We had breakfast at a "food court" somewhere along the way, and arrived in Saraburi at around 11.30am. Our accomodation was at a resort at one end of the town, in the district of Muaklek. Although the grounds were pretty, there wasn't a pool or a shop at the resort, but there were bicycles to rent or use, and a tennis court. The rooms were wooden cabins and sparsely furnished, but sufficient for our 2 night stay. Students stayed in the dormitory rooms, and did complain that there weren't enough bathrooms in the dorms, but the cabin I shared with Meggyn had 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms (shower and toilet). After check-in, we had lunch and then proceeded to the main hall for the opening address by the director of the Language Centre, whereafter the games began.
As usual, our camps are divided into big group activities as well as small group lessons. Big group activities usually involve one teacher at the helm and the other teachers helping and demonstrating the activity. These activities generally last for about an hour, and almost always involve singing and dancing. Because our students are from different faculties and years, we always have an elimination activity to create groups which are a mix of all students. Part of the camp idea is for the students to develop social skills and form new friendships.
As usual the opening activity was followed by the group lessons on a rotation basis. We had 4 small groups of 11 students each - and 4 teachers. The lessons were outside, under the trees or wherever seemed to be a comfortable and convenient spot. They were half hour lessons, each teacher focusing on an individual skill or combination of skills. Including the half hour break in the afternoon, we got through 3 small groups each and finished for the day at around 4pm. Students were free until 6pm when we would meet again at the restaurant for dinner. After dinner, each to their own.
The second day, after breakfast, another big group activity to get the day started, and then a repeat of the first day, with another big group activity after lunch. We finished the small groups at 3.30pm to allow the students a little more practice time for their "student shows" later that evening after dinner.
The students were only informed about their show for night 2 at the opening ceremony on day 1, so they had to find and make do with whatever they had. Another skill we try to teach them - we make do with what is available.
The show started at around 7.30pm, each group had come up with their ideas, put things together and really gave us a great evening of entertainment. Very creative ideas and completely happy with doing and being anything at all, the students did a superb job and made sure the evening was a great success. Hundreds of photos later, by about 9.30pm elated students and weary teachers made our way back to our lodgings.
Before we knew it, it was day 3, and the last morning. After breakfast and one big group activity, the voting for the 3 categories of excellence was concluded, and the camp was officially closed. Lunch was the last stop before we headed out to the Namtok Chet Saonoi waterfall, and to the sunflower garden. Unfortunately, the sunflowers were dried up so we didn't stop there after all and headed straight to the waterfall. Some of the students paddled around in the water for a while, others were more energetic and went for a short hike up the mountain. The cold weather we had been having was long gone by the 2nd day of camp, and it was very hot at the waterfall.
After the waterfall, we were on the road again, stopped briefly at a local produce market, and then the long(ish) road back to NS, arriving at about 6pm.
Great camp, lovely students and a lot of fun.
Some photos below.
