Combined Activity with Scouts, 1st April

Hi Guides! How have you been? Last Saturday, we had a combined 集合 with the scouts, who are the equivalent of a brother CCA to Girl Guides. It was almost the first of its kind in a really long time, and the reason for this activity was to strengthen the bonds between Scouts and Guides, so as to forge bonds between us which would greatly aid us in future activities since our CCAs have to work together rather often (e.g. Patrol Leader Training Camp, PLTC). Now, let me share with you what we had planned for Saturday, and some reflections from the juniors on how the activity was for them.

Station 1:

The two patrols would be mixed and split into two groups, and this would be done through the patrols picking small slips of paper labelled ‘1’ and ‘2’. The Scouts and Guides patrol would pick from a different set of paper slips to ensure that the Scouts and Guides are split equally between the two groups. Each group should have at least 1 Year 4.

Treasure Hunt:

The two groups would be tasked to find slips of paper with riddles/questions on them. Group 1 would find slips of paper that are green while Group 2 would find slips of paper that are blue. They would then have to solve the riddles/questions. On each slip of paper containing the riddles/questions, there would be lines drawn at the bottom (like hangman), showing the number of letters of the answer. One of the lines would be underlined in blue or red, while the rest are in black. The letters in which falls on the blue or red line would have to be unscramble to form the words COURAGE (blue) and CHEERFULNESS (red). Both patrols would be given a pen and a piece of paper each for working. The answers to the riddles/questions should also be written on this piece of paper for the tabulation of scores (later on if necessary). The patrols will 集合 back after 17 minutes, regardless on whether they have finishing unscrambling or solving the riddles/questions (no time extension would be given) Should any group finish before the 17 minutes is up and are very confident of their answers, they would tell the answers to the station masters to check. If they are correct, they would be the winning group. If they are wrong, they would have to do a forfeit (chicken dance) before continuing. 

Special Rules:

• Should any group find the riddle/question slips of the other groups, they may choose to move them to a more hidden position. The new position should still be accessible for the other group. They are not allowed to keep the riddle/questions of the other groups
• Each team is entitled to ask the station masters for hints (up to 3 times), but in order to do so, the the entire group must jump across a skipping rope (麻绳) 7 times together, with 2 group members holding the rope. The hint given will be to a question/riddle the group has not answer, but the group would not be allowed to choose which question/riddle
• After the 17 minutes is up, the station masters would ask for the final answers from each group and the group with more correct answers (COURAGE and CHEERFULNESS) would be the winner. If both groups are unable to get either COURAGE or CHEERFULNESS, the group with more correct answers for the riddles/questions would win.
• The winning group would be allowed to assign a forfeit for the losing group, and the losing group would have to carry out the forfeit.

Riddles/Questions:

COURAGE

Letter	Question	Answer
C	You throw away the outside and cook the inside. Then you eat the outside and throw away the inside. What did you eat?	CORN
O	What is the name of Doraemon’s younger sister?	DORAMI
U	What a ghost’s favourite fruit?	BLUEBERRIES (boo-berries)
R	What word describes a man who does not have all his fingers on one hand?	NORMAL
A	What does ‘hypy’ mean? (Hint: Chinese)	HAN YU PIN YIN
G	One day a little boy named John went over to his parents and said that he wanted to shoot people and blow them up. His parents were really proud of his career choice. What does John want to do?	(to become a) PHOTOGRAPHER
E	What is easy to get into but hard to get out of?	TROUBLE

CHEERFULNESS

C	What gets whiter the dirtier it gets?	CHALKBOARD
H	You will always find me in the past. I can be created in the present, But the future can never taint me. What am I?	HISTORY
E	I have an eye but cannot see. I’m faster than any man alive and have no limbs. What am I?	HURRICANE
E	What is the name of Dora’s cousin?	DIEGO
R	Which MRT station is CC26?	PASIR PANJANG
F	Walk on the living, they don’t even mumble. Walk on the dead, they mutter and grumble	FALLEN LEAVES
U	What has no end, no beginning and no middle?	DOUGHNUT
L	Who is he? (hint: disney character)	SYLVESTER SHYSTER
N	Complete the lyrics: It's a brand new day a brand new story I remembered the way it used to be We've come so far You're my history you're my beginning In all I've done I've been ________ in your arms And you carried me this far (Hint: NDP Song)	NURTURED
E	Complete the Guide Law: “A Guide Is thrifty and ________.”	DILIGENT
S	“The secret in education lies in __________ the student.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson	RESPECTING
S	Which element has the atomic number 47?	SILVER

Thoughts from a Year 3…

For the first station, our 2 patrols were split into 2 groups. One was supposed to find green notes while the other was supposed to find blue notes. The notes had riddles for us to guess with the number of letters of the answers given. One letter of every answer was highlighted and when we found the answer to everything, we were supposed to construct a word out of the letters. In the end, though we got help from the station masters, none of the groups managed to solve all the riddles. We also 过时-ed by a few seconds though we did ask for time extension before. The group which was supposed to find blue notes solved fewer riddles and ended up having to sing the school song twice while running around the block. For this station, I believe my group could have had more sense of urgency as we 过时-ed. We could also have been more observant when searching for the notes to increase efficiency. Personally, I could train my stamina when squatting more as we were asked to treat this station as normal 集合 and were not allowed to sit. Overall, I believe the people in my patrol have not only learnt how to work better with the scouts, but has also learnt more about thinking to solve problems as we more often than not memorise and recall to solve problems such as when we tie structures.

