Going on camp is fun. Several days of games, bonfire nights, dancing, singing, meeting a whole lot of new people…camp is full of excitement and adventure. And when we return home from camp, there are many stories to tell. Here's another camp tale. Only difference is that it's a little different to your average camp tale.

When five young guides, Tharika Ruwanmali, Nilanthi Ekanayake, Lakshi Nadira Jayasena, Mahari Almeda and Rosita Rankothge, travelled to South Korea to attend a camp, they were in for a big treat. But here's what was different. These young guides were from the Differently Abled branch of the Sri Lanka Girl Guides Association and in South Korea, where they attended the 24th International Agoonore Camp for the differently-abled at the Bomoon Youth Centre in Gyeongju, the girls had an experience of a lifetime.

"There were lots of games. We went horse riding and made a bracelet with beads and thread," a happy Mahari from the Dayamina School in Ebuldeniya recalled. "We made new friends from Hongkong," she said. "We also saw a circus and a museum," her fellow schoolmate Rosita added.

Sister Ira Ellen, the guide who accompanied Mahari and Rosita said that the girls faced difficulties in communicating with other nationalities and so did they. But with over 1000 young differently abled guides from all over Asia, this was a perfect opportunity to meet new people. "However, as these children were not so good in English and as those children could also converse in their own language, they would only smile with each other. They didn't talk too much," she said.

The girls had also tried their hand at paintballing and dancing. "All five of us had to do a dance. We practiced very hard and went for it," Nadira, from the Chithra Lane School said while her schoolmates looked on, eager to tell their tale as well. A beaming Lakshi said that she enjoyed seeing the 3D animation film. She adds that she learnt a bit about Kings and culture through the film and museum.
Ms. Amila Nishanthi, the guide from the Chithra lane school, who accompanied Nadira, Lakshi and Tharika said that the girls were very independent and enjoyed every minute of the camp.

"Going in a plane itself was an experience for them. They've never being in a plane and while travelling, they were able to watch others and do such things as folding the table and putting away properly. These girls don't have the same privileges as us. But they can learn and they are very obedient. Sometimes they can do what we can't do," she said.

The girls, some of who are mentally handicapped while the others have learning disabilities, learnt a lot at camp. Some of it, they cannot communicate. "They were sad when they were leaving," Ms. Amila said. She recalls her experience with the girls as challenging, yet rewarding. "They had fun," she said.

Ms. Marlene Dissanayake, acting Director of the Differently Abled branch of the Girl Guides Association wants to continue this.

However lack of funds and resources is one of the major challenges they face. Even with these girls, the girls were told to apply and find, through sponsorship, atleast half of the cost (Rs. 50,000) of the trip. These five girls managed to find that. But, unfortunately, three other students who applied could not travel, as they could not collect that sum.

"There they have felt they are not alone. They are like a family out there. It has been difficult, but joyous and this has given these girls so much hope," Ms. Dissanayake said. She also thanked all those who helped to make this venture a success.

This is definitely an experience the girls wouldn't forget.