Camp report

Camp Report

1. COMMUNITY LIVING CAMP REPORT

INTRODUCTION

According to the new curriculum, we had to undergo a residential Community Living Camp/Citizenship
Training Camp. It’s a joint camp of Student Teachers and Teacher Educators. We, the students of BNV
College of TeacherEducation had it in our college campus. The objectives of such a camp was to make us
learn to live together co-operatively, development of personal and social skillsthrough participation in
programs, to practice democratic living and to provide chances for division of labour, community work,
etc. It’s a four day camp from 05th April 2014 to 08th April 2014.
MAIN THEME OF THE CAMP DURING THE ACADEMIC YEAR

The camp was named, “Akathalam” with “keraleeyam” as theme. The theme as such was related to
Education, Society, Culture and Environment. “Keraleeyam” as per the meaning it bears in Malayalam
was an attempt to trace back the culture of Kerala; to feel the togetherness; to practice sharing and
caring and to grab the knowledge about how much we, Keralites have changed! Objectives were to be
framed on the basis of the theme.

OBJECTIVES

The common objectives of the camp were:
• To promote social accommodation and broaden the mental abilities of the student-teachers
• To promote the democratic nature and involvement of the student-teacher in planning and
implementing educational activities
• To develop critical thinking about the issues related to the policies/approaches in Education
• To inquire in to the cultural, social, scientific, educational and environmental aspects of a
community
• To develop an interest to train the body and mind for a well-balanced personality

2. MODULE

DAY 02

Time Activity

5:00 am Wake up call
5:30 am – 6:30 am Cleaning and fresh up
6:30 am – 6:45 am Bed-tea
6:45 am – 7:45 am Yoga
7:45 am – 8:30 am Reading time and preparation
8:30 am – 9:30 am Breakfast
9:30 am – 9:45 am Assembly
10:00 am – 12:00 pm Household survey
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Lunch
1:00 pm – 1:30 pm Cleaning
1:30 pm – 3:30 pm Debate (Impact of Westernization on
our culture/lifestyle)
3:30 pm – 4:00 pm Tea-time
4:00 pm – 4:30 pm Visiting/Personal time
4:30 pm – 5:45 pm Outdoor games
6:00 pm – 7:30 pm Cultural programs
7:30 pm – 8:00 pm Dinner
8:00 pm – 9:00 pm Report writing
10:00 pm Bed-time

3. SECTION WISE DETAILS

05 APRIL 2014
DAY 01

As per instructions, we reached the college by 9:30 am. We assembled in our respective
‘houses’. In-charge for the day was “Ashadam” house.
The assembly commenced at 10:30 am soon after our chief guest SmtEaswariAmma
teacher arrived. She marked the beginning of the camp by hoisting the camp flag. Arya Chandran was
the MC for Assembly. The assembly started with a prayer by Arun Raj. Pradeep Kumar welcomed rest of
the camp mates and teachers. SmtEaswariAmma teacher and our Principal DrValsala teacher did the
felicitation. This was followed by a thought for the day, “Time and Tide Waits for No Man”. The thought
was communicated by Sreerekha. News headlines of the day was given by Sephaniya Francis. Next in the
row was the pledge by Lekshmi S. G.
Parliament for the day held the oath taking ceremony. The Prime Minister was
Athiraand the Cabinet Ministers were as follows:
Food and Health Minister – Krishnasree
Finance Minister – AiswaryaSanthosh
Cultural Minister – Ajeesh A. J
The Prime Minister gave out the promises of his cabinet. The Assembly ended with National Anthem.
Till lunch time we discussed about the program schedule for the coming days in our
respective houses.
After lunch around 1:30 pm, all of us gathered in the ET Lab for a seminar by DrSobha
Mathew, Branch Manager, Family Planning Association of India. Before the speaker had reached Meera
ma’am and Reshmi ma’am gave us guidelines for the Household Survey which is to be conducted the
next day. Around 2:00 pm DrSobha Mathew arrived and gave us an informative and impressive talk on
“HIV/AIDS Scenario”. She also presented a documentary on AIDS through drug abuse. The seminar got
winded around 3:40 pm.
The tea-time followed with hot tea and tasty banana fry. Next was the time for outdoor
games. After some fun time we freshened up and congregated in the ET Lab for the evening prayer. It
consisted of prayers of all community. Cultural programs followed which consisted of songs by Arun Raj
and Suji Suresh, and a Music Game.

