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No ordinary school camp

They never got the chance to go to university, but last month, 31 seniors got a taste of campus life - thanks to a camp organised by the People's Association and NUS

(From left) Madam Linda Lim Sor Bee, 70, Madam Tan Quee Choo, 66, Ms Klara Ong Jing Hui, 21, and Madam Chow Li Chin, 64, posing for a fun shot while waiting out the rain at Fort Siloso. By the second day, there were no signs of shyness between the se
(From left) Madam Linda Lim Sor Bee, 70, Madam Tan Quee Choo, 66, Ms Klara Ong Jing Hui, 21, and Madam Chow Li Chin, 64, posing for a fun shot while waiting out the rain at Fort Siloso. By the second day, there were no signs of shyness between the seniors and the students. For many participants, the newfound friendships were what they cherished most. ST PHOTOS: SONG TAO
(From left) Madam Linda Lim Sor Bee, 70, Madam Tan Quee Choo, 66, Ms Klara Ong Jing Hui, 21, and Madam Chow Li Chin, 64, posing for a fun shot while waiting out the rain at Fort Siloso. By the second day, there were no signs of shyness between the se
En route to Sentosa island, the seniors broke out in smiles as they looked forward to exploring Fort Siloso. For some of these seniors who lived through World War II, Fort Siloso was the perfect place for them to share some stories of their youth with the younger students. ST PHOTOS: SONG TAO
En route to Sentosa island, the seniors broke out in smiles as they looked forward to exploring Fort Siloso. For some of these seniors who lived through World War II, Fort Siloso was the perfect place for them to share some stories of their youth wit
The downpour did not dampen the spirits of the energetic Yow Sin Hiong, 65, and Michelle Quek Jia Min, 20, as they ran out of the rain and into the tunnels of Fort Siloso to continue exploring the museum. ST PHOTOS: SONG TAO
(From left) Madam Linda Lim Sor Bee, 70, Madam Tan Quee Choo, 66, Ms Klara Ong Jing Hui, 21, and Madam Chow Li Chin, 64, posing for a fun shot while waiting out the rain at Fort Siloso. By the second day, there were no signs of shyness between the se
During a tour of the University Town campus on day one, the seniors shared with the students their amazement at the different amenities that the campus had to offer. For the three-day event, the seniors were split into smaller groups of six, with each group facilitated by three to four students from NUS. ST PHOTOS: SONG TAO
(From left) Madam Linda Lim Sor Bee, 70, Madam Tan Quee Choo, 66, Ms Klara Ong Jing Hui, 21, and Madam Chow Li Chin, 64, posing for a fun shot while waiting out the rain at Fort Siloso. By the second day, there were no signs of shyness between the se
During a tour of the University Town campus on day one, the seniors shared with the students their amazement at the different amenities that the campus had to offer. For the three-day event, the seniors were split into smaller groups of six, with each group facilitated by three to four students from NUS. ST PHOTOS: SONG TAO
(From left) Madam Linda Lim Sor Bee, 70, Madam Tan Quee Choo, 66, Ms Klara Ong Jing Hui, 21, and Madam Chow Li Chin, 64, posing for a fun shot while waiting out the rain at Fort Siloso. By the second day, there were no signs of shyness between the se
(From left) Madam Yow Sen Heng, 75, Madam Chow Li Chin, 64, and Madam Lee Siew Lian, 52, trying to learn a dance with help from Mr Bernard Chua Kian Liang, 22, during a “campfire”. ST PHOTOS: SONG TAO
(From left) Madam Linda Lim Sor Bee, 70, Madam Tan Quee Choo, 66, Ms Klara Ong Jing Hui, 21, and Madam Chow Li Chin, 64, posing for a fun shot while waiting out the rain at Fort Siloso. By the second day, there were no signs of shyness between the se
Madam Lim Kim Thuay, 62, trying out a game of pool for the first time during a tour of the campus. In trying to satisfy their curiosity, many of the seniors joined the camp to get a better understanding of the life that university students lead. ST PHOTOS: SONG TAO
(From left) Madam Linda Lim Sor Bee, 70, Madam Tan Quee Choo, 66, Ms Klara Ong Jing Hui, 21, and Madam Chow Li Chin, 64, posing for a fun shot while waiting out the rain at Fort Siloso. By the second day, there were no signs of shyness between the se
On the first night of the camp, the students challenged the seniors to old-time childhood games like chapteh, kuti-kuti and pick-up sticks. To liven up the atmosphere further, the camp organisers held an impromptu paper plane throwing contest. ST PHOTOS: SONG TAO
(From left) Madam Linda Lim Sor Bee, 70, Madam Tan Quee Choo, 66, Ms Klara Ong Jing Hui, 21, and Madam Chow Li Chin, 64, posing for a fun shot while waiting out the rain at Fort Siloso. By the second day, there were no signs of shyness between the se
To cap off the camp, the students organised a “campfire” made of crepe paper for the seniors. ST PHOTOS: SONG TAO
(From left) Madam Linda Lim Sor Bee, 70, Madam Tan Quee Choo, 66, Ms Klara Ong Jing Hui, 21, and Madam Chow Li Chin, 64, posing for a fun shot while waiting out the rain at Fort Siloso. By the second day, there were no signs of shyness between the se
Madam Mildred Kan Yuet Yue, 66, saying goodbye to student facilitator Andrea Chiow, 21, with an embrace on the last day of the camp. ST PHOTOS: SONG TAO
(From left) Madam Linda Lim Sor Bee, 70, Madam Tan Quee Choo, 66, Ms Klara Ong Jing Hui, 21, and Madam Chow Li Chin, 64, posing for a fun shot while waiting out the rain at Fort Siloso. By the second day, there were no signs of shyness between the se
Seniors were given a smartphone photography class where they learnt some techniques and practised taking selfies. The seniors of PA’s Senior Academy showed how tech-savvy they were, even setting up and creating WhatsApp chat groups with students on the first day. ST PHOTOS: SONG TAO
Song Tao Photojournalist
Updated
Jul 02, 2018, 05:00 AM
Published
Jul 02, 2018, 05:00 AM
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At the National University of Singapore's (NUS) College of Alice and Peter Tan two Saturday nights ago, campers huddled around a campfire to sing Mandopop singer Emil Chau's "Friends".

Given the warmth and camaraderie, it was hard to imagine that many had met only three days ago.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on July 02, 2018, with the headline No ordinary school camp. Subscribe

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