Negros is officially the farthest place I’ve ever traveled without my parents. I honestly thought I would spend the whole trip homesick and counting the days until I got home. But I was so wrong! The moment we arrived at Camp Lily Gamo, every minute turned into a memory I’ll treasure forever.
Day One: Laughter, Chaos, and Foam
We kicked things off with a hilarious misunderstanding. A group of us assumed we had some downtime before the official activities started, so we rushed to buy souvenirs—yes, on the very first day! When we returned, we were shocked to learn that Tita Arci had already called for a lineup. Our punishment? Holding an air pump as a consequence! It sounds silly now, but at the time, with everyone laughing and scrambling, it became one of the funniest moments of the whole trip.
Later that day, we had the much-anticipated opening ceremony. Just when we thought things couldn’t get more exciting, they announced a foam party! But, plot twist: it started raining right before the party. Since it was still day one, most of us hadn’t unpacked our extra clothes. Chaos erupted as we raced back to our tents, trying to keep our stuff dry. After surviving the mini-storm, we finally got to dance and sing under the foam. The joy, the music, the carefree energy—definitely one of my favorite parts of camp.
Day Two: Sore Bodies, Creative Hands, and Campfire Magic
The next morning, we woke up feeling like we had been folded into our tents—aching muscles, cramped backs, and stiff limbs. But we didn’t let that stop us. Our schedule was packed, and we were excited. One of my favorite activities was candle-making. It was hands-on, creative, and super satisfying to see our finished candles. The obstacle course was just as memorable—challenging yet fun, and filled with laughter as we cheered each other on.
That evening, we gathered around the campfire for our presentation. We didn’t have much time to prepare, and honestly, we were nervous. But somehow, everything came together. We pulled it off, and the sense of accomplishment was unmatched. We were proud, not just of our performance, but of the bond we’d built as a team.
Day Three: Environmental Lessons and Inner Reflections
Our third day at camp was more laid-back, but no less meaningful. We started with a reef dome activity, followed by an environmental session in the afternoon. To be honest, many of us thought it would be a boring lecture. Instead, we were pleasantly surprised by how engaging it was.
We learned so much—not just about protecting the environment, but about ourselves. I learned that natural materials are so much more beneficial than synthetic ones, and that even things we consider trash can still be useful. One message really hit home: “If you feel like you don’t belong somewhere, maybe you’re just in the wrong place.” That moment made me reflect deeply on self-worth and the importance of being in the right environment to grow and shine.
That night, we had our Council Extravaganza Presentation. The nerves were back, but so was the excitement. We’d worked hard for this moment, and in the end, it was all worth it. We didn’t need anything grand—our performance was heartfelt, and we knew we gave it our all.
Final Day: Swimming, Touring, and Bittersweet Goodbyes
Our last day was filled with mixed emotions. We started with swimming, and although I don’t really know how to swim, I found the experience incredibly relaxing. Floating in the water, feeling weightless, it was like all my worries drifted away.
Next came the camp tour, and it was absolutely breathtaking. We visited Silliman University—its beauty was striking, even though we weren’t able to enter the classrooms. We also visited a sulfur vent, where the heat and sulfur smell were intense but fascinating. People even said the smoke could heal itchy skin!
Even though our time together was short, I feel incredibly blessed to have bonded with my GSP Visayas girlies. Each one brought joy, laughter, and friendship into my life, and I’ll never forget the memories we made together.
Once a Girl Scout, always a Girl Scout.
Abante Babae, Abante Girl Scout!