Henry Park Pelican (Cub) Scout

Written by: Jesicca Koong, Sixer & Scribe Leader “Mic test! Mic test! ” It was the Akela Award ceremony and I was the emcee, together with Zi Kiat. On one hand I was extremely nervous because I was afraid that I would make a mistake! On the other, I was extremely happy to have earned the coveted Akela Award. I was over the moon when I was selected as an emcee! Standing on stage in the hall at St Joseph Institution Junior, my hands were clammy and my legs had turned to jelly. There were many scouts and the atmosphere was electrifying. Most of the scouts were chatting with one another in small groups, obviously excited for the ceremony. The Akela Award is presented by the Singapore Scout Association to outstanding cub scouts in recognition of their excellent performance in outdoor challenge, adventure challenge, sharing together and helping to lead. This award is the highest personal award that a cub scout can achieve. “ Step forward! Salute! First handshake! Receive! S...

Written by: Daniel Por, Assistant Senior Sixer (2014-2015) & Scribe (2014-2015) It was a silent morning. No Senior Sixer whistles, yet the entire P6 cohort of the Henry Park Pelican Scouts gathered to have one last outing. Friends were reunited by their love of Scouts as they recited the Scout Promise, and then boarded the bus to go bowling! They warmed up their fingers and took up the bowling balls, bowling them towards the pins. CLATTER! Pin after pin fell down as the Scouts yelled in delight as they bowled a strike. When their turn was done, they feasted on chips and drinks as well. Luckily enough, they had two whole rounds to play. But, when it was done, there were groans that it was too short and could they have another round? But it was refused as they lined up to do their parting gift to the Scouts, a video compilation of words of advice to their juniors. Then, they took a photo, with many ‘mermaids’ on the floor! Then it was off to Pandan Valley for a BBQ p...

Written by: Jessica Koong, Sixer & Scribe Leader “ Cubs, today we will be doing… SECRET CODES! ” Mdm Kerina exclaimed. One could tell that the atmosphere in the room immediately shot up. “ We will be doing 3 codes today! ” There was a roar of excitement from the cubs and everyone started discussing what codes there might be. After we had received instructions on the activity, we immediately broke up into our sixes. Each group was given three sheets of paper. These sheets contained explanations on the International Morse code, gibberish code and alphabet code, a word search and three secret messages to decipher. My six, Wallaby, had an amazing time trying to decipher all three codes. Working together enthusiastically, we figured out the messages and completed the word search in no time! The word search contained 14 words from the Scout Promise. I am very sure that all the other sixes had a fun time, too. The next activity was more challenging and mysterious. Each six ha...

Written by: Nicole Yee, Assistant Senior Sixer & Scribe The day had finally arrived! This week, we were going to Labrador Park to have a little hike. We had some ‘special guests’ to guide us during the hike—the 01 scouts! After taking attendance, we proceeded to the two buses which would bring us to the park. After about a 30 minutes’ drive, we reached the park, where Chil briefed us about what was going to happen. First, we had to combine sixes into six groups. Then, each group was accompanied by two 01 scouts to learn map reading. I was apprehensive yet excited. Map reading? Sounds fun!   I joined the combined six Wallaby and Wombat as my temporary group for the day. Our group got Justin and Dailon as ‘teachers’. They taught us how to find bearings, how to find checkpoints with some clues, and most importantly, how to plot a route. When we had more or less mastered what they had taught, we were given a booklet with a map. We were supposed to find our ...

Written by:  Sarah Njauw, Sixer and Scribe “Horseshoe!” The Senior Sixers shouted. All the cub scouts made a beeline to the kidzone to assemble in horseshoe formation.  I was pretty excited about this week’s scout meeting as we are doing outdoor cooking!  Outdoor cooking is much different than the cooking you do at home. Outdoor cooking, we do not use the convenient stove that we have at home, instead we used dry sticks and dry leaves then light them on fire to make our own stove. Firstly, Baloo instructed us to pick up dry leaves and dry sticks on the grassy patches around the floor. Then, Baloo taught the sixers how to start fire. Some teachers-in-charge and some adult leaders help us to light up the fire. Baloo told us to only use three matchsticks from the box even though the matchbox contained several sticks.  “A scout is honest,” he said, then he handed the matchboxes over to our six. I have to admit, I was quite scared once I strike the matchstick a...

Written by: Jasper Koh, Sixer & Scribe “Horse Shoe!” the Senior Sixer shouted. It was the second meeting on tying some knots. It was another interesting scout meeting and we sang some songs together. Mr Tan, the chief commissioner, was here again to teach us hot to do lashing, more knots! Firstly, we did a recap of the knots we leant 2 weeks ago. Secondly, we took some string and two sticks and learnt how to tie a square lash. We tied the square lash in a pair as one person holds the stick while the other tie the square lash. A square lash is used to tie two sticks together so we can make like a stick, shoe rack and more craft. The sixer did it with ease and helped the rest. Next, Mr Tan taught us how to tie a diagonal lashing. The diagonal lashing also involves two persons. We learnt that a diagonal lashing is to make one pole or a stick longer by adding more of the sticks or poles. After doing diagonal lashing, we learnt how to tie a triangle bandage on a p...

