Starchild: Malaysian kids discover the fun of camping

Iffan Qazi Hafizal, 8

Camping is one of the best ways to enjoy nature and spend time outdoors with family and friends. In Malaysia, we are lucky to have many beautiful places where we can camp, including hills and forests.

Imagine sitting by a campfire, roasting marshmallows and sharing stories – that is what camping is all about! We can enjoy the sound of birds, the rustling of leaves and the sparkle of stars at night.

Maryam El-Haura Mohd Fakhruddin, 5Some popular camping spots in Malaysia include Janda Baik in Pahang and Endau-Rompin National Park in Johor.

In the Klang Valley, there are camping spots in areas like Hulu Langat, Ulu Yam and Batang Kali. They feature natural attractions such as rivers, waterfalls and forests.

When you go camping, remember to pack wisely. Bring a tent, sleeping bag, flashlight, mosquito repellent and enough food and water. Always clean up after yourself so that the environment stays pristine for everyone. A good camper never leaves rubbish behind!

Camping teaches us teamwork, patience and fosters an appreciation for nature. You will learn how to set up a tent, cook simple meals and maybe even spot some wildlife like squirrels, birds or fireflies. It is also a great chance to bond with your family and make new friends.

So the next time your parents ask where you want to go for the weekend, why not suggest a camping trip?

Put away your screens, grab your backpack and get ready for an adventure!

Here are the letters from Starchild readers on the topic, Camping.

Isha Lakshmi Min-Huei Iyer, 12

“Recently I went to a nature camp organised by the Malaysian Nature Society. The camp took place at the Kem Perah at the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia in Kepong, Kuala Lumpur. I went together with my father and my twin brother Akash. We went bird watching.

Fahri Al-Humaidi Mohd Fakhruddin, 6"I saw some plants growing in small tyres and we went for a night walk. I also made craft using leaves. It was my first time sleeping in a tent outside. I had lots of fun,” says Isha Lakshmi Min-Huei Iyer, 12.

“I went camping with my family in Semenyih, Selangor. We slept in a tent. I saw many stars. We made a fire and ate marshmallows. I was happy,” says Fahri Al-Humaidi Mohd Fakhruddin, six.

Younger sibling Maryam El-Haura Mohd Fakhruddin, five, says: “I went camping with Mummy and Daddy. My tent is pink! I saw trees, bugs and a frog. It was fun! I want to go camping again and see more stars.”

ITEM: If you run a community kitchen for the poor, what free meals would you serve? How will you get volunteers to help? Will food be served from a van or at a community centre? How will you get funds to keep it going?

Share your big ideas for this charity project – and draw a picture of people enjoying their meals or volunteers who are part of this effort.

Email your contributions to ­[e-mail] by Nov 13. Please put “STARCHILD: Charity” in the subject line of your email.

Scanned drawings should be in jpeg format, with a resolution of 200dpi. Your contributions must carry your full name, age (open to children aged 12 and below only), gender, phone contact and address. Instead of handwritten letters, please type out your letters.