One Team, One Way, One Malaysia

Innebandy! Co. had their first ever camp last weekend. It was a time for the team to hangout and fellowship after PFL 09.

The venue for the camp which was initially supposed to be held at Pantai Keracut but was later changed to Penang Watersports Centre. All the ‘campers’ gathered at T.O.P. somewhere around noon and had their ‘mee hun’ lunch. Oh boy, what a nice plate of mee that was!

Later on, we were all briefed on who’s following who to the camp site. The seniors drove us there. The lucky few who followed Nicholes managed to watch the chef at work, marinating the pieces of chicken which were going to be our dinner. The sight of the chicken being marinated made the observers drool.

When everyone reached the campsite, the campers were briefed on the groups they would be in for the camp. We were split into three groups of four. The three teams were named after each training philosophy : Inner Circle, Independent Culture, and Insane Courage. The seniors were all split into each team, except for Deswyn. He was the one who acted as the judge in our tasks and observed our every move. We then went to set up our tents. Each group had one except Deswyn and Sam, having their own tent. The girls had their own tent also. After that, were given a task. To write down what the philosophy of our team name meant to us and how we could apply it in everyday life. When it was complete, the paper we wrote on was stuck onto the tents respectively. However, for team Independent Culture, the crows ‘attacked’ their tent by bombarding a series of ‘poop grenades’. The paper merely lasted 5 minutes before being decorated with droppings of the crows.

Next up was the Amazing Race. Each team had to complete four tasks.
1) Answer a series of questions
2) Cook an egg
3) Roll the ball only using our stomach from one end to the other
4) Covering a floorball stick entirely and vertically in the sand without burying it.

The team started last at the final task but finished first thanks to the idea of Nicholes. All teams showed such teamwork in this challenge. After that, Deswyn told us that each team had to execute a morning exercise the next day. Each team was given the task of instructing either abs, upper body or lower body exercise Then, we were given free time to mingle around or take a shower. Soon after that, everyone chipped in to help prepare dinner. We had salad, BBQ Chicken and BBQ Sausage. The salad looked like it was prepared in a restaurant. The chicken pieces were simply magnificent and tender. The sausages were soft and well cooked.

As we were drinking orange juice, the guys sat around a big table. Each person shared their most embarrassing moment when it came to their turn, except for a few that decided to just listen. It could have gone on for rounds and rounds. We took a group photo, each holding the Malaysia flag as we were counting down for our National Day. Chester brought his beautiful camera to be used to snap photos throughout the camp. Sam then called all of us to play a card game called ‘Mafia’. He became the narrator at first. Many of us played the game until about 3 am in the morning. Kao Lin Ken succeeded as the only one that night to be the last killer standing. Kudos!

After that, chocolates were distributed among the campers who wanted some. Those who could not sleep went to shower. Some continued to playe ‘cho-tai-tee’ and others talked. As for me, I was talking to a team member of Innebandy! Co. who would be leaving Malaysia soon. We will miss her and we all wish her all the best in her pursuit. Her presence on court had always been noted.

Anyway, most of us slept at 5 am or so. Joshua Yam was the earliest to go to bed, but had difficulties sleeping because he heard the constant arguing of ‘My Bait Your Bait’ between Darien and Jason who were fishing alongside Nicholes. Nicholes was the last one to hit the sack. I woke up at about 8 am or so, from the morning alarm of nature, clucking of roosters and the chirping of crows. Yes , crows too. Lin Ken’s voice gave me the final push I needed to wake up. He was the earliest one ready (as usual) and standing in the middle of the camp site, waiting for everyone else. Everyone washed up and brushed their teeth, changed their clothes and met on the sandy, stone covered ground.

We had our morning devotion which was related to sports. I’m sure many of us learnt a couple of things besides reinforcing whatever we have already known. We were finally awoken by warming up with a game of dodge ball. The winners of the dodge ball game started their task last. Joshua Yam who did abs had such enthusiasm and showed such charisma in delegating the exercise for his team. His team was said to be the most ‘well-executed’. Then, Ephraim Teh took on the lower body. The song he chose to play along with the exercise was something to do with The Pink Panther and a soundtrack from Spongebob Squarepants. His team was awarded ‘most fun’ exercise. Then, team leader Cui Lin requested Nicholes to lead the upper body exercise. His team was awarded ‘most challenging’ exercise.

We then were told to pack up before having breakfast. Team Independent Culture were the last to finish packing up. Two of them washed the tent covered with crow droppings. After washing, they ran around the field trying to dry the layer. What a physical exercise! Then, we went kayaking. We were split into groups of two. The instructor briefed us on choosing the proper oar, rowing the kayak and staying safe. Four of the kayaks had a little race from one end to the other. After that, each team took a photo. Valerie Yentl Tan however wanted to be in every team’s photo. Sam was the photographer. Thus, he did not participate in the kayaking.

After that, everyone took their bath before they headed home. A few of the guys went for the group bath since the individual bathrooms were occupied. The few who went there (names not to be mentioned) really bonded after coming out of the bathroom. I wonder what might have happened in there.

A few of us then went to Fatty Loh Chicken Rice shop to have our lunch. I went to bed the moment I reached home. What a wonderful camp! Everyone had fun and made great team bonding. I can’t wait for the next outdoor activity!

p/s:photo will be updated soon