4. Parliament was next in the scene. It was a mock parliament with lots of fun and
entertainment with a dash of reality.
We dispersed for the dinner and gathered in our houses to write the report of the day.
Lights got off at 10:00 pm.

06 APRIL 2014
DAY 02

Today it was the turn of our house, “Vaishakham”. Our day started at around 4:00 pm.
The house shared duties like cleaning, cooking, etc. with mutual understanding and in harmony.We
served bed-tea around 6:00 in the morning. We could complete the preparation of breakfast and lunch,
and do the cleaning of the premises and the toilets by 8:00 am. Our menu was like Idly, Mulakushyam
and Chutney for breakfast as well as Rice, Dal, Thoran, Papad and Pickle for lunch.
Breakfast was served at 8:30 am. At about 9:30 am we assembled for the day’s
assembly. The assemblage started with a prayer by Geethu followed by pledge by Shalu. There after
there was a thought for the day, “When the going gets tough, the tough gets going”, described by
Anandalakshmi S. Nair. News was something related to the real world but the special news was
innovative and tremendous. The parliament of the house conducted its oath taking ceremony. The
assembly disseminated with the National Anthem.
After that we enthused on for a Household Survey on Lifestyle changes in Kerala Society.
Following the previous day’s instruction we moved on. It started raining heavily but with God’s grace
and strong will, we could complete it on time. Once we were back, we sat together for a survey report
with TANG quenching our thirst!
At about 1:00 pm we had lunch after submitting the survey report.
Soon after lunch, we gathered in the ET Lab for a debate on “Impact of Westernisation
in our culture/lifestyle”. Jinu was the mediator, who conducted the debate very well.
In between, we, the Vaishakham house, who were not participants, as per the rule,
went out for making evening tea and snacks. At 4:00 pm we could serve tea with an innovative snack
‘noodles bonda’. After tea was some personal time and then time for outdoor games.
After games we got freshen up and gathered again in the ET Lab for prayer. It was a
Satsang with songs from all community and invocation of certain lines from bible. After Satsang we kick
started the cultural programme with a small skit, a game participating all and a sweet recipe. As there
was more time, we made it open-ended for songs. Many of us sang.

5. Next in the row was the attraction of any day, the Parliament. It was again amusing. A
sample dinner was served before parliament for tasting.
Then we dispersed for an ethnic dinner with Kanji, Payarthoran, Tapioca papad and fried
dried chilly. After cleaning the utensils and handing over the kitchen to the next day’s house, we sat for
the report of the day. The day seemed to be successful and we slept at 10:00 pm.

07 APRIL 2014
DAY 03

The day started at 5:00 am. After tidying we had tea at about 6:00 am prepared by the
“Shravanam” house, who were in limelight today. At 6:45 pm, we all joint in the seminar hall for yoga.
Till around 8:00 am we did yoga and then came down for breakfast. Puttu and Kadala curry were the
items.
About 9:30 am we assembled in the courtyard. As usual the assembly started with
prayer by Vibitha and Sanooja. It proceeded with pledge by Padmaja. Prasad gave an explanation for “
As the thought, so the mind; As you think, so you become”. News headlines were delivered by Swona
Henry. After this normal news came the spectacular “Akathalam News” which explained the previous
day’s proceedings in a hilarious manner.
Morning 10:00 am to 12:00 pm we had “Meet the Author” with DrChandrikaBalan. It
was a wonderful session in which we got a thorough knowledge about the personal and official life of
ma’am. The meeting was interactive as well.
12:30 pm we spread for lunch. We had Rice with some lip smacking accompaniments!
After lunch we had a Dance Kalari lead by Janu teacher in the seminar hall. The teacher gave demo of all
the South Indian dance forms and made us follow her for better understanding. Some of us got the
chance to echo each form. The session summed up with a DJ!
Tea-time followed with steamy hot tea and Ullivada. Outdoor games followed with
some personal time. The games were such to give us nostalgic remembrance.
We freshened up and gathered in the ET Lab for prayer. After enlightening the spirits we
received an entertainment spell. The team of the day had prepared some folk songs, a skit and a game
to amuse us.
After cultural programs we saw the videos made by Malayalam and Math departments
according to the curriculum. They proved to have done lots of hard work and their dedication was
showing.

