International and Scout camps 09
Last Updated () Written by dennisadmin Friday, 18 December 2009 01:53
It was that time of year again, back to Nakhorn Chaisi for TSEP’s annual Scout Camp. This year Secondary headed off first while primary stayed back and did some fun scout activities. Here at the school we had balloon games, a three legged obstacle course, steal the bacon, and teacher David’s famous “egg sucking” trick which ended up not happening because he forgot to boil the eggs! Speaking of eggs, I ended up cooking probably 100 of them to make French toast for my scout activity. Of course I ended up burning a few and ended up smelling like a big gross burnt egg. We all got to the camp around two o’clock and I was able to take a shower.
While primary were doing their scout activities, secondary were on their way to camp. By the time we got there things were in full force. T. Dan and T. Bow were heading up the X-men game which had nothing to do with X-men at all except for T. Daniel’s super pony tail powers. T. Roger and T. Chai had the students dressed in overalls and were seeing how many balloons they could shove inside. I have no idea what you could possibly call this game. T. Keith and T. Earng were in charge of the Blind Fruit Basket Challenge where students had to guide each other around until they were forced to eat some nasty looking fruit. Good thing they were blindfolded. T. Tony and T. Aw did something with beads in a tank where they had to match some colors and T. Dennis and T. Toey had the big tube of water that you had to fill. The problem was it was full of holes. Students came up with some pretty creative ideas to fill it up. Our smallest teacher (T. Cream) and our tallest teacher (T. Brett) were in charge of the blind guessing game where you felt someone’s face and tried to guess who it was. The funny part was the guesser had their hands full of powder! If that didn’t amuse you enough, than just the site of T. Cream working beside T. Brett was enough to make you chuckle.
After the students washed up it was cooking time. It always surprises me how well some of you can cook! Everything was available from hot dogs to fried chicken, sea food, noodles, French fries and of course lots of Coca cola to keep the energy flowing. The students and teachers loved the food and some teachers had many plates full.
Students once again washed up in anticipation of the big show. The Grade 7 Gals put on a great dance just like they usually do. I think every other performance had some type of boy dressed as a girl. Some were funny and some were………never mind. Songs were sang, dances were danced and it was a really great time all around.
The evening culminated with a very special and emotional ceremony where the students came around to their teachers who tied strings on their wrists and wished them luck. I know all the foreign staff didn’t expect it but it was by far our favorite part. To be able to talk individually to each student, wish them luck, and give them some advice really tugged at our hearts. I know I almost cried a couple of times for some of my special students but I kept it together. Some tears fell, but that is okay as it was very special for so many.
It was an early morning for everyone as the alarm went off at 5 am. Oh too early for me! I know a few students and teachers didn’t want to get up but everyone managed to get washed and fed for the day ahead. There were a few more scout activities and the best scouts received awards. It was a great job done by all scouts and they celebrated with a cheer and a big throw of their hats. It looked really cool.
Meanwhile on the other side of the camp some initiation ceremonies were taking place. Grade 11 and 12 had organized their own “interrelationship” camp which included prickly heat powder, fish sauce, gross looking food, and eels. After talking to the students it seemed most enjoyed being “initiated” into secondary at TSEP but there were some who didn’t have all that much fun. Many students have been dreaming about taking revenge on their senior counterparts.
Finally, it was time to shower, pack up and get back on the buses for Bangkok. Many students said next year we should do scout camp for two days next year. I totally agree. Hopefully the mosquitoes aren’t so bad though.
Overall I think the camp was a success. Students had fun for the most part, the teachers had a good time and there were definitely some memorable moments we will all remember. I can’t wait for next year!