Kamp Staaldraad 3
- Denzil De Klerk
- Jun 20, 2010
It was that time of the year again where a group of young men built up the courage and determination to experience, endure, and ultimately be transformed at a camp that has become a highlight on the calendar of nearly every 3ci high school boy. It was time for Kamp Staaldraad 3!
This year the famous, as well as the infamous camp, took place yet again at the Maretlwane Lodge in the Magaliesburg Mountains. The word ‘lodge’ might sound most appealing and luxurious, which is the experience some most certainly had. Unfortunately those that experienced luxury were not us, the boys, but rather The elders, who stayed in a fully furnished, comfortable and more importantly, warm lodge. We had to settle, or rather were forced to settle for a more humbling form of accommodation. This we had to set up, take down and maintain (things got quite windy at times) during the course of the camp. You guessed it. We slept in good old army tents; and yes, the ones our fathers used to sleep in during their soldiering days. Who would decide to arrange this camp at the same time the entire nation would experience a devastating Bafa………., uh…., cold front? Things got quite interesting in the tents … let’s just say we found ourselves displaying clear signs of immense love we have for one another. Bromance!
Kamp Staaldraad 3 “kicked off” on Monday 14 June when we gathered at 3ci, said goodbye to our soon to be very much-missed mothers. We squashed into heavy-duty 4x4’s, bakkies, and Colin’s Citroen, and headed for Mooinooi. Those of us who had been on previous Staaldraads were soon preparing for the inevitable: The Introduction Hike. Here we found ourselves being randomly dropped off next to the road with all our luggage, divided into teams, and instructed to find the campsite; an easy instruction to give, but a not-so-easy instruction to “carry” out. Soon many found themselves cursing their mothers for packing that extra jacket. What we did not yet know was that that cursing would later change to praising.
In terms of us having a difficult time, Staaldraad 3 definitely did not disappoint. P.T. sessions every day at 7am and 5pm saw us running, doing many push-ups and sit-ups, running, froggy-jumps, running, carrying logs and bricks, running, squats, running, an intense obstacle course, running, stretched-out-arm circular motions, and did I mention running? To many, their lacking fitness levels, the importance of looking out for your friend and the importance of working in a team was revealed. Some of the other activities we did, included abseiling, rock-climbing, jumping off a 10m high ledge into an icy pool, and stalk the lantern (more like a joint Red-Indian attack by all five groups, which started with the signal of a vuvuzela and included some hectic snaky sounds and the Red-Indian war-cry that sounded as we all stormed the lantern. So much for Warrick’s team “winning”; that wasn’t the idea!), We played dust soccer, wrestled in our sleeping bags in the tents, and evening, we sat around the fire joking about the day’s events and philosophising about life. A highlight, or should I say lowlight, was when we were allowed to go watch the South Africa – Uruguay match at the Mooinooi Country Club. The hot chocolate we drank there was very nice…
The food was yet again magnificent, expertly prepared in the unique outdoor gourmet kitchen, by the professional chef Andrew. Dude, that stew on the second evening was amazing, and those boiled eggs every morning supplied us with essential protein to keep us going all camp long, in more ways than one – uh uhm… Kyle, James?! No seriously, a huge thank-you to Andrew for taking time to keep us all alive and kicking. A big thank-you must also go to Colin, George, Richter, Patrick, Dolan, Piet, Jacques and James for organising and running an amazing camp. You guys are great examples and fathers to us all.
I think that this Kamp Staaldraad was incredibly significant in the life of 3ci and South Africa. This year’s group was labelled as the strongest group up until now. Colin stated that he has no fear of the future of this country and its future leaders, as we are the future leaders. If the future leaders of this country are to be somewhat like the mighty men God is raising in South Africa, such as those that attended KS3, the future of our nation can only be bright. What we learnt on the camp are the essential ingredients to what defines Godly masculine men. The leader in each one of us was revealed, but so too the servant in each one us. Together as a team with God we have the ability to endure any hardship or struggle, conquer any enemy, having humility in victory, and hope in defeat.
