ATC'13: Wonderland! 4th-6th Nov

Hi Guides!

From 4th to 6th November, we had our ATC (Annual Training Camp) at Camp Christine. The theme for this camp is Wonderland. In the movie Alice in Wonderland, Wonderland is filled with many obstacles and difficulties However, Alice was courageous and manged to persevere throughout. Similarly, we would like our Guides to have the perseverance to overcome the obstacles presented in this camp and emerge as stronger people. The tagline, "It is not so much about the destination but the journey", aims to remind us that the process is far more important than the end results, as it is what we learn from the process that causes us to grow.

Through this camp, the Year 3s (counsellors) hope to train up the Year 1s' and 2s' (trainees) skills, which include the hard skills such as tying certain lashes, knowledge of survival skills and first aid, and soft skills like communication and leadership. It is also important to have a sense of urgency and move fast as time is limited. Lastly, the camp also served to spur the trainees' enthusiasm and sense of belonging to Guides as they went through thick and thin together for the past 3 days and 2 nights. For ATC, the company was rearranged into 6 different patrols to allow the trainees to know one another better.

Before ATC started, we had a Pre-Camp Inspection on 1st November, where the patrols had to lay out all their patrol logistics for the counsellors to check if they were ready for ATC. We 集合-ed at 1445 in our Guides uniform, before the trainees were broken off to retrieve their logistics. Afterwards, they were given 10 minutes to lay them out before the counsellors went around to grade them on the different aspects:

1. Attire
2. Neatness of layout
3. Standardization of layout among all 6 patrols
4. Completeness of layout
5. Patrol morale
6. Rationale of patrol logistics

After the inspection, the trainees were debriefed by the respective counsellors on their mistakes, what they could have improved on and what they did well, allowing them to make the necessary revisions to their patrol logistics to better prepare themselves for ATC.

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Finally, the day of ATC arrived! We 集合-ed at the foyer in school at 0730 with all our logistics. After moving the logistics into a lorry to transport to Camp Christine while carrying out goal-setting, we set off with our bags for Camp Christine!

Once we arrived, after unloading our logistics, we had a surprise In-Camp Inspection for the trainees' personal logistics! The purpose of Inspection is for trainees to air their clothes and to test their communication skills within and between patrols. While the trainees were quite shocked and unprepared for this, most recovered quickly and were able to lay out their personal logistics neatly. After a quick debrief, we started on Camp D Part 1. Camp D stands for Camp Development, where trainees build the gadgets and structures to set up the campsite. There are 3 parts to Camp D, where the first two parts take place on the first day and the last part on the third day. Altogether, these are the gadgets and structures the trainees have to build:

Tents

Each patrol has to set up 2 tents: one Camp Christine tent and one 8-men tent (taken from 团部 in school).

Kitchen Tent

The Kitchen Tent provides a sheltered area for trainees to carry out Outdoor Cooking should it rain, and it also serves as another source of shelter other than the tents. 2 patrols share one Kitchen Tent during the camp.

Fire Altar

Trainees can cook food on the fire altar in Outdoor Cooking.

Shoerack

As the name suggests, this gadget is used to put the trainees' shoes before they enter the tent to sleep.

Emergency shelter

This provides a sheltered area for trainees to place their styrofoam box and 配背 which hold their patrol logistics. It also known as a basha.

Creative gadget

The creative gadget is meant for trainees to hang their Guides uniform on, however trainees can exercise their creativity in building this gadget anyway they want as long as it is practical and feasible to build.

Flagpole and Banner Gadget

This is where the patrols attach their patrol flag and banner respectively. Designing the patrol flag, banner and drawing up the banner gadget proposal is another platform for trainees to exercise their creativity. Furthermore, in the process of making the patrol flag and banner, the patrol members can bond with one another.

Dustbin

Obviously, a gadget where the garbage bag is attached for trainees to dispose of their rubbish.

