Our history is long. This is our 5th annual training camp coversheet.
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camp is one of our major events every year. It is usually held in the college
and this gives the chance for the JC-2 seniors to pass down their knowledge to the
JC-1s. Our training programme is divided into four divisions namely first aid,
camp craft, orienteering and obstacles. The trainees will be trained in these
areas through "formal" lessons and practices conducted by the JC-2s. One
interesting point is that each training group will be required to cook during
the camp. There will be some "surprises" throughout the camp and the last night
is normally ended with campfire or fiesta.This year was no different.
Annual Training Camp 1999
uring the June holidays, JJC ODAC took 5 days off from its original activities in school, to go to Pahang, Malaysia, for the very first ever training cum adventure camp.
After 3 months of preparations, for this event, we, the 18th & 19th Batch ODACians, finally took the train to Jerantut, Pahang on the 31st May 1999. Our theme for the trip was 'One does not discover new lands without consenting to lose sight of the shore for a very long time.' Accompanied by 5 teachers and 55 JJC ODACians, we reached our destination at about 3am.Bearing in mind our camp theme, we prepared ourselves for the challenges ahead of us.
After putting up at a small hotel near the railway station from 3am, we went to take our breakfast at a nearby market place. We could see, by the roads, fishmongers and other hawkers who would place their sale items on by the roadside, awaiting customers to visit. After our breakfast, we went to pack our bags and took a chartered bus to our campsite. Some of us took jeeps too! Our campsite was at an open cave called Gua Tongkak. Gua, in Malay, means cave, so, our campsite was known as Tongkak cave. The cave was like a simple shelter over our heads, but with the presence of stalactites and stalagmites. Upon reaching our campsite, we pitched up our tents, then later attended a short briefing from Mr Francis, our camp co-ordinator and instructor. We then proceeded to our activities.
The 18th and 19th Batch ODACians had 2 different programmes planned, though eventually the things we do are similar. We walked through many of the caves there, some having what is known to the instructors as 'natural air-conditioning'! The 18th Batch ODACians had a 225 feet descent at one of the caves, where we abseil down the 225 feet hole. Then , we had to crawl through a hole, known as the eel hole. Its name came about as the hole itself was a very small and meandering hole and we all had to squeeze through it. While having all these
activities, the 19th Batch ODACians had their fun too. They had natural rock wall climbing, abseiling and trekking. All these were made fun by the instructors from both Singapore and Malaysia. We had a magnificent campfire during one of the nights too! Finally, we all took a swim at the river where we to had our river rafting session. We almost spent the whole day there, before proceeding to a rest house at Kuala Lipis, a small town near our rafting site. We had our last dinner in Malaysia at a restaurant. We then shopped at the town for an hour or so before packing up and leave for the railway station.
Many of us did not feel like returning home. as it was all too fun for us to leave. But of course, we had no choice but to board the train returning to Singapore. The trip was the last one for the 18th Batch ODACians as we boarded the train, depressed and light-hearted. This experience would remain in our minds forever.
Lastly, I would like to thank the following people who had made the trip a possible. They are: Mr Francis, our camp co-ordinator, and the other camp instructors. Our teachers who accompanied us: Mr Zhang Guo Shan, Miss Teo Cheng Yen, Mr Ralph Roche, Miss Sharena and Mr Tan Tai Huat. Without the teachers, we would not be able to go for the trip
and of course, we all needed their special guidance for the camp to be a successful one. Finally, the trip committee, namely: Tan Yiyu, Ong HanHan, Ariff Bin Masjury, Wendy Tan Weiqi and Goh Hanlin of the 18th batch ODAC. Without them, the trip would not have been possible. Also, special thanks to all who have helped us in making the trip a memorable one in one way or another.
Contributed by Tan Yiyu (Camp Chief, Annual Training Camp 1999)
Expedition 1998
old, remarkable and awesome. Three words that tell it all. At an
altitude of 13,145m above sea level, with chilling and strong wind,
one can experience numb fingers and mucus flowing from the nose. This
year, Mt Kinabalu is experiencing a drought. Its waterfall has its
water drained and the usual rainfall dipped tremendously. Towards the
summit, the wind is so strong that a beginner can be thrown off their feet.
However, its fauna and flora, the indigenous survivors, are nothing but
remarkable. The greenery provides fresh air and the clouds are heavenly.
The mountain itself is crafted in such a way that on will be stunned with
God's Creation. Ultimately, after the whole trip, three words are always in
our mind, "Veni, Vidi, Vici".
Contributed by Leo
We participate to various kinds
of competitions. For example, Rock On, Rockamania, Orienteering on Wheels and National
Vertical Vertical Marathon and Singapore River Rafting. The following are accounts of
completed competitions.
Temasek Polytecnic Rockamania IV
he 23th of January marked our club's first competition of the year. Nine of
our members participated in the Rockamania IV organised by Temasek Polytechnic.
On the day of the event, we arrived at Temasek Polytechnic at around 10 am.
