Never before has the Young Writers’ Camp pushed its participants to write so maniacally. Four competing newspapers were established and published daily. Campers were plunged into a simulated newsroom where stories were expected to be written, edited, and filed by midnight. The papers were distributed the following morning. The pressure and energy was incredible, the satisfaction at seeing one’s byline even more so.

I had the strange privilege of being both a camper and facilitator. I was expected to do everything the campers did, and more. I didn’t have enough sleep. I hated the deadlines. But I loved the adrenaline rush. It all was quite dizzying. The publishing process has come to an abrupt end and I’m still thinking in terms of headlines.

Teams were sent out to interview individuals around Gopeng. Malaysian CARE visited for a press conference. There was a caving expedition. We interviewed facilitators, friends, dogs. We lampooned editors of competing papers, wrote scathing reviews of lunch, announced the sale of one Kiew Sieh Jin. Every aspect of the four day retreat was covered one way or another. The papers were about us. They were ours. And they make writing about the camp somewhat unnecessary.

I know everyone secretly thought the Newsforest was the best paper of the lot, and I agree.

YWCers:
Jian Lin
Ken Ming
Jian Eu
Daniel
Fern
Joyce
Arnan
Julie
Julie pt. 2
Elliot