Station 2:

The Scouts and Guides will be given 1 minute to pair themselves up. We will assign them at different stations  around Level 3 Block G and Block F. Each pair will have to tie themselves to each other at hand and leg, and will be given an egg. Meanwhile, the logistics they have listed out will be scattered and strewn all over the floor. 

Relay Game 

A pair will be chosen to start. They will be given an egg tray and have to make their way to the first station. On the way there, they will have to pick up all the logistics strewn on the floor whilst carrying the egg tray. Optimally, they do not drop anything .Upon arrival at the first station, the pair will tie their hands and legs  to the pair at the station. The egg that the pair have will be put in the egg tray and the four of them will  proceed towards the next pair at the next station while retrieving the logistics on the floor and carrying the egg tray. They have to repeat the process until they have passed the last station and made their way to the finish line. By the time they reach the finish line, all members of the two patrols would have been tied together and all the logistics have been retrieved. Optimally, none of the eggs will be broken however in the event of any eggcidents, both patrols have to do two rounds of chicken dance for every egg broken.

Thoughts from a Year 3…

At Station 2, we had a really fun time. At first, we had been tasked to memorise as many logistics as possible in the classroom. It was rather hard as there were many things that we could choose to remember. After that, we paired up and went in search of the 麻绳 to tie our hands together with our partners. We were then instructed that we were supposed to meet up with each pair while following the trail. It was very interesting and funny to watch the previous pairs lugging around all the logistics that we had memorised and listed to the station master before they reached where my pair had been waiting. At that time, one of us had a brainwave and decided to pile all the other logistics that collected into the canvas sheet that had been in the area my pair had been waiting. After the whole 'ordeal', all of us had been laughing rather helplessly. We truly enjoyed this station.

Station 3: Capture the Flag

Rules: 

1. Flags must be put near one another, must be at least slightly visible.
2. One Scout and One Guide must have their wrist tied together(In the case that there is not enough Scouts/Guides to pair, the remaining Scouts/Guides will form trios with another pair).
3. To capture the flag, the Scout/Guide pair will have to bring it back to their designated “base” and the Scout must recite 3 Guide laws whilst the Guide must recite 3 Scout laws.
   

How the activity goes:

The Guides and Scouts will be split into 2 equal teams of Scouts and Guides mixed in each team, and then be allowed to strategise for 5 minutes. Each team will be given 3 flags, and they can hide or place them anywhere as long as they are within their designated area(their base). During the planning phase, they will be given 白绳 to tie their wrists together(One scout and One guide pair). After 5 minutes, the official game begins. The team that captures all 3 flags / the team that captures the most flags at the end of 20 minutes wins the game.

Thoughts from a Year 3…

For Station 3, what we did was to play Capture the Flag, but with a twist! Basically, there would be two groups at any point in time and the two groups would be given 3 flags each. Each scout's wrist would be ties to one of two guides' wrist. Each group had to hide their own flags within their own territory and try to find the other's team flags. Once we were able to successfully capture any flag back into our territory, the scout would have to recite 3 Guide Laws and the guide would have to recite 3 Scout Laws. I found this station very fun and interesting as  we got to know our scout counterparts better. Also, as quite a competitive person, I found this game very fun as it has a really cool concept and encouraged competition between the two groups. Being determined to win motivated us to participate more actively and therefore made the game super enjoyable :) I look forward to more 集合s where we can have a more relaxed time just getting to know one another, be it from our own CCA or scouts. I would like to thank those who planned these activities and stations they were really very fun and enjoyable :) 

Station 4:

Instructions of Game: 

Many spars are strewn all over the floor, and within a certain time limit, patrols are supposed to try and gather as many spars as possible. During this activity, some patrol members will be blindfolded, while others are not allowed to speak so as to increase the challenge. After gathering the spars, patrols are supposed to lay out their spars in any manner they want to create a maze which the opposing patrol would walk through afterwards. The maze should be built as complex as possible in order to confuse the other patrol. The patrol who finishes the maze first wins the game.

Thoughts from a Year 3…

For station 4, we had to work with the scouts to create a maze for the opposing team to navigate through. It was something that we had never done but nonetheless, it was a great first experience.  Some members of our group were blindfolded while others were not allowed to speak. I felt that it was a great learning opportunity for many of us to speak up and lead by giving the rest instructions on what logistics to take especially since our patrol leader was the one that was unable to talk. Having patrol mates that were blindfolded added to the challenge but I felt that it really taught us to take care of our group mates so that they would not be left alone. Walking through the maze blindfolded was also not easy especially since we were all trying to navigate our way to the end faster than the other group but it definitely taught me to trust my patrol mates and have greater confidence in them. Working with the scouts throughout this activity was something new but it was a great opportunity for all of us to bond and learn to work together as one all while learning more about each others CCA. All in all, even though we did not win, I enjoyed this station as we forged many new memories together.

Station 5:

Crisis

Station masters to mix the Scout and Guide patrol into 2 patrols, and allocate each patrol as the human patrol and zombie patrol. The human patrol has to escape to a nearby cliff to escape the zombies. However, one of the patrol member was bitten on the leg by one of the zombies, and was unable