Thursday, February 17, 2005

YLDP: An introducion

YLDP= Youth Leadership Developement Program



It was held at PD Methodist Centre (2003, 2004) and is planned by TRAC Malaysia for youth leaders or future leaders.

I attended YLDP when I was 15 (2003) and again when i was 16 (2004). And i have totally NO regrets for spending a total of 9 days of my life and precious holidays there. Why, if there's YLDP this year too (and if im allowed to go), i would definitely go!

I was introduced to YLDP by my mom who went to YLDP when she was younger. She greatly encouraged me to attend the camp. She said it would help me grow in faith and in leadership skills. It sounded so boring, the way she described how the camp would be. She described very packed schedules packed full with talks and workshops. I, on the other hand just wanted fun, fun and fun! Exspecially at camps. I ended up going anyway cos my mom (a SSS teacher) made it compulsary for all committee members to attend the camp. I knew i would learn lots of things there, that would be useful in SSS, so i didnt put up a fight. i just went with the flow. And I'm VERY glad i did.

YLDP was the first camp i did not look forward to going to. I was afraid that it would be some boring solemn learning camp where i'd just go from talk to talk, counting the seconds till it's over. But at the same time, i was curious to know what YLDP had to offer.

Once i was there, my fears and worries disappeared one by one.. FAST! I enjoyed myself a LOT!!! The talks were really interesting! I could actually understand and relate to what was spoken. Believe it or not, i actually looked forward to the talks (something that i never did). I met youths from all over Malaysia who all have different kinds of characters, behaviour and lifestyles. It was interesting, and sometimes funny to hear about the things they do that seemed so foreign to me. Everyone was put into groups and we played games during our free time and during games time.

Most importantly, i learnt a lot of things that i actually found useful and my faith had a great big boost there. i was like, recharged! motivated! happy! It's cos of God's presense there; the great planning of the camp; genuinely caring speakers and helpers; caring, understanding and sensitive participants who want to seek God and learn more; and my own openness to people and God. I'm not like, writing an advertisement for YLDP here.. what i write is the TRUTH! and nothing but the truth!

It's fun! challeging! great! and i STRONGLY encourage any youth, exspecially youth leaders to GO for YLDP! Don't just think about it.. GO!

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