Written by: Chong Min Wenn, Senior Sixer & Scribe This meeting was very interesting. We learnt how to tie different types of knots and learnt a new song. Mr Tan, the chief commissioner, was here to teach us. We were expected to learn all the knots that were taught and hopefully sign off the ‘knotting’ assignment that we had to do for our silver and gold arrow. Firstly, we were given a stick and a few meters of string each. After so, we were thought the thumb knot. We all knew how to do it was we had to tie a thumb knot on the left side of our scarfs to remind us to do a good deed. We did it with ease had no problems. Secondly, was the reef knot.  We had to tie it left over right, right over left. Commotions began as people were confused and thought that it was the opposite. Eventually, everybody was successful. Thirdly, was the clove hitch. Mr Tan said that it was commonly used in lashing. Those who went for the sixer’s training camp did it with ease and started ...

Written by: Jessica Koong, Sixer & Scribe Leader This was the first meeting after handover and the new sixers and assistant sixers took charge. Surprisingly, many of the assistant sixers and cubs were not here. Nicale, the sixer of Possum, was pleasantly surprised because there were only 2 people in her six – the assistant sixer and herself! After horseshoe, Mr Ho held up 3 enormous plastic bags and Ms Teo stood beside him carrying A3-size paper. Hmm… we wondered what fun activity he had in store for us. In the first bag were bear-shaped containers with the lid coloured either red or yellow. In the next bag, there were many bottles of white glue purchased from Art Friend. In the last bag, there were lots of hundreds and thousands (these are rainbow sprinkles), just larger versions! They were beans! Red beans, green beans and soya beans! Red, green and white. Mr Ho explained the game: we had to sort out the beans according to their colour, then place them in a ...

Written by: Cheong Yew Meng, Sixer & Scribe It was just a plain Saturday morning when we gathered for scouts meeting. However, today something seemed different.  It was the Handover Ceremony! During this ceremony, new Senior Sixer, Assistant Senior Sixer, Sixers and Assistant Sixers will be appointed. We also bid temporary farewell to the existing batch of leaders who are the P6s as the "retired" to concentrate on their PSLE.  After our usual colour party and lining up in Indian File. Baloo gave out some badges for those cubs who had put in time and effort  in achieving those badges. I was glad I am one of the recipient! Baloo went on to encouraged those with no progress badges to work harder! Baloo also explained the important to be in proper scout attire for every scout meeting. Then the adult leaders collected the donation draw tickets in our sixer's corner. Soon, it was the handover ceremony. I could see the excitment in many. Raks...

Written by: Evangel Wong, Assistant Senior Sixer & Scribe "BEEEEEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEEEEP!" The loud whistle sound indicated for everyone to quickly gather in horse-shoe formation. Everyone rushed into their places. This was the first week back to school! :) or :( ? Well I guess everyone was excited to be back, catching up with their friends playing amongst themselves.... Oh boy they were surely happy to be back! After the usual procedures, everyone gathered into indian file and Kaa (Mr Jimmy), greeted us with a warm welcome. Then, car gave out some prizes and the cubs did attendance. After that Madam Kerina called out some cubs who wanted to do the Akela award and that group went to get their first-aid badge.(Jia You!!) While the rest stayed in the kidzone listening attentively to car while he explained what the next activity was about. Kaa explained that what we were going to do was something we had done before but I little more challenging. Each six had to produc...

Cubs were up and early. Eagles Scouts led them in the morning exercise. Grand Howl and Flag Break ceremony followed, with all in full uniform. Breakfast followed. The dreaded INSPECTION. Service Scouts were on hand to assist the Cubs in laying out their clothes and belongings. Baloo led the Cubs in some songs to be performed at the campfire later in the evening, while Mdm Kerina taught the Cubs some dance routines for the campfire as well. The Self Reliance Individual Challenge required Cubs to work as a team, and display leadership to succeed. Eagle Scouts manned the 3 stations. Lunch was a box of fried rice. After lunch, Cubs were taught Rolling Hitch and Sheer Lashing, the knot and lashing required to build a simple flagpole. Eagle Scouts demonstrated lighting a fire using dry leaves, twigs and sticks. After which, Cubs proceeded to the fire pits prepared earlier. First, dried leaves, twigs, sticks and larger branches had to be collected before they c...

Selected Cubs were instructed to be at school by 7.30am. Thaarmin was the earliest to arrive, with Mdm Kerina already waiting at the bus bay. Slowly, the Cubs arrived, some with their back packs and some with their trolley bags. Could they have forgotten that this was a Training Camp and not a holiday camp? Eagle Scouts were also on hand to assist with the heavy lifting. Cubs were assigned to their allocated Six, namely Elephant, Giraffe and Hippo. Duty Senior Sixer, Duty Asst. Senior Sixer, Sixers and Assistant Sixers were appointed for the day. They would rotate everyday. Attendance was taken, with 3 Cubs absent. Camp fees was also collected. It was time to board the bus for Sembawang Terror Sea Scout Camp. The camp would be shared with 23rd Eagle Scouts Patrol Leaders Training Course. It was the first time that our STC was held together with PLTC. Chill briefing Cubs on Camp Rules While Chill was assigned to brief Camp Rules, Baloo instructed the Eagle Service Scouts...