It was a camp that was promised to be different from the pow wow’s and the camporama’s. It was a camp that has its own identity, own pride and own history. And indeed it was. The 25th anniversary camp live up to its expectation. Jointly organized by Calvary Church KL#1 and Grace Klang Selangor #1, and with special invites to Grace PJ Selangor #7, 180 plus Royal Rangers stood together as they participated in the 25th Royal Rangers Anniversary Camp, thus writing their names in the Royal Rangers history book in Malaysia. Do you know that Selangor #1 and KL#1 shared the history of being the 1st outpost to be officially opened in Malaysia? Yes, they are the longest serving outpost running in Malaysia.
And in conjunction with their Silver Jubilee Anniversary celebration this year 2007, both the churches has come together and planned this exciting & yet different camp. Just ask anyone in the committee, how much time and effort was put into this camp, and they will begin to tell you their late night stories. All thanks to them and by the grace of God, we pull through yet another exciting event this year.
Days before the camp date, leaders can be seen hanging around the fellowship hall of Grace Klang, buying stuffs, making stuffs, planning stuffs, thinking of stuffs…so on and so forth. Almost everyday until the day the camp starts, the fellowship hall was their second home, working area, working station, office, sewing area, horse ranch, cowboy town, construction ground…etc.
This was the first Royal Rangers camp (as far as the writer can remember) that has a 10 groups of 13-14 rangers from Discovery, Adventure and Expedition age group combined all together. Usually we would have 4 big groups of rangers. This was the first notable difference amongst the usual Royal Rangers camp.
From the moment, they arrive the campsite at Kem ALIM (Akedami Latihan Inovasi dan Motivasi) in Kuala Langat, Banting, they were filled with uncertainty as they pitched their tents, have their lunch and brace what group activities that is ahead of them.
The Battle of SPARTANS with these Mighty Gladiators awaits them in the afternoon session. Under the watchful eyes of the Gladiators, each group were made to battle each other and challenged physically.
At night, Selangor # 7 of Grace PJ opened the ceremony with fantabulous ‘so you think you can dance’ armed with marching beat dance. It was breathtakingly awesome.
After the opening ceremony, the groups were assembled again to go through the trail of Vietkong (communist era). This time, they were challenged mentally before they are allowed back to their tents.
The next day started out brightly with the Ranger kids’ visitation and activities. The whole camp was turned into a WALK down memory lane and past the present and towards the future. This concept and idea was beautifully crafted by Selangor # 7 Senior Cmdr. Theresa Teoh and gang.
The Discovery and Ranger kids’ went through the old Royal Rangers program where there were straight arrows and buckaroos, before proceeding to pioneers and trailblazers. These brought back a lot of memories to the older rangers. Then, they were introduced to the current program with Ranger kids’, Discovery, Adventurer and Expedition. Everyone had fun under the sun.
Then, Cmdr. Larry and gang took over the town and turn it into a Wild Wild West Cowboy town for the afternoon activities. Everywhere you turn, you see a cowboy and a cowgirl walking past. They even managed to get stacks of hays for their horse ranch. The only thing missing was a horse. Each group were made to go through 10 different stations where they make for themselves a cowboy vest, hat, gun, mustache, learn how to do line dance, drink cowboy drink and food, learn how to shoot and go through a rodeo… It is tiring just listing these activities, imagine go through them... under the bright sun. But nevertheless, at the end of the day, it was fun for everyone under the sun.
Calvary Church KL# 1 took over the service for the night session before we proceed to the campfire ground for a RED INDIAN council fire. With the coolness of the night and under the bright warm camp fire, the rangers went through some interesting game and story time before calling it a wrap. It was the last night, so everyone stayed on to fellowship with one another.
At the end of the camp, all the effort, sacrifices put in was well worth it when we begin to see every Rangers smiling and greeting and fellowshipping with one another, irregardless of their background. Everyone was helping each other with the packing up, cleaning the camp ground and dismantling of tents. It was well worth the sweat, tears, plans, late nights… etc. It was well worth the effort.
PRAISE GOD & THANK YOU GUYS AND GIRLS!!
