District Sixers Training Camp 2nd to 4th April 2010
This blog was written by Jeremy Tan, Cub Scout, HPPS
Bukit Timah District Sixers Training Camp
2nd to 4th April 20010
A contingent of 20 Cubs comprising 6 girls and 14 boys from Henry Park Pelican Scouts (HPPS) attended the Bukit Timah District Sixers Training Camp held at Greenridge Primary School. They were joined by 75 Cubs from Bukit Panjang Primary Sch., Greenridge Primary Sch., Nanyang Primary Sch., Teck Whye Primary Sch. and West View Primary School. The Cubs spent 3 challenging days at the training camp. The knowledge, skills and experience gained were invaluable.
The day started off bright and early at 8 a.m. for the HPPS Scouts on 2nd April, 2010. After a short briefing by Akela and handling of some administration matters, it was, in the words of Akela, "time to give our parents a hug." With a tinge of sadness, we headed for the bus which transported us to Greenridge Primary School, the campsite. All were determined to take on Akela's challenge to do HPPS proud. Haathi (Ms Tan Rui Yin) was our guardian for the 3 days camp.
Safety was paramount at the training camp. In addition to Haathi, there were Rover Harold, "Uncle" Ben, 11 Service Scouts and 2 lady teachers to watch over the Cubs and ensure safety first.
It was action packed on the first day. After a short introduction by Rover Harold, we had to build our "houses" which were to become our homes. We were to sleep in our "houses". Pitching our tents was hard work but the Service Scouts made it look easy when they demonstrated their skills in tent pitching. We struggled, and persevered until 6 tents were pitched all by ourselves (HPPS). We were all very proud of our achievement.
Cubs were then divided into 10 groups of 8 or 9 Cubs from the different participating schools. It was a proud moment for HPPS when its Cubs were appointed Sixers and Asst. Sixers to each of the 10 groups for the day. In all, there were 2 groups of girl Cubs and 8 groups of boys. It was also a proud moment for me as I was made a Sixer for one group. Rayson Song was appointed Akela for HPPS.
Each member had to introduce himself or herself to the group. We had an ice-breaker game to test if we remembered the names of each member of our group. Sitting in a circle, we had to shout the name of a group member not sitting on either side nor directly across.
We played dog and bone. Like hungry wolves which needed to defend their catch (food) from aggressors, wach member of two competing groups raced to the centre to pick up a piece of newspaper and had to avoid being tappedon the body by the opposing member. We learnt that we needed to be fast and alert at all tmes to survive.
It was not "all play and no work" at the training camp. We had lessons on knots, such as square lashing, and clove hitch. We were also taught compass reading and how to use the compass to find direction. First Aid lessons were on arm slings and how to minimise movement of a fractured finger. We had fun in model pioneering as we were given chopsticks and strings and had to be creative to build unique models.
There was no lack of food, with breakfast, mid-morning snacks, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, dinner and supper!
Lunch on day 1 was rice with black gravy, vegetables and fillet. Dinner menu was rice, fish fillet, fish, omelette with long beans, vegetables and cold orange drink.
Just before dinner, we had outdoor cooking. Each group was given 2 packets of instant noodles and an egg to share. There were some great cooks amongst us as the instant noodles was consumed in double quick time!
After dinner, we played Captain's Ball. This was a team game. Cubs learnt that unity was strength and members had to cooperate and play as a team to win the game.
Flag painting followed. We were given a piece of large cloth and crayons and had to design a flag for the group. We decided to name our group Ruthless Falcon. We were fast and furious like falcons, in carrying out tasks and in competitive sports. We then wrote our names on the flag to demonstrate our commitment.
After cleaning up, we prepared for bed. Cubs regrouped into their original school groups. Each tent could sleep 4 to 5 Cubs although we had to squeeze. HPPS had 5 tents to house its Cubs. Nanyang Primary School Cubs slept in the classrooms as they had forgotten to bring their tents.
Before going to bed, the Akelas and Sixers had a Council meeting for a debrief of the day's activities.
Although we tucked ourselves comfortably in our sleeping bags, the ground was hard and it was difficult to sleep! We tossed and turned, trying to sleep. Tired from the lack of sleep, some of us heard eerie sounds in the wee hours of dawn, only to wake up to discover the strange noises was actually snores from our fellow Cubs!
Day 2 saw sleepy-eyed Cubs readied themselves for morning exercise at 6:30 a.m. Breakfast followed at 7:00 a.m. and activities followed. The highlights were the 5 km. hike and the night campfire.
For a change, the hike took us through the urban "jungle" of HDB estates. We came across the heartlanders who waived to us and gave us the thumbs up. I think they found us cute. All the Cubs persevered and completed the hike.
