Never in a million light years had I thought I'd be running a deaf camp, especially in a foreign country and interacting with kids isn't really my scene but I am glad to say that I was severely mistaken. All of us raring to go in our deaf camp t-shirts and it was quite a long bus ride, up and around the mountains to the isolated deaf camp site on top of a hill in Ranau. The main outdoor section looked directly out towards the scenic Mountain Kinabalu, it was literally on the doorstep. It was absolutely freezing (well to the kids) when we arrived, as the camp is up in mountains, so it was a bit strange to see everyone wrapped up so warm. Kirsty and I were a bit unprepared on the clothing front. We were so concentrated on organizing the games and props that we packed last minute and only brought a small bag each. The kids all had huge bags bulging with stuff. So we were freezing in our one and only thin jumpers, while they all had their hats and gloves on! Then again, I thought to myself 'Hang on, if this weather feels like a typical cool spring night back in the U.K then what would the kids be like if there were winter conditions?' Started straightaway after lunch to get into it and if anyone was late, we made them do press-ups *sniggers*. Explained the motto of 'No I in a team', how 'teamwork' was the core of this camp and that they would be awarded points for this. Ran through the 'Everywhere we go' camp song once previously at the school and they loved it so had the moves sussed straight away when asked to perform the camp song. I took up on Martine's idea of giving each group a name - the Elephants, Lions, Orangutans, Tigers and Zebras. The teachers were really enthusiastic as well, which really helped and the kids were up for anything, they never ran out of energy or complained once, even at 11 at night! Set a task for each group to babysit an egg throughout the whole camp. They had to take in turn to take care of their egg as it had to be with them 24/7. They did the works to protect their egg, you name it and they did it. Names and decorations were given to their egg *guffaws*. However, unfortunately, the Orang-utan's egg didn't make it. It was dropped outside and I've never seen such an episode. The poor girl responsible for the egg at that given time burst into tears and was distraught! Had to reassure her and that it wasn't the end of the world. It was only an egg, think they all got a bit attached to them. Looking back, we're laughing about it *chuckles*. In the evening, we had sharing moments and to avoid interruptions, I gave each team a Ping-Pong ball and the person who is permitted to talk is the one who held the Ping-Pong ball. They had to tell their funniest and best moment that resulted in some *ahem* toilet humour that had us all cranking up. *expresses amusement*. Just before night night time, I informed them that they would have to be lined up in their group in the main outdoor section, ready to do the 6.15am morning exercise. To surprise, the early birds were crazily already filed up shortly after 5am just to get points and admire Mountain Kinabalu in clear sight. You could see for miles over mountains cloaked in clouds, was purdy. Also, the Muslims had to do their 5am morning prayer. The Muslims couldn't wear their headscarves while carrying out the activities, so instead they wore bandanas. After breakfast, we all headed out on a 3Km fantastic jungle trek. The kids were really getting into it, first we had to tackle going under an army style tunnel in the mud, then through the jungle, which was almost (but not quite) as muddy as uncle Tan's. We found ourselves sliding down vertical hills, having to get across a crevice over two horizontal poles, climbing a vertical mudslide using ropes, then down the other side, which was absolute banter. The kids, especially the boys, were great at giving a helping hand, especially if your about to slide into a pile of mud! Brilliant teamwork was shown, not in groups but as a whole. Three hours later we emerged back at camp, caked in mud, with branches and twigs on our hair, and the majority with big smiles on their faces. However, I soon discovered that two girls cried the whole way as they hated it but with the help of others, every single person completed the not easy two hour jungle trek. Animal face painting took place, the kids painted each other's faces according to their group's title. The tigers were looking exceptionally impressive. Seeing that I was responsible, I was apprehensive that the kids would end up getting a rash on their faces. Told them if any itching or stinging occurs that they would have to wash it off immediately and luckily, no rashes came about. Briefly the list of various games played: • Acting out letters - The kids had to act out the letter or word that I signed to them. The quickest to complete the letter won (they had to lie on the ground and make the shape of the letter). • Over and under ball game • Spider roll race • Egg (well Ping-Pong) spoon race • Sack race • Splash game - The group had an open bottle full of water with a ping pong ball floating at the top, they had to carry it round one circuit of the camp, without spilling the water or having their ping pong ball stolen by the teachers. • Tangled circle game - Co-operated well as a team. • Plank Walking - It started out well, but then some groups were in such a rush to move that they all fell like dominos. • Magic carpet - Standing on a large piece of paper, had to turn the paper over without standing off it. • Clothes race - One member of the group had to be dressed by the other members in a relay race game, quite amusing to see the boys wearing maternity clothes and scarves around their heads, they were loving it though, they even gave us a cat walk at the end. Hilarious! • Spider web - Kirsty and I created a man made spider's web outside, where the teams had to pass each member through the web, without touching the rope. • Back to back water game - Resulted in a great water fight. • Chocolate game - Had to finish the chocolate bar with their hands tied and a knife and spoon. On the last night, we had an appetizing BBQ that was followed on by roasting mushy marshmallows on satay sticks. This was an exciting experience for them that they kept coming back for more with more than enough squashed up marshmallows on one stick *chuckles*. A formal closing ceremony took place before we left, for the Special Education director and camp principal. Huge thanks to the Special Education Department for covering the camp costs (the kids only had to pay RM10, about 1.50 quid).The ceremony began with a few speeches, votes of thanks, and then the kids received their certificates, individual and team prizes. We closed the ceremony on the 'Deaf Camp Song', which the kids really love. The kids said their farewells to the canteen staff and out of the blue they became tearful. I thought 'Huh? You've only been with them for a few days', then I reminded myself these kids really made an effort to communicate with the staff and that they have never come across such an amazing happy bunch of well-behaved kids. x