This blog was written by Kimberly Song
21st August 2010, the day we are going for our NEWater centre visit! Everything happened as usual except for a thing or two. When I arrived in school many cheerful faces greeted me. Some of the cubs were eager to complete their badges and they had already formed a straight line infront of Akela, waiting patiently for their turn to do their badge tests. Congratulations to those who had earned more badges!! Yay!!
I helped 2 of the senior sixers, Brenda and Sue-Jane, to arrange the NEWater forms by sixes. When we were done, it was time to settle down. After being given a brief on what would happen at the NEWater centre, the 3 senior sixers counted the number of cubs. Akela was pretty shocked at the number of cubs present; less than half of the scout unit was here! Oops!! 7:30am, more latecomers arrived! It was pretty bad, not only were they late, some didn't bring their haversack and water booklet. To add fuel to fire, some weren't even in full scout uniform! Akela was furious and he was as red as a beetroot. He gave those cubs a earful. Scary…….I really hope our cubs would pull up their socks and give their best from now on!!
After everything was settled, we boarded the bus and left school. Yay, excited!! (^^,)
When we arrived, we gasped in amazement. Surrounding the NEWater centre was crystal clear clean water, water and more water! We were sent straight into a room with 3 televisions. All of them were showing the same cartoon show on Water Wally at the same time. Our 'tour guide' came and introduced himself. He is called Uncle Ronnie.
We were given a short brief on what NEWater centre is all about and then we were moved in to a smaller room. Uncle Ronnie showed us a short 6 minutes clip on NEWater. Then, he brought us to another section of the NEWater centre and showed us another mini short clip on the functions of the NEWater centre and where all the other centres are located. Now we know that there is more than one centre, there is one located in Bedok, one in Marina Bay, etc..
Next station was… the arcade! Everyone fidgeted around and could not wait for our 10-minute 'sugar fix'. As soon as uncle Ronnie gave us the signal, we dashed towards the arcade at full speed. We were all running from one game to another as if we were crazy bees hopping from one flower to another collecting nectar. We were sad that we had to stop. 10 minutes was way too short! I hoped that we will get a time extension! But too bad, no such luck. Sigh…… (-.-)
Next stop was a small room with 3 large screens. Again, another short clip was shown but this time it was only 3 minutes long. The show was so interesting!
After the show, we went into a room with water in the floor!! It was fun! Uncle Ronnie informed us that the water under the glass floor would be cleaned up and recycled into portable water. Without notice, Uncle Ronnie clicked on a button and multiple colored lights flashed from the floor. It was really beautiful!! I liked the colourful lights.
Uncle Ronnie also showed us how the NEWater centre cleans the used water, the equipment they use, how they disposed of our 'poo' and recycle the smelly water into clean water. Kekeke, I was a bit grossed out thinking about it. 'Poo' = Drinking Water.
Before we knew it, it was time to leave and head back to school. You know what they say, time flies fast when your having fun! It was an educational and interesting visit. I hope there will be more of such trips where we learn and have fun at the same time.
Before, we left, NEWater centre gave each of us a present; 6 water-saving thimbles. It was for us to bring home to our parents for them to install it into our taps to reduce the flow of water. So each time we turn on the tap less water would flow out therefore saving water. We have learnt how to save water and now we have to go back and share with our parents the water-saving knowledge we have received.
Upon arrival in school, we were given a short brief on the following week's activities. Thereafter, we were dismissed early.
I am looking forward to next Saturday………….hope it comes soonest!!
By: Kimberly Song, Wombat 1
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