Patrol Activity, 5 Febuary 2016

Hello Guides! (:

For last Friday’s 集合, we had patrol activity for the first 2 and a half hours. The following are accounts from the Year 3s of the respective patrols!

P1 Bougainvillea:

Friday's 集合 consisted of a mini obstacle journey (OJ) for Patrols 1,4 and 5. It came off as a shock because none of us expected that there would be a 配备 inspection for the first part of it. It was very chaotic as we could not find some belongings like our FAP, and had to borrow from another patrol. We were given 5 minutes to standardise and compact our layout, and fortunately we managed to finish it within the time limit. After clearing up, we were told to do the layout once more, however this time in 4 minutes. We were panicking and in the end some of our logistics were not arranged in order. Overall, I still feel that we did a pretty good job for the inspection.

The first station was at the GSL itself and our patrol was tasked to set up an 8-men tent, boil water, and build a 旗杆. We split ourselves up into different sections, and I, having to build the 旗杆, was a little confused at first. The whole thing also did not turn out to be an equilateral triangle, and we did face some problems with the flag as it was upside down for the first few times we did it. We asked for time extensions repeatedly, yet the structure still had some flaws and we were quite slow in the process.

At the second station, half of the patrol had to separate, one half having to do a PT circuit, consisting of 4mins战马步, 3 mins leg raise, 35 burpies and 40 seconds planking while the other half had to build a structure that could supposedly transport the patrol across the river. It was hard to lead the patrol as we were too focused on doing the PT and were distracted from the original task at hand. Then, we had to do 2 rounds of lunges around the MRL in 10 minutes, and we needed to reach a target of 250 Kallang wave pumpings before the next patrol arrives at the station. It was tiring, but we felt accomplished.

 The last station, tested on both our pioneering and first aid skills. Again, a few of our patrol members were casualties, and the rest of us had to build another structure that could enable us to cross to the other side, while transporting all our logistics, to help treat them. Even though we did not study our guides notes, we still managed to apply some basic first aid knowledge and skills, completing the task in time.

Lastly, when we returned to the GSL awaiting further instructions, we were surprised to find out that OJ was not finished. The combined three patrols, had to think of a structure that could elevate and support one patrol's worth of people, as we were in a simulated flood. Given 18 minutes, we planned to build a basic quartpod with 4 顶角s only. We sent three people to retrieve the remaining 木 and then we set out to build our structure. In the end, our idea was fine but it was not feasible as the 顶角 was at knee level and it was mentioned beforehand that the floods would rise beyond our knees. In a real life situation, we would drown and we had to improve on this fact. Finally, after completing our OJ, we practised our marching for the upcoming thinking day at the MRL. Overall, it was both physically and mentally exhausting, but we all learnt how to improve our sense of urgency and to work harder in our weaker areas (PT, pioneering etc).

 

P2 Ixora:

This 集合 my patrol had mass change as the first segment. We were first given 7 minutes to go up to 3H and change into our guides uniform, and 集合 at level 2 GSL. However, we 过时ed and only managed to arrive at 7 min 30 seconds. We were then given 3 minutes to change out of our guides uniform into PE. This was repeated again as we could not meet the timing but this time we had 4 minutes to change into our guides uniform. We didn't manage to meet the time limit on both tries as we were not used to changing so quickly yet and the year 2s did not have much experience under their belt. We learnt that the standard time for changing out of guides uniform into PE was 2 minutes and changing from PE to guides uniform was a maximum of 3 minutes. We also learnt that there was a certain order to wearing the guides uniform and we could plan ahead to save time. I think we, especially the year 3s, need to improve our timing for mass change as Patrol Leader Training Camp is coming soon.

For the next part of 集合 we had to build a seesaw. The PL and PS were shown the proposal. We took quite a long time to build the quadpod and had to 重打 everything as the quadpod could not open  properly. We built the plank concurrently  with the quadpod to speed up the process but our progress was still very slow. There was some confusion regarding the 定脚 as we did not know whether the 木 should be tied inwards or outwards. In the end we managed to build the seesaw even though we 过时ed by quite a lot. We had some time to play with the seesaw. I think it was the first time building the seesaw for the year 2s and some of the year 3s too. It was a fun experience for us, especially when all our patrol mates had a chance to go on the seesaw.

