Season three was very similar to season 2. Except, our numbers had increased. We registered 21 campers, and for the first time the crossover camp needed a big bus to convey campers. As opposed to the usual sedans and siennas.
We had impressive first-timers like Rasheedah from kaduna who joined us afraid and unsure, but left the camp feeling like a conqueror. We had campers like seun and his girlfriend Catherine, we had Ando and his good friend Farida, Ladi joined us from Barceona, making him our first attendee from another country. Caleb Joined us from portharcourt, making it not only our biggest camp, but our most diverse.
The trip to the camp ground took two hours, and the campers enjoyed every minute of it, chatting away and catching up from last year’s camp. Making the first-timers even more eager to see their own experiences unfold.
Upon arrival, campers cleaned the camp and divided themselves into groups. Some fetched wood with the help of the locals, others made a fire and the rest fetched water. The camp was alive from the very beginning. And since campers must set up their own tents by themselves as part of the camping experience, everybody got busy with it almost immediately and once all settled, everybody rushed into the nearby river to take a very well deserved cold bath.
Day two saw us begin our camp games. campers were split into groups of two to compete in our crossover tournament of games which include charades, twister, tug of war and a lot of other fun games. The price for the best performing duo in the tournament, was free tickets to the next edition of the crossover camp, so the games were fiercely contested. In the end, Jacob and Sarah emerged victorious.
Season 3 was also the first season where we had a proper barbecue party. A live ram was brought to the camp and campers came together to slaughter, sing, and roast the meat. It was a refreshing addition that members appreciated and the barbecue feast was all the merrier.
At the end of the camp as usual, campers were treated to an exclusive cultural display that was immersive and participatory for them. The elders from the host community happily joined us and took part in the dancing, as a show of friendliness, and to appreciate us for taking the time to share our presence with them. It was now the first of January and the excitement from the cultural display heightened the positivity in the atmosphere for the campers who couldn’t imagine starting the year on a better note.
Although season three was our best season yet, it was made more special, and will be forever remembered for having our very first camp proposal.
Right there at the foot of the waterfall, Seun seized the moment to propose to Kate, his girlfriend and all of us watched and cheered and blushed with envy. It became known as the camp of love.
Reflections & Lessons (Season 3)
“When we cheered for Seun and Kate, we were really cheering for all of us—the risk-takers, the believers.” — Olobo (Camp coordinator)
