January 25-27, 2009
Girl Scout Camp/ Punta Engaño

Learning while having fun is what RAFI’s Kool Adventure Camp (KAC) is giving. It introduces recreational activities wherein the camper can learn many valuable lessons.

KAC has a main principle which is “challenge by choice”. It says that every person has the right to decide on which level of challenge to choose. It teaches a camper to respect a person’s ideas or choices. It’s the chance to try new challenges or the opportunity to back off from a challenge.

Awareness and trust to one’s self, focus, value of time, playing to win, safety, courage and paradigm shift are some words or set of words that I have encountered in the camp.

Awareness and trust to one’s self leads you to be a better person and are very essential in achieving one’s success.

For me, focus is having concentration. One should concentrate to one thing only because no one can serve two masters at the same time. “When you master the ability to focus, you will master the thing itself” (KAC Handbook)

I have also learned the value of time. Time is gold, very precious. It can’t bring back what was once lost. It should be used wisely.

Playing to win is the favorite lesson that I have learned in the camp. It’s learning, without beating someone or reaching a goal. It’s just about seeing change as a challenge taking risks. It is very useful in facing life’s obstacles without stepping into others or hurting someone’s feelings.

Safety comes with the word responsibility. One is to ensure the safety of his/her comrade or loved one. It is a primary rule in taking risks and slaying dragons. Eyes on the climber, two hands on the rope, feet to the ground and staying focus are the things that did when doing the rope courses to ensure my teammate’s safety.

Paradigm shift is one of the nicest things that I have learned in the camp. It’s just a matter of seeing things in different perspective, being optimistic. I have always been pessimistic before but KAC helped me to look at things positively.

The camp taught me that there really are some persons who are willing to catch you if you’re falling, who are always there to help you in times of need, and who are always there in to share with you your happiness and sorrow. They are the so-called life spotters and belayers.

I have been through a camp before, which is camp 162, but I have learned more things in camp 189. I learned to share my God-given blessings to everyone equally, fairness. I have gained the trust of some people whom I have known for just a few days, trustworthiness. I have cared for some people whom I considered perfect strangers before, caring leadership. I have stepped up, followed rules, stay grounded, respected other’s ideas and choices and taken the responsibility to lead.
In Kool Adventure Camp, it’s not what happened to me that’s important, but it’s what happened in me…