RINCY JOSEPH

Community Living Camp We, the second year B.Ed Degree students of Mar Theophilus Training College, Nalanchira; during our fourth semester conducted a community living camp named ‘Nellikka’ for three days from 26-27 February and 1 March 2021. Due to pandemic situation, it was conducted as day camp at our college with full co-operation and team work.As part of the University of Kerala revised curriculum, a three-day Community Living Camp with an allotment of 50 marks was included as part of the Practical Work of the B.Ed. Course. Immediately after the declaration of the Kerala University regarding camp instructions, a meeting of the teaching staff of the college was held in the Principal’s Chamber to discuss the curricular program including the Community Living Camp. And Dr. Maya S was selected as the General Convener of this Camp.

Aim and Significance of the Camp

Camps help to create a free and friendly atmosphere. The camp members get an opportunity to interact freely with others which helps them to shed inhibitions and shyness if any. The homely atmosphere in the camp helps one learn from others and the new surroundings. As the member of a new family they learn to share happiness and sorrow and participate in daily living chores like cooking, cleaning etc. The camp activities provides scope for developing both social and communication skills. But due to pandemic situation camp was shortened to day camp.

Planning

A core committee of the trainees was selected well in advance with are presentative from each optional class to discuss, plan and decide the venue, dates etc. Ms. Roshni S Raj was selected as the Student convener of this Camp. The planning and designing of the camp was a collaborative endeavour of the teaching staff of the college under the supervision of the Principal of the college. The camp is organized with objectives such as developing social, moral and personal values, understanding the importance of community living and social responsibility, conserving natural resources while building a sustainable society and disciplining oneself in routine habits of life and developing leadership qualities and a secular outlook.

Committees

For the smooth conduct of the camp several committees were formed from the part of Staff and students. Dr. Maya S was given overall supervisory roles. The entire activities of the Camp were supervised by a Steering Committee comprising the Principal Dr. K Y Benedict, Dr. Maya S, Dr. Giby Geevarghese, Dr. Joju John and Dr. Ancy AS. Mr. Rakesh, a member of teaching faculty and also a member of the Programme Committee, was given the additional charge of documenting the entire camp activities in digital form. From the part of students, 3 main committees were formed for the smooth running of the camp. They were stage committee, refreshment committee and discipline and punctuality committee.

Programme Schedule: Community Living Camp 2021

On 25th, 26th February and 1st March

On the first day (25-2-2021) of our camp, we were asked to reach at our college at 9:30 am. The Inauguration function started at 10:00 am with a prayer by Ms Archa. The Welcome speech was made by, Dr. Joju John. The introductory speech was made by Dr. KY Benedict, Principal MTTC. The Presidential address was done by our College union Chairperson, Ms. Roshni S Raj. Our chief guest, Dr. Rajeswari K (Principal, Govt. College of Teacher education, TVM), gave the Inaugural speech. While rendering felicitations Rev. Fr. Thomas Kayyalackal and Dr. Neena Sam requested for the whole hearted cooperation of the participants. At the end of the programme, Vote of thanks was presented by Ms. Abhirami RS General Secretary of the college union. Immediately after the ceremony, Dr. Joju John gave general instructions regarding the camp.The second session was taken by Sri Brahmanayakam (National level Trainer for NSS). It was an outstanding class. He impressed all and was very successful in conveying the messages. He is a good actor. He spoke about personality development. Very innovative and informative points were discussed during his class. He mainly focused on five points that are smile always; I can do it, interact, intervene and make use of opportunities.

The first day ended with a ‘Nadanpaattu’ programme. It was conducted by Mr. Rahul Kochappi. That program made our camp into a celebration mood. We all enjoyed and sung with the orchestra.

On the second day (26-02-2021), there was a pre-marital, marital counseling class by an eminent psychologist Dr. MKC Nair, a Consultant Psychologist. He interacted with the participants in a brief session in the evening. The class was informative and thought provoking. The topic chosen was ‘Premarital, Marital counseling’. The discussions which followed was enriched and cleared all the doubts on the topic conducted by Dr. Riya Lukose. During the session the participants had an opportunity to undergo counseling. It was an eye opening session.

After the lunch break, we had an optional wise activity. Group of 10 to 14 students as one group and asked all the groups to shoot a five minutes video related to any values, social issues, memories etc. inside the campus. We social science group selected the theme of a life of a security. The daily life and activities of each security were covered. We named our Short film as ‘Kaval’. All the members of our class were active and cooperative. We could finish that activity within two hours.

On the last day of our camp (01-03-2021), we started our first session by seeking the blessings of God with a prayer song which was sung by Ms. Arsha Kamal. Dr. T Padmakumar was the resource person for today’s session. He is a Psychologist and Trainer. The topic chosen was ‘New Normalcy’. The content was based on Covid 19 education system. The lockdown period has changed our education system drastically. Major changes happened in teaching – learning methodologies. The new normal after Covid 19 has forced the educational institutions to follow digitalization. The fear and block about the online courses hs now been addressed. He discussed the advantages and disadvantages for the teachers in the new normal and also spoke about new challenges in teaching in the new normal.

Immediately after the lunch break, five groups performed skit, and Chain songs as a part of the Art Education in our curriculum. All were very active and on dance mode. The entire camp members were divided into five groups. Once the tasks were assigned to different groups, the participants sat optional wise to prepare the plan of action for the task. From 1.00pm to 3.15pm each of the five groups made stage presentations on the assigned theme. They had two sessions one at 1.00pm to 2pm skit session and the second session, Musical session from 2.15pm to 3.15pm. The activity was an exercise in informal and creative learning. Innovative presentations which exploited different aspects related to the theme of social issue, offered insights into the significance of community living. It also provided an opportunity to exhibit the skills of the participants.At 3.15pm we gathered for the assembly and Valedictory session. It was a recalling moment on the past three days. We all had unforgettable and happy moments because of this camp. A few students and our Principal and teachers said their experience on the camp. We were sad too, because the camp was coming to an end and we wished it had continued for a few more days. Then the camp officially ended with the College Anthem and National Anthem and we all said farewell and went home.

The Community Living Camp organized by the School of Education and the CSA was a successful one and gave the students an experience to take with them for life. It was a well-organized camp with fun and learning where everyone cooperated and participated to make it a successful one.