Preparation for the campfire started early. Each group had to put up a performance. Cubs from the participating schools reinforced those attending the training camp. It was a gathering of 1 big family of 300 Cubs and Scouts. Bonding was strong that night.
Benches were arranged in rows of 3 around the campfire site on the school's parade ground. At 7:30 p.m., Ms Peh Khoon Puay, District Commissioner, Bukit Timah District, declared the campfire open, and the fire from the burning wood lit the night bright.
The Service Scouts led the singing and performances. Campfire favourites such as Kookaburra, Father Abraham, Flea Fly Motorcar and Mosquito were sung. The weather was not too kind that night as half and hour into the campfire, it started to drizzle. Cubs braved the weather but as the rain got heavier, the campfire moved indoors, under the shelter at the school's quiet zone. Undeterred, the singing and cheering continued.
It was time for the groups and schools to perform. HPPS was represented by 4 Cubs, Morhan Raj, Zhi Yang, Wee TEe and Kelvin Tsui. They sang Flea Fly Mosquito and did HPPS proud with a commendable performance. Everyone cheers anc clapped loudly.
The campfire closed at 9:20 p.m. and snacks were served - Apple pies from McDonald's and Milo drinks. HPPS Cubs had extra snacks catered by Akela.
As it rained and the field was muddy, it was decided to let Cubs sleep in the hall and girls to sleep in the classrooms. Everyone cheered with delight.
Barely 20 minutes into our sleeping time, a fire drill was carried out about 1 a.m. All had to be evacuated and assemble at the parade ground for a headcount. There was a moment of panic when a handful of Cubs were missing. Actually, the "missing" Cubs were deliberately told to go to the fallery instead of the parade square. To everyone's relief, all were accounted for and were safe.
Time flew and soon it was daybreak. It was time to strike tents and preparations were made to break camp and go home. We made many new friends during the camp. Many of us felt sad to part company. Strangers in the beginning but friends in the end sums up my unforgettable experience.
The 4-days Mawai camp in 2009 prepared me for this Sixers Training Camp. I learnt to be independent and to share and care for my fellow Cubs (including the girls!).
On the bus journey back to school, Akela announced that he received a compliment. HPPS were the bust behaved Cubs at the training camp. We all cheered and clapped. We did HPPS and Akela proud.
For photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/pelicancubscouts/DistrictSixersTrainingCamp2010#
Bukit Timah District Sixers Training Camp
2nd to 4th April 20010
A contingent of 20 Cubs comprising 6 girls and 14 boys from Henry Park Pelican Scouts (HPPS) attended the Bukit Timah District Sixers Training Camp held at Greenridge Primary School. They were joined by 75 Cubs from Bukit Panjang Primary Sch., Greenridge Primary Sch., Nanyang Primary Sch., Teck Whye Primary Sch. and West View Primary School. The Cubs spent 3 challenging days at the training camp. The knowledge, skills and experience gained were invaluable.
The day started off bright and early at 8 a.m. for the HPPS Scouts on 2nd April, 2010. After a short briefing by Akela and handling of some administration matters, it was, in the words of Akela, "time to give our parents a hug." With a tinge of sadness, we headed for the bus which transported us to Greenridge Primary School, the campsite. All were determined to take on Akela's challenge to do HPPS proud. Haathi (Ms Tan Rui Yin) was our guardian for the 3 days camp.
Safety was paramount at the training camp. In addition to Haathi, there were Rover Harold, "Uncle" Ben, 11 Service Scouts and 2 lady teachers to watch over the Cubs and ensure safety first.
It was action packed on the first day. After a short introduction by Rover Harold, we had to build our "houses" which were to become our homes. We were to sleep in our "houses". Pitching our tents was hard work but the Service Scouts made it look easy when they demonstrated their skills in tent pitching. We struggled, and persevered until 6 tents were pitched all by ourselves (HPPS). We were all very proud of our achievement.
Cubs were then divided into 10 groups of 8 or 9 Cubs from the different participating schools. It was a proud moment for HPPS when its Cubs were appointed Sixers and Asst. Sixers to each of the 10 groups for the day. In all, there were 2 groups of girl Cubs and 8 groups of boys. It was also a proud moment for me as I was made a Sixer for one group. Rayson Song was appointed Akela for HPPS.
Each member had to introduce himself or herself to the group. We had an ice-breaker game to test if we remembered the names of each member of our group. Sitting in a circle, we had to shout the name of a group member not sitting on either side nor directly across.
We played dog and bone. Like hungry wolves which needed to defend their catch (food) from aggressors, wach member of two competing groups raced to the centre to pick up a piece of newspaper and had to avoid being tappedon the body by the opposing member. We learnt that we needed to be fast and alert at all tmes to survive.
