Lau (front row, sixth from left) with teachers and participants of the MRCS camp at SMK Sacred Heart, Sibu.
MALAYSIAN Red Crescent Society (MRCS) cadets from 14 secondary schools attended a camp at SMK Sacred Heart in Sibu.
The students in Sarawak from Sibu, Kuching, Serian and Miri participated in a series of activities during the four-day “Youth Ebullience Camp”.
These included leadership training, camping, cooking, firefighting, socialising and first aid.
The school’s senior assistant for co-curricular activities Lau Tiew Kiong said students must have emotional intelligence, social competence, practical abilities and self-awareness for them to better navigate the complexities of the modern world.
Students getting first aid training during the camp.
“In today’s fast-paced and ever-evolving world, other than academic excellence, it is essential to recognise that life skills are equally important.
“Through camps such as this, we hope they will be able to get a feel of a well-rounded development that harmonises intellectual growth with emotional, social and practical skills,” said Lau, who represented principal David Teo at the closing ceremony.
He also said social skills, including communication, teamwork and problem-solving were vital for functioning effectively in society.
These skills help individuals build meaningful relationships and contribute positively to their communities, he added.
Lau encouraged other students to join such activities which would help with their personal development.
Ting Siao Fong, who is the teacher-in-charge of MRCS SMK Sacred Heart, said she was pleased with the dedication and discipline of participants.
“Just like the theme for the camp, they were in high spirits and showed a great amount of exuberance for all their tasks, from setting up camp, cooking and tree-planting.
“They also took part in a talent show and visited Sibu Agape Centre and the Bukit Aup Jubilee Park,” she said.
Ting hoped the state-level camp, which made a comeback after a hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, would be continued in the years ahead.
“Skills such as time management, goal setting and self-discipline will contribute to improved habits.”
She said the camp made participants more resilient and able to better navigate setbacks and thrive in various situations.
“I am also certain it helped them stay grounded and focused,” she added.
Ting urged parents and guardians to support their children’s development by encouraging the practice of life skills at home and participating in school initiatives.
She also called on the local community and businesses to contribute by providing resources, mentorship and real-world learning opportunities to students.
