Students from the Tzu Chi Teenagers’ Class went for an outing for the year's final session. All the students were cheerful and confident when unleashing their unique personality. (Photo by Fong Kwai Kin)
"Hang on... Two persons need to balance a pen together using each of your fingertips, and don't let your opponent knock it off."
The teenagers were mindful of their steps along the Swan Lake while displaying their team spirit to see who could persevere to the end. More challenges were awaiting them, including a short-term memory test, brain teasers, and picking up glass marbles using chopsticks, etc., allowing each group to plan their strategies and work cohesively as a team so that they would not feel discouraged when encountering setbacks and be willing to start all over again.
A small pen is used to test each participant’s team spirit and at the same time, participants have to watch out for any sabotage attempt from other teams. (Photo by Chong Mong Zhuang)
On the 25th and 26th of November 2023, the Tzu Chi Teenagers’ Class (a.k.a. Tzu Shao Class) of Singapore held a youth camp to bring the students closer together. On the first day of the camp, Tzu Chi Youths (a.k.a. Tzu Ching) in charge of the event took their younger brothers and sisters to the Singapore Botanic Gardens, the oldest garden in the country, to be away from the hustle and bustle of the city. As soon as they stepped into the botanical garden, everyone was surrounded by lush trees and became immersed in the serenity of the chirping of the birds as well as the fragrance of the flowers.
Tzu Shaos enjoy playing station games in the botanical garden while embracing nature. (Photo by Fong Kwai Kin)
The air in the Botanic Garden was remarkably fresh after a drizzle. Halfway through the event, the Tzu Shaos had some delicious vegetarian sandwiches while enjoying the outdoor picnic atmosphere. Unfortunately, the weather was not very cooperative as at around 4pm as it started to drizzle again, and the rain gradually became heavier. Everyone had to put on their raincoats and take out their umbrellas before moving to the shelter to continue completing their final challenge.
Although it is raining in the afternoon and everyone have to put on a raincoat, their passion in completing the final game is not dampened. (Photo by Chong Mong Zhuang)
“It’s fun to go to the Botanic Garden for outdoor games as I get to be in touch with nature.” Sieh Si Ning shared being able to make friends of different ages in the Tzu Shao Class enabled her to gain a lot of life experiences. She emphasised that friendship and teamwork are both important. Sieh Si Ning also shared that it was a unique experience to spend a night at the Jing Si Hall for the first time. Only by participating in it can one appreciate the experience.
The challenge of picking up glass marbles using chopsticks prompts the teenagers to work cohesively as a team and not feel discouraged when facing obstacles. (Photo by Chong Mong Zhuang)
The activities on the first day were enriching and exciting. After one whole day of activities, everyone was exhausted. After a good night's sleep, their energy was restored, and the teenagers were full of vigour and eager to welcome the second day's programmes.
Learning amid laughter and joy
The programme team had diligently planned content-rich lessons for the monthly Tzu Shao class, accompanying youths entering adolescence and guiding them to cultivate positive values and life direction. The station games held in the early afternoon consisted of Jing Si Aphorisms, life etiquette, and environmental protection concepts that were taught earlier this year through games and competitions. Everyone worked together to overcome the obstacles and revise what they learned before.
The fun and relaxing ice-breaking game has created a lot of laughter and brought each other closer. (Photo by Ng Shey Ying)
Two participants are seen conveying Jing Si Aphorisms that were taught earlier this year in body language. (Photo by Ng Shey Ying)
"Flip, flip again, faster!"
Within the time limit, everyone had to flip the bottle until it stopped in a stand-up position for them to redeem an object such as cardboards, ropes, bottles, carton boxes, etc. The challenge of this game was to stack up the redeemed items and see who got the highest and most stable structure.
It takes work to flip the bottle. Sometimes, it is difficult to succeed even after ten attempts in a row. During the intense competition, everyone was like an anxious ant on a hot pot.
"She didn't even have the chance to throw it. Let her throw it once.”
