11 September 2009. Week 4 of Shaun’s holidays. Current status : Bored out of his mind.
Ya know, i was just thinking how nice it would be to turn back the clock and relive my secondary school days. Fun people all round, stressless classes, and simple homework. Ok, admittedly it wasn’t all that easygoing back then, but you know how it is. One can’t help but look back, reminisce and sometimes, regret. If i could change one thing about sec school-Shaun, it would be this. My decision on Ngee Ann Poly’s RED Camp.
Back in 2005 (when I was wide-eyed Shaun), news of the camp was met with caution in my secondary school. What was it all about? Were we gonna get brainwashed? Would it just be a series of boring lectures and talks? So it was, that skeptical Shaun skipped RED Camp, leaving his heavy behind at home.
Now I’ve gone a little ahead of myself. Let me explain. RED Camp made its debut way back in 2005. Now an annual camp, it gives ‘O’ Level students the opportunity to experience a fun 3-day orientation of sorts. Not only do RED Campers get to visit and try out our (impressive) campus facilities and CCAs (we have more than 100!) there are also tons of fun and games, and all the information you’ll ever need on Ngee Ann’s courses. Did I mention that it’s absolutely free?
As luck would have it, RED Camp was the talk of the school. Those who attended wouldn’t stop gushing (or smirking) about it. Those who didn’t, couldn’t stop kicking ourselves over it. In 3 days, Ngee Ann Poly had somehow enthralled the nonchalant students in my secondary school. (We wore green, it was hard to be cheerful).
I heard the stories about the fun games, the free food (that’s lunch AND dinner), the cool performances, and of course, the highlight of the camp, HOP NITE (a dance party held in ngee ann). So it was, that I sulked that fateful post-camp week away, wondering just what I’d missed.
Fast forward 5 years and i’m a student in Ngee Ann. I get to see the incredible amount of effort and enthusiasm that goes into the planning and preparation for RED Camp. It’s no easy feat but we’ve been attracting an increasing number of secondary school campers year after year. In fact, an estimated 1,800 are expected to turn up for the upcoming Red Camp 6. We must be doing something right (:
To all the ‘O’ Level students out there (i was one too, not long ago) I know exactly how you feel. Besides freaking out over that all-important exam, you’re a little (if not, very) scared, a little (if not, very) confused and very (if not, a little) hyped to know all about your post-Os options. Which school is best for you? What course should you take? How different is poly life from secondary school? Would you hate it/love it? While it’s good to seek advice from family and friends, nothing beats experiencing it first-hand. After all, the school made for your buddy may not be the school made for you.
And that’s just what’s so great about RED Camp. You’ll essentially get to live the life of an NP student for three days :) You’ll have the chance to meet up with the very same lecturers who will teach you in your desired course and hear it from the students who’ve been through it all.
Do your homework before you choose, but have a whole lot of fun while you’re at it! I say grab some of your friends (i say some ‘cos u’re gonna meet plenty more once you’re actually here!) and visit us during RED Camp 6 from 17-19 November. If you wanna find out more, check out the RED Camp site http://www.np.edu.sg/redcamp/ and join us on facebook! http://en-gb.facebook.com/pages/Singapore/NP-RED-Camp-6/101293046266
And ok this is super important…REGISTER ASAP at http://www.np.edu.sg/redcamp/signup.aspx ‘cos registration closes 5 October or earlier if places are filled.
Don’t regret it like I did! (: