ABOUT 95 students who attended a three-day camp at the Star-Fresh Agro Park in Jalan Kuala Pilah will remember the outing for a long time as the final day was truly an emotional moment for them.
Almost all of them were shedding tears on the final day, not because they were spending their time in front of the big screen lamenting the loss of their favourite or shedding tears of joy but because the main character finally triumphs.
In fact most of them simply broke down when Martin Jalleh who was facilitating the camp for the pre-confirmation students from the Visitation Church Seremban, told the students to give their parents and siblings a big “hug” and have a good cry on their shoulders.
It happened at the end of a parent-student session which was the finale for the three-day camp.
Positive instruction: Fr Alvin addressing the participants at the camp. The camp provided a wonderful blend of fun activities and positive relationships experienced in a Christian environment, preparing them for the final Christian journey at which they affirm for themselves the faith into which they have been baptised.
At the Sunday school classes, students from three language groups — English, Chinese and Tamil — did not make attempts to know each other and they remain strangers and therefore pre-confirmation camps like this allow them to integrate with each other.
However, this is not the end of their journey as the church will again be running another two confirmation camps, to give the participants — all fourth-formers — an opportunity to embark on their religious journey before they break-up for good in May next year.
Assistant priest Father Alvin Oh in his farewell message emphasised on the privilege of growing in a community with other young people.
“You will serve as a fine example for the younger ones in the community. They will look up to you as a role model in this all-encompassing journey of encountering and knowing Jesus,’’ said Fr. Alvin.
The students have been dependent much on their parents but during their camping moments, learnt the joy of being independent and doing things on their own without having their parents breathing down their necks.
They learnt to make their own beds, follow instructions strictly laid out before them, taking turns to use the bath and thoroughly being disciplined which the youngsters were obliviously not accustomed to.
Jalleh said the group was dedicated and they were responsive to all the programmes, although some were dozing off during the afternoon sessions.
“And to keep them awake, I had to include some topics of interest to them. The boys and girls knew what they were and they enjoyed it,’’ added Jalleh.
His session with the students also included a topic on parental issues and a guide towards developing a better parent-child relationship in true Christian spirit.
“Children at this age tend to get too emotional and began to retaliate with their parents if they do not get what they ask.
“Understanding their needs and giving a little leeway on and off build better relationships,’’ said Jalleh.
The camp provided a good experience for all the participants and a letter writing session to the parents and siblings about their true feelings for them was a heartwarming ending.
The back-to-back sessions were a little too tight for these youngsters; nevertheless they are looking forward to the next camp to be held at the church premises next year.
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