Another of the highlights of the BISDS Youth Group has to be the BISDS Youth Camp.
After the response for the Children's Fellowship Camp, there was a huge call for a youth camp to be organised. Unlike the CFC, we were not the first to organise a youth camp. In fact, we were one of the later Buddhist youth groups to organise such a camp.
However, led by energetic leaders, the youth group embraced this challenge and successfully organised the first youth camp. This camp's objectives differ from those of the Children's Fellowship Camp. While the CFC was meant for the participants to enjoy and have fun, this camp was more to allow the participants the room to express themselves in the appropriate environment and to make good acquaintances.
While other youth camps emphasized on pure enjoyment or strict learning, this camp balances both. And that is what has been the main attraction throughout the years.
This camp had been organised annually during the December holidays in the Buddhist Maha Vihara. However, in recent years, it has ventured out to places like Eagle Ranch Resort in Port Dickson and Woods Resort in Ulu Yam. The camp was meant for BISDS students age 13 to 17 years old but it has accommodated 12, 18 and even 19 year olds.
For the 7th Youth Camp in 2008, the camp had over 80 participants and encompassed of previous and new participants. The traditional talent night was replaced with a more modern, current concept. Entitled "Our Way", it put the participants in the Sunday School teachers shoes and to explain why youths are not going to Sunday School as often as they had. Both the teachers and the students gained valuable insight into the current situation of the Sunday School.
Last year's camp also brought a change to the camp's traditional approach. The participants spent 2 days at Woods Resort, Ulu Yam where the emphasis was on physical fitness and teamwork, while the remaining 3 days at the temple grounds focused on creativity, critical thinking and mutual respect and understanding.
Throughout the many years this camp had been organised, many friendships were made and many more lessons were learned, including teachings of the Dhamma. This camp served to spread the teachings of the Buddha to the youths in a lighter mood.
This avenue was, is and will continue to be the foundation for many youths to approach the Dhamma and acquire important lessons in life. And the BISDS Youth Group continues to organise the camp so to achieve this purpose.
After the response for the Children's Fellowship Camp, there was a huge call for a youth camp to be organised. Unlike the CFC, we were not the first to organise a youth camp. In fact, we were one of the later Buddhist youth groups to organise such a camp.
However, led by energetic leaders, the youth group embraced this challenge and successfully organised the first youth camp. This camp's objectives differ from those of the Children's Fellowship Camp. While the CFC was meant for the participants to enjoy and have fun, this camp was more to allow the participants the room to express themselves in the appropriate environment and to make good acquaintances.
While other youth camps emphasized on pure enjoyment or strict learning, this camp balances both. And that is what has been the main attraction throughout the years.
This camp had been organised annually during the December holidays in the Buddhist Maha Vihara. However, in recent years, it has ventured out to places like Eagle Ranch Resort in Port Dickson and Woods Resort in Ulu Yam. The camp was meant for BISDS students age 13 to 17 years old but it has accommodated 12, 18 and even 19 year olds.
For the 7th Youth Camp in 2008, the camp had over 80 participants and encompassed of previous and new participants. The traditional talent night was replaced with a more modern, current concept. Entitled "Our Way", it put the participants in the Sunday School teachers shoes and to explain why youths are not going to Sunday School as often as they had. Both the teachers and the students gained valuable insight into the current situation of the Sunday School.
Last year's camp also brought a change to the camp's traditional approach. The participants spent 2 days at Woods Resort, Ulu Yam where the emphasis was on physical fitness and teamwork, while the remaining 3 days at the temple grounds focused on creativity, critical thinking and mutual respect and understanding.
Throughout the many years this camp had been organised, many friendships were made and many more lessons were learned, including teachings of the Dhamma. This camp served to spread the teachings of the Buddha to the youths in a lighter mood.
This avenue was, is and will continue to be the foundation for many youths to approach the Dhamma and acquire important lessons in life. And the BISDS Youth Group continues to organise the camp so to achieve this purpose.
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