23rd INCOVAR Dhamma Camp

The 23rd IDC was held from 2-5 June, 2005 at SJBA.
The theme for this camp was "Live Wisely; Rewrite Your Destiny".

If the previous camp (22nd IDC) was the sweetest camp, then this time, the 23rd INCOVAR Dhamma Camp is the most motivating or inspiring camp! That's just my thought, as I see the smiley happy faces of the participants, and hearing compliments from participants on how inspired they were with our activities! Even the talks were NOT boring and infact mind stimulating for most of them.

I wished that I was there for day 2 of Metta session which something new. But I'm thankful to have all the invited guests to grace to camp from 1st day to the last day. *drumroll* we had Uncle Vijaya, Datuk Dr. Wee, Bhante Aggacitta, Sumi Loundon, Bro. Tan Ho Soon, Bro. Hor Tuck Loon, and finally Bro. Oh Kim Leng! These are very prominent and well-known speakers within our community.

Day 2 was the most happening day! From station games in the morning vis-a-vis waterballoon scare, to upclose with Sumi Loundon, not from London but from Boston. Then everyone immediately went down for Dana with Bhante Aggacitta, followed by this cool Thai dance-along session. Then there's talk by Bhante followed by workshop2. In the evening we had this memorable offering session, then for the 1st time we had a different style of "Metta" meditation session conducted by Bro. Hor Tuck Loon. Heard that it was creepy to stare at another person for so long - but that sounds fun to me!

Day 3 started with us the committees and facilitators leading the pack with Dance -along Incovar style! Big thank you to sis. SeenLan and gang for dropping by at night to teach us the dance movement to "Reach" by SClub7 and "I Lay My Love On You" by Westlife. It keeps the spirit alive to move everybody to dance along together with some powerful songs.

Workshop 3 saw Fred & Aaron telling stories. In the afternoon we had the most loud applauding performance by who else ::I-gemz:: They almost brought down the SJBA Shrine Hall with the never ending applause! Thanks to the whole bunch who turned up. Later in the afternoon, we had Bro. Tan Ho Soon with the "Rewrite Your Destiny" talk. From then on, it was silent-mode for all, as we geared participants for the highlight of the night -- IXP! Well, you just have to 'hear' it to believe it yourself. This time we did it rather differently, not without the major support from all the helpers and facilitators. A huge stage setting up was taking place in the out-of-bound area and the highlight ended on a very inspiring note for everyone. Just wish that participants will relish and appreciate the experience unfolded for them.

Then night ended, really late... actually I went to sleep as I was so sleepy by the last programme but participants continued sharing. It was a really tiring day for me, being programmer of the day nonetheless it was sweet and rewarding.

On the morning of day 4, the invited speaker Bro. Oh Kim Leng, came down all the way from Melaka early in the morning with his friends! The talk by Bro. Oh was empowering and always inspiring. He was even funnier than Uncle Vijaya (for me :P)! Well that's just my viewpoint, because its not very often I get to listen to Bro. Oh's moving yet light-hearted talk, especially for the Malaysians, when he used Malay and Hokkien for his jokes. Pity the Thais, but everyone seemed laughing along altogether.

Then we have D2Y choir to perform some acappella before we finally wind down the camp eventually. When I made the announcement "the camp is official closed" -- I breath a sigh of relief. Then came the desire to go round hugging everyone! It was sweet farewell for the Thais and Malaysians of course.

A bus came to pick up the group from YBAT to return to Penang, then another bus came later to pick up the DKF group. Parents and siblings came to pick up the Malaysians. Some stayed back to help committees to pack up the hall before we all left SJBA with a heavy heart.

All in all, this camp was just amazingly wonderful. I wish I was a participant! *When will I see you again?!

reported by Mei Joon 23iDC - Programmer