The last part of 集合 was foot drills for the thinking day parade. We (as in the year 3s) practised marching on the spot the most as we forgot to point our toes downward and bend our legs at 90 degrees. It was a good recap for all of us and helped us to familiarise with all the commands, ensuring that we were up to standard. We had a combined foot drill at the end to familiarise ourselves with or positions and who is next to us.

 

P3 Jasmine:

On Friday, we had physical training (PT) followed by creative gadgets. Firstly, we did 2 parts of PT. The first was to complete a circuit of 20 sit-ups, 20 burpees and 3 minutes leg raise within a time span of 15 minutes. The second was to do 20 push-ups, 20 squats and 2 minutes girls-style pumping position for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, one person will do lunges around the corridor and do 20 jumping jacks at the end. As most of us did not have PT for a very long time, we thought it was exhausting both physically and mentally after each set. However, this was overcome with cheering to boost the patrol morale. With the perseverance and determination to complete the task as a patrol, we bonded more and managed to know one another better.

After PT, we had lashes test that was broken into 2 parts. The first was to build 2 tripods with their 顶角s within 10 minutes. The second was to tie 4 A-架s and 3 diagonal lashes within 5 minutes. Both were to be done twice, with evaluation on the second try. I was PS for the first part and PL for the second part. Although we had low manpower of only 5 members, I found that it did not hinder our progress in tying our lashes quickly and tightly. This being said, we needed to be more mindful of our belongings and take good care of them, as through this activity, we had our box of 白绳 taken away and had to bear the consequences to retrieve it. Also, our patrol morale was low and 报时 was inconsistent. In addition, the seniors pointed some tips that we should follow, such as the 顶角s on the tripod and how high the lash for the A-架 should be tied. After that, we proceeded on to do creative gadgeting. We were given a task to build a mini Eiffel Tower with 2长木，4中长木，14中木, and 4 中短木 with a time limit of 25 minutes. We decided to build it using 2 identical trapezium frames, connecting them with diagonals and attach a quad-pod on the top. We were quick in building the frames and attaching the diagonals but due to the gradual decrease sense of urgency, we eventually had to ask for time extension. Also, our 白绳 and one of our 中短木 was taken away. While we were building the structure, we were called out individually to for a test on our first-aid. This took us by surprise as we did not read the guides notes for a long time. However, we managed to get most of them correct and felt satisfied and proud by the end of patrol activity.

 

P4 Orchid:

For skills training this week, P1, P4 and P5 had combined Obstacle journey. Before setting off on our journey, we were instructed to come up with an inspection layout and standardise our layout through the three patrols in 5 minutes, after which we were instructed to pack up , and then layout the contents of the 配备 in under 3 minutes. For these two activities, I think we did fairly decent as we did not exceed our time limit. For the obstacle journey itself, being a combined activity with 3 patrols only, there were only 3 stations. The first station that P4 was to report to was at the MRL where the Y3s were to do PT and instruct the Y2s on what to do. The task was to build a 'bridge' across a 'river'. Due to certain complications , we were short of time and had to 拆 our bridge soon after it was built.

Our second station was at the open space on Level 2. Our task was to transport our logistics across a 'mud trench' and treat our patrol members who were designated casualties. We first tried to lower the logistics to the other side by attaching them to a yellow spar like a fishing rod however it was very difficult and our logistics fell and disappeared into the mud trench. We did manage to use that method to transport our 配备across but eventually we used the yellow spars as a bridge and placed it across the trench with our patrol members holding the logistics to get to the other side. I feel that this station showed us that we had much to improve on. We should have thought our ideas through more thoroughly so that we could carry it out more efficiently. Also our first aid skills can be brushed up on as we did not fair very well in that section.

Our third station was at the GSL where we had to put up a flag, boil water and build a dome tent. Due to the wet weather, we built our flag to a bench. I think we did okay for this station though there was some confusion in the way to roll up the door and flysheet of the tent. At the end of our OJ, or so we thought, we were hit with a fourth station which we were to get through together. Our task was to build a structure to elevate 7 people from rising knee height flood waters. We built a quad pod with 定脚s as our elevated platform as well as our extra 青木 as a bench in the middle . Though it was simple and effective in elevating the people, we forgot that the water was at knee height and was rising. As a result, our structure was not as effective due to the given situation as our platform was at knee height. I think we could have considered the given scenario more carefully so as to avoid such blunders.

