Sixer's Training Camp 2009

8 August 2009

Day 1 STC

Duty Senior Sixer : Julian Tan

Asst. Senior Sixer : Samuel Chin

Sixers : Timothy Ng (elephant)

Moses Tan (giraffe)

Lim Xiu Jie (hippo)

Our annual STC is finally here. 32 Cubs gathered at school by 7 am for the start of what promises to be a weekend of hard work, learning, stress and fun. What? Stress and FUN? How can that be? Stress and fun in the same sentence?

Duty Sixers today were Lim Xiu Jie (Hippo), Moses Tan (Giraffe) and Timothy Ng (Elephant).

After the necessary housekeeping, collection of camp fees and assembling the necessary equipment for the training camp, Cubs boarded the waiting bus for the 30 minutes ride to our familiar Sembawang Terror Sea Scout Camp. As the name implies, this will be a weekend of terror for some.

Akela gave a short briefing of what was expected of the Cubs, and Baloo introduced the whistle signals that will be used during the duration of the camp - a long continuous whistle means listen for the next signal, 3 short bursts summons the Sixers, continuous short bursts for Indian file, long and short bursts for horseshoe. It appears we have a lot of work as the Cubs slowly adapt to the new signals.

Arriving at Terror Sea Scout Camp

Preparing for activities

Tent pitching was hard work for most, as they struggled to get their sleeping quarters ready. Baloo, Grey Wold and Chil demonstrated the proper way to pitch a tent, and it was left to the Cubs, with the help of their big brother Scouts from Clementi Town Sec. Sch. Griffin Scout Group to set up the remaining tents.

The Three Musketeers?






With flowers in my hair......

Our first 'casualty', Lim Xiu Jie, was down with a tummy ache and was allowed to rest while the other Cubs were busy with tent pitching.

Julian Tan soon joined Xiu Jie in our 'sick bay', also complaining of a tummy ache. Perhaps the excitement of the camp got the better of the two boys.

Grey Wolf and Chil took the Cubs on the next item, camp gadgets. But before the Cubs can make anything, they need to know how to tie square and diagonal lashings. With the assistance of the Griffin Scouts, the Cubs were soon tying lashings and their gadgets began to take shape. Well, some form of shape!

Griffin Scouts busy with their gadgets

Cubs grappling with square lashings

Gadgets taking shape

Girl power

Shoe rack

Wonder whose shoe this is?

Baloo led a discussion on the qualities of a Sixer and the Role & Responsibility of a Sixer. Qualities offered range from having initiative to being reliable and responsible. A Sixer's role and responsibility can be found in the letters forming the word S-I-X-E-R. S for sharing, I for initiative, X for eXample, E for encouragement and R for reliability and responsibility.

While the Cubs were kept busy, Raksha, assisted by Rui Yin, Cheng Nee (a regular at our camps) and ex-Pelican Cub Jin Hao were busy preparing lunch.

Our friends from our sister Scout group in Australia, the Morley Scout Group, Perth - Barbara (Haathis) and Steve (Bagheera) - who were visiting Singapore, joined us for the day. It was a pleasant surprise to see them again, the friends we made when we visited Perth in 2007.

Lunch was a scrumptious spread of nasi lemak with fried anchovies and peanuts, chicken nuggets and seaweed-wrapped chicken, fired egg and sambal. Our 2 'patients' recovered sufficiently to join the pack for lunch.

Haathi and Bagheera taught the Cubs some songs Scout from down under. the Cubs enjoyed the action songs which Haathi and Bagheera did very well.

Haathi and Bagheera leading the Cubs in an action song

Flag folding and hoisting, flag ceremony and fire lighting followed. Akela, Baloo and Grey Wolf manned each station, with Griffin Scouts helping out in the fire lighting.

Julian Tan was again unwell, and retreated to the 'sick bay'. It was left to Samuel Chin to take charge of the pack.

After hydrating with water, the Cubs embarked on a long 10 kilometre hike after a short briefing by Louis. Bagheera decided to join the Cubs on their 10 km trek. The hike culminated at the hot springs in Sembawang.

Louis briefing the Cubs

Cubs enjoying a hot soak at the hot springs

Haathi soaking her tired foot

The trekkers returned at 8 pm, still full of energy.

Dinner was fetuccini with chicken cream sauce. Everyone enjoyed it.

During reflection, the Duty Sixers shared their difficulty in controlling the boys and maintaining discipline. A few boys were singled out. With facilitation from the adult leaders, they were made aware of their behaviour, and learnt from this episode.

After bathing and washing up, the Cubs proceeded to write their log and design their Six flag, while the Sixers and Assistant Sixers gathered for Sixers' Council.

It was time for lights out at 2300 hrs. Till tomorrow.....