This is my 2nd yr involving in the youth camp as a facilitator. I really feel bless by being a facilitator this time again as the games and activities for this youth camp are tough and “torturing”! However, I felt happy of being a facilitator again for this year is not because I can torture my team members (I’m not that evil) but I am able to learn more about the youths and prepare myself for a higher level of leadership skills.

I do not exactly torture my members during those tough activities but I challenge them instead. I tried being soft and encouraging during the first day of the night walk but my group members took me for granted and they do not listen to me. Then I learned to more firm with my discipline. On the 2nd day, during the station games, I heard 1 of my member complaining that he wanted to give up even when the game barely started. I immediately stopped the whole group and challenged them if they wanted to give up the whole thing or continue. The choice is theirs. Then, my group encouraged one another and continued the race. On the 3rd day, the last event of the breakthrough run is good as I really ‘push’ my team members. I challenge them again.

From this camp, I feel that youths need to be challenged. Some or rather most of them will want to prove to you that they are capable of doing it when they are challenged. By challenging them, it gives them the determination of all the more they must succeed. However, there is a certain extend that they are afraid of failure. When they fail, they feel discouraged, they feel disappointed and eventually they give up. At this time, we (Facilitators, Leaders) have to come and encourage them. I even told my ‘stories’ to them of how I was when I was young. They may seem not interested at that time you were sharing, but truth is, they listened. They need us to inspire them, to encourage them and to teach them.

Sometimes I feel that this is more of a leadership camp. For people like me, I took this opportunity to learn and understand the youths better and learn how to deal with difficult situations. I learned a lot. I felt better at facilitating this year compared to last year. If there is a choice to choose between being a facilitator or camper for the next youth camp again, I would definitely still choose to be a facilitator.