My cool camp in the highlands
The writer is one of 30 teenagers who took part in the four-day journalism camp led by The Star’s R. AGE team last December
“GO for it!” my sister messaged me, with a link to the BRATs website announcing the call-out for a fourday journalism camp in Genting Highlands.
It was mid-December and I had just completed the one-month gauntlet run that was the SPM examination. All my friends who, like me, had finished our examination, were spending time holidaying with their families or relaxing at home. I wanted to do something more productive instead.
Scrolling down the web page, I was surprised to learn that it was a selective programme. Applicants were required to submit an essay and those who made the cut would then be invited to join the programme.
On the morning of Dec 19, I set out on a bus, alone, to Genting Highlands. I had not been there ever since I was a toddler and I was about as clueless as a tourist. Retrospectively, if it hadn’t been for my nifty smartphone, I would easily have gotten lost in the sprawling hill resort.
I was overcome with a feeling of wanderlust as the cable car carried me up into the clouds.
To be frank, I was not familiar at all with journalism. Neither was I prepared for how challenging the programme would actually be.
On the first day itself, we were assigned projects right after our icebreaker sessions. I spontaneously volunteered to do video record- ing and video editing, even though I had zero experience in the aforementioned fields.
I had borrowed my sister’s laptop as I didn’t own one and as you might expect, I was only familiar with its basic functions. Video transferring and using Adobe Premiere Pro to edit my videos were all alien concepts to me.
On top of that, although I was also the videographer for my team, I had no idea how to use a DSLR camera!
Luckily, I was fortunate enough to have a bunch of awesome teammates and seniors like R.AGE’s Johenson Goh who were understanding. (Shoutout to Team Jo!)
My teammates and seniors patiently guided me through the technicalities of using the equipment and software for my tasks until gradually, I learned to be proficient at them. Their support and advice was crucial and it meant that whenever I was stuck, there was always someone willing to lend me a helping hand.
As part of the programme, we had the opportunity to meet and interview some of the important figures working at Resorts World Genting. It was a unique insight into how much effort goes into the everyday operations and management of the resort.
One of the best parts was when we got to try out the indoor attractions. The one I remember most vividly was called The VOID. It was an unnervingly realistic virtual-reality simulation and we got to be rebels disguised as stormtroopers (equipped with blasters!) on a mission to infiltrate an enemy facility.
We even came face-to-face with Darth Vader in the simulation (though not on amicable terms). How cool is that?
Besides learning the intricacies and demands of journalism, what I gleaned the most from this programme was how important effective communication and teamwork was in completing projects. I still remember my teammates and me huddled together in the hotel lobby in the wee hours of the morning, brainstorming and reviewing our work.
The BRATs Young Journalist Camp is a unique experience. It is different from other youth camps and programmes. There are assignments and deadlines, and you will feel pressured to produce work with limited resources in a short period.
To put it simply, it is a realistic portrayal of what it is like being a journalist in the real world. Surmounting these challenges and going through this programme shows that you have what it takes to be a journalist.
In a matter of days, I progressed from a clueless novice to a video editor capable of using professional software. As a result, I’ve picked up video editing as an interest now, which is a useful skill to have in today’s tech-heavy society. Working on the assignments with your teammates and seniors forges friendships, which will definitely last long after the programme has ended.
Those thinking of signing up for the BRATs camp, go for it!
BRATs can be an eye-opening experience for you. Oh, and to the future participants who are reading this, remember to bring a tripod!