CCA Openhouse at Unity - Scouts

It is time of the year for CCA openhouse at Unity Sec again. I have always looked forward to this event. I hardly do any pioneering and knots these days. Wonderful to 'rough it out' a bit and build some structures. Pioneering fulfills a number of education aims which cannot be learnt in a classroom setting:

1. Teamwork: regardless of how good a person is, if he does not cooperate with others, be a team player, he cannot build a structure by himself. Pioneering a project is a team effort. Visit a scout unit and look at its pioneering project. It does not show how good one or two individual scouts' skill is ,but it reflects how strong and capable the team is.
2. Accountibility: every knots count; Safety is at stake. It teaches a scout to be accountable for their action. In this case, any negligence in tying the lashing may be catastrophic.
   
3. Esteem: You can take a lift up a 20th storey building and look down at the scenery. But it never beat looking down at a 2 storey structure you build from scratch.
   

The pride of a scout troop is
as high as the flag
mounted on its pioneering structure.

A group photo:

Singapore River Raft Race

Time really flies, it is the annual Singapore River Raft Race again. And it has been 5 years since Unity scout troop first participated in it.


What never fails to amaze me is how rafts are decorated according to the happenings of the year ( actually they are encourage to use recycle material - that is the original idea , I think)



Formula 1 racing( there were actually a number of them, but is was so crowded I manage only to take picture of one of them):
Year of the rat:

Happy Feet?

Serimbun Camp

Amongst my city dwelling life, I cherish every opportunity to be in touch with nature. Steal some time to pop by the combined scouts and guides camp in Serimbun. Hmm ... if you have not been to serimbun camp, don't think you can consider yourself a scout in Singapore. Of the so many campsites in Singapore which I've been too, I must say that Serimbun campsite is the one you can get in touch with nature the most.

Swamp walk anyone? wallow in it?!?! Not actually , the water level was so high, if feels like walking in a big 'long kang' (aka drain)

Hmm.. now that the fire has started... what should we cooked? Some using 'eye power' to start the fire.

Met some visiting Japanese scouts camping there as well. Admire their meticulous planning and structured style of camping. Look at the way they stacked their pegs!!! ... then again, can't we just get messy a bit for once .
Slide into the 'pool', Note that there is not drainage. Well, then again, what you don't know can't hurt you. Maybe, maybe not:


Preparing for closing ceremony.


For more picture of the photos, go to the Unicorn Unity scouts website:
http://unity-unicorn-scouts.spaces.live.com/

Unity CCA openhouse - Scouts

I remember last year at this time I wrote about helping in the scout CCA openhouse as well. I wrote

"They are a reminder of my reason in education - and the strength to continue in it."

Today I affirm to that. Here is another quote to keep us going. It is shown in the Scout Introductory Course for Leaders.

To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; to leave the world a little better; whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is the meaning of success

Emerson, Ralph Waldo

Scouting

It is always good to return to nature and wonderful to take part in some scouting action again. Not much really ; I wasn't as energetic as I used to be ( I actually just pop by for 1 day, hee hee). Here are some pics:

Camping at Noordin Beach , Pulau Ubin
For those curious about the wild boar ( in captivity ) at P Ubin, here it is - It resides near Mamam Beach.


Pass by a lily pond:

Before going to P.Ubin , was at Serimbum Scout Camp do collect life vest. Have spent some wonderful times here: Scouts' Basic and Advanced Course, and a number of school camps.


For more pics on the Ubin Camp, please follow to link to Unicorn Scout Group - Unity website.


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Reflection of Scout Hymn

Scout Hymn has grown from something I have to learn ( being a scout teacher, it would be em brassing if I don't know what the scout hymn is, and I'm not really a campfire song kind of person) to a motto that I aspire to become. The lyrics below strikes a chord in me.

Now as I start upon my chosen way,
In all I do, my thoughts, my work, my play,
Grant as I promise, courage new for me
To be the best, the best that I can be.

Doing the 'Best that I can be: in thoughts, work and play' is always easier said than done, but it brings 'benefits' later. ( Think of it as kind of investment for the future???) , and the Scout Hymn is a constant reminder for that. Here are some implications or 'advantages' in doing things 'the best that I can be':

• Being the best is not about being perfect; it is being always conscious and mindful in doing our work. It is not about doing something until it becomes the best ( that will be too stressful, isn't it?) ; instead, it is making a conscious effort to do things well, given the limited resources and time that we have.

"All you have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to you.” – Gandalf, Lord of the Ring.

• The benefit of this is that we would have lesser regrets later. If you have done your best ... come what may ... there's not much else you can do , right?

• And finally, you will know, you sleep better.

Bukit Timah Hill

I usually have a long day for Friday; practical lessons ends at 4:30pm. This week, ACJC, J1 is having mid year exam. Took this valuable 'early' Friday to join my scout group for a hike at Bukit Timah. Wonderful to be in touch with nature and catch up with fellow scouters - before the marking for mid year exams and SPA ( Science Practical Assessment) starts.


Also catch some monkeys doing some - monkey business.



