The Boys' outing to West Coast Park was pretty refreshing for me. I believe it was the same for them as well. Out of the 50 Boys, 35 turned up. A good 70% attendance despite having a separate school event on that day.

The theme of that day is pretty much of responsibility, as least for group DXX. I have no idea how they came up with such a group name but they sure liked it...for some reasons still unknown to me. Kids are like that, the reasons embedding the actions they do can be really out of the world, illogical even.

Well, a handful didn't manage to submit their consent on wednesday even though they have been reminded many times. A few more didn't hand in even on friday. And we received guest appearance of Boys who haven't been around for the last month's meetings. Haha, it's amazing how a camp/outing can draw them back. This group was pretty interesting, somehow they were grouped together like this. Nicholas is one of the smallest in build while Hong Jie is kinda an overgrown for a P4 Boy. In this picture, they seemed happy. As though they felt carefree and have climbed to the top of a mountain. Haha, or so it seems. In another picture, HJ had to carry Nic just to make sure he gets into the frame of the picture. That's nice.

Many of these Boys come from families that are less than desirable. For a good 25% of the population, they live in a foreign land with a few friends and a single parent who has to work most of the time just to make the meals everyday.

I tried to put myself in their shoes, it seems the same. At this age, they need a masculine adult figure in their lives whom they can look up to and even relate. Should they fail to find that in their close proximity, they will search for friends who seem to fit the bill. I realised I didn't have to try very hard. They just need someone to be there and show that they are available for them to approach. Some of them are actually lonely. Well, I got to be their friend first.

The West Coast Park outing had 2 volunteers from WAM. Whoopii! Haven't seen a member volunteer for ages and it sure was encouraging to have them help out especially at an outing. I vividly recall the Parents' Nite during the March Camp proved that we are in need and shortage of manpower. We needed a cameraman, or at least someone to snap pictures of all the happenings and how parents would participate in assisting their seemingly helpless Child in getting the water to boil just for a packet of noodles. It would also have been great if we could capture the expressions of the parents as they see their Child in action through the video presentation. If only there were more hands...

Lord, I'm sure You will provide or at least move the hearts of men to serve You. I wait in anticipation.

3 men team. Maybe less, maybe more. =]