Patrol Activity, 13th April

Hi Guides!

On Monday, the Guides had Patrol Activity! :)

P1

For PA on Monday, the Year 3s had separate activities from the Year 1s and 2s. We had combined patrol activity with P2. Firstly, we had mass change. We were given 5 minutes to change into our Guides uniform. Everyone had to make it back before the time limit, anyone who failed to do so will have to mass change again in that given timing. After that, we were given some time to change back to our PE attire. Next, we were given 3.5 minutes to change into our guides uniform and another 3 minutes to change out. Unfortunately, only one of us succeeded in meeting the time limit in the last round.

Next, we had to gather spars from backstore to prepare for pioneering. We brought out 4 黄木， some 红木 4 青木, 2 白木and 2 浅蓝木。After which, the whole patrol was given 1 min to view a proposal. We were supposed to construct a viking. We started off with the building of a quadpod. Simultaneously, using scout's rafting, we made a platform as seats for the swing. We could have cheered and 报时 more often as that would have allowed us to keep better track of time. At the start, we moved quite slowly. Once the quadpod was done, we tied in 定脚 using 红木. The quadpod was a little unstable at the start, we should have 定 the quadpod well when we were tying it. Fortunately, our quadpod was able to stand. Next we further attached other spars to stabilise the structure. Due to lack of time at the end, we improvised the structure and removed 2 红木, which was initially used to stabilise the structure. Then, we attached the seats to the quadpod by tying it onto some 红木 using 粗麻绳. When we finally completed, we were quite unsure as to whether our structure would work out well. After some try-outs, it turned out successful! We took turns sitting on the 'swing'. After gathering the rest of the patrol, we took patrol photos together.

This was indeed a very enriching and fulfilling PA. This PA has helped us revise our lashes, especially those involved during pioneering. It also served to strengthen our sense of urgency through the mass change practices.

P2

For Monday's 集合, we had different activities from the Year 1s and 2s and we combined with the Year 3s from P1. 

The Year 1s and 2s did firelighting and practised their lashes, which gave the Year 2s an opportunity to step up and lead their juniors, especially since Passing Down Parade (PDP) is coming soon.

The Year 3s were given 5 mins to mass change into our guides uniform. All of us made it on time and we were then given 4 mins. We still made it on time but when we were given 3 mins, we 过时 by 5 secs. However, all of us helped and waited for each other, and when one person had already mass changed, we could help those who have yet to do so. This allowed us to complete changing faster and 集合 back in time.

We then had to take the logistics from frontier and we were given time to look at the proposal. We had to build a viking ship. I was the PL for the first part while Zi Xian was the PS. We started off with the quadpod first while some started on the rafting of swing. However, we could have tied the quadpod faster so we do not need to ask for time extension. Michelle then became the PL and Valerie was the PS. We continued tying a trapezium on the quadpod and then Valerie was the PL while Zi Xian was the PS. We asked for time extension in order to complete attaching the swing to the quadpod. However, we could have tied the lashes more quickly and tightly in order to save more time. Also, we learnt to have a better sense of urgency and not walk to the 麻布袋 to get the 麻绳 but instead run. We then had some time to play with the viking and also got the year ones and twos to take patrol photos as this was the last PA as a patrol. We them 拆-ed the structure and 搬 back everything to the frontier and 团部.

P3

We had our last PA with our Y4s, today! It was altogether quite sad, but I knew the Year 4s would plan something special for us as a farewell. We had creative gadgeting :) The theme was “Fairy-tale and P3 Jasmine”, and we had to build 2 structures according to this theme. Our seniors first gave us 5 minutes to take specified logistics from 团部. We had 3 minutes to brainstorm and discuss about the structures we were going to build. Overall, I felt that our discussion was quite productive, as people were willing to voice out their own ideas and contribute to the discussion. Hence, we had a rough idea worked out for our structures. 

Afterwards, we had 40 minutes to finish both structures. Initial progress was still okay, since we started building our structures within a few minutes while finalising the finer details of our structures. However, we could have had a higher sense of urgency and worked faster. We already knew the initial steps to build the structures, so we could have just started on them first instead of wasting the first few minutes still discussing. This is something we should be more conscious of in the future, especially if we already know what to do besides discussing. 

I feel that this theme was quite easy to work with, as it allowed for a good amount of flexibility while letting us still able to improvise with traditional Girl Guides methods to create something more unique. Our idea was to build 2 tripods and link them at the top with one A-架，somewhat resembling a castle. At the bottom, we would make a magic carpet out of gadget poles (gadget poles tied together in a rectangle, with netting/rafting across). This would symbolise the fairy-tale part of the theme; also, the magic carpet is found in the movie Aladdin, and there’s a princess Jasmine inside it! So this would suit the theme of “jasmine” in “P3 Jasmine”. Finally, we also planned to build another quad pod and use netting to make the number “3” across the 木, hence representing the “three” in “P3 Jasmine”. 

