Absolut 2009

Thank you very much!

It is quite some time since the Absolut camp has ended. Frankly speaking, I did not attend many camps in my undergraduate days. The first one was my Mentoring Camp, which I thought was the best. Then, my friend asked me if I wanted to join Absolut Emerge, a self-awareness camp organized by SWAPS (Society of Social Work and Psychology Students) at that point in time. We decided to go for it since it was already our last year and we wanted to graduate and leave NUS with some fond memories. I am glad I joined this camp in the end, and had the chance to know some new friends as well.

Generally, I thought it was a well-planned camp. I liked the sharing sessions that we had as a group, where we gave one another our opinions and made our thoughts known. The little debrief sessions after each activity were also very useful. It was really a get-to-know-yourself-better camp, like its clearly-stated objective. I didn’t know camps could be so interesting. Even though I might have done similar activities back in my mentoring camp, the feel I had was different for Absolut camp. Perhaps it was the people at the camp – my group members, my facilitators. My friends from Mentoring did comment that I somehow had a positive change in my mindset/perspectives towards life and people, after I had returned from Absolut camp. I guess that was the best compliment I have received from them. I am quite a stubborn person by nature, unwilling to budge or change. Thus, upon hearing that compliment, I realized that I might have changed slightly for the better.

I can’t say it is life changing but I would really like to thank the organizing camp committee of Absolut camp for their hard work and great effort in helping campers like me with self-discovery. I am thankful to have crossed the paths of my fellow group members and have got to known you people. Thank you!

-Seow Wenqi, Camper of Absolut Emerge
Psychology Major, Graduating Class of 04/05

Turning Point

If SWAPS (Society of Social Work and Psychology Students) is the turning point in my university life, Absolut Camp was the defining moment in that turning point.

The interaction with people, the honest sharing of opinions and views, or just enjoying myself in the fun games... Absolut Camp beats all the other camps I have attended, hands down. Because the camp is no longer about making friends or having fun, it is about understanding myself through the structured activities where everyone is equal and entitled to their opinion.

In my 4 years of university life, regardless of the form of participation I had in Absolut, either as a camper, programmer or a facilitator, I was able to discover more about my strengths, weakness, personality and principles. That's why I enjoyed Absolut so much, because I always managed to gain some wisdom from the camp.

Some of you might go back feeling, "Yes, it was overall quite fun, but I don't think I learn anything new about myself". But the Absolut Camp will (or at least the organizing committee hopes to) plant in you some seeds of insight & wisdom, that will germinate as you continue the life journey. As I read through my blog on my Absolut Camp experience to write this short passage, I find myself reliving old thoughts and feelings. It dawned on me multiple times that the 2003 learning points are still applicable to me now.

To end off, I will sing this to the present Social Work Society and Absolut:
"And life is the road,
And I wanna keep going,
Love is a river and
I wanna keep flowing
Life is a road now and forever a
Wonderful journey".
--- extracted from the sound track of "Anastasia": “Life is the Road”

-Desmond Chua,
Camper of Absolut Masquerade (2002),
Programmer of AbsolutleeU (2003),
Facilitator of Absolut Emerge (2004)
Psychology Major, Graduating Class of 04/05

My Absolut Experience

I had many fond memories of Absolut camp. What was most memorable was the night hike. I was part of the planning committee in Absolut Masquerade 2001 and was involved in the recces for the night hike. It was the only time anyone would get off at Fort Siloso at 10+pm (3 guys and gals). I remembered the weird and bewildered faces from some of the passengers on the monorail. I remembered walking from Siloso to Tanjong Beach. I remembered playing hike and seek with the rangers… I remembered all these so vividly.

The original aim of the night hike was to test the determination and perseverance of the campers. It was also to create stressful situations so that facilitators could identify the leaders and the followers. For Absolut Masquerade, the objectives were achieved. In fact, we gained more than we expected. From my own experience, the night hike bonded my group campers. They got to know each other better and they also encouraged each other and even encouraged me on. From the facilitator’s point of view, it was tiring both physically and mentally. Not only did we have to complete the hike, we could not tell them where the clues were; we also had to follow them even if they were on the wrong route. On top of that, we had to observe the group dynamics so that we could debrief them the next day.

