Day one at camp…
Eyes shut…eyes open. It felt like I had just got into my comfy bed after having put my shining planet to sleep, and then before I knew it  I was crawling out of bed and moving around the room swiftly awakening my group of campers also known as the martians from mars for fajr salaat. After having completed our morning prayers with the rest of the camp it was back under the quilt covers.

Eyes shut…eyes open. The day started with 8.00 am breakfast in which we savoured the scrumptious Swedish sliced cheese. The campers were then sent to their pre-allocated classes and in the meanwhile we (the mentors) gathered for a meeting whereby we discussed our progress with zinat aunty and nikhat aunty, who both are always a pleasure to talk to. During this time we mentors also gained a chance to plan our day and prepare activities for the campers. Our meeting was called to an end as it was nearing the campers break time and we were to serve them with fruit ad drinks. Lunch and namaz was followed by sports. I must say, here I realised how the role of being mentor is one where you have to play many roles simultaneously. As me and my fellow footy partner Fatema were coaching the football, we were not only refereeing along side but also teaching team building and enforces team bonding during the half times. Open mindedness and keeping ones cool I believe was key as well as creativity as red and yellow cone discreetly replaced the absence of red and yellow card.

PDT (Personal Development Time) followed after dinner and namaz and gave all of us a chance to exercise that competitive streak from within. And so the games began, quizzes and puzzles were solved and the planets grew from strength to strength, supporting each other to win every point. It was a fascinating scene.

Planet time however, was where I learnt the most about my own campers and about how each and every single camper is unique and beautiful in their own way. By using different games and activities each camper was able to express the skills within them. For example, one of the activities we had was to think of a group aim in two minutes and fulfil it in three. We also created a planet aim for the ten days at the camp, this was to memories the asma al husna before the end of the trip …we hope to succeed with your prayers, inshallah.

The day ended well and I believe it was due to the stimulating mental, spiritual and physical activity during the day. Infact I say the day ended very well as we mentors had expected very late nights infact early mornings but alhamdullah the girls were stars and (well atleast from my planet!) and it wasn’t long before we retired for a good nights sleep. Eyes shut….
 

Sweden 2008 - Girls