Tzu Chi Philippines held its 2024 Scholars’ Camp with the theme “Waves of Inspiration, Let’s Sail Together” from June 28 to 30, 2024 at the Buddhist Tzu Chi Campus (BTCC) in Sta. Mesa, Manila.
The theme was represented by water and waves, mirroring the “ship of compassion” depicted in the Tzu Chi logo.
The camp, organized by fourth-year scholars, welcomed 150 participants from various regions, including Zamboanga, Davao, Leyte, Iloilo, Cebu, Bicol, Pampanga and the National Capital Region.
The event was led by Paolo Nicole Santos, a magna cum laude graduate from the Philippine Normal University and a seasoned participant in previous camps.
Santos, along with a team of 60 volunteer scholars, began planning the camp in May, moving away from the traditional love theme to focus on aspirations, inspirations and dreams.
The camp featured a dynamic new camp song, “Sail Your Story,” inspired by Disney’s “Live Your Story,” and was complemented by a choreography.
Activities included an “Amazing Race”-style tour of BTCC, where scholars engaged in challenges such as identifying upcycled features in the Tzu Chi Café, building a Jing Si Abode using Jenga blocks. Julie Ann Lope
Ice breakers and interactive groupwork, including a climate action discussion led by Tzu Chi Program Officer Lineth Brondial were also conducted.
The event concluded with performances of the camp song and traditional Tzu Chi songs such as “Pulling the Ox Cart” and “One Family.”