Absolut was also a good training ground for me. I had to lead one of the major games even though I am more of a follower. I also had to get out of my comfort zone (with all my usual clique of friends) so as to bond the campers together. In my experience of Absolut camp, I learnt more about myself not solely through the personality test we took, but also through facilitation. I realized that my good observation skills and my ability to make friends had eased my job of facilitation. However, facilitation is an art and I also realized my inadequacy. Absolut has also allowed me to make more friends and helped me in getting to know some friends better. Though there is undeniably more fun in FOC (Freshmen Orientation Camp), Absolut camp is one unusual camp that I will always remember.

-Alicia Peh, Facilitator of Absolut Masquerade
Economics Major, Graduating Class of 03/04

What is Absolut Camp about?

The mission of the camp is to enhance self-awareness for all its participants, through group activities, camp planning, and facilitation.

Nothing is absolute. The camp name originated from years ago, when our seniors in the previous camp committees decided that dropping the “e” in the word “absolute” is a form of symbolising the uncertainty in what one knows about oneself.

Absolut is a 3D2N residential camp. Most activities will include some form of sharing, where facilitators pave a path for all group members to express their views on important or sometimes controversial issues. There will also be physical activities both to stimulate the kinetics of your body, and to pose challenges to your perception of limitations and safety zones. Much more of the camp remains to be told and experienced.

The current committee is made up of a core team that is organising the camp for the 2nd time. With our exposure to the camp both as campers and organisers, we have built up a commitment to the concept of the camp. As we prepare to end the chapter of our vibrant varsity life, we hope to relive the process of engaging ourselves with a new group of campers and facilitators through this camp, to share our insight with all of you out there who have yet to experience this strong force of transformation.

We truly believe that the Absolut Experience will create a deep and profound impact on you, just like how it had on us.

May everyone grow and learn from this Absolut Camp.

Koh Zhisheng
Chairperson, Absolut Camp 2007

1. It provides a chance of gaining some new knowledge about yourself
2. It might be the start of a journey towards self-discovery
3. You want to get to make new friends and/or get to know old friends better
4. It is not the usual physical-activity filled camp; rather, it focuses on interpersonal communication, group dynamics and personal reflections
5. It is affordably priced at $25 for 3Days 2Nights
6. It creates an environment where you can talk freely about issues that concern you and share these issues with others
7. It is beneficial for your future undertakings as a social worker
8. YOU. You've read this long list, that means you're an outgoing personality who is keen on knowing yourself and others too. Come to Absolut Camp '07. You will learn a whole lot through the sharing sessions and group activities!

Registration for the camp will commence 22 March, Thursday. It is on a first-registered-first-served basis, so please act fast and email fast to avoid disappointment! There is a strict policy of ONE registration per email, i.e. you cannot register for your friend(s).

All applications with the relevant details below are to be emailed to absolutcamp@gmail.com by 29 March, Thursday.

1. Full Name
2. Matric No.
3. Date of Birth
4. I/C No.
5. Address
6. Major
7. Year of Study
8. Preferred/Most-checked Email Address
9. Contact Number
10. Food Preference: Chinese or Malay or Vegetarian
11. Blood Group
12. Health Problems if any?

If there is overwhelming response, we will have you on the waiting list. Do come back here to check the Vacancy-Counter!

The payment of camp fees ($25) will have to be made on a separate day, which will be announced at a later date.

We hope to hear from you soon!

Hi there,

First and foremost, thank you for visiting the Absolut Camp blogsite! This is the channel of information-dissemination for the camp commitee and the place where interested campers could satisfy their curiosity about the camp. Every detail that you have to know about the camp will be posted/uploaded here. (If you have further queries, please feel free to email absolutcamp@gmail.com and we will get back to you shortly!)

Do come back regularly to check for updates!

Please come back for more Absolut Camp updates.

Cheers!
The Absolut Camp Committee