Unity and togetherness among all
Summer Camp Lodge 2012:
The fun filled event that all kids were waiting for finally dawned,
as Summer Camp Lodge kick started at Cinnamon Lodge Habarana. The Summer
Camp commenced with registrations of the kids followed by separating
them in to teams led by Chitral Jayatilake and Harshana Dassanayake.
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A
session of archery |
The teams were creatively named Kabaragoyas and Leopards by the kids
themselves. First activity of the camp was an exciting safari at
Minneriya, and they were not disappointed. Seventy five elephants
performed to many clicking young photographers while kids were given a
range of cameras to freeze these moments to be evaluated on a photo
assignment by Jayatilake.
SNUBA diving in the pool
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The first night at the camp brought out the independence in the kids
as they camped out in comfortable tents neatly laid out on the camp
site. Singing camp fire songs followed by many fun games such as
charades coupled with roasted marshmallows and hot chocolate created a
sense of bonding amongst all participants.
Day two arrived with a 6 am wake up call to all campers. They
staggered on their feet with difficulty and prepared themselves for a
day full of action packed events.
To relax the little bodies and minds, the day started with a basic
Yoga routine followed by a nature walk in the sprawling Lodge compound
led by the genius on environment, Professor Sarath Kotagama. The Nature
Trails naturalists assisted this experience which concluded in time for
a session of Paint Ball firing.
The dried Habarana tank bed was turned into a firing range and the
kids took aim surprising all the adults on accuracy.
Mid day was a pool session and the highlight of the afternoon was
kids being given an opportunity to experience SNUBA diving in the pool
and learning to breathe under water. Post lunch was a presentation on
wildlife conducted by Professor Kotagama.
The evening took form of a talent contest where the two teams had to
device a dance act which would be judged on specific criteria. The
in-house team trained the kids for a scintillating dance act which was
performed at the camp party on Saturday evening. The highlight of the
night was the dance act performed by the parents which was one that
bedazzled all the kids ending the night in laughter, dance and fun for
all participants.
Waking up on the final day with frowns on their faces as the Summer
Camp was coming to an end, the kids took aim at a session of archery
shortly after a scrumptious breakfast and then proceeded to get ready
for the summer carnival. Dressed up in vibrant accessories and
decorations provided by the Summer Camp organizing committee, the camp
grounds glowed with excitement and colour.
The summer camp finally ended with an awards ceremony with the
winning team taking home the Camp Lodge Trophy. The entire event over
three days was full of fun, entertainment, adventure and education that
kept the kids intrigued every minute.
The Summer Camp truly proved to be more than just any other camp; it
brought out unity and togetherness among all ages, joy, a feeling of
belonging due to the warmth and hospitality extended by Cinnamon Lodge
Habarana and the fire of relationships rekindled at this signature event
at the Lodge.
It was more than just a weekend getaway. It was an experience of a
life time and one which would be nostalgically reminisced till the camp
comes by next year; an experience worth waiting for. |