July 4, 2024
Sail and make waves for gratitude: the efforts behind Tzu Chi’s 2024 Scholars’ Camp
By Dorothy Castro
For the Tzu Chi scholars who attended the 2024 Scholars’ Camp last June 28-30 at the Buddhist Tzu Chi Campus (BTCC) in Sta. Mesa, Manila, it was a three-day fun-filled event where they learned valuable lessons and made lasting friendships. The success of this event held a special meaning for the graduating Tzu Chi scholars who put their hearts into organizing the camp themselves.
In the early morning of June 27, 60 graduating Tzu Chi scholars were already very busy preparing camp kits, stage designs, activities, and performances.
Paolo Nicole Santos, a graduating scholar from Philippine Normal University (PNU), poured every ounce of effort into the month it took to prepare for the three-day camp.
“We started gathering personnel way before, around May 27. I gathered all the graduating scholars who could give time and effort to work on this camp. And so far, we are sailing together,” Santos explained.
The desire to lead and willingness to bring people together was in Santos’ mind once the 2023 Scholars’ Cam concluded. Amazed with the committees working on last year’s camp, he took an interest in becoming the camp head, and volunteered for the job.
Amidst the determination, was the scholars’ motivation and drive to ensure this camp’s success. They knew they needed to put in the hard work and make sure that this would be an enjoyable time for the scholars.
Kenneth Lagonilla, the head of the logistics committee, was incredibly worried about being unable to deliver. “I wondered what I could do there and what preparations were needed. But with time, I gradually got an idea of what to do. And thank God, we got to carry out our preparations well for our participants,” he shared. Among the preparations was putting together the scholars’ kits for the camp, taking note of each scholar’s clothing and shoe size.
Just as it was the first time for the Tzu Chi Scholars to take the lead in this big event, it was also a first hosting experience at a grand scale for Jourdane Bulosan, a member of the activities committee and host for the first day of camp.
“It’s a lot of pressure,” Bulosan admitted. She knew that her role would help set the tone on how enjoyable the event would be, thus she made sure to practice to the best of her ability. “Thinking of its purpose, to also serve my co-scholars, and of course, to give back to the foundation, it's still heartwarming,” she added.
One thing that Santos, Lagonilla, and Bulosan agreed on was that this experience was completely different. Having been participants in the last few years, they had their chance to be in the moment and bask in the experience of being in camp. Now, as responsible committee members, they took on the role of making every activity a fulfilling one for the scholars.
Five committees took on different tasks. The executive committee included Santos as the camp head, the camp secretaries, the Educational Assistance Program (EAP) staff, and Tzu Chi Philippines Head Volunteer of the Education Committee, Rosa So.
“I had a more intimate time with the foundation and the people working here, that is the difference. Whenever I finished my internship at Bacood Public Library, I would go to Tzu Chi,” Santos narrated.
For Lagonillo, this time and effort given by the scholars in planning and executing this camp gave him a deeper understanding of the organization, with a newfound sense of appreciation for his fellow scholars.
“When it comes to personnel, there are a lot of preparations that need to be made on-site. That's why the effort that we give here is everything for our Tzu Chi camp to be successful,” Lagonillo recalled.
The members of the livelihood and response team, referred to as “the runners”, were very agile in securing the needs of scholars and even helping out during meal time in the Harmony Hall.
Each activity of the three-day event was reported in real-time by the communications team. They took many photos and shared impactful quotes from the speakers, who they appreciated for giving time to impart knowledge to the scholars.
The activities team also made every camp game, talk, and activity as engaging and fulfilling as possible, even leading the camp song and dance titled “Sail Your Story”.
For the graduating scholars, putting together the camp was their way of showing how much they loved Tzu Chi, as they walked with the foundation throughout their journey as scholars.
“It warms our hearts to be a working committee member. At first, we felt tired, but as we thought about what we have already done, we felt goosebumps, that we were able to do this,” Lagonilla reflected.
With a heart full of gratitude for Tzu Chi, Bulosan encouraged fellow scholars to have the same experience as her. “I encourage you to join the working personnel maybe when you're already a graduating scholar or when you're ready. It's challenging, but it's still enjoyable. It's worth it,” Bulosan happily said.
A Tzu Chi scholar helps prepare the kits to be used by participants for the camp.
Each ribbon used to tie female scholars’ hair is carefully measured and cut.
One of the roles of the logistics committee is checking the bags to ensure that items such as shirts are properly packed.
2024 Tzu Chi Scholars’ Camp Head Paolo Nicole Santos (center) coordinates with team members for the camp preparations.
Members of the activities team prepare the different camp games and tasks.
Reviewing the three-day program flow for camp is necessary for activities team members to ensure a smooth flow of the event.
Checking and finalizing the slideshow presentation for the amazing race is one of the tasks done by the executive committee.
Each scholars’ camp kit contains their clothing, shoes, and other essentials.
Scholars’ uniforms were categorized by size and color for every camp activity.
Activities team members not only help out in planning the games and tasks, but they also work on preparing the decorative plants for the camp.
Jourdane Bulosan hosted the first day of the scholars’ camp. In this experience, she began to appreciate the Tzu Chi volunteers’ work more. “what we do now, this is what the aunties and uncles had to go through. So, we must appreciate that,” Bulosan shared.
Scholars who volunteered as working personnel enjoy a fun time dancing to the camp song while taking a break.
Working committee members enjoy and pose together for a photo while performing their duties at the scholars’ camp.
Volunteer scholars from different committees join in on the exercise dance.
A Tzu Chi scholar carefully sets the flowers for each table at the Jing Si Hall.
Kenneth Lagonilla (second from right), graduating Summa Cum Laude, claps and celebrates with fellow Tzu Chi scholars as it was announced that Summa Cum Laude graduates will receive ₱10,000 from Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines CEO Henry Yuñez.
Working committee members oversee the performance for the camp song.
Members from the scholar working committees joined in performing during the scholars’ camp.