6. Parliament was next in the row. Nothing to explain new, it was a usual Parliament with
controversies, walk outs and boycott.
We dispersed for dinner with Kanji, Chammandi and Papad. As it was the last night of
the camp, we had a camp fire at around 10:00 pm. We had lots of fun with dance and music. The fantasy
ended at around 12:00 pm.

08 APRIL 2014
DAY 04

The day started before the sun was still partially hiding at around 5:00 am. It was fresh
up time till 6:00 am. After that we had black tea and around 6:40 am we gathered in the seminar hall for
yoga. The yoga extended till around 8:15 am today, as we did pranayama and meditation along with
yoga.
Soon after yoga we rushed down for breakfast, as we were all hungry. In breakfast we
had Idly and Sambar. About 9:30 am we gathered for the assembly. As usual we started off with a
prayer. Then pledge, thought for the day, news, special news and then the oath taking ceremony of the
Prime minister and other ministers.
At about 10:15 am, we had Folk-song Kalari in ET Lab. It was taken by Mr. Sebastian;
Lecturer of D.Ed. Sir gave us some lyrics for composing too. The experience was new and refreshing.
Each house tried their level best. The session ended at 12:30 pm and we dispersed for lunch thereafter. I
wonder from where that home sickness came in bulk! Soon after the lunch all except the members of
Ashadam team (in-charge of the day), went up to their rooms and stuffed their bags. But there was still
time. In between for the first time in these four days something unusual happened; the pipe in the
kitchen broke, and there was a hotchpotch for a short while. The utensils hired were returned. The
grocery and vegetables that became extras after the camp found its way to different hands through
auction. After that wind up session we gathered in the ET Lab for a valedictory function. Each house
captains shared their experiences in the presence of Valsala teacher, Meera teacher and Suni teacher.
They guided us for our speech. Some other student teachers too shared their view. Suni teacher gave us
the list of expenses. We were more than happy to hear from her that we have saved a lot of money. She
distributed the balance to the class reps of each optional and they in turn circulated the money among
the peer group.
With lots of memories and new friendships we started for home around 4:30 pm.

7. APPENDIX

Organization committee
Camp officer
Reshmi teacher
List of group and members
ASHADAM
Manija - Captain
Shiney – Vice Captain
Aiswarya
Krishnasree
Athira
Vaishakhan J. S
Sreerekha
Lekshmi S. G
Arun Raj
Sephaniya Francis
Ajeesh A. J

VAISHAKHAM
Anandalakshmi S. Nair – Captain
JinuNazar – Vice Captain
Naseeba
Mini
Renjith

8. Geethu
Uma
Shimi
Sajeena
Vaishakan. S
Anakha
Chinthu
Shruthi
Jobi
Viji
Shalu
Reeni
Prasad S. R
Sabeena

SHRAVANAM
Padmaja – Captain
Vibitha
Sanooja
Prasad D. G
Swona Henry

Group wise responsibility
Ashadam House – from 05
th
April afternoon till dinner time and from 08
th
April morning till
Afternoon

9. Vaishakham House – on 06
th
April
Shravanam – on 7
th
April

CONCLUSION
The Community Living Camp was actually a teaching-learning process. We as future
educators could learn the connection between Education and Social Change, Education-its creative and
social aspects, Educational development through nature, agriculture, and culture and so on. This made
the training camp successful.