Today I headed further south of Laguna, to the town of Sta. Cruz where Camp Allen is located. I was one of those invited to visit students of PAREF WOODROSE (School for Girls) who are attending Camp Trailblazer.
Trailblazer is a yearly summer leadership camp for girls incoming grade six
to second year high school. Now on its third year, and held at
Camp Allen from April 9 to 14, 2012.The camp site is a 4.5 hectare area located in Sta. Cruz, Laguna surrounded by fruit bearing
trees, paved stone, and wooden cabins. It also has its own swimming pool, play areas, bonfire area, clubhouse, a chapel, among several other facilities.
This
year, Trailblazer has 120 camp participants, 61 of whom are from PAREF
WOODROSE, There are also 30 junior counselors, 11 of them are from Woodrose (7 out of
11 are alumnae). The junior counselors served as group leaders for the girls.
Primarily, the camp aims to develop leadership capability among its participants; help them boost their confidence, get motivated, discover themselves, that is, create an awareness level such they will get to know their own self.
The camp activities evolved around the 3 F's: faith, friends and fun. Camp schedule is written at the back of each camper's ID. The ID's I find so cute as well because each one of them is individually drawn by hand and color coded.
Accordingly there is no particular screening whoever is interested to
attend Camp Trailblazer. Participants not only came from the Metro
Manila area, there are also girls who came all the way from Visayas and
Mindanao.
For the counselors, prior to camp schedule,
they need to undergo a counselor's training which is usually held
during weekends. This training programs are also conducted through
their satellite organizations or schools especially those from far
areas.
Camp schedule begins at 7:00 am, breakfast should be finish by 8:30 am. All throughout the day, the girls attend various activities depends on a particular interest that they signify when they sign-up. These are: singing, dancing, theater, jewelry-making, photography, movie-making, art, crafts, guitar, creative writing and snack preparation. There are also different sports activities to participate with. Every night, different activities are also being held such as costume night and cheer competition, an elegant dinner, awards night. On the last camp day, the kids will present to their families and friends whatever they have accomplished at the camp. That is they will show off a dance number if they are with the dancing group, photos taken by the photography group, among others.
Mass is being held daily at 11:20am, just before lunch time. During meal time, the essence of femininity is practiced, that is, refinement is observed as well as back-straight posture. I personally observed, all the girls were suddenly gone to their rooms while we are still dealing with our food. Which means, everything is in proper order.
Before lights out at 10 pm each night, the counselors meet to assess the day's activities.
The girls are housed in very nice wooden cottages. Girls of almost same ages are put in the same room, 13 - 14 girls per room. For the junior counselors, there are 6 - 7 girls per room. We were given the privilege to take a look at their rooms and each one of them is so amazing. All the rooms are decorated inside and outside drawing inspiration from Disney-Pixar movies (this year's theme).
The cottages, since they are made mostly of wood are well-ventilated. Really perfect for summer evenings. The girls themselves are responsible for cleaning their own rooms. There are assigned sweepers, cabin monitors, bed monitors. Awards are given for the cleanest cabin and cleanest bathroom.
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| Preparing the back drop for the camp presentation |
It is indeed such a privilege for young girls to experience a summer camp such as Trailblazer. This is also one of the several
activities that students of PAREF WOODROSE engage themselves with. Even during summer vacations when they are free of academic requirements, extra-curricular activities are available as well. Such is how each and every students of Woodrose are nurtured and taught how to appreciate a balance between academic excellence and character formation.
PAREF WOODROSE is an educational institution where academic excellence and personal information are achieved through close collaboration between the school and the home. Students of Woodrose, at a young age are already being taught not only academic excellence but focusing also on character formation. School curriculum teaches them to become independent thinker, an effective communicator, a responsible citizen, and a lifelong learner.
It was
established by the Parents for Education Foundation (PAREF) way back in 1977, a group of parents who wanted to be fully involved in providing an integral education for their children.
Mentoring System:
Believing that the effectiveness of child education depends largely on the unity of goals between the home and the school, Woodrose actively undertakes a close collaboration among parents, teachers and mentors. Each student is assigned a mentor who becomes the parents' partner in guiding their daughter toward the pursuit of academic excellence and character.
Parents are educated as well through the "New Parent Education Program of NPEP. It helps parents to become better parents, thus effectively fostering their children's academic achievement. The Program is consists of 5 modules: Case Study Method; Family Visioning; Deliberate Parenting; Dignity of the Person; and Home-School Collaboration and Marital Relations.
I wish I have a daughter and I am personally excited how to get admission at Woodrose.
1. Submission of all required documents
- Accomplished Parents' Information Sheet
- NSO Certified Parents' Marriage Contract *
- NSO Certified Student's Birth Certificate *
- Original and photocopy of Student's Baptismal Certificate
- Report Card
- 2 x 2 pictures (2 copies)
- Recommendation form accomplished by the Guidance and Testing Office of the previous school
- Recommendation form accomplished by the Class Adviser and Registrar of the previous school
* For foreign documents, Original and Photocopy of the Marriage
Contract of the Parents / Original and Photocopy of the Student’s Birth
Certificate. Original Documents will be returned to the Parents.
2. Parental Attendance at the Orientation for Parents
3. Interviews and Testing
- Parents are interviewed by a PAREF representative
- Student takes an assessment test
- Student is interviewed by the Level Coordinator
4. It is following this procedure that a Letter of Notice is prepared and mailed to the parents
The application process will commence once all documents have been submitted.
At Woodrose,
academic programs are focused on integrated education. such there is a balanced program of intellectual, moral, social, spiritual and physical development. Students are given opportunities for analytical and critical thinking. Lastly, it is their ultimate objective to help each student achieve their fullest potential, to pursue the truth and be a responsible individual.
For more information on, you may visit
Woodrose website . You may also contact the School Registrar, Mrs. Rose Dumlao at 850-6380 to 83 local 111.
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