Vovinam Camp, when you think of the word camp you think of, togetherness, a time for bonding, and forming new relationships with your fellow peers

In my past experience this has rarely happen in a Vovinam camp, unless it is in ones school.  In some occasions ‘togetherness’ was force upon us. They expected of us to bond like family, within five minutes of meeting, without any activities to spark a connection. This year however, was different simply because we actually had a real ‘camp’ feel. Nothing was forced upon us, everything was very relaxing and everyone was there just to have fun.

This year I was fortunate enough to take on the role as being a camp leader. My understanding as a camp leader was nothing like I had expected it to be. [I came in expecting I had many responsibilities and have to deal with twelve year old children who thought their only purpose for being at Vovinam camp was to hang out with there friends and misbehave away from home. I also thought this year would be similar to the past Vovinam camps that I’ve been to.] Example; not having the time to affiliate ourselves with students from other schools, team mates only knowing the name of there camp leader, each break we had everyone segregated themselves to be with their school, team meetings were quick and silent as well as tension and conflicts holding some back from meeting new people. However, everyone at the camp seemed to have a care-free attitude, the willingness and drive to meet and learn new things about their teammates. This made it much easier for everyone to get along in separate groups. My experience as a camp leader was very rewarding due to the fact that I met and became friends with all of my team mates. We had teamwork and we faced every obstacle together, almost like a family.

Being a Vovinam camp leader has helped me learn what it takes to really lead your peers. It takes hard work, dedication, preservernce and integrity to lead a group of people. I hope that it can help me in the future with my vovinam career and so that I can help and led my students to success and I am hoping that this expereicnce can help me not just in vovinam but in life itself. I have greatly admired my instructors leadership skills and hope to follow them. My instructors have been very distinguished leaders to my fellow commrades and I. I will try my hardest to follow into my instructors footsteps to achieve a higher understanding of leadership.

 Although camp came to an end after only two days, I have learned what every person needs to be a leader. Being a leader isn’t just about controling people, or supervising your team mates but being more in the aspect of a role model; somebody who is there to set a prime example for others to follow. Someone who is there to help others fulfill their goals.

Xiu Nguyen (Copy Vovinam_Houston)