SPF's Camp ACE is transforming the lives of youths at risk of secret society involvement through a unique blend of outdoor challenges and personal mentorship.
By: Shavina Sri
At 14, Ben (not his real name) was bullied at school and felt desperate to protect himself. So, he turned to a senior for guidance. Unfortunately, this senior, a gang member, introduced him to a world of fear and violence.
Ben started hanging out with the wrong crowd, thinking it would shield him. “I didn’t want to be seen as weak,” he said. “I didn’t want to be bullied or picked on anymore.”
But as he spent more time with this new group, Ben realised it was not the solution to his problems.
Now 17, Ben is working to turn his life around. His journey began when his gang got into trouble for committing a series of offences and he was referred for the Streetwise Programme.
The six-month diversionary programme, delivered by social service agencies appointed as Integrated Service Providers (ISPs) by the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF), aims to guide wayward youths involved in gang activities towards a crime-free future. He chose to join the programme in his effort to make a fresh start in life. As part of the programme, youth participants are invited to join Camp ACE.
Inside Camp ACE: Breaking the Cycle Through Experience
Now in its 15th year, Camp ACE – an acronym for “All Can Escape”, which signifies all youths can escape from the perils of crime and gang violence – is an annual programme to help youths at risk, like Ben, find the right direction in life. It is run by the Secret Societies Branch (SSB) of the Criminal Investigation Department, and this year, 14 youths aged 13 to 19 participated in this programme.
Held on Pulau Ubin for one-and-a-half days, the camp began with a short ferry ride to get the youths away from the hustle of mainland Singapore. The quiet and natural surrounding – filled with the sounds of birds and rustling leaves – added to the camp's reflective and transformative atmosphere.
Camp ACE’s approach combines experiential learning, heartfelt conversations, and guidance from officers and social workers to inspire positive change. The camp provides a supportive environment where youths can reflect, learn and grow.
Through various activities like obstacle courses, high- and low-element courses, roleplays, and group discussions, the youths learn to discover their own strengths and make better choices.
“I thought it would be all about scaring us, but it wasn’t like that,” Ben shared. “I felt that they really wanted to help us.”
Two Who Changed Their Lives
The camp also featured guest speakers Francis How and Nathan David, who shared their personal journeys from gang involvement to redemption.
Francis joined a gang at 12 and spent nearly 11 years in prison across four separate occasions. He spoke about the toll it took on him and his family. “I thought being in a gang meant brotherhood and respect, but it just made me angry and violent,” he said.
His mother, who suffered from schizophrenia, continued to visit him in prison despite her condition. “She told me she was glad I was there because it meant I was safe,” recalled Francis. “That broke me. It made me realise how much she loved me, yet I went seeking love and acceptance in the wrong places, hurting her badly in the process.”
Nathan, who renounced his gang membership in 2015, described the courage it took to leave. “The boldest decision I ever made was stepping away from the gang,” he said.
Nathan also shared the challenges of staying away, explaining that there are many who renounced gang membership but eventually returned. He then emphasised the importance of staying on the right path and not returning to old habits.
For Ben, these personal stories hit home. “It’s different when I hear stories from ex-secret society members,” he said. “It makes me feel like it’s never too late to change.”
Guidance Toward Better Choices
One of the camp’s most impactful sessions was a talk by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Eric Toh, a Senior Investigation Officer with the SSB and one of the founding officers of Camp ACE. With decades of experience combating secret society activities, ASP Eric understands the dangers youths face when they join gangs.
“It’s not about fights or money,” said ASP Eric. “Once you’re in, it’s hard to get out. You put your future, your relationships and even your life at risk.”
Speaking to the youths, he shared real-life examples of youths whose lives had been derailed by poor choices or the manipulation of senior gang members. But he also stressed how it’s never too late to turn things around.
This session was followed by a powerful presentation by speakers from the Singapore Prison Service (SPS), who shared insights into life behind bars. They spoke about the harsh realities of prison life – strict routines, loss of freedom and the emotional pain from having limited engagements with their loved ones.
“It’s not just you who will pay the price when you make bad decisions; your family will suffer too,” one of the speakers said.
This left an impression on Ben. “I didn’t realise how much my actions could hurt the people who care for me,” he admitted.
The speakers also emphasised the importance of taking ownership of one’s actions and shared stories of inmates who had resolutely turned their lives around.
Beyond the Camp: Building Lasting Change
The impact offered by Camp ACE does not end when the camp is over.
Drusilla Wylin, a counsellor from Lakeside Family Services ISP, has been working with youths in the Streetwise Programme since 2021. She explained how Camp ACE plays a pivotal role in the rehabilitation of youths at risk. “It gives them a chance to step away from their daily environment and see things from a different perspective,” she said.
For Ben, the camp was a first step in reconnecting with his family. “Before this, I didn’t talk to them much. But now, I feel like they’re more supportive,” he added.
As Camp ACE came to an end, Ben reflected on how much he has changed. “I learned that I don’t have to fight or join a gang to prove myself,” he said. “I can stand up for myself in better ways.”
For youths like Ben, Camp ACE is more than just a programme; it’s a lifeline, offering them the tools, support and hope they need to escape the cycle of secret society involvement.
“I never felt alone here,” Ben said. “The camp helped me understand the consequences of joining a secret society. Now, I feel like I have a better future.”
Members of the public are advised to steer clear of secret society activities and to report those engaging in such unlawful activities to the Police immediately. If you wish to leave a gang or suspect that someone might be involved in a gang, you can call the Secret Societies Branch at 6435 0000.
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