Camp D Part 1 was from 1030-1300, after which we had lunch before carrying on with Part 2. Here is a Year 2's reflection about Camp D:
Throughout the whole ATC, I think the most difficult component was Camp Development. This is because during Camp Development, one patrol had to split into 2 different teams to maximise our efficiency. This made communication harder and many were thrown into a state of confusion, especially the Year 1s. Patrol morale was thus very low. Even when one of the group finished their task and rushed to help the other group, not much help was able to be provided because we did not know the progress of the other group. This minimised the efficiency of the patrol overall. I think we could have improved by sending a person to ask about the progress of the other group regularly and send the other group manpower when they needed help. This will increase the patrol's efficiency. As for patrol morale, we could have cheered more and cheered louder. Also, something we should have taken more seriously was the time limit we had. I feel that we did not take note of the time limit given to us and thus kept 过时-ing.

Afterwards, we had Physical Training! While it was very tiring, patrol morale was high as the trainees' cheers and songs could be heard throughout the campsite. It was indeed very encouraging.:) Here is a Year 2's reflection about PT:
It was tiring after having been through Camp D but I'm glad that my patrol pia-ed and cheered together. Before camp, we wanted to have no casualties but unfortunately, this wasn't the case. Some fell out and our patrol became smaller and this affected our patrol morale. However, I'm still thankful that most of us persevered and those who couldn't take it anymore didn't 逞强. Overall, PT was tough but it wasn't too bad. It showed that if we go through it with a positive mindset, we would be able to complete it.

After Physical Training, it was time for dinner, and time was also allocated for trainees to bathe and write their reflections about the day's activities in their camp booklets. After that, it was time for Night Games! In this component, the patrols would travel to 6 different stations where the counsellors acted out different parts of a storyline, and at the end of it they would have to answer questions about the story. It also serves to allow the trainees to overcome their fears and take care of their patrol mates and logistics that they brought with them, as the counsellors can attempt to snatch their patrol mates or logistics from them.

This year's Night Games was about how Alice entered the Bandersnatch Triangle, another dimension in Wonderland (this is a non-canon part of the movie!). Along the way, she encounters the Jub Jub Bird, Jabberwock, Cheshire Cat, Red Queen and has many adventures along the way before finally returning to Wonderland. The stations were acted out in a way such they provided a sense of danger and staged thrill, teaching the patrols that one need to stay positive in the face of danger and overcome their fears.

After Night Games, trainees had a quick supper before washing up and Lights Out.

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Day 2 started off with a quick Warm Up for half an hour before breakfast. Afterwards, we had Flag Raising, following with Inspection. After the surprise Inspection on Day 1, most patrols performed better this time.:) Here is a Year 1's reflection about Inspection:
For Inspection, the place was very chaotic and I was very confused and bewildered too trying to find 
all my belongings and lay them out neatly. In the end, I was still unable to lay out all my things. From this Inspection I learnt that we need to do things faster and listen to the layout more carefully.

After Inspection, we continued with Camp D Part 3, where trainees built their fire altar, dustbin, made touch-ups to their gadgets and cleaned up the campsite.

Outdoor Cooking followed Camp D Part 3, and trainees had to cook their own lunch. Other than the dish which they had proposed earlier, they also had to cook potatoes in cheese using charcoal using the pit method. Below is the recipe:

Three-Cheese Potatoes               

Prep: 15 min    Grill: 40 min

Ingredients

1. 3 large potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
2. 1 medium onion, chopped
3. 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
4. 1 tablespoon minced chives
5. ½ teaspoon seasoned salt
6.  ¼ teaspoon pepper
7.  2 tablespoons butter
8.  ½ cup bacon bits
9. ½ cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
10.  ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese

 Directions

1. In a large bowl, combine the first six ingredients. Transfer to a double thickness of heavy duty foil (about 18 inch square). Dot with butter
2. Fold foil around potato mixture and seal tightly. Throw into fire and cook for 35-40 min or until potatoes are tender. Unwrap the foil and press a fork into the potato to see if it is done. Fork should be able to be removed without lifting the potato.
3. Carefully open foil. Sprinkle bacon cheeses over potato mixture. Grill 3-5 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Open foil carefully to allow steam to escape. 

However, most patrols were unable to sustain their fires long enough to cook their food and hence did not manage to cook their food without using the gas fire in the kitchen at Sangam.:( Let's learn from our mistakes and improve our firelighting skills to prevent such re-occurrences!

