Minister Teo Chee Hean,

Distinguished Guests,

Boys and Girls

I am very pleased to be here this morning to officiate at the Opening Ceremony of the National Camp 1998. I can see many happy faces among the camp participants. I know you will be having a lot of fun and adventure in the next few days, as you share your experiences of outdoor life.

This Camp will provide you many golden opportunities
to interact and make new friends. You will learn to work together, share responsibilities, and stay united under one roof. Such close interaction and shared experience of a camp like this are good learning situations for your future participation in the working world and in nation-building.

Outdoor activities supplement classroom learning. Through such activities you not only test your physical and mental toughness, adaptability and survival instincts but you also pick up new skills. It is a learning environment different from what you are used to, but it promises to be challenging and satisfying.

Nowadays, many of our citizens have to work overseas. It means leaving behind the familiar environment and the comforts of home and country to face the challenges of the outside world. This calls for an adventurous spirit, sacrifice and adaptation both on their part as well as their family.

Therefore, it is prudent to prepare our youth early.
In some ways, the experience of the outdoors is like venturing
and working overseas. From such experiences, our youth will have a chance to develop an adventurous spirit; to be exposed to and to deal with new and challenging situations beyond the walls of the classroom or familiar home environment. Such are the building blocks for character and leadership development.

I am told that the National Camp Pledge will take effect from this 6th National Camp. The Pledge, which all of you would be taking shortly, is based on the objectives of the
National Camp. It embodies the ideals held by all participants
of this event. The formalisation of this indigenous Pledge symbolises the coming of age of this important Camp.

On this note, I wish all the participants an enjoyable stay
in this Camp. May you make many friends and learn the true meaning of camaraderie. It is now my pleasure to declare the National Camp 1998 open.

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