P5 Sunflower:

Today, right after we 集合-ed, we had attire check immediately. Following which, we were broken off into respective patrols to do our patrol activity. P1, P4 and P5 had combined PA as well as a mini OJ.

First of all, we were given a time limit to take all the logistics required for OJ, which included  the 配備 and the 青木s. Then, we 集合-ed again at the GSL and next, we were told to lay out the OJ logistics. We managed to complete that within the time limit. After which, we had to pack everything into the 配備 and we repeated this twice, with the 2nd try completed within a shorter time limit.

After that, we started our OJ. For P5, our station order was 3, 1, 2.

Our first station was at the Open Space above the Cafe. At that station, we were tested on our knowledge of the first aid skills, as well as our ability to improvise and prioritise our needs. The problems at the station was that there was a mud trench separating our patrol members, and that we had 3 casualties-- one suffering from an ankle injury, another from a right collarbone fracture, and the last one from heat exhaustion. While treating the casualties, we had to build a structure which could transport logistics from one side of the mud trench to another. Although we were a little unsure about our first aid skills, we managed to get administer of the treatment methods correctly. However, our structure was not really feasible as it was not very stable to walk on (as we chose to transport logistics by walking on our structure from one end to another).

Our next station was at the GSL. At this station, I was the Patrol Leader, and our task was to build a dome tent, a flagpole with boundary, as well as to set up a fire to boil water. I allocated 2 people to build the flagpole, 2 people to build the dome tent, and 3 people to boil the water. However, I realised later that the boiling of water did not need as much manpower, and that I should have allocated more manpower to build the flagpole and the dome tent instead. During the activity, too many people helped with setting up the boundary, and I forgot to allocated one person to look after the fire, which could be a potential hazard as well. Even though I made many mistakes in this activity, I am glad to have learnt a lot as well.

At the third station, we went to the MRL and the Year 3s had to do PT circuits while the Year 2s built a structure similar to a bridge so that we could cross from one side to another during a flood. After which, we did kallang wave pumping as a patrol, and managed to do 400+ in total. Overall, this station really brought a sense of accomplishment to our patrol and helped to unify us through the tough exercises.

P6 Morning Glory:

For PA during Friday's 集合, we did gadgeting and physical training. For the first part of gadgeting, we were supposed to build 3 structures in 3 different classrooms. However, we were only told to build 1 quadpod, 2 tripods and 2 A-架 in 10 minutes at first, and the Y4s told the PL the extra criteria to add on to complete the structure halfway through the activity. I felt that we could have had a better sense of urgency and complete our structure as fast as possible although the time given seemed quite long at first. Also, we could have taken care of our logistics better by shifting it nearer to a classroom so that there would be at least one person who can take care of the logistics instead of leaving it in its original position. From this activity, I learnt that although there might not be a lot of time given, we should still do our best and tie tight lashes and amend mistakes when we notice them although we might have felt that it is not as important during that time.

For the second part of gadgeting, we were supposed to build 2 structures and only the PL is allowed to see the proposal. Being the PL for that part, I felt that I could give clearer instructions as my patrol mates are not able to understand some of the instructions and quite some time was taken to get the information across. I learnt to think about the way I phrase the instructions so that there would be less confusion. Also, we could have cheered more to increase our patrol morale. From these 2 activities, I learnt how to communicate with my patrol mates better and how important it is to communicate efficiently. 

For physical training, we were split into 2 groups and we did physical activities like lunges and running along the corridor, jumping jacks, burpies, Kallang wave pumpings and leg raise to increase our stamina.

 

After PA, the guides 集合-ed at GSL before heading to the area outside MRL where we practised out footdrills by batches as Thinking Day is drawing near! We then 集合-ed together as a 团 and did footdrills as a whole. That wraps up last Friday’s 集合! Hope everyone had a fruitful session and Happy Chinese New Year!

Cheers,
Michelle
47^th Batch Secretary