Eric Teo
Active FamChamps Mentor

But at FamChamps, campers are immersed in an environment that constantly encourages them to ponder and reflect on their personal family journeys. This deep, immersive approach sets FamChamps apart from other programmes and leaves a lasting impression on the participants, mentors and even the teachers! 

One of the most rewarding aspects of mentoring with FamChamps has been seeing former campers return as alumni, completely of their own volition. It is a powerful indication that they’ve embraced the values of FamChamps and are eager to stay involved.  

To inspire volunteerism, it’s essential to apply familial values in our daily lives. When people see the positive impact of these values firsthand, they’re more likely to get involved and engage others as well. Volunteering with youths has been a transformative journey for me, and I believe with commitment and the right motivations, it can be for others too.

My journey into volunteering with young people began when I was a secondary school student. I joined a non-profit youth organisation as a participant, and gradually found myself getting more involved—first as a student volunteer, then as an intern, and eventually as a staff. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with kids and young adults aged 10 to 23.

I first heard about FamChamps when they issued a call for station marshalls to help run FamQuest, an interactive programme for students that requires heavy manpower support. I decided to volunteer and when I saw how FamQuest was executed and the meaningful values it instilled in the campers, I knew I wanted to be a part of it for a longer haul. This led me to explore FamChamps further and I have been volunteering for seven years since.

FamChamps stands out to me because of its clear and focused goal: To instill the importance of being a family champion from a young age. In today’s fast-paced world, it’s tough to get young people to slow down and think deeply about their families.