Chana Camp 2007

Since I have known Peem, he has always talked about their farm, a couple of hours north of Bangkok. He has described it as this somewhat idyllic place. They have some wildlife and it is really relaxing. Then my friend Cathy was visiting a former student and she, too, said it was really great. Needless to say, when something is supposed to be great, I want to check it out. Throughout this year, I kept asking questions about the farm. I found out it had miniature ponies, regular size ponies, emus, water buffalo, cows, horn bills, chickens, peacocks, a macaw, and any other number of animals. Of course, I was dying to go.

Poom (the father), Pam (the sister), and I drive up on Friday after noon. Peem had already gone up. It is a nice drive out of Bangkok and I am excited to get out of the congested city for a while. The drive was uneventful and was fairly relaxing. When we arrived at the farm, I immediately knew why people like it so much. It is really amazing. In fact, as I told the family, it is my dream to own something like that in South Africa. Once in the driveway you are looking at two log cabins, connected by a deck with a huge tree growing in the middle. Of course there are tables and chairs and a hammock and you immediately feel relaxed. You look out over several of the ponds on the property and see the swans (black and white) you see the little ponies, and the emus. Just to the left is where the chickens (and the mean emu) live. There is a huge lawn with great tropical foliage all around you. You feel like you are at a resort. They have recently added a huge deck with two other buildings (both equipped with plumbing, electrictity, and kitchens). There are little gazebo type things to sit in with tables, lounges and hammocks. A great place to relax. Which is exactly what I did!

For the past two years, several Thai families have been hosting a camp at the farm for underprivileged kids in the area. Last year Peem coordinated it, and this year, another student of ours did. It is really a great weekend for these 30 young Thai girls. They are selected 4th-6th graders, not the top of the class and not the students who usually receive accolades, but those kids who are good and solid citizens of their school. The 18 or so high school kids facilitate games and activities for the kids for the weekend. It was great to watch a group of high school kids really run a camp for the younger ones. They planned and executed a two day event which went smoothly even through some heavy rain! A great leadership event for all involved and hell, it could make a good college essay too!