A Year 2's reflection about Outdoor Cooking:
Outdoor Cooking was quite slow and disappointing because we didn't 齐 our fire quick enough. Also, many patrols ran out of matchsticks and shows that we weren't really prepared, and that we had used up too many. Our fire lighting skills have to really be improved upon because we eventually had to use the stove in the kitchen to cook our remaining food. Our kindlings weren't fully dry and I think this affected our progress because the fire kept dying. We could also have involved the Year 1s more because it was only the Year 2s who were trying to sustain the fire while the Year 1s just stood at the side holding the food. 

Obstacle Journey was after Outdoor Cooking. Due to the overrun of time during the unexpected difficulties in Outdoor Cooking, there was no choice but to cut the activity, hence each patrol only went to 3 stations instead of 6 as originally planned.:( Furthermore, it rained rather heavily halfway during the activity, making moving around harder, though everyone was sheltered from the rain by wearing ponchos and using the sheltered walkways to move from place to place. It was heartening to see the patrols maintain a high morale despite the rain, and we hope that the trainees gained valuable experiences from this Obstacle Journey.

For this Obstacle Journey, trainees were given the location of each station in Guides Code, but not the order in which they should go to the stations. However, each station could only accommodate one patrol and time was not given to them to sort out the stations. The aim of this was to test their communication skills as a 团.

Station 1: Acid River

Trainees have to build a structure using the logistics they have and are provided with to cross a mattress to cross a mattress and pour water into the cups on the mattress. At least 2 Year 1s and 2 Year 2s from each patrol have to cross, and all patrol logistics have to be brought over. 15 minutes are given for them to complete this task. Should trainees or their logistics touch the mattress, they would suffer acid burns.

While trainees are building their structure, those who have nothing to do will be called out to do First Aid. They would have to treat 3 casualties suffering from either shock, heat stroke or a protruding bone elbow fracture. 

Station 2: Fire-lighting + Water Filter

Two Year 1s would have to name all the different types of fire-lighting techniques before they can rejoin their patrol. Meanwhile, the rest of the patrol would have to build a fishing net to catch fish for Cheshire Cat with the logistics provided and from their patrol’s 配备 within 3 minutes.

Afterwards, they would have to search around the area for post-it notes which would provide them with compass bearings which would lead them to where they can find materials to build a simple water filter. 

For Part 2 of the station, the patrol would have to attempt to catch the flying fishes (paper balls) and the number of fishes caught would determine how well they would be able to lure Cheshire Cat out of its hiding place.:D

Finally, for Part 3, they would have to complete the following tasks:

1. Build an emergency fire signal

2. Construct a simple water filter

3. Boil water to cook the fish

Station 3: Electric Fence, Survival Skills + First Aid

In Part 1, the patrol would be required to cross the Electric Fence one by one, with all their logistics, within 12 minutes. There is a maximum time extension of 2 min. Once a patrol member has crossed over to the other side, she would have to answer a question about Survival Skills. Meanwhile, the patrol has to do the following on either end of the Electric Fence, until 12 minutes is up or when everyone has crossed over.

•  4 min 顶 girls’ style pumping position
• 4 min 站马
• 4 min leg raise

In Part 2, they would have to treat 3 patrol members who were selected as casualties:

• First casualty is suffering from acid burn on the right hand and left leg
• Second casualty is suffering from head injury
• Third casualty is unconscious.

Station 4: Creative Gadget

In Part 1, the patrol is given a maximum of 7 长木, 7中长木, 7中木, 12短木 and 11 half-bamboos. To get these logistics, they are required to answer survival skills, trekking signs and/or first aid skills in the form of pieces of paper hidden around the area while caterpillar crawling. Each question paper holds different amounts of logistics depending on the difficulty of the question.  The amount of logistics received is the amount of logistics the patrol would use to complete the next segment. This segment would take place over 7 minutes.

In Part 2, the patrol is given 2 minutes to brainstorm of a creative gadget to be a clothes washing area. The gadget is required to hold half a pail of water and hang at least two ponchos. The patrol is given 16 minutes to build this gadget. Afterwards, the Station Master would spend 1 minute inspecting their gadgets. Gadget would be judged on usability, creativity, neatness of lashes, amount of lashes and stability. If not enough gadget poles are achieved in Part 1, patrol is to tell the Station Master how much they should be punished for the extra gadget poles they want to obtain.

