|
It is ten days into the Sweden 2006 camp and the main word I can use to explain the way I am feeling is knackered. I have literally had on average of fours hours sleep per night compared to the minimum of ten I was getting at university is coming as a shock to me. Apart from the sleep factor, the camp has been an incredible experience.
Having stated in my first blog that this is my first summer camp, all I can say is it has met all my expectations. As the days goes by, it seems the relationship between the mentor and the camper is increasing. There is already a warm feeling around the camp and especially during Namaaz time when the duas are being recited by everyone together. As I stated earlier in the blog, the relationship between the mentor and the camper is vital and a critical part of the camp. Looking back at the past 10 days, the relationship has grown between individuals and their mentors that would have usually taken years. The sports facilities are fantastic and to top it off, it seems everyone is getting involved in the games and in particular the tournament matches between the planets. For instance there was a friendly match between admin & mentors VS Jupiter. Just to add two of the players were Dr Mahmood Datoo who was the rock of the defence and our Muki playing in the attacking position. Additional sports offered include Low Ropes (an obstacle course), Crate Stacking and Tube Skiing. Having experienced all these activities is good and would not have had the opportunity to perform these if I had not attended these meetings. Even though I have offered a great deal to take part in the camp, I have gained an incredible amount of knowledge and I hope friendship that I will be able to hold onto. I am sure when I visit various different Jamaats that the campers have come across which vary from within the UK, Texas, Dar-es-Salaam and Dubai I will know someone. I feel the camp thus far has been a great success by looking at the smiles on the camper’s faces whether it is in the morning at breakfast or at night just before they have to go to bed. For instance, in the theme park day out the attitude of everyone portrayed a good example of how a Young Islamic Youth should live. This is the second and last blog I will be writing and would like to state this camp would not have been possible without the administrators and certain members who have spent countless number of hours to ensure the camp runs smoothly. I hope I have provided some form of assistance to all the campers and I know I will remember this trip for many years to come. To conclude, each camper in this camp has potential to be whatever they want to be and I hope I have played a small part in assisting them to their own desired route. Murtaza Merali |