For pictures of scouts, click the follow link:
http://unity-unicorn-scouts.spaces.live.com/?_c11_PhotoAlbum_spaHandler=TWljcm9zb2Z0LlNwYWNlcy5XZWIuUGFydHMuUGhvdG9BbGJ1bS5GdWxsTW9kZUNvbnRyb2xsZXI%24&_c11_PhotoAlbum_spaFolderID=cns!1A81AA4A4C10298B!396&_c11_PhotoAlbum_startingImageIndex=0&_c11_PhotoAlbum_commentsExpand=0&_c11_PhotoAlbum_addCommentExpand=0&_c11_PhotoAlbum_addCommentFocus=0&_c=PhotoAlbum

Singapore River Raft Race

It is the annual SRRR organised my Singapore Poly again!

Unity Unicorn scouts troop has been faithfully participating this event for the past few years. And I must say that our raft is getting better every year. But more importantly, it is the for scouts to have some fun!

藕断丝连 - March Holiday

It is the March school holidays and I have successfully transferred and adapted well in my new school for about 3 months now . However, my connections with my colleagues, students and scouts are ever more evident. A look at how the week is spent will show that this is so:

Sat night - scout's jobweek camp

Who says scout's all about camping and outdoor activities, the above Dunearn scouts above are rehearsing for an upcoming campfire event. And Yes! that's a violin, with keyboard and guitar ( not in pic) to go along.

Sun night - scout's jobweek camp

Wed afternoon - treat the A1s physics students to Marche.


I have only found out that morning that the Marche at Suntec has closed and the one at Heeren is managed my Village. The original Marche has moved to Vivocity. Shows how much I have jalan jalan these few days.

After that we jalan jalan at Borders, Kino and of course the Apple Store. Well if you put a bunch of bookworms together at Orchard Road, that's where we will go. I must admit those are a few of my favourite haunts.

Wed night - Gathering with ex-colleagues at Coffee Club at Holland Village (HV) . I had a sandwich, which is good but not fantastic, and most others have pasta. After sneaking a few of those, I must say the Aglio Olio style is better than average compared to other pasta places , and have made a mental note to try the next time I have a meal at Coffee Club. Below is HV the 'ang moh' wannabe place.

Below is the picture of James Street at Perth where I visited a few years back. Note the resemblance?!?!

Today- Friday.
I do have the intention to pop by Unity later on - for I have not passed the photo CD for Mus to upload to the scout's photo archive ; and visit the campfire at Bukit View later in the evening ...

Pioneering - what every scout should be proud of

At the National Pioneering and Scout Craft competition today. Pioneering is what every scout should be proud of. I have never seen any other uniform group building such impressive structures. Don't get me wrong. I am a firm believer of uniform group - all uniform group! Growing up from NPCC at secondary school and over 4 years as scout teacher i/c, I strongly believe uniform group (UG) provides the discipline, interpersonal communication skills, team spirit ... which classroom lessons can never provide enough. UG is a necessary supplement to classroom education.

Although my unit is not as impressive as the top schools in Singapore, they have improved over the years. We may not be winners, but we lose graciously - something I find most sports people cannot grapple with. And more importantly, they are happy and enjoying themselves - And I am proud of them!!!

Here are a few pictures from the tower section.:
This is picture from our unit:
This picture vividly shows the spirit and brotherhood of scouting - people helping and supporting one another. Something so rare in our modern society. Doesn't this remind us of the Raising the Flag of Iwo Jima - the never say die attitude. This symbolises the scout law - A scout has courage in all difficulties.

Unity Scouts CCA Openhouse.

Been back to my previous school for the CCA openhouse. Superb to be back to see the scouts again. They are a reminder of my reason in education - and the strength to continue in it.

Changes are always difficult and usually inevitable, and as a saying goes " the only person crying for a change is a baby with a dirty diaper." Well ... it's a difficult challenge to go onto a JC and study part-time. It's a difficult decision, but it is a right decision, for the long run - I hope.

I hope I can go back to help out as often as I wish too.

It's also wonderful to meet up with the old students and colleagues.

I'm also glad that every year, the pioneering structures are growing bigger, more fun and more interesting - impressive!

Jerome and Stephen demonstrating lighting a pressure lamp, something till this day, I am not confident to do it successfully myself. Apparently this retro item attracted quite a bit of crowd from the youngsters.

Scouts Malacca Trip

Brought students to Malacca. It is Goodwill Camp among Singaporeans, Malaysians, Thais, and Indonesians. For Singaporeans who are squashed in the middle geographically, it consisted of 2 parts : Batam and Malacca. I went for the Malacca portion only.


My first digital camera , a 2 megapixel Nikon, spoilt on the way. Well ... if it's time to go, it's time to go. This is the last picture taken by that camera.


The scouts enjoyed themselves sight-seeing and shopping at pasar malam... This is more of a leisure camp so I shan't be too particular about the rowdy behaviour.


This is the HUGE pineapple tart in a shop at the night market.


I suppose all leisure camps come with their share of vices. So here are a number for the record:

• gambling poker cards (UNO cards are everywhere!)
  
• alleged smoking
• adult leaders - drinking at pubs.

and Joel with his funny shaved hair trying to get everybody's attention.