2012年 2月 5日

2012 Winter Camp Session 5, Day 1

Dear Parents,
It certainly did not feel like winter camp today. Temperatures hit the mid 20s as campers arrived this morning to sunny skies. We made the most of it as we immediately started on activities before lunch to take advantage of the weather.

First up was archery. Campers took turns trying to hit the target after being shown the ins and outs of the ancient art. Concentration and patience are key and it took them awhile to get the hang of it, but before long they were hitting the target regluarly.

After lunch and a quick rest, it was off to the Giant Swing to test their mettle. Several of the campers made it all the way to the top and swung through the air — which had just become a cloud much to the chagrine of campers and counselors.

Since the weather had turned a bit cooler and it was late in the afternoon, the group moved back to the cozy confines of the Eco Lodge to try their hands at Bug Art. Campers used natural materials like twigs, leaves and pebbles to make their own insect creations.

After showers and dinner, we played a strategy game called, Bang! It was a classic battle that came down to the last card with the Sheriffs and Deputies pulling out the last-second victory over the Outlaws and Renegade. The game ended just in time, though, as our campfire was ready for S’more making. Campers roasted marshmallows and played under the fleeting moon light, before we called it a day and sent them to brush their teeth and get ready. All is quiet upstairs finally and the campers are hopefully getting some rest before another big day tomorrow.

Goodnight from Camp Taiwan,
Mike

2012年 2月 3日

2012 Winter Camp Session 4, Day 2

Dear Parents,
The cold weather has decided to stay with us for the time being and we made the most of it here at camp. The 7:30 wakeup bell came a little too early for some of us, but they all eventually, if a bit reluctantly, slid out of bed and got their morning started.

We made a few changes to make sure kids were not outside in the rain for too long at once. We did manage to get to all of our regularly scheduled activities anyway. The kids have been great and there has been no complaining – just hoots and hollers as they have a good time.

Today, campers did climbing, comic book making, slack line, zip line, and even made their own treasure maps. Perhaps the most fun is had though between activities as they hang out with new friends they’ve met and play games on their bunk beds in small groups. All in the warmth of their heated lodge rooms.

At dinner, teams received another clue as to the location of the hidden treasure. We’re pretty sure one team has figured it out, but we’ll have to wait until tomorrow to find out for sure.

The kids are now watching a movie and then it will be off to bed around nine. They have a big day tomorrow, so need to get their rest.

Goodnight from Camp Taiwan,
Mike

2012年 2月 2日

2012冬令營 第四梯 第一天

親愛的爸爸媽媽們，

當巴士濺起水花行駛到民宿的大門前，學員們在灰冷的天空下，伴著濃霧與冷雨抵達了，幸好大家沒有淋得太濕，每個人迅速地進到了溫暖的民宿裡先整理好自己的床位後，再將行李物品放好。接著就是到樓下開始歡迎儀式和執行第一件任務了。
本梯的主題為丁丁歷險記，一定要有一項遺失的寶物丁丁的歷險才算完整啊！學員們聽著萬里漁夫的故事，這位漁夫多年前被海盜綁架，最近才回到附近藏起他的不法所得。很不幸地他遭遇不測，將寶物遺留在我們營地的某個地方，希望孩子們能在最後一天找到寶物。

為了幫助搜尋更順利，孩子們在午餐前製作了記者筆記本，大家會在本子裡紀錄在營地裡的歷險和所接收到的藏寶提示。大家來到樓下享用豐富的午餐，以便為下午的活動做準備。學員們在第一天輪流進行了普魯式攀登、射箭和漫畫書簡介，然後是熱水澡以及休息時間。沒有半個人休息，大家都想玩些遊戲和做手工藝，所以大家自己找樂子(同時也樂到了輔導員們)直到六點晚餐開動為止。

小日記和晚間遊戲在晚餐過後舉行，九點鐘一到，大家都準備好就寢了。即使天公不做美，明天也一定非常有趣！

晚安囉！
Mike

2012年 1月 31日

2012冬令營 第三梯 第二天

親愛的爸爸媽媽們，
今天的天氣依然是濕濕冷冷的，但還不至於要調整活動行程的地步，事實上，外面看起來比實際的情況糟，氣溫一直沒有降到太低，大家做活動時也感到很舒適，今天各小組可是都充滿了活力呢！

早上進行了神秘遊戲和密碼破解。在密碼破解的課裡，孩子們學習如何製造密碼，大家練習將訊息加密後讓小組成員破解。神秘遊戲充滿了各式各樣有趣的活動，地點是在有遮雨篷的大涼亭下，孩子們玩了數種神秘主題遊戲。

下午是滑索飛鼠和扁繩活動時間。學員在滑索飛鼠的課中爬上大木桿，再從上面以高速滑下來，零星的降雨不足以澆熄大家的熱血。孩子們在扁繩活動中練習平衡感和靈活度，當然都是在有保護的狀態下進行。

接著就是沐浴、晚餐和電影之夜了。洗過澡後，我們還有時間繼續前晚的桌上策略遊戲，孩子們超喜歡這項遊戲的！我們不得不加開另一桌，「砰！」可是大受歡迎啊！

孩子們正在觀賞一部經典的偵探電影「妙妙探」，晚安囉！
Mike