Ethelontêr

Visit Ethelontêr VIII 's website

Introduction

Ethelontêr made its debut appearance in June 2004. The freshman social camp was named Ethelontêr, which means "Spirit of Volunteerism" in Greek. Over the past 8 years, Ethelontêr has become one of the club's most crucial projects because a substantial number of freshmen and councillors go on to serve the community by participating in the club's regular volunteering programmes (RVPs) and special projects (SPs). The camp serves to introduce the new undergraduates to CSC, exposing them to the club’s activities while strengthening the bonds between the existing CSC members.


Freshmen and councillors at Ethelontêr VIII

Ethelontêr VIII

The eighth edition of Ethelontêr, CSC's very own annual social camp, set off for its journey on the 28th June, with total of 80 councilors and 60 freshmen took part in it. With the meaning of Spirit of Volunteerism in Greek, Ethelontêr, aimed to induct both the incoming freshmen and current undergraduates into CSC. Through this 4 days and 3 nights' camp, it was hoped that both freshmen and current undergraduates could gain a better insight of the various programmes CSC has to offer and join as a volunteer. Furthermore, it was also believed that ever lasting friendships would be forged through Ethelontêr.

Planinng of Ethelontêr VIII started way back in January 2011 and the recruitment of the organizing committees (OCs), Key Councilors (KCs) and councilors went on smoothly. This year, in line with the objective of getting current undergraduates involved, quite a number of OC, KCs and councillors recruited are new to Ethelontêr or CSC project. It was also joyous to see that many freshmen of Ethelontêr VII came back to participate and take up roles in Ethelontêr VIII. Councilors' Briefing was the first official gathering for the groups of Ethelontêr VIII in which the councilors engaged themselves in series of fun games and laughter. It was also when the groups were no longer identified as numerals but rather by their names: Polaris, Senshi, Moshulu, Epimoni, Nautilus and Yamato.

With the objective of bonding the groups of Ethelontêr VIII, series of event was carried out right after Councilors' Briefing to engage the group before the actual camp. A new initiative this year was having 3 days 2 nights' Pre-Camp followed by trials with the aims to test-run the programmes' mechanics and flow to iron out any problems. Banner Painting day was also held for the groups to gather and paint their group banners. Through this series of event, it was heartwarming to see that the groups were really bonded and fully prepared for the actual camp.

Ethelontêr VIII began its Day 1 on 28th of June, kick started with Internal Hunt where campers travelled around NUS to compete with each others. The highlight of the camp was External Hunt. It was when the campers get to travel and visited various Regular Volunteering Programs (RVPs) of CSC to have first- hand experience on interacting with the beneficiaries. The weather was very kind to us where most of the programmes were not disturbed except for a small hiccup on Day 3 where heavy storm hindered the carry out of Sentosa programme where most of the station games were forced to be cancelled.


SP Dance on Day 3 night

The last programme, Variety Night, brought Ethelontêr VIII to its climax where each group's councillors showcased their most entertaining performance to the freshmen for the first time in the history of Ethelontêr. With all the programmes concluded, Ethelontêr VIII ended its journey. However, I am sure that this is not the end of friendships formed; rather it marked the start of the long lasting bonds of friendship for every participant.

Photos