NCC Camp STEEL

On the 21st and 22nd of February 2011, I went for a NCC Camp organised by NCC headquarters. The name of the camp is called camp STEEL (Standards , Tenacity, Emotional Intelligence, Energy and Leadership). The objective of this camp is to train us to become tough fighter, both physically and mentally, and teach us some of the basic skills needed to survive during wartime.

Throughout the entire course of the camp, cadets have to behave in a disciplined manner, and get used to poor living conditions. Being used to living a comfortable life, this camp was quite an interesting experience for me. The food provided at the camp was not tasty, and the amount of food given was considered little. Cadets have to endure the hunger and was subjected to strenuous activities like the high confidence training, where cadets have to climb to a great height and move through different stations. This is both mentally and physically tiring. In addition, cadets slept in tightly compact areas, with only a few fans on. However, through these though treatment, I learned to be more "man", as I step out of my usual comfort zone, into a serious environment.

Other than training us through the harsh living conditions, they also included many activities prepared for us. One of the thoughest of all activities was the high confidence training. Cadets have to climb to a great height of about twenty metres, and go pass obstacles while holding on to nothing but shaky ropes. When I looked down at the people that was on the ground , I was extremely afraid. What if the rope snaps? What if I am too heavy for the rope? Would I die if I fell to the ground? All sought of questions occupied my mind. As I had already completed half of the obstacles, I told myself to carry on, and fight on like a man. I was able to overcome my fear as I thought of how fun and not how dangerous the activity was. I eventually completed the course and I upon reaching back to the ground, I felt a sense of great satisfaction. I was very grateful to participate as I finally overcame my fear of heights.

Other than the high elements training, the other activity that left a great impact on me was the emotional intelligence talk. I learned how to communicate well with my friends and how to make others like me. This is very beneficial to me as I understood about the importance of emotional intelligence ad well as how to have high emotional intelligence. I feel that this talk is also essential to me as when I had become a student leader, it would be my turn to encourage and motivate the cadets, and that requires good emotional intelligence.

In conclusion, I find the camp very useful and meaningful, as I learned many things that are important in life. I was also trained to be more independent. To me, spending my time on this camp is definitely worthwhile.