P4 Camp 2013 - Thoughts after the Camp =)

On the 5th of April, this morning, a group of 40 RIVA members gathered back at Rivervale Primary School to prepare for this year’s P4’s long awaited adventure at the MOE Changi Coast Adventure Centre. Our members are back to ensure that our P4 juniors are all going to have a great camp again. We headed out the school for the campsite at 9AM, all anticipating the task ahead of us for the day – it was not going to be easy, but all our members are more than excited to join in the hard work.  RIVA members strived to make the camp as enjoyable and comfortable as possible for the campers – in the traditional Rivervale way! Where we have our RIVA members accompany the juniors through their learning journey and to comfort them that their seniors care about them – and we will constantly be present with them.

The day’s events were peppered with great stuff for the campers – from high elements to low elements to outdoor cooking, we are sure that these P4 juniors of ours have learnt a great deal through the past 12 hours. For many of them, it is their first time being away from home alone, it is their first time in an outdoor camp and their first time experiencing independent learning. Every RIVA member down at the campsite today did their part in being a big brother and a big sister to the campers.Our members guided them as they geared up for their high elements, cheered them on while they were challenging their limits, and sat through their meals with them, interacting with them. We will always be there for them. 

On day 2, after a rotated set of activities at the campsite, we all headed back to school and prepared for an astounding campfire this year. Everyone was very enthusiastic about the performances, having gotten them installed for more than a month. A humorous skit by our RIVA members, Jarl and Wilson, was put up, incorporating the many other performance by the campers with our facilitations. Our very own video (which can be found by clicking… Do check it out!) showing the RIVA movement at the camp was also played, along with the well-coordinated RIVA dance and RIVA cheer. The campfire performance was indeed a heartwarming one with everyone’s heart and soul put into it; our sweats and tears are really answered for.

This camp was an enriching experience for RIVA members as for many of the younger members this is their first time acting as a student leader. A part of RIVA places great emphasis on the leadership development of our members – just like how we place a great emphasis on the growth of our P4 juniors. We see RIVA as a family, and the growth of every member through these events are a great bonus to us. RIVA, let’s keep growing!

Now that the camp had concluded, most of our members are resting at home with the many wonderful camp memories - but with the lessons of the camp, we are better prepared to make the next CCA leadership camp and many other upcoming activities even better! That’s what RIVA does, we work hard to make the best of every situation and to keep chasing our vision. That is to engage our members, youths, in a healthy community that yields unbreakable bonds. This camp is definitely helping us to head in that direction.

Thank you RIVA for bringing back so many memories and unforgettable experiences! At the end of the camp, RIVA cannot wait to have these great P4 juniors join our ranks as proud members of RIVA and continue our tradition! Go RIVA, keep up the good job, and keep bonding!

RIVA RIVA we are one,

Riverlites Riverlites we were once;

Serving, Serving, that’s our pride,

One for all and all for one!