Camps

Ok, this on the left is Norikura peak （乗鞍岳）. It's about 3026M and still had snow on it right at the top when we were there in July. The snow was not powdery and nice. It was packed, hard and dirty. We took a group of guests up 'cos they wanted to climb a rock. So we took the van up to a point and walked up the slopes, while die-hard skiers were skiing past. It was hard to walk up the slope with just regular sneakers. Actually I was quite freaking out becos the slope wasn't exactly gentle...it was pretty steep on some parts and of course it was slippery. Imagine walking upslope on ice. But I had to pretend to be composed and steady for the guests' sake! Ha!

The guests did their climb, we had our obento(lunch-box) up there right on top, and I have to say, the view was great!

But coming down was even more freaky. We had to slide down either on our bums or walk sideways slowly... I decided to slide... with a basketful of empty obento boxes on my lap, 2 mats, my day pack and sheer terror. That was the fastest way to end my ordeal.

It was a very bumpy ride...and it felt like forever! Some moments I felt I was going too fast and possibly out of control and had to use my hand as a brake. Ouch! What I was most afraid of was smashing my head or some other parts of my body into a rock or something. Well, my head was ok and intact, but the ride ended with my bum crashing into a rock. I brought home with me many souveniors from this mountain... on my body...(the black and blue patches, u know?), all in good fun and adventure! I dunno if I would ever want to attempt that stunt ever again...it's insane! Hmm...maybe I would...maybe...

Alright, we don't always do krazy stunts like this in all our camps. We do have more regular programs like river hikes, initiatives, mountain biking(another ordeal for me), wall climbing, etc...

I would say that my favourite activity would be the river hikes. We would do boat races, bridge-building and usually end with a plunge and swim. The water is freezing cold all the time.

(Makoto and Tyler start the boat race)

(Martina and Sabrina pretending to surf)

I like river hike 'cos it always reminds me of the importance of Individuality and Inter-dependence! (Yup, that's the theme of Presbyterian High School this year!) There is no rock or pebble that is alike. Each piece is different in shape, colour, grain and size. It reminds me of how each one of us are uniquely created by God. None of us are alike. Thank God He didn't made us clones! Life would be so boring.

During the hikes, it was always so cool to see how people help each other walk upstream against rushing waters or when having to step on slippery rocks. At certain parts of the river, it might be hard to walk it alone. Especially when the waters are rushing, they look intimidating even though it may not be deep. But when someone stretches out his/her hand to help you get across, there is a sense of assurance. Thus the lesson of Inter-dependence. We need one another. Better to work as a team, than alone.

Kids from SOAI: Natsumi, Rinako & Haruka

Fishing at NorthStar Creek（魚つかむ大会）

Plunge at Zengoro Taki