Patrol Activity, 18h August

Hi Guides!

For today's Patrol Activity (PA), the Guides from COY 1 had a mini Obstacle Journey (OJ), while COY 2 carried on with their respective Patrol Activities.

For the mini OJ, P1 was paired with P5, P2 with P4, while P3 stayed in its original patrol. At the start, the Guides were given 9 minutes to retrieve their logistics. After that, they proceeded with their stations.

Station 1 at General Science Lab (GSL) Level 2

The Guides were told to surrender their bottles. Next, they had to move around that level to find kindlings and twigs for fire- lighting. There were quite a few trekking signs to warn the Guides that certain water bottles contained undrinkable water and that some of the kindlings were wet. After that, they brought down the required logistics for fire- lighting and had to boil water. Overall, comments given were that the Guides did not take note of the trekking signs and took quite a long time to start the fire. 

Thoughts from a Year 2...

We were very careless and missed out on almost all the trekking signs. We also did not check whether the kindlings were dry. We could have been more careful. As we took all the kindlings, some of the kindlings we used were wet and it created a lot of smoke. In this station, we could have cheered and 报时 more often. 

Station 2 at GSL Level 1

This station was the gadgeting station. For this station, the Guides had to build a creative gadget to elevate both patrols' 配备 within 21 minutes. During this period of time, the Guides had to stop a few times to do Physical Training (PT) such as pumpings and 站马. Overall, comments given were that the lashes were generally still loose and the patrols did not take care of their logistics.

Thoughts from a Year 2...

We need to take better care of our things. A lot of things were taken from us at this station, namely one of our 配背s, a mallet, a water bottle and a 青木.

Thoughts from a Year 2...

The lashes were quite loose and the tripod was leaning to one side. Also, throughout this station, we lacked a sense of urgency. However, it was fortunate that the tripods were able to hold both 配备. Halfway through, we had to do some PT. This station re- emphasises on the guides motto "Be Prepared".

Station 3 on 5th floor of Block G

Firstly, the patrol First Aiders were asked to step out together with one Year One to be the casualties. After that, the rest of the patrol members were tasked to attend to the injuries of these three casualties, including transporting them back. Also, they had to simultaneously build an emergency shelter to cover the logistics.

Thoughts from a Year 2...

In this station, I think better manpower could have been allocated to help in treating the casualties. For the emergency shelter, although we did not manage to build the correct version, our idea was relatively feasible too. 

Thoughts from a Year 2...

To get to this station, we climbed a lot of stairs. By the time we reached the top, we were all panting heavily and had barely enough energy left to run. I think this shows that physically, our stamina is low and we need to train up on it.

Overall sentiments from a Year 2... 

I feel that we really put in effort for this OJ. Unfortunately, our skills were still not up to standard and there were areas for improvement. We should have clarified our doubts with our seniors if we were unsure of instructions. Our things were also kupped frequently, and one of our patrol members was even kupped at a station! Hence, I think we should be more observant of our surroundings and take care of one another and our belongings. Our lashes were also not tight and we should work more on tying them quickly and tightly. Our sense of urgency was there, but could still be improved on as we could have worked faster. Lastly, we did 报时and our patrol morale was here and there; we could have done so more constantly though! We will continue to work hard! :)

Patrol 6's Patrol Activity

P6's PA involved a little physical training, orienteering and building a kitchen dresser. While the rest of the Patrol was being instructed to choose the type of physical training and carry it out, a Year 1 and Year 2 had to go out and practice their orienteering skills.  Next, they were given a total of 50 minutes to build a Kitchen Dresser. Afterwards, they sat down in a circle and had Patrol Corner where the Year 1s and 2s were given a review of their performance.

Thoughts from a Year 2...

I think we have to read the Guides notes more thoroughly and probably practice on our orienteering skills at home. The physical training was manageable as we cheered as we cheered loudly to boost our morale. I felt that we could have done better, in terms of memorizing the proposal as quick and as sharp as we can. Some of us have to brush up on the tightening of lashes, though the basic skills of how to tie the lashes are already made known to us. However, as we look at our nicely completed structure, we would have a sense of fulfillment and achievement. I was proud of our patrol!

Patrol 7's Patrol Activity

The Year 1s and 2s were first instructed to bring the necessary 木 for a baggage rack. Other than a baggage rack, they also had to either improvise the baggage rack or build a separate creative gadget and were given 5 minutes to plan.  After that, they were told to do 60 Kallang wave pumpings, 20 star jumps and to run up to the fifth floor before ending with crunches around the GSL area. Next, they were told to pack a 配备 in 6 minutes and lay their logistics out afterwards. After doing so, they began the building of their structure. The next section for P7 was Orienteering, where they learnt how to find a compass bearing. This was followed by fire- lighting. 

Thoughts from a Year 2...

Although we were quick in laying out our items in our 配备, we did not compact our items and did not fold up our excess groundsheet not used. We realized that during camps, ten other patrols will also be carrying out inspection in a confined space. Hence we should be considerate and limit the space we used. Our structure had many many faults such as the tripods not being a equal length and baggage portion slanted. Afterwards although we improved on our structure, we did not improvise creatively. Overall, although PA was tiring, we learnt a lot. We promise to put in our best as our seniors put in effort in training us. I hope we will be able to do a better job. when it comes to maximizing man power and communication skills.

Patrol 8's Patrol Activity

During this PA, the Year 1s and 2s were required to build a Roman's Chariot and Kitchen Shelter, together with P10. Lastly, they ended off PA with Patrol Corner.

Thoughts from a Year 2...

Overall, I think we were not prepared enough for the PA and we did not have good leadership as Year 2s and we were quite slow as we exceeded our timings. There is room for improvement and we will strive for that. In future, we should have a better sense of urgency and do better.

Patrol 9's Patrol Activity

P9 did First Aid and were tested on the distress signals. Also, they were tasked to build a Kitchen Table. Afterwards, Patrol Corner marked the end of PA.

Thoughts from a Year 2...

When we were building the kitchen table, I was appointed as the Patrol Leader and i felt that it was quite tough leading the patrol. I will continue to improve and do well for future 集合! Building the kitchen table was quite difficult but I felt a strong sense of accomplishment and satisfaction after I saw the finished product. It was very enriching and we tried to cheer and 报时 as much as we could despite concentrating on the task itself. Together as a patrol, P9 did a good job :)

Patrol 10's Patrol Activity

P10 combined with P8 to build a Kitchen Shelter. Lastly, they had Patrol Corner to end off the PA and review the Year 1s and 2s performance.

Thoughts from a Year 2...

This PA was pretty eye-opening and challenging for me as it was the first time the Year 2s got a taste of leadership. We were not able to get the kitchen shelter up as we were basically very ill-prepared for the activity. Moreover there was a lack of sense of urgency, causing our progress to be very slow. Therefore,  I have learnt that it is important to be  prepared and give clear instructions to better lead the Year 1s.