'Oh, you idiots!'

This rather childish banter between two groups of 200 to 300 people each goes on until they become tired and hoarse.

It looks like a scene from a triad movie, but if you happen to stumble across such rowdy crowds today in Sha Tin, don't worry - you are not in the middle of a blood feud.

Rather, those hurling the verbal assaults are not juvenile gang members but undergraduates enjoying their 'orientation camp' at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK).

From now until school starts next month, 'O camp' (as it is known) is one of the most anticipated events of the year at every university - especially for freshmen.

They are divided into groups headed by senior university students.

The 'group pa', 'group ma' and 'leader' will teach the new intakes about aspects of campus life such as which courses are interesting and how to register for them. The exercise also provides good opportunities for new and old students to bond.

All seven universities run O camps but only CUHK, University of Hong Kong (HKU), Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (UST) and Lingnan University conduct theirs on campus.

The shouting (or cheering) match is probably the most notable feature of CUHK's orientation camp.

Each department, faculty and hall of residence will create its own slogans, which will be shouted by students over and over loudly to boost their morale and unity.

Common among all universities are the group games, which are often the highlight of O camps. Through the games, freshmen can work with each other and foster friendships.

Yet, some are more like practical jokes than games. Last year, Wong Yue-hang, 20, joined an O camp beauty contest in which he had to parade on stage - wearing a dress and two balloons to boost his chest measurement.

'It was embarrassing,' he said. 'I cannot laugh about it even now.'

But that is nothing compared to the unmissable evening walk along 'Pigtail Path'.

The narrow lane is rumoured to be haunted by a faceless woman with long pigtails - on both her front and back.

However, Cheng Kwun-pik, 20, was not daunted by the exercise last year.

She said: 'We went there because of the 'treasure hunt'. It was well lit and we were accompanied by seniors. It was nothing unusual.'

Senior students always like to play tricks on freshmen.

Last year, Lee Ka-ky, 20, joined the Polytechnic University O camp.

A senior student pretended to be, and spied on, a freshman.

'She was strange and claimed that she saw a ghost,' she said. 'We were a bit scared, but finally we found out that she was really a spy.'

Over at HKU, orientation activities for freshmen are more secretive. Students approached by Young Post said their halls of residence had a strict rule that prohibited them from revealing the activities to outsiders.

Although some games on camps have been criticised as unscrupulous in previous years, Carmen Tsang Yin-man, 19, internal vice-president of UST's civil engineering student society, said: 'We will not organise immoral games. We just want to have fun.'

The camps at HKU are well-known for their strict discipline.

Chan Ho-pui, 20, an organising committee member from HKU's Department of Architecture, said: 'We follow the 'standing order' which is the regulation system of British military schools.

'For example, if someone is late, he has to stand out to be questioned by the others.'

Also, senior students will be on duty at 'discipline stations'. If a freshman wants to pass, he has to do what the seniors ask him to do first, for example, making faces without laughing.

If anyone laughs, seniors will shout 'order!' loudly. Everything is taken seriously.

O camps are a first taste of university life for the freshmen. Afterwards, they have to start studying.

But, next summer, it is their turn to be the organisers.

And, maybe, it is time for them to play tricks.

Lilian is a summer intern from

The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Graphic: OPEN18GYO