The Registration for the competition began at 11 am following which all
competitors proceeded to the multi-purpose hall for isolation. The purpose for
isolation is to prevent competitors from viewing the rockwall. Later on, after
a short briefing, we were allowed eight minutes to observe the wall and plan our
climb. After the observation, we were led back into the multi-purpose hall to
continue our isolation and to wait for our turn to climb. The atmosphere of
the competition was tense and very frightening. The thought that a large crowd
is watching you climb caused much butterflies in our stomacs. This competition
was not only a test of physical strength but also a mental challenge.
Unfortunately, my anxiety was too much for me to handle thus I could only reach
the third panel. Among our climbers, Goh Hanlin (98S20) produced an
outstanding performance and managed to secure a place in the finals held on the
30th of March 1999. Although Hanlin was not able to emerge as one of the prize
winners, his effort was commendable and had done us proud by emerging as one
of the top ten climbers for the competition. On the whole, it was not only a
good outing for the rock climbers but also for those who went down to support.
Contributed by Tan Siew Ling
National Vertical Marathon 1999
n the 28th of February 1999, our school sent 6 teams consisting of three
boys and two girls each from the Outdoor Activities Club and 4 teams from
the Health and Fitness Club to participate in the annual National Vertical
Marathon. This is a challenge posed by the Nanyang Technological University
to climb the 61 storey of the OUB Centre within the shortest time. With
regards to this competition, our members started training weeks before the
ultimate challenge.
Training included climbing the stairs, 5 times at one go, at the
neighbouring 25-storey HDB blocks twice a week. During the training, our
members indeed ' sweated blood ' in order to gear themselves up against the
other Junior Colleges. The day finally arrived. However, upon arrival, our
hopes of winning a medal was almost dashed when we saw how
experienced and professional the other participants appeared to be. But, our
ODAC spirit urged us not to give up. Our efforts were paid off when one of
our teams was 2nd runner-up for the Inter-JC category. Our victory came from
Goh Hanlin (98S20), Tan Yiyu (98S5), Ng Swee Hoe (98S18), Cai Jiamin (98S11)
and Lin Wei Ling (98S9) with a total time of one hour and nine minutes.
Although we did not clinch the top prize, our cohesion and unity was
obviously the best among the various participants. Well done everyone!
Contributed by Ng Swee Hoe
National Sport and Speed Climbing Championships 1999
he national sport climbing championships was held on 12 June 1999 to 19 June 1999 at the World Trade Center Expo Gateway. It basically consist of two categories -- the speed event, where competitors had to race up a 14m high wall in the fastest time possible, and the difficulty event whereby competitors put their skills and determination to the test in scaling a steeply incline wall.
In the speed U-19 category for boys, Goh Hanlin did JJC proud by reaching the last eight in the competition. The event featured top climbers from the various polytechnics and junior colleges and the competition was tough. More glory was yet to come for JJC as our girls performed even better. They swept all top three places in the speed U-19 category. The winners are, in order of merit, Cheok Poh Yian, Tan Lee Huang and Cai Jiamin.
In the difficulty event for school under 20, three girls namely, Tan Siew ling, Cheok Poh Yian and Tan Lee Huang advanced to the semi-finals. The semi-finals featured the top 25 female climbers who did well in the preliminary round. Unfortunately, that was the furthest they could go. Goh Hanlin experienced a similar fate when he too failed to advance to the finals of the school under 20 category for boys.
In the team event for schools, each school had to send in three representatives for the category. The girls team, consisting Tan Siew ling, Cheok Poh Yian and Tan Lee Huang, finished a respectable forth placing. Their commendable effort could not surpass that of the top three. In the boys' category, the team of Ng Swee Hoe, Yue Jian Quan and Goh Hanlin rose to the occasion and managed to grab a hard earned third placing despite tough competition from the others.
All in all, it was a splendid performance from everyone. A special thanks goes out to all those who supported the climbers throughout the week-long competition.
Contributed by Yue Jian Quan
part from training camp, expeditions and competitions, we also organise
courses for our members in conjunction with other organisations. Examples
of these are canoeing, rock climbing and the indispensible Outward Bound
courses.
| Term/Week |
Programme / Activity |
| 1/1 |
Club Organisation / Maintenance |
| 1/2 |
Club Stock Checking / Open House 1 |
| 1/3 |
Club Administration / Orientation 1 |
| 1/4 |
Temasek Polytechnic Rockamania |
| 1/5 |
Training for National Vertical Marathon |
| 1/9 |
National Vertical Marathon |
| 2/2 |
Open House 2 |
| 2/3 |
Preparation for Orientation Camp |
| 2/4 |
Orientation Camp @ Pulau Ubin |
| 2/5 |
Skills Development for JC1s |
| 2/8 |
Preparation for Overseas Training Camp |
| 2/11 |
Overseas Training Camp |
| 2/12 |
National Sport and Speed Climbing Championships |
| 3/6 |
Annual General Meeting |
| 3/7 |
Club Administration/Maintenance |
| 3/9 |
Orienteering On Wheels |
| 3/11 |
Youth Adventure Day |
| 4/3 |
Suspension of ECA for JC-1 |
| 4/6 |
Preparation for Annual Expedition |
| 4/7 |
Club Maintenance |
| 4/8 |
JC1 Camp @ Jalan Bahtera |
| 4/11 |
Annual Expedition |
| 4/13 |
OBS for JC-1/2 |
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