Although the battle was intense, the camp facilitator reminded the teenagers to be courteous to each other and ensured that everyone had a chance to participate. These games brought them closer to each other and allowed them to learn sharing and caring.
Flipping the bottles is harder than it seems. The game has drawn the students to grow closer to each other and driven them to learn sharing and caring. (Photo by Fong Kwai Kin)
Communicate with love to have respect for children
Camp facilitator Ngo Yoke Ling shared that she was very touched when she saw the teenagers helping to tidy the venue after waking up without being told to do so. Ngo Yoke Ling said, “Youths in adolescence may face issues that they are embarrassed to ask their parents. So, our role is to provide them with positive guidance. We are also constantly learning during the communication process and these children are our guides.”
Ngo Yoke Ling and her husband, Ngui Chang Yong, initially joined as a Tzu Shao camp facilitator to accompany their son, Ngui Jia Zheng. Four years have passed and Ngui Jia Zheng will be graduating from Tzu Shao Class this year.
Accompanying their son Ngui Jia Zheng (left), Ngui Chang Yong (middle) and Ngo Yoke Ling volunteer as camp facilitators for the Tzu Shao activity to learn how to love their children with the heart of a Bodhisattva and get along well with their children. (Photo by Fong Kwai Kin)
Ngui Chang Yong shared his experience of getting along with his children and learned that he should respect his children's feelings. Just as Master Cheng Yen said, "Love your children with the heart of a Bodhisattva." This made him realise that he should give his children more space to learn to be independent and avoid taking the wrong path. Ngui Chang Yong said he has changed dramatically since joining Tzu Chi. He not only learned a lot from Tzu Chi, but his parent-child relationship has also improved.
Although his child was about to graduate from the Tzu Shao Class, Ngui Chang Yong said: "I will continue to stay in Tzu Shao Class to welcome new parents. I hope that everyone can have fewer obstacles on the journey of parenthood."
It was a rewarding journey for graduating Tzu Shaos
"I really like attending the Tzu Shao Class. There are so many games!" said Ngui Jia Zheng. In the past, Ngui Jia Zheng did not like communicating with others in school. Through Tzu Shao Class, he made many friends and gradually learned how to communicate with others. He said: "I also learned the 5R concept of environmental protection and realised the importance of it. We must be responsible for the earth and cherish the things we have!"
Seeing how hard senior Tzu Chings worked to prepare the lessons, Ngui Jia Zheng hopes that he will also become a Tzu Ching one day and plan meaningful activities for the younger Tzu Shao brothers and sisters.
Through arts and crafts, Tzu Shaos discover more outstanding traits of themselves and become a better self. (Photo by Fong Kwai Kin)
"I look forward to attending the Tzu Shao Class every month. The teachers, uncles and aunties are always very patient in guiding me. I feel blessed to be in Tzu Chi!" said Tan Hui Shan, who has joined the Parent-Child Bonding Class since primary school and is graduating from Tzu Shao Class this year. Despite feeling reluctant, she was happy that she could join Tzu Ching and continue her learning path in Tzu Chi.
Life education and character-building are vital lessons. Tan Hui Shan learned the importance of filial piety and respect for parents during the Tzu Shao Class. "During the Filial Piety Month, we massage and serve tea to our parents, which are things I also do at home. Doing all these is not difficult at all, and it makes my parents feel at ease and happy without spending any money."
During the final session of the camp, the Tzu Shaos enjoy singing and performing off stage. The whole venue is filled with happiness. (Photo by Chua Zhen Jia)
As the two-day camp drew nearer to an end, everyone felt that they still had a lot to learn. During the final session of the camp, Lan Xing Xian shared that through games, everyone gets to know each other better and understands that different people have different thinking. Games are team activities; if one listens more to other people's suggestions, everyone can complete the task together.
The Tzu Shao Camp 2023 finally ended with everyone feeling grateful for each other. Everyone wished that the teenagers would grow up healthily, and blessings were also given to Tzu Shao students who were about to graduate and join the Tzu Ching team so that their youth can shine with confidence and vitality.
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