Broga Adventure Camp

School holidays… The concept of having a whole month off work seems so foreign to me, even though I have only entered the dreary KL work force earlier this year.. The idea of spending a three day retreat with the colorful kids of PJEFC Sunday School at the foot of the ethereal Broga Hills seemed to me, fun and exciting.. just a little splash of color to spice up the mundane 4th quarter of the year..

Friday morning came and went – with eager children arriving at church as early as 2 WHOLE hours before the bus was scheduled to arrive.. The Upper Primary Sunday School classrooms were bustling with activity…The teachers and helpers managed to get the “guys and gals” to settle down and pray for the trip to OUTBAC Adventure Camp at Broga and board the bus safely. No casualties here, phew!!!

Upon arrival, we were greeted by the OUTBAC Staff – in FULL Trainer Regalia – this got most of the kids REALLY excited. Miss Stephanie explained some house rules to us before we dismissed to unpack our stuff in our makeshift dorms, fashioned from cargo containers and fully furnished with air conditioning (yay!) and  double decker beds.. it was a little snug, but we managed to make it cozy and comfy. After settling in, we rushed over to the Adventure Station for the first activity of the day. The staff had us go through a series of obstacle courses  which required a great deal of courage and spunk from our well-bred children from the city (as the pictures from the Camp would attest) – to which our kids were highly compliant to – but not without grumbling and gaining a healthy dislike of mud.

After a shower and dinner, our guys and gals assembled for their scheduled Night Walk. So, fully equipped with torch lights and clad with insect repellent, we smugly marched into our designated groups. And to the kids’ horror, our Night Walk guides decided that they would not have us bring any torch lights! *insert terrified gasp here* Reluctantly, everyone surrendered their source of light to the guides and nervously trudged towards the trail. The walk was dark and INCREDIBLY muddy (it rained later that afternoon). Throughout the hour-long duration of the walk, though it was intended for the children to learn how to appreciate the dark and the sounds of the forest, the children did well to help each other walk through the less muddy paths and reassure one another about their fears.

The next morning after breakfast, Uncle Eddy shared a short sermon with the guys and gals about God’s greatness and our rightful response towards His goodness in our lives, followed by a video about the underprivileged in Burma. Some of the children were really touched by the cruel reality of poverty and it really got them thinking; after the video, they were asking some really meaningful questions about the reality of God’s goodness and what we could do to help them! Praise GOD!!!

The kids were then ushered and split into groups for the more extreme activities – Rock Climbing  and the Flying Fox! **NOT for the faint-hearted** Needless to say, these two activities were a complete HIT with the kids, guys and gals alike. In between these activities, our campers broke into our respective groups to brainstorm for the Talent Time presentation after the bonfire and barbecue that night. It was a fun time of spontaneity and creativity as the children strategized their story plot and script, with a little help from the teachers and helpers… well… okay..  A LOT of help from the teachers and helpers…

The highlight of the night came after the yummy barbecue dinner skillfully prepared by the children, (carefully monitored by the adults) — The BONFIRE was exhilarating! ~ what with a fire 10 feet high and the breathtaking skills of the fire jugglers and fire-breathers! It was a Spectacular show! Talent time came after – with the showcasing of the BEST OF PJEFC’s fantabulous acting skills, which could shame Hollywood — so, people of the Creative Ministry, when you conduct recruitment for actors and actresses, the teachers of the UP Children Ministry will have some very good recommendations. Quality Guaranteed!

Of course, all good things must come to an end – the children bid their final goodbyes to the Broga Hills the next morning and headed back to the hustle and bustle of PJ where a welcome befitting heroes awaited them. The PJEFC UP Children’s Camp was a total success in that the children learned about thankfulness and cultivated great friendships and bonds over the three days spent together. I am positive that God has an amazing plan for this young, energetic and eager lot – the OUTBAC Adventure Camp gave them a little taste of the REAL ADVENTURE that God has purposed for them – one that is full of trials and obstacles, sweat and discomfort; but not without God’s sovereign power and unfailing love, and their fellow Christians’ encouragement and support.

Written by Esther Phung (Helper)

 

 

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My first Sunday School camp was held in Broga Hill, Semenyih from the 25th to the 27th of November. It was a beautiful campsite with many activities to do.

During the camp, i got to know alot of people especially from the Impact Youth. They were nice to hang out with during our free time. On the last night of camp, we had a barbecue. I enjoyed the fellowship and food. On the same night, we had talent time.One of our teachers organized it. Talent time is small skit we have to act out. Our theme was “Thankful”. My team’s role was Sesame street. We had a great time of laughter and fellowship together. The bible sessions taught me alot of things like how to give thanks to God for everything no matter what. I’m very thankful to the teachers who organize this camp.

Kay Ti Kay Ti is 11 years old and in Std 5 this year