BAKAS ENVIRONMENTAL CHILDREN?S CAMP BATCH 1

BAKAS eco-kids camp is the pioneer project of the BAKAS youth volunteers. On May 27, 2011, through a collaborative dialogue with Mr. Michael Roscano, a member of Singles for Christ ministry and with the eagerness of BAKAS youth volunteers to share and to put into actions what they have learned during BAKAS 101. Cris Raymund Viray together with BAKAS volunteers held the first BAKAS eco-kids camp in Gawad Kalinga Village Payong, Barangay Dalig, Antipolo City.

The eco-kids camp was attended by 67 kids (35 senior kids and 32 junior kids). The program started with a short prayer. The kids are very excited to have fun in the eco-kids camp. The BAKAS youth volunteers facilitated the kids in the first activity which is the ice breaker game titled "animal sounds". The first group chose the sound of a cat, the second group is dog and the third is snake. Each group shared a simple cheer. Each members of the team was blindfolded and was scattered in the hall. The main goal of the game is to search for the member of the team by just making the sound of their chosen animal. The group that chose the sound of a dog won the said ice breaker game. Meanwhile, the junior kids were taught by the facilitators to make an animal sounds through a chant of the old Mc Donald.

The second activity was the story telling. Cris Raymund Viray, the project head of BAKAS shared a story written by him titled "Si Tara B. sa mundo nina Imbong asar at Inong buska". After the story telling Mr. Viray asked some of relevant questions that deal on good values, waste segregation and sense of volunteerism for the protection of the environment. Right after the processing session Mr. Viray asked the three groups to form a small circle in preparation for the next activity which is the Character sketch. Each group was given a task to use their imagination for them to draw the characters from the story. Group one was given a task to draw Tara B, group 2 are Inong and Imbo while group three are Botetilya, Magzy and Tanz. Each group shared their talents in drawing and in using their creative minds.

The next activity was the waste segregation project. Each group was given a task to look for 5 trashes that belongs to non-biodegradable, biodegradable and recyclable. After they have collected the trashes outside the multi-purpose hall, they need to prepare for a short skitto explain how they will segregate trashes and how they will re-use it, reduce it, and recycle it. After the activity lunch sponsored by CFC-GK Payong chapter was given to the kids. During the lunch break, the youth facilitators had their lunch meeting regarding the team building activities and mini-amazing race and junk art activities in the afternoon.

The afternoon session started with an icebreaking games such as tao, gubat bagyo and paint me a picture. Right after the ice breaking games, the kids proceeded to their junk art workshop. First workshop that they undergo is the puppet workshop. The kids were just given one sock, yarn, needles and thread. They were given 20 minutes to do their puppet. They must possess the value of team work and creativity. They were also allowed to use other materials aside from the materials given to them. One challenge that they have overcome is to give a name to the puppet that they've created. Group one puppet's name is Michelle, second group is Kikay and the third group is Buknoy. The group who finished the first junk art did their group yell.

The second junk art session is the eco-making bag. This is activity is to attest the passion and perseverance of each team. The facilitator of the team instructed the kids on how to do the eco-bag. Each time was only given an old clothe from the bakery, thread, needles and a paint for them to do and to design their own eco-bag. Each team was given 20 minutes to do the task. Right after the eco-making bag activity, each team was given a bond paper, excess colored cut outs of papers and glue. They have instructed to make a leaf and while making the leaf they need to think of a group pledge that they need to do for them to be able to save the environment.

The last part of the eco-camp is the mini-amazing race which have been prepared by the BAKAS youth volunteers. They prepared 8 stations with different task that needs to be accomplished of each team. The kids enjoyed the tasks of each station. The last part and the highlight of the mini-amazing race was the individual pledge making session. They wrote their own personal pledges on how they can save the earth in their own unique and realistic way or ways and paste it to the tree pasted in the board with a placard, "I CAN SAVE THE EARTH".

BAKAS eco-camp ended with the presentations prepared by the girls and boys of BAKAS Eco-kids camp graduate. The kids also received a simple gift of appreciation donated by Mr. Viray's friends. The camp ended with a short prayer and leaved something to the environment and to heart of the kids. We also interviewed two active participants of the eco-kids camp and shared their insights, experiences during the camp and they gave a message to the kids who also want to save the earth. Truly, their hearts was touched to start to make a change and to save the earth.

After, the camp the volunteers have a short fellowship, evaluation of the eco-camp and sharing session on what they have learned through their experiences as facilitators and committee heads. Since the other volunteers are not available on the following day for the eco-kids camp in Grand valley Angono Rizal they just gave their suggestions and helped Mr. Viray to think of other activities to do for the second batch of kids who will experience the camp.

"It is not I who live but it is Christ who lives in me."

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