I hate camps.
The title of the post says exactly what it means - I hate camps.
I've never really liked camps, even when I was a teen. Hmm that sounds rather cool, being able to say that I was a teen, implying that I'm not a teen anymore. But back to the topic. Camps bring out the fear of the unknown (and known) in me. Something about being outside your element gives you a sense of insecurity...Case in point : you never really know how many shirts/shorts/pairs of underwear to pack for camp, do you? Why? Because you NEVER know what might happen, and if anything happens, you're too far removed from civilization to do anything about it - especially if you're on your period *winces*.
Just in case that isn't a strong enough point on its own, allow me to expound on four things I absolutely dread about camping.
#1 Hygiene, hygiene, hygiene. Or the lack of it.
When in camp, hygiene is definitely NOT a priority. You never really feel clean in camp, partly 'cause you never really...are. Most camps I've been to tend to involve outdoorsy activities such as canoeing and jungle trekking (ugh I hate leeches and jungle roads seem to go on FOREVER). And guess what? You only get to bathe once a day (or twice if you are willing to wait forever and/or sacrifice a mealtime) in a really rushed manner because everyone else needs a bath too. Even bath times need to be premeditated : you're either first, or you're probably last. Just thinking about it gives me gastric pain. Oh and did I mention having to wrap up toiletries/soiled laundry in plastic bags that inevitably get wet while you bathe as well? *sigh*
#2 Lack of sleep
Sometimes you're on an adrenaline high in camp, and you don't feel tired so you continue yakking all through the night with your tentmates. Community service reminder here : Not everyone shares your joy, some just want to make it through camp without collapsing halfway, so it'd be nice if you could adhere to the lights out rule. Guess which type of camper I am. =P I absolutely need my sleep, and it's not because I get eyebags otherwise. I get headaches and a cantankerous attitude if I don't, and you wouldn't like me when I'm angry *ala the Incredible Hulk*. So it's really for your own good that I get my sleep. =P Besides, there's a full day up the next day with all sorts of physically taxing activities (and no afternoon nap for me), so please just be a little considerate and let me get my four miserable hours of sleep... pleaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaase. Now, if I were camp commandant, I'd make the schedule start at 9.00 a.m so that everyone'd have ample time to wake up and wash up, and end the last session for the day at 9.30 p.m. But sadly, it's not an ideal world.
#3 Lack of basic conveniences
...like being able to go to the bathroom whenever. 'Nuff said.
#4 Food
I know what you're thinking...spoilt brat, camp food is only for a few days so suck it up and stop whining. That's exactly what I'd think if someone whined about how inedible camp food is. Unfortunately, it isn't as simple as that. Most camps have a camp cook. However, I have been subjected to horrors unheard of - having to cook for the entire camp WHILE being a participant in it. It's bad enough that you're exhausted from all the activities that the grinning facilitators put you through, so imagine waking up at 5.00 a.m. (4.30 a.m. actually, since you have to wash up, too) just so that your team can cook for the entire camp and wash up after. No problem if your camp has only 30 participants. How about 200? Just CATER already ok?
There you go, my grievances against camping and the suffering entailed. I hope I'll never have to attend the torture known as camping again, and that if I have to, it will involve hotel rooms with private bathrooms, catered food and air-conditioned lecture halls, thank you very much.
I've never really liked camps, even when I was a teen. Hmm that sounds rather cool, being able to say that I was a teen, implying that I'm not a teen anymore. But back to the topic. Camps bring out the fear of the unknown (and known) in me. Something about being outside your element gives you a sense of insecurity...Case in point : you never really know how many shirts/shorts/pairs of underwear to pack for camp, do you? Why? Because you NEVER know what might happen, and if anything happens, you're too far removed from civilization to do anything about it - especially if you're on your period *winces*.
Just in case that isn't a strong enough point on its own, allow me to expound on four things I absolutely dread about camping.
#1 Hygiene, hygiene, hygiene. Or the lack of it.
When in camp, hygiene is definitely NOT a priority. You never really feel clean in camp, partly 'cause you never really...are. Most camps I've been to tend to involve outdoorsy activities such as canoeing and jungle trekking (ugh I hate leeches and jungle roads seem to go on FOREVER). And guess what? You only get to bathe once a day (or twice if you are willing to wait forever and/or sacrifice a mealtime) in a really rushed manner because everyone else needs a bath too. Even bath times need to be premeditated : you're either first, or you're probably last. Just thinking about it gives me gastric pain. Oh and did I mention having to wrap up toiletries/soiled laundry in plastic bags that inevitably get wet while you bathe as well? *sigh*
#2 Lack of sleep
Sometimes you're on an adrenaline high in camp, and you don't feel tired so you continue yakking all through the night with your tentmates. Community service reminder here : Not everyone shares your joy, some just want to make it through camp without collapsing halfway, so it'd be nice if you could adhere to the lights out rule. Guess which type of camper I am. =P I absolutely need my sleep, and it's not because I get eyebags otherwise. I get headaches and a cantankerous attitude if I don't, and you wouldn't like me when I'm angry *ala the Incredible Hulk*. So it's really for your own good that I get my sleep. =P Besides, there's a full day up the next day with all sorts of physically taxing activities (and no afternoon nap for me), so please just be a little considerate and let me get my four miserable hours of sleep... pleaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaase. Now, if I were camp commandant, I'd make the schedule start at 9.00 a.m so that everyone'd have ample time to wake up and wash up, and end the last session for the day at 9.30 p.m. But sadly, it's not an ideal world.
#3 Lack of basic conveniences
...like being able to go to the bathroom whenever. 'Nuff said.
#4 Food
I know what you're thinking...spoilt brat, camp food is only for a few days so suck it up and stop whining. That's exactly what I'd think if someone whined about how inedible camp food is. Unfortunately, it isn't as simple as that. Most camps have a camp cook. However, I have been subjected to horrors unheard of - having to cook for the entire camp WHILE being a participant in it. It's bad enough that you're exhausted from all the activities that the grinning facilitators put you through, so imagine waking up at 5.00 a.m. (4.30 a.m. actually, since you have to wash up, too) just so that your team can cook for the entire camp and wash up after. No problem if your camp has only 30 participants. How about 200? Just CATER already ok?
There you go, my grievances against camping and the suffering entailed. I hope I'll never have to attend the torture known as camping again, and that if I have to, it will involve hotel rooms with private bathrooms, catered food and air-conditioned lecture halls, thank you very much.
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