Diagnosed with Ewings Sarcoma (a type of bone cancer) at the age of 6, Gigi joined Camp Quality as a camper in 2001.  Now a teenager at the age of 15, she says the best part about summer camp is seeing and meeting up with old friends again. 

Here she gives us an account of this year’s summer camp experience: 

This year’s Summer Camp took place at the Sai Kung Jockey Club Outdoor Training Camp.  After a brief introduction and orientation by camp staff, everyone was organized into respective dormitories and before you knew it, it was already supper time.  Mealtimes are one of my favourite times during camps because it gives us an opportunity to catch up with old friends. The Camp Quality companions here make it so much fun and they care so much about us, you can always hear plenty of giggles and laughter during meal times. There is always a great atmosphere at a Camp Quality camp.  

After dinner, a special performance was arranged from the Hong Kong Handbell Academy.  Ms Chan from the Academy bought along 10 of her students to perform a series of special tunes, using hand chimes of various sizes.  Ms Chan also gave us a very informative and fun talk on the background and history of Handbells and Chimes.  After their performance, some of us were invited on stage to have a go ourselves, my companion Annie also went up. 

Annie has been my companion since I first joined Camp Quality, we actually first met at this particular campsite. She is a very considerate and caring person, she helps me with my studies and has done a great job taking care of me. 

After our evening entertainment, most of us descended to the campsite tuck-shop to purchase snacks and drinks before retiring to our dormitories.  I met a friend called Jacqueline Jones at Camp Quality but since Jackie can’t speak any Cantonese, we have had to communicate in English. At first we were both very shy, we didn’t talk much because of the language barrier. I was very apprehensive to express myself in English but after meeting up several times at Camp Quality events, I‘ve gained the confidence to have a conversation with her in English and we talk very much about anything and everything now and have become great friends. 

The next morning after breakfast, all the campers had the opportunity to savor some great outdoor adventure programs.  I and some other girls gave abseiling a go. Initially it didn’t look too hard, I thought it would be quite easy but after putting on all the safety equipment and looking down from a distance, I started to feel extremely nervous and was scared. Luckily I had such encouragement from my companion and others in the group, that the limitations stopped. When I thought about how everyone was rooting for me and how supportive our Camp Quality family has been, this give me much determination and the fear inside me didn’t stop me from finishing the task. 

In the afternoon, we were all split into four groups and all took part in a series of Group Competitions. Most of the games and tasks involved water and needless to say, most of us were all completely drenched from top to bottom. 

After dinner, we all moved to the Games Hall for more competitive Games. What was special here was the games were being lead by former campers who have turned 18 years old or much older. They are now our big brothers and sisters and they return each year to help Camp Quality at each summer camp.  

Happy times always seem to pass quickly and Annie and I spent our last day playing a game of badminton. Don’t judge Annie by her petite appearance, she plays a mean game of badminton and we both sweat it out.  It was not long though before we had to go and pack our belongings ready to board the bus for our journey home. 

It has certainly been another fun-filled camp, ending with plenty of laughter and smiles…

Gigi with her friend Jackie!!