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When the words "Pulau Ubin" come to mind, one usually thinks of rustic kampong life and a peaceful getaway from Singapore's urban landscape. The island also hosts educational camps and adventure-learning activities that offer participants a break from their usual routines and offer fresh perspectives on life.
One such programme is Camp ACE – an acronym for “All Can Escape”, led by officers from the Singapore Police Force (SPF). Designed to help youths at risk of secret society involvement, the camp guides them towards making positive choices and adopting a crime-free lifestyle. Camp ACE involves outdoor challenges and insightful sharing sessions by officers and invited speakers to help these youths make the right choices as they navigate the real world.
An Inside Look at Camp ACE
This year marks the 16th edition of Camp ACE, which engages youths aged 13 to 19. Taking the helm are officers from the Secret Societies Branch (SSB) of the Criminal Investigation Department who work alongside social workers to ensure a safe and supportive environment for the youths.
The one-and-a-half day camp kicked off with a ferry ride to Pulau Ubin. Once they arrived at the campsite via minibus along unpaved roads, the youths immersed themselves in the tranquil, natural ambience that the small island offers, taking in the camp’s reflective atmosphere.
“Although youth gang involvement has remained stable over the years, it continues to be a concern,” says Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Royce Kiang, a Senior Investigation Officer at the SSB. “Camp ACE allows at-risk youths to have a better understanding of the consequences, should they continue down the wrong path.”
Many youths at Camp ACE are currently in the Streetwise Programme (SWP), a six-month diversionary programme, delivered by social service agencies appointed as Integrated Service Providers by the Ministry of Social and Family Development, that combines structured counselling, life-skills group work, recreational activities and community support to steer youths away from gangs.
Youths who attend the SWP often have gang associations or have played a minor role in gang-related offences. “In the past, these youths were recruited in person through friends or acquaintances,” explains DSP Kiang. “Now, impressionable youths can also be negatively influenced by gang-related content they encounter on social media.”
To counter these trends, Camp ACE serves as both deterrence and sustained support. Here, Police officers take on the role of mentors, speaking from the heart about the dangers of gang involvement and encouraging youths to build positive, pro-social behaviours.
Champions of Change
To provide the youths with a glimpse of what a gang-free life could look like, the camp invited guest speakers Nathan David and Andyn Kadir, who shared their stories of renouncing their gang affiliations and transforming their lives for the better.
“I lost everything when I was in a gang,” says Nathan. “I remember attending my grandfather’s funeral in handcuffs, and I was only given 30 minutes to see him.”
Nathan recounted to the youths how he finally renounced his gang membership in 2015 and rebuilt his life. After his release from prison, he completed his studies at the Institute of Technical Education and is now in the midst of completing a part-time diploma – all while running his own carpentry business.
Nathan imparted this piece of advice with the youths: “Don’t lose this opportunity that’s been given to you, and which I wish I had back then. This path is not about perfection, but consistency – making a better choice, one step at a time.”
This sentiment was echoed by his fellow speaker, Andyn. After being incarcerated in Changi Prison Complex, Andyn decided that “enough was enough” and decided to leave his gang for good.
“Gang life might seem cool to some people, but it’s not what it’s made out to be,” shares Andyn. “It traps you in a bubble of anger and violence.”
Today, Andyn is a fitness professional with his own gym space for clients. He also leads trekking expeditions with former offenders to raise funds for Mawar Community Services, a non-profit organisation that he has been volunteering with since 2016.
“I was in your position once,” Andyn told the youths. “I’m here to show you that there’s hope and that we all walk our own journey. Empower yourself and become an adult with a better future ahead for yourself.”
Final Reflections
Apart from the sharing by guest speakers, the youths also took part in presentations and performed skits, showcasing what they’d learnt throughout the camp. These performances were met with resounding applause from the audience.
As the camp drew to a close, the youths gathered over lunch to share their experiences and personal takeaways.
Hakim (not his real name), who was previously arrested for rioting, found the experience especially valuable, in particular the sharing by officers from the Singapore Prison Service (SPS): “They were really engaging and tried hard to convince us not to end up in prison.”
Hakim also explained how Camp ACE was a great opportunity for him to connect with others who were facing similar challenges whilst also experiencing genuine support from the Police officers.
“It helps me know that I’m not alone,” says Hakim. “I appreciate how the officers are here not just to enforce the law, but to help us too – that means a lot.”
