Westbridge dads go camping with sons
The Father and Son Camping is a yearly activity at Paref Westbridge School. Here is an article on one of the Activities organized for the Primary Department of the school.
"I'm already a graduate of camping. I have had much of it. Besides, there are better ways of spending time bonding with my son," a dad in middle age might say.
While that is true, a tough environment is something that a son does not get all the time. It is a test which develops his patience, persistence, and toughness. This can not be gotten from air-conditioned malls, fancy restaurants and relaxing resorts.
What we need is training where a son learns outside the comfort zone with his dad backing him up. This is quite rare, and needs roughing up once in a while.
Thus, the Primary Department of Westbridge School for Boys embarked on their yearly Father and Son Camping activity. This was done in Dumangas, Iloilo last November 17-18, 2007.
Mr. Maryl Acebuque, Westbridge Grade 3 adviser, chaired the morning session with really exciting games. Paint me a Picture made the dads game enough to do some acting which excite and inspired their sons. At the end of the game, the Orange Team Dads prevailed. Tug-o-war which was a tougher activity was dominated by the Green Team Dads. Dads of the Blue and the Gold Teams garnered points from the "Identify Your Son" game and relay races. This made them "The Most Photographed Dads".
After the games, dads were seen touring the zoo and teaching their sons how to catch fish. Miggie Raynaldo and Peter Cho from the grades one and two, got the biggest catch.
Educhild Dads composed of Ronnie Gabalda, Jon Gamutan, Dax Palacios and Spike Barredo moderated the exchange of ideas about proper dealing with a wife. Dads Rene Murga and Miguel Cacho and other fathers with high school sons mentored the younger dads whose children are still very young and have not yet passed the adolescent stage. Younger dads also shared nuggets of wisdom from their own parents.
During the discussion, it was cleared out that there is a need to pull the sons away from the culture of death from the televison, computer games, and malls. Instead, sons should be encouraged to resort on purposeful hobbies such as reading, and engaging on outdoor activities and sports.
The afternoon swimming, cooking, bonefire building, and treasure hunting contests completed the day. These made the boys sleep soundly, which prepared them for the Mass the following morning.
Rev. Fr. Rolando Suplido highlighted the importance of a loving but tough training that the parents do to their children.
After the overnight camp, everyone was exhausted, but the achieved goals outweighed the challenges of each camping activity. "We have made our sons love what is tough and adventuresome," remarked Mr. Corteza.
"If Dads would just go back to the memory lane, this year's Primary Father and Son Camping is one of the most meaningful experiences we ever had. Indeed, it was a successful overnight camp with our sons."
Westbridge Foundation Day
This coming February 8-9, 2008, Paref Westbridge will celebrate its 16th Foundation Day at its Magsaysay Village Campus. The theme is "One School, One Family" highlighting the family spirit that permeates the activities of the school. Everyone is invited especially for the School Play on February 8, 6pm and the Variety Show on February 9, 6:30 pm.