It was not "all play and no work" at the training camp. We had lessons on knots, such as square lashing, and clove hitch. We were also taught compass reading and how to use the compass to find direction. First Aid lessons were on arm slings and how to minimise movement of a fractured finger. We had fun in model pioneering as we were given chopsticks and strings and had to be creative to build unique models.
There was no lack of food, with breakfast, mid-morning snacks, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, dinner and supper!
Lunch on day 1 was rice with black gravy, vegetables and fillet. Dinner menu was rice, fish fillet, fish, omelette with long beans, vegetables and cold orange drink.
Just before dinner, we had outdoor cooking. Each group was given 2 packets of instant noodles and an egg to share. There were some great cooks amongst us as the instant noodles was consumed in double quick time!
After dinner, we played Captain's Ball. This was a team game. Cubs learnt that unity was strength and members had to cooperate and play as a team to win the game.
Flag painting followed. We were given a piece of large cloth and crayons and had to design a flag for the group. We decided to name our group Ruthless Falcon. We were fast and furious like falcons, in carrying out tasks and in competitive sports. We then wrote our names on the flag to demonstrate our commitment.
After cleaning up, we prepared for bed. Cubs regrouped into their original school groups. Each tent could sleep 4 to 5 Cubs although we had to squeeze. HPPS had 5 tents to house its Cubs. Nanyang Primary School Cubs slept in the classrooms as they had forgotten to bring their tents.
Before going to bed, the Akelas and Sixers had a Council meeting for a debrief of the day's activities.
Although we tucked ourselves comfortably in our sleeping bags, the ground was hard and it was difficult to sleep! We tossed and turned, trying to sleep. Tired from the lack of sleep, some of us heard eerie sounds in the wee hours of dawn, only to wake up to discover the strange noises was actually snores from our fellow Cubs!
Day 2 saw sleepy-eyed Cubs readied themselves for morning exercise at 6:30 a.m. Breakfast followed at 7:00 a.m. and activities followed. The highlights were the 5 km. hike and the night campfire.
For a change, the hike took us through the urban "jungle" of HDB estates. We came across the heartlanders who waived to us and gave us the thumbs up. I think they found us cute. All the Cubs persevered and completed the hike.
Preparation for the campfire started early. Each group had to put up a performance. Cubs from the participating schools reinforced those attending the training camp. It was a gathering of 1 big family of 300 Cubs and Scouts. Bonding was strong that night.
Benches were arranged in rows of 3 around the campfire site on the school's parade ground. At 7:30 p.m., Ms Peh Khoon Puay, District Commissioner, Bukit Timah District, declared the campfire open, and the fire from the burning wood lit the night bright.
The Service Scouts led the singing and performances. Campfire favourites such as Kookaburra, Father Abraham, Flea Fly Motorcar and Mosquito were sung. The weather was not too kind that night as half and hour into the campfire, it started to drizzle. Cubs braved the weather but as the rain got heavier, the campfire moved indoors, under the shelter at the school's quiet zone. Undeterred, the singing and cheering continued.
It was time for the groups and schools to perform. HPPS was represented by 4 Cubs, Morhan Raj, Zhi Yang, Wee TEe and Kelvin Tsui. They sang Flea Fly Mosquito and did HPPS proud with a commendable performance. Everyone cheers anc clapped loudly.
The campfire closed at 9:20 p.m. and snacks were served - Apple pies from McDonald's and Milo drinks. HPPS Cubs had extra snacks catered by Akela.
As it rained and the field was muddy, it was decided to let Cubs sleep in the hall and girls to sleep in the classrooms. Everyone cheered with delight.
Barely 20 minutes into our sleeping time, a fire drill was carried out about 1 a.m. All had to be evacuated and assemble at the parade ground for a headcount. There was a moment of panic when a handful of Cubs were missing. Actually, the "missing" Cubs were deliberately told to go to the fallery instead of the parade square. To everyone's relief, all were accounted for and were safe.
Time flew and soon it was daybreak. It was time to strike tents and preparations were made to break camp and go home. We made many new friends during the camp. Many of us felt sad to part company. Strangers in the beginning but friends in the end sums up my unforgettable experience.
The 4-days Mawai camp in 2009 prepared me for this Sixers Training Camp. I learnt to be independent and to share and care for my fellow Cubs (including the girls!).
On the bus journey back to school, Akela announced that he received a compliment. HPPS were the bust behaved Cubs at the training camp. We all cheered and clapped. We did HPPS and Akela proud.
For photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/pelicancubscouts/DistrictSixersTrainingCamp2010#
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