A Binusian Summer Retreat: HIMTI Senayan Bonding 2024, “Farewell Exams, Hello Vacation!”
On Thursday, August 22nd 2024, 30 students from Binus Senayan went on an overnight bonding trip to Puncak. The objective of this trip? To form new bonds and strengthen existing ones between Senayan’s B26 and B27 students.
After a quick opening from the SSO representative, students stepped inside the buses and headed to the first stop: the Bogor Botanical Gardens. While the participants chatted in the bus to pass the time, the Bogor Botanical Gardens was the first stop where they could interact with each other beyond just words.
Throughout the time in the gardens, the students were free to explore the open space, providing an opportunity to expose themselves to a world beyond classrooms. A popular spot for some students is the zoology museum located inside the gardens, where students could roam around and learn about the history of animals. Some chose to enjoy the fresh air by renting bikes to stroll around the park. Others prefer staying inside and enjoying the delicacies served in the gardens.
The students arrived at the Tamaria House 2 villa at approximately 3 PM. There they were given some time to unpack and adjust themselves to their surroundings. Some would walk around the property, others preferred lounging in the large common room. Not long after, the rounds of games began, and participants were sorted into small groups.
The admittedly traditional games successfully formed a fellowship bond, which was the goal of splitting the students into groups. We wanted to ensure that everyone knew each other on the trip, and the games session helped form the initial bond between students who, if not for circumstances like this, wouldn’t even interact with each other.
Between the numerous games played, the most memorable would be ones involving water. Firstly, the water relay, where each group moves water from one bucket in front to another in the back using paper cups. Each member is sat in a line and must be careful not to spill any drop. The simple and straightforward game became more intense as each team worked to get the most water in a short time frame.
The second water game, and the last game in general, is water balloon dodgeball. Each team is provided with twenty water balloons to throw at their opponents. The team with the last remaining player wins the match. This excited the participants, who looked forward to letting off some steam and cool down from the afternoon heat. Once again, the games got everyone hyped up, and some committee members even took it to themselves to cool off the rest of the audience.
The students arrived at the Tamaria House 2 villa at approximately 3 PM. There they were given some time to unpack and adjust themselves to their surroundings. Some would walk around the property, others preferred lounging in the large common room. Not long after, the rounds of games began, and participants were sorted into small groups.
The admittedly traditional games successfully formed a fellowship bond, which was the goal of splitting the students into groups. We wanted to ensure that everyone knew each other on the trip, and the games session helped form the initial bond between students who, if not for circumstances like this, wouldn’t even interact with each other.
Between the numerous games played, the most memorable would be ones involving water. Firstly, the water relay, where each group moves water from one bucket in front to another in the back using paper cups. Each member is sat in a line and must be careful not to spill any drop. The simple and straightforward game became more intense as each team worked to get the most water in a short time frame.
The second water game, and the last game in general, is water balloon dodgeball. Each team is provided with twenty water balloons to throw at their opponents. The team with the last remaining player wins the match. This excited the participants, who looked forward to letting off some steam and cool down from the afternoon heat. Once again, the games got everyone hyped up, and some committee members even took it to themselves to cool off the rest of the audience.
Later in the night, things simmered down and the common area started filling with more and more people looking to lounge after the meal. Many shared snacks with each other as they entertained themselves. A memorable event was when the karaoke mic was passed around the many participants in the room, even those distracted with board games or card games, leading to an amusing night. Some preferred watching videos on the upstairs TV, while others continued chatting by the still burning grill. But alas, as it grew later, many headed back to their rooms to rest for the day.
The next day, on Friday, August 23rd, the day started early for committees, who passed around breakfast for the participants. Not much was planned for the second day, however the participants took it upon themselves to mingle with each other. Nevertheless, there was not a moment in the trip where it ever felt lifeless.
As we waited for the bus for the return trip back to campus, the last thing needed was to take a picture, both for documentation as well as to serve as a memory piece for an eventful trip. Smiles beamed across the rows of people lined up for the picture; a sentiment to stronger bonds between the students, as well as new friendships formed.
This trip was held to strengthen the bonds across batches of Binus Senayan students, as though the generation gap may seem slightly intimidating to some, this trip showed that they’re all just students in the same campus and encouraged them to form friendships beyond our comfort zone. Furthermore, for all the faults and roadblocks on this trip, it has turned into a valuable memory for all that attended. We hope that an event like this may be held again and again in a chain, in order to promote socializing and creating friendships between the students in an environment outside of campus, but rather in an environment more akin to our daily lives.