Camp Us: History in the Making
Students enjoy CampUs, the first ever overnight event at Enderun Colleges. (Photo by Dany Papio)
One school. One purpose. One night in history. The countdown is officially over! Take a look back at one of the most memorable nights in Enderun Colleges—an unforgettable evening of shared stories, laughter, and unity.
For the first time in its history, Enderun Colleges hosted a sleepover on campus last July 31-August 1, 2016. Camp Us was an overnight event organized by the Student Government and the Office of Student Life. It served as an avenue for students across all batches to build a culture of unity, camaraderie, and school spirit.
As one of Enderun’s largest school-wide events, Camp Us kick-started a revolutionary movement in student life wherein 184 participants championed games, enjoyed meals, gathered around a bonfire, and watched films together—all in one night. “Camp Us is an event from the students, for the students,” explained Kim Wolf, President of the Enderun Student Government. “It is our means to introduce the students into the new culture we want to create here on campus, where we’re trying to implement growth. Today, it’s history in the making. Tomorrow, it is really for us to grow and to be a community.”
Upon registration, students were given a string bag that consisted of a printed “CAMP US” t-shirt and a survival guide as a starter kit. They were then assigned their respective tent numbers, generated at random, in order to achieve maximum bonding experiences with other students they didn’t personally know.
The free string bag that contained the free t-shirt and a survival guide. (Photo by Karlos Rodejo)
The free Camp-Us t-shirt that came along with the survival kit. (Photo by Karlos Rodejo)
Once attendees settled and stored their belongings in their respective camping tents, they were guided to the Enderun Tent, where most of the events, talks and activities were held. Dean Ed started the evening with a speech, reminding students of unity and how the millennials can change the world. Czarina Reglos, a freshman who attended Camp Us, gave her thoughts about this speech saying, “It touched me emotionally because I felt [that I] belonged [there] when he spoke about unity and how we should build a bond with each other no matter what batch we are in.”
Dean Ed Rodriguez begins Camp Us with his opening remarks. (Photo by Dany Papio)
Food being central to Enderun culture, students were served dinner prepared by Culinaire. The menu for the night consisted of chicken with teriyaki sauce, a side of stir fried vegetables, steamed rice, coconut panna cotta and pineapple compote as desserts. “[Camp Us] was a great event for us because it gave us a real life experience,” shared Arlo Gregorio, President of Culinaire, proving that the participants were not the only ones who had a good time. “It was a learning process, from menu conceptualization all the way to plating and all the different things in between.”
Students were terrified by the many great actors of Anyo. (Photo by Mehetabel Jamina Magpantay)
Scavenger hunt briefing presented by Carina Gonzales. (Photo by Mehetabel Jamina Magpantay)
To elevate the experience, four food stalls were also set up outside the Tent where attendees could buy their snacks, courtesy of Appétit. Participants had the option to choose between Tusok-tusok (Filipino street food), Poptails (mocktail paired with a popsicle), Flavored popcorn, and S’mores. “It’s really an honor being a part of [Camp Us] and it was really fun. This is a good stepping stone for us,” expressed William Bondoc, President of Appétit, as students and professors alike flocked their area during the event.
Excited students huddle to get their free Red Bull. (Photo by Dany Papio)
Games were played throughout the night, including Kahoot, Jenga, Pie Face, and Cards Against Humanity. The main activity of the evening,however was the Scavenger Hunt where players were required to solve the provided riddles for each respective room.
The evening capped off with a series of performances by talented students. Fourtune, a group composed of Julia Tabo, Joy Nolido, Kimberly Rodejo and Pitchez Walder, performed the songs “All I Ask” by Adele, “Middle” by DJ Snake and “Love Yourself” by Justin Bieber. Carlos Benitez engaged the crowd by inviting two special audience members to sing along with him on stage.
Once the last performance was over, students were given a choice on what to do next: either watch a horror movie in The Tent or have a jamming session by the campfire. “What I loved the most was the campfire. Everyone was just sitting around and everyone’s just singing together,” narrated Armae Panganiban, a sophomore taking up BSBA major in Financial Management. “It’s such a nice thing because you don’t know each other and then there’s this sudden click that you’re all united as one school. Basically, the Camp was such a new thing. It was really a great experience because we got to bond with our friends and at the same time meet new people.” This extended until 2:30 in the morning where Camp Us officially ended its first successful day. In the end, as participants left the camp the following morning, each one brought home their own share of stories, experiences, and memories of school unity.
Co-written by Karlos Rodejo and Mijan Magpantay
