IB CAS CAMP
As the first step of Creativity, Activity and Service project of IB Diploma Programme, we joined the camp that was organized by our school on 8-9 September 2017. We spent two days in Şile, Yeşilvadi as the first part of CAS program. That camp was integrated with creativity, activity, and service which formed our CAS camp.
As we arrive at our camp place, we divided into four teams. We are expected to cooperate as a team and get the highest points at the end of the camp. The activities we have done together strengthen the bond between us. The first activity was people twister. There were numbers on the twister board and you have to move on numbers if the question about that number is true for you. By this game, we had more chance to learn about each other. The fun part of that game was the checking part if you’re telling lie or not.
The second activity required to be energetic and concentrated. The name of the game was the hellium stick. I selected this as my experience for activity. In each round two teams competed. We had to pass through the wooden stick and do some ups and downs with a ball on the top of the stick until achieving the catapult. As we achieved to the catapult we tried to throw four balls into the giant plastic wheel. That activity was needed to stay balanced, focused and taking concentration your friend’s advice who had already finish the raceway. I was very good at balancing as I do ballet. I was able to see my skill and use it. (Learning Outcome 1)
The third and last game of the first day was criminal game. In the table, there were a few unsolved problems for each of us. Some of us worked as the group of two because they were handcuffed. My task was to solving morse alphabet. I listened to the voices that came from tape and took notes. After writing what I have listened, I found the code by watching the arrows in the given chart by moving left or right. The sustainability of the game was related to all members of the team, therefore, we worked by helping each other. We show commitment and perseverance in this part while we were trying to complete our tasks and saving our teammates from handcuffs. (Learning Outcome 4)
In the first day, after finishing activities we set up the tents that we were going to stay at night. I had never set up a tent by myself until CAS camp. It was entertaining to set up a tent with Melike and it felt good to accomplish something by ourselves. Even setting up a tent was our first experience, we did it quite fast and stable.
In the second day, we continued the rest of the ice breaking games after packed up our tents. We start day with our social service. We built our recyle bins. We were good at building our paper recycle bin and creative about drawing on it. After that we went near to the beach and done canoe first. I had never experienced canoe before and it was quite funny to try to paddle. It necessitates a lot of arm force and I tried to do my best. At one time we couldn’t move forward and we were great at going backward. After practicing we adapted to paddling and could go forward. I experienced something new that has not previously undertaken and developed it. (Learning Outcome 2)
After canoe, we started to play three ice breaking game. In the first game, as a team, we tried to pass the ball across our truncated tube from one side to another side. In this game, we needed to be concentrated and had to collaborate. At our first trial we dropped the ball but as we adapted to using ropes connected to the truncated tube, we managed to carry ball to finish point.
In the second game, we had a few cubes on the ground which were not all good shaped. Then we tried to carry these cubes with a tool that is at the end of our ropes. Ropes were all connected to each other therefore our every movement affected our teammates. We selected one leader from one of us in our team and led him to direct us. We had a good group job as we overlap five cubes. There we initiate and plan CAS experience. We launched a new idea by collaboration with our teammates. (Learning Outcome 3)
In the third game, we played floor sensor. We hold each other’s hands and pass one flat wood to the starting point of the line while we were still holding our hands. The one who was at the beginning (Boğaçhan) was putting the flat wood to his next step and we were all moving on the other flat wood that had already put on the floor. It continued until we all passed the area that was given to us. This was also easy and funny game to play. There we experienced the benefits and challenges of collaboration. We learned how to be a team. (Learning Outcome 5)
After finishing the ice breaking games we went for our social service which was to collect the trash that has been thrown away on the beach. I had never seen that much trash on the beach maybe because I wasn't aware of it that much. Our trash bags were full in a few minutes that is very sad. It was very sad to see such a beautiful place with a lot of trash. I felt very sad about the insensitivity of people and throwing away their trash without feeling any guilt. We demonstrated our engagement with issues of global significance. I took action in response to the issue and collected trash. ( Learning outcome 6)
I improved my Communicator profile while I was collaborating with my friends. I listened to the perspectives of each of my teammates and expressed my ideas, feelings confidently and creatively. Thinker profile as I was using critical and creative thinking skills in ice breaking games and social service that I built and drew recycle bin. I was creative while I was drawing on recycle bin and I was okay with using a screwdriver. In games, as we all used critical and thinking skills, therefore, we were fast about solving problems. Inquirer profile as I was enthusiastic about learning and developing my skills. I had a lot of fun in my first canoe experience and I would want to improve that. Caring profile as I show empathy and respect. I had a commitment to social service and tried to make a positive difference as I collect trashes on the beach. Reflective profile as I understand my weaknesses and strengths in games and tried to improve.