Unfortunately, the netting turned out too messy and the overall presentation did not look nice, so it was 拆掉-ed in the end. The idea of the magic carpet was also scrapped in the end, to make way for the idea of building a kind of staircase in-between the tripods. The end result turned out to be quite cool, somehow classy yet simple. 

For this creative gadgeting, I feel that we could improve by being more creative and being able to improvise more, instead of being inflexible and always thinking of the same old structures to help us fit the theme… such as using tripods just since tripods are quite handy for building most structures. The good thing about this PA was, it gave Year 3s another chance to lead the patrol. The Year 2s also had the opportunity to teach the Year 1s more skills. The Year 1s have also been picking up on their skills and following instructions quite well, keep it up! 

Anyway, thank you so much Year 4s for always planning our patrol activities for us, leading us as a patrol and facilitating conversation during patrol corners. Thanks so much for sacrificing precious sleep for us while you rush proposals for 集合! Hope you enjoyed this last PA with us.

P4

Today our patrol had our last PA with our Year 4s before they step down. We did pioneering and made a Fireman's Ladder and a seesaw. This was our first time doing Fireman's Ladder, and although many of us had a fear of heights, we cheered each other on and all conquered the Fireman's Ladder. For the seesaw, I think I could have picked a better 麻绳 as I spent a very long time 绕-ing the 麻绳 after tying my square lash.

Overall, I really enjoyed the PA as I was able to learn new things and also improve on my existing skills. I look forward to being able to plan such enriching and fun PAs for my juniors in the future.

P5

The PA was the the last PA with the Year 4s :( Firstly, we built a 8-men tent. After that, we were split into 2 groups: Year 1s in a group and Year 2s and 3s in another group. For the Year 1s, they are supposed to build the structure that the seniors had drawn out in the time given. For the Year 2 and 3s, we were supposed to come out with a simple structure, consisting of tripod lash, square lash and diagonal lash.

For this PA, although our cheering and 报时 have become much better, however, we still did not have the sense of urgency and were often moving around very slowly. I feel that we should work more on our sense of urgency and also move quickly from one place to another, even if it is just a short distance. However, while improving our sense of urgency, I feel that we should also continue cheering and 报时.

P6

Firstly, for this patrol activity, we had a pioneering session. We wanted to build a structure which is made up of a quad pod and a ladder at a side leading up to a platform. However, it was unsuccessful as the quad pod lash was too near to the top of the 木. After some shifting and movement of the木, the lash was loosened and the木 came out from the lash. Luckily, we were holding the木 and the structure did not topple on us. We then realized the importance of tying the lash at a lower section of the 木 to prevent the lash from coming out and possibly injuring someone. Pioneering takes a lot of effort and stamina too. 

Next, we had a go at the fireman’s ladder. Our Year 4s taught us how to build the structure and how to play it. It was really fun. I have learnt that we should trust our patrol mates and that they can be relied on and they are there for you when you need them. ☺

P7

For our last PA, we had PT with P10. We did chek chek, played tic tac toe and did commando crawl. We then cheered while doing exercises such as leg raise. Thereafter, we ran few rounds around Level 5 and did planking, jumping jacks and pumping. We then ended PT with a game of dog and bone. Although our last PA was slack, we used the last PA to bond with our patrol. It was a memorable PA.

P8

For Monday’s PA, firstly, we revised our first aid skills. After that, we proceeded to build a kitchen shelter. As we were quite confused at the beginning and there was quite a lot of miscommunication, we took quite a long time to 起 our kitchen shelter. This caused us to be unable to finish the kitchen shelter within the time limit and we had to 拆掉before we had a chance to finish building the kitchen shelter. After that, we went to try the fireman’s ladder. It was very interesting as it was our first time trying it. However, due to time constraints, only the Year 3s managed to try the fireman’s ladder. Overall, I feel that much can be improved such as our sense of urgency and that we should take note and remember what we have done wrong during this PA as this is the last PA with the Year 4s and they will not be there to tell us our mistakes after they pass down soon.

P9

Today was the last PA the Year 3s will have with the Year 4s and we started it off with doing two emergency shelter and a gadget which the PL could only see and lead the patrol. The gadget was tied by our seniors during PLTC. We were given 35 minutes in total. The lashes should be tight to make the gadget more stable as the loose lashes cause the gadgets to move easily. Next, we had to tie a structure to cross an acid river within 12 minutes and once doing so, we had to tie a gateway using gadget poles, something that someone can rest on and put shoes on. The structure for the acid river was not bad and we managed to complete it. We then built a heart shape gateway, rafting at the 顶脚 of the tripod for somebody to rest on and place the shoes. We managed to complete before the time limit which was an accomplishment and it turned out pretty. I felt that this PA was satisfying and had learned more to train our creativity and leadership. 

P10

Today was the last 集合 we have as a patrol and I think it's pretty cool that we had PT. We combined with P7 this time round and I have to say that the process was enjoyable even though some parts were pretty challenging. Moreover, I'll have to admit that it was rather heart warming to see the Year 1s try their best.

We hope that the Guides had an enriching Patrol Activity! Also, good luck for the upcoming Common Tests! :)