Station 5: Gadgeting + Survival Skills

Patrols have to construct a gadget to store all their logistics. The suggested proposal would only be shown to the Patrol Leader for 5 seconds. At the same time while constructing your gadget, 4 people from the patrol have to stay in girl’s style pumping position. Only if they answer the survival skills question correctly are they allowed to go back, but another person has to come and replace them. Also, 2 people from the patrol had to be blindfolded and the pair who is blindfolded has to be changed every 3 minutes. The patrol has 15 minutes to complete the task.

In Part 2, the patrol is required to decode a message in Guides Code within 5 minutes with no time extension. 3 of the Year 2s would be unable to talk. This would test their communication skills.

Station 6: Roman Chariot + Trekking Signs

The patrol is required to tie a Roman Chariot within 6 minutes. Afterwards, they are required to transport one patrol member to and fro under 2 minutes. While transporting her, they will have to look for 3 trekking signs hidden at obvious spots so as to carry out Part 2 of the station.

In Part 2, the patrol is to answer what the following trekking signs mean and build the suggested gadget within 7 minutes. 

A Year 1's reflection about Obstacle Journey:
The OJ was very interesting as we needed to combine the surroundings with our own knowledge too. It also required us to think of gadgets with only the materials given so as to solve the obstacles. The OJ was very interesting and taught me a lot too.

After dinner and reflections, it was time for the long-awaited campfire! Unfortunately due to the rain earlier, the campfire was held in Olave Hall instead of the BP Ring. Nevertheless, everyone was in high spirits; it was certainly a chance to unwind, release the stress built up and enjoy the night with their patrol mates as the Year 2 Song Leaders kept up the lively atmosphere.:D It was great to see everyone participating so actively in the campfire, singing loudly and putting up a good patrol performance. And of course, not forgetting those who were sporting enough to go up to the front to perform Maboleh and Chek Chek, with Miss Kuah performing her own Chek Chek on the chair. XD

A Year 2's reflection about Campfire:
Campfire was fun but my patrol's skit was affected as our Y1 playing a major role had gone home and we had to change the roles at the last minute. We didn't rehearse the actions at all, and only focused on going through the lines because we had to sort out who to say what. Despite this, we just enjoyed ourselves and did our best to carry out the skit. Watching the other patrols perform and singing and dancing along was really fun and relaxing. Although we were tired, the atmosphere was great and bonded us as a company.

The campfire ended around 2300, after which was supper before Lights Out.

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At around 0500, the trainees were woken up for Morning Activity. Morning Activity simulates an emergency when the trainees are sleeping, hence they have to react and adapt fast to the environment according to the situation. In this case, their patrol logistics, the styrofoam box and 配背 was taken from their emergency shelters and hidden in different places in Camp Christine, and they had to run around to find them within a given time limit. When the time was up or when they found all their patrol logistics, Part 2 of Morning Activity would begin. Part 2 was an Inspection of their patrol logistics, and trainees had 10 minutes to lay them out on their groundsheet like in Pre-Camp Inspection. Although they were tired, many of them tried their best to make their layout as neat and standardized as possible.:) However, in Part 1, it was observed that some trainees were walking slowly. Hopefully, this would not be seen in future as we should have a sense of urgency and move fast to find the patrol logistics as time is limited.

After Morning Activity, there was a quick breakfast before Strike Camp began. We moved fast and we were able to clear up everything except the Camp Christine tents as they had to be dry first before taking them down and moving them back to the storehouse.

As the Camp Christine tents dried, we had Mystery Games and Company Games. Mystery Games is an unknown batch-based activity planned by the Young Adult Leaders, the Senior High section of Girl Guides. In Company Games, the whole Company gets together to play games and improve inter-level bonds as the different batches get to interact with one another. We played 3 games:
1. Virus tag

• 3 catchers, 1 from each batch, would be the "viruses" who would go around catching people. People whom they have caught would then play a game of scissors, paper, stone with them, and are free to escape if they win.
• The game would go on until everyone has been caught or until 10 minutes run out. 

2. Flip the hedgehog

• 6 catchers, 2 from each batch, would stand in the marked boundary of the Olave Hall while the rest of the Company stands at one side of the Olave Hall. 5 balls would be placed on the other side.
• The objective of the game is for the rest of the Company to get to the other side. They can do so by either dodging the catchers or rolling a ball to the other side. Guides holding the ball can pass through the boundary without getting caught.
• However, if they are caught, they would have to return to the starting side and be in girls' style pumping position for 10 seconds before they can attempt passing through again. Any balls which are intercepted by the catcher cannot be used again.
• The game would continue until everyone is on the other side of the Olave Hall or until 8 minutes runs out.

3. Colour up!

• The Company would line up by patrol across the field outside Olave Hall.
• Each patrol would send out two members to cross the field by piggyback, to a piece of mahjong paper.
• The two patrol members would have 20 seconds to paint the outline of the letter or number of the paper using sponges. They can also add their own decorations to the paper. When the 6 pieces of mahjong papers are combined, they form the words "ATC'13 Wonderland".

After Company Games, we hurriedly took down the Camp Christine tents before going for lunch. As we were running short of time before the lorry and bus came to bring us and our logistics back to school, we quickly ate and moved our bags to Olave Hall before loading the patrol logistics onto the lorry. Afterwards, back to school!

Upon reaching school, we unloaded the logistics from the truck and brought them back to their respective locations before going to LT4 for prize-presentation and a debrief of the past 3 days. Finally, home sweet home!:D Here are some trainees' reflections about ATC:

A Year 1's reflection about ATC:

I think that ATC is very tough but with everyone’s support we were able to get through the tough times. It teaches me on what I need to improve on and encourages us to work with our patrol mates whom we may not have even known before this ATC.

A Year 2's reflection about ATC:

Overall, my patrol got 4th and I'm really proud of our achievement, even though it wasn't in the top 3 which was our goal. After all, it is not so much the destination but the journey. We did meet with unforeseen circumstances along the way, our patrol was reduced from 12 to eventually 7 but despite all these, we did pia together and bonded as a patrol. As Year 2s, we have learnt how to lead our Year 1s and we are ready for Year 3 when we have to lead 2 batches under us. ATC'13 has been mentally and physically tiring but it was worth it and it's also very memorable. These three days have passed by so quickly and we have improved so much along the way. (: 

Overall, I feel that everyone has put much effort into this camp, and although there were some problems, it was good that we managed to stop them from snowballing into something more serious. I hope that the Year 1s would learn the importance of having a sense of urgency and taking the initiative, and put these into practise for future 集合s while the Year 2s have a better idea of the leadership and communication skills, thus knowing what areas to work on. Let's all improve during the holidays and return much stronger!:D

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On 8th November, we 集合-ed near the elevated court in school at 0900 for ATC'13 Cleanup. Basically, we had to clean and sort the logistics in 团部 as it was very messy after ATC'13. In addition, we had to clean 团部 as well.

We split into different groups to settle different things, such as drying and 收-ing the 麻绳 and 营绳, hitting out the sand and dirt from the bamboo, cleaning the trophies in 团部, sorting out the logistics and cleaning 团部. 

After everything was done, we 解散-ed at around 1130. Good job, and rest well everyone! ^^

集合, 20th September

Hi Guides!

For 集合 yesterday, we had Initiatives! Coy 1 and Coy 2 split up into two groups as we were learning different things. In Coy 1, P1 taught them how to make wind chimes!

In addition, they learnt how many a interesting things about the history of wind chimes and their uses:

• in Ancient Rome, they were used as a symbol of good fortune and a charm against evil
• countries in Asia, such as China and Japan, hang them around for good luck

Here's how to make your very own windchime

Meanwhile, P7 taught Coy 2 how to make boxes out of ice cream sticks. 

After that, we learnt how to tie ribbons using forks. Although it looked confusing initially, practice makes perfect and we soon got the hang of it. Here's how to make a ribbon:

To end it off, we had a ribbon tying competition! Each patrol sent out 3 members to compete against other patrols to tie 3 ribbons, which would be judged based on speed of tying and neatness, in a relay race. Although there was no clear winner, what was clear is that everyone had an enjoyable time learning new rafts and bonding with their patrol mates.:)