“You’ve got a friend in me” from the theme song of Toy Story
Childhood is all about discovery, and few places offer as much opportunity for it as a world far from home, filled with the promise of new connections. The Baan Ar Jor Friendship Camp 2025, set against the sparkling turquoise backdrop of Phuket, was more than just a camp; it transformed 94 children, aged 8 to 12, into a close-knit community.
Over four carefully planned days, from October 1st to the 4th, at the Baan Mai Khao School and Baan Ar Jor, this camp didn’t just teach lessons; it embedded them in these children’s hearts. It showed that friendship is not just a gift, but an active skill that must be learned and practiced with purpose.
This is the story of that transformation—a journey from strangers to friends, guided by mentors and united by a single, powerful song. In this blog, let me share with you this one-of-a-kind experience!
Day 1: From Solitude to Squad, The Beginning of New Friendships
As the campers gathered at Don Mueang International Airport, a mix of quiet excitement and nervousness hung in the air. Of course, I am very nervous, new people, new experiences, and a new environment. We arrived at our destination, Phuket, Thailand, before lunchtime.
The pupils and teachers of Baan Mai Khao School warmly welcomed us. The kids are so excited as we walk to the hallway. This is the 2nd Baan Ar Jor Camp, so the kids are looking forward to it. The first step is to focus on identity and trust.
Camp Manager James Tovey started with a brief, clear opening ceremony that laid down rules to keep every child safe. Followed by an icebreaker. Then, the real fun began.
The Power of Team Identity: Bandanas, Icebreakers, and “You’ve Got a Friend in Me”
Five BFITS Volunteer Camp Teachers—Millie, Zander, Anthony, Chanette, and Mandelyn—took the stage, each with a group of 18,19, or 20 campers waiting to be named. This was not just an assignment; it was the Teachers’ Pitch, a fun, heartfelt performance where each mentor shared why their team would be the best.
Zander’s calm confidence, Millie’s bright smile, Chanette’s lively spirit—all of these personalities instantly drew kids in. When the children received their team bandanas—bright ribbons of distinct colors—the transformation was immediate. The bandana became a symbol of their shared journey and commitment.
The first icebreakers brought moments of genuine vulnerability. Names were learned, shy smiles were exchanged, and walls started to come down. The most meaningful moment of Day 1 was not a game but a revelation: the distribution of the camp book, which included the lyrics to the theme song, “You’ve Got a Friend in Me.”
By introducing this final song—a tune about unwavering support—on the first day, the mentors set the stage for a four-day journey centered around earning the right to sing these words sincerely. Our team, the Red team, with my Thai staff Camp Coordinator/Operations Manager, Nutnaree Ruksachob “P’Nut,” came up with our slogan “I am your friend. You are my friend. We are All Friends!”
The day ended with the “Star of the Day” awards. These water bottles were given not for being the smartest or the fastest, but for quiet acts of kindness, helpfulness, humor, politeness, and other unfamiliar vocabulary to be discovered during the camp.
Day 2: Learning the Traits of a Good Friend Through Collaboration
Day 2 was the heart of the learning experience, where English vocabulary met teamwork. The morning kicked off with a focused study of the “Traits of a Good Friend.”
With colorful flashcards and support from the BFITS Thai Staff (Tik, Jan, Nut, Palm, and Bo), the concepts of loyalty, empathy, patience, and honesty received real English names. This foundation set the stage for their emotional growth.
The campers applied this new vocabulary during the Rotation Activities. The five stations—Arts and Crafts, Reading, Science, Math, and Spelling—were cleverly designed to encourage collaboration, requiring teams to lean on each other’s strengths.
Hands-On Learning: Magic Bubbles, Teamwork, and the Paper Mobile Project
At the Science station, where I was assigned to facilitate, we discovered the Magic Bubbles. The kids are enjoying making the bubbles; it is a simple science experiment where they can make them last longer or bounce off cloth by adding sugar. A fun activity where science is not only a discussion of knowledge but an exciting discovery.
The reward system supported this behavior. When the teacher handed out stamps at the end of the station, it wasn’t just for those who solved the math puzzle, performed a simple science experiment; it acknowledged students who embodied the Traits of a Good Friend—the one who encouraged a teammate, the one who listened carefully, and the one who bravely apologized for a mistake.
The day’s creative activity, the Paper Mobile project, required physical expressions of their bonds. Campers cut shapes and noted their Friendship Vocabulary, shared memories, and hopeful messages on the pieces. These mobiles, carefully strung together, became tangible proof of their shared journey, reflecting the reality of their connections.
As the day wound down, the initial practice for the final performance began, filled with uncertainty, but the 94 children’s shared heartbeat started to sync.
Day 3: Practicing Unity Through Performance, Poetry, and Shared Courage
Day 3 focused on creating lasting memories. The lessons shifted from understanding to deep, muscle memory. The morning rotations continued, but most of the emotional growth happened in the afternoon as the teams practiced together for their performance.
At the Science station, kids built a boat that can carry the largest number of coins (10 baht coins). Quite challenging for most kids, as it required design and building skills. The testing part is the most exciting, as the kids start dropping each coin.
After the activity rotation, reciting the poem “My Good Friend” and singing “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” required more than memorization; it demanded that the children bond emotionally.
In the safe space of their teams, guided by their mentors, they overcame the awkwardness of performing in front of others and combined their voices into a unified expression of trust. They practiced until the lines of the poem flowed naturally and the song became joyous.
Day 4: One Heart, One Voice, and The Unifying Shoreline of Baan Ar Jor
The final day brought emotional highs and poignant farewells. The mood shifted as the campers donned the unifying BFITS Polo Shirt—no longer wearing team colors but uniting as one group of friends.
The emotional peak came during the trip back to Baan Ar Jor for the final Students’ Show. This was the moment to publicly declare their growth and showcase the fruits of their transformation to the community. With Camp Managers and Baan Ar Jor Founder, Satja Hongyok, watching, the children stood with pride.
The collective recitation of “My Good Friend” was no longer a timid practice; it became a powerful, rhythmic tribute to the values they had embraced. When all 94 voices soared through “You’ve Got a Friend in Me,” the song rang out with raw, earned sincerity that transcended words.
It was a promise, spoken loudly, that the vulnerability they had shared over the past three days was worth the risk. It was the sound of a community finding its voice.
Closing Ceremony: Tears, Smiles, Hugs, and the Power of Goodbye
The closing activities carefully managed the emotional farewell. Certificates and photos offered lasting recognition. The Final Team Game (Pass the Message/Whisper Game) added a fun, light-hearted touch to the importance of communication and trust.
Opportunities to say their goodbyes to their teachers as the camp is about to end. A loving and caring hug to one another! The friendship is unparalleled and genuine! The tears that inspired and the promises that bind the essence of a friendship that was newly discovered.
A Friendship That Lasts: Carrying the Camp’s Spirit Forward
They understood that the most powerful thing they could take home was the sound of 94 voices singing together the heartfelt truth: “You’ve got a friend in me.”
I will cherish this experience forever. Just like the song, You’ve Got a Friend in Me, I wanted to say that you’ve got a friend in me and thank you as well: BFITS Camp Managers, Giselle Alano and James Tovey, our foreign teachers, Millie, Zander, Chanette, and Mandelyn. Our BFITS Thai Team, P’Jan, P’Tik, P’Palm, P’Bo, and my Red Team Thai partner, P’Nut, I offer my unending thanks to you all for helping me communicate with the kids and for everything.
To the Baan Mai Khao School faculty and staff, Baan Ar Jor Founder, Satja Hongyok, and all the parents, let’s continue to nurture the future of the new generation and guide them to success! To the Baan Mai Khao School pupils, let’s have our soda pop clap once again! I will surely miss you all!
This camp was not just an endpoint; it served as a launchpad. It left behind more than just memories of a lovely experience; it forged a collective heart that grew stronger and louder, carrying the lasting echo of friendship into the future.
Thank you so much for the friendship! Thank you so much, BFITS! Thank you so much, Baan Mai Khao School! Thank you so much, Baan Ar Jor! Till we meet again…
