme is in line with the school’s curriculum theme of Trees, Flowers and Nature. The camp kicked off at 8.30am on 19th June, 2009 (Friday) with breakfast in school followed by Trekking and Nature Walk at Kent Ridge Park with the Nursery and Playgroup children (June excursion). A hearty meal back in school after the long walk is followed by the highlight of the camp – Drama Workshop and Fruits & Vegetable Trail at the Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden, Singapore Botanic Gardens.
The children were split into two groups at the Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden. The Banana Class and the 6-year olds had a 1-hour session with a Drama teacher, learning about conservation of nature, the consequences of pollution and its effect on the animals and our environment. Through discussion, the children dealt deep into the issues of conservation & littering. They were subsequently assigned roles and dramatised their discussion, showing the consequences of littering and the effects of conservation. Through the dramatisation, the children could remember these issues better and hopefully will put into practice what they had learnt.
The other group comprising of the younger children in Watermelon class went on the fruit & vegetable trail. Led by a park guide, they were taught to identify many plants with edible fruits and vegetables that are common on our dining table, such as banana, peanuts etc. They also learned about photosynthesis – the process of plants making food with aid from the sun. They also spend some time navigating through the shrub maze and enjoyed themselves thoroughly before the two groups swapped activities.
After the 2-hour learning trip, the children were treated to a picnic at the park before heading back to school. They washed up and settled down to do their reflection journal for the day’s activities while some teachers whipped up a sumptuous dinner. On the menu were baked fish fillet, chicken stew, poached broccoli, long bean omelette steam rice and fruits. The children joked and talked as they dined under the stars and the warm evening breeze.
The children brushed their teeth and changed into their pyjamas soon after dinner and waited keenly for the movie. It seemed that the children had packed their most outstanding pyjamas to the camp. They were overheard commenting excitedly on each other’s pyjamas! For some children, it was their first time “going to the movies” and they were excited as the projector started rolling and the room lights dimmed. We had intended to show “Trail of the Panda” but due to unforeseen circumstances, the movie was not available so we watched “Wall-E” instead. As the movie progressed, the tired or scared ones left the room and went to bed. By 9.00pm, all were in bed – must have been the busy and tiring schedule. At about 10.00pm, the teachers found 2 Kindergarten children (first-time campers) hiding behind the library shelves, sobbing away sheepishly. “I missed my mummy” one was overhead saying. “Me, too”, replied the other, both teary eyed. Their teacher comforted them and escorted them back to bed. It was an uneventful night after that – no nightmares, no looking for mummy.
Most children were awake and ready by 6.30am the next morning. They were all thrilled because they had to prepare breakfast for their beloved parents and they could go home after that! For some children, this is an important day in their life because it was their first time away from daddy and mummy. The camp activities, in addition to helping the children gain concrete concepts and lasting impressions of nature had also built self confidence and promote self-care and independence. It also seemed that the children were not the only ones who benefitted from the camp. Some parents reported that they had their first “night out without kids” while some younger siblings enjoyed undivided attention from their parents for the first time. While hearing that their child slept very well, some parents revealed that they were the one having problem falling asleep! We trust this is one experience that is unforgettable for everyone.