Cherry applied to attend this Japanese cultural camp organized by
JCI Elite. Their school HM truly encouraged the students to go for this camp for experience and exposure. I think about 10 children from their school attended (all from Std 4 and 5).
It was held at
Lost Paradise Resort. Children from different schools gathered for a fun-filled weekend stay.
We were initially quite reluctant to let her go, as she had to skip some weekend classes. However the program seemed to benefit her, so we finally gave our ok for her to sign up as she is very keen. She missed the full day holiday workshop at school last year and keep looking out for such program to attend. This one is a little different as not only the children enjoy their weekend activities, they are actually going to select some of these children to join their Asia Youth Exchange Program to go to Fukuyama, Japan for a one-week summer camp (self-pay of course, parents sendiri sponsor).
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| Papa took Cherry to take photos around Lost Paradise Resort. It's beautiful :) |
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| More views |
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| And more :D |
Papa brought her to Lost Paradise Resort early in the morning on Saturday. The children registered and they are attend the opening ceremony and given briefing. The program is conducted in English. The children are potential candidates for the Fukuyama summer camp where international students will get together.
The organising team created a watsapp chatroom and gave parents tips what to pack for the AYEP camp. They also updated parents on the children's activities with photos and videos. Very caring of them :) They took good care of the children too. The children are not allowed to leave the group and they are not allowed to play in the pool or watersports for safety reason. Strictly follow the program and that is for the children's benefit and safety.
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| Cherry in red t-shirt. I only share those photos that I can see her. |
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| I'm not sure which session though, lost track as it was about a year ago :P |
After registration, they have ice-breaking & team-building session. Here they get into their teams. They are given a plain folder and have to use their creativity to decorate it using their limited resources.
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| AYEP 2015 group photo |
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| Dining area... Itadakimasu! |
Lunch is chicken, veggie and rice, with soya milk sponsored by well-wisher. After lunch is basic Japanese conversation class. Then it's sushi-making lesson. They ate the sushi they made for tea :)
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| Sushi-making lesson. Cherry standing at the back. |
Evening exercise to freshen up before shower and dinner.
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| They had fun doing some senamrobik haha... |
Dinner is McDonald's, the children loved the treat. Didn't have a good photo of Cherry so didn't post here.
After dinner it's presentation skills program, and the children are to group together and prepare for their group presentation tomorrow.
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| Cherry at the back, still in her red t-shirt. |
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JCI facilitators check out their presentation and help them improve.
Some photos like these we can see her back only, but we know it's her hehe... |
Then it's time to say goodnight.
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| Cherry and her roommates |
The next morning, they go for morning exercise. Before that they are supposed to tidy-up their rooms. They were sent back as some rooms were not tidy enough and it's a practise for them. If they are staying with host family, of course they are expected to keep tidy.
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| Morning exercise at the beach |
After breakfast, they are given some time to go through the basic Japanese materials.
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| Cherry in pink pants - studying |
Then they present their presentation to the JCI facilitators. After lunch, it is making sweets and Japanese green tea. This is the program Cherry enjoyed the most. They get to eat the sweets and enjoy Japanese green tea. Didn't get her photo here too.
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| Group photo after presentation |
Finally, graduation and closing ceremony with parents.
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| Final group photo at closing ceremony |
Overall it is an enjoyable camp that she get to learn to be independent and take care of herself :) Thank you JCI Elite and facilitators for taking the time to coach the children in this program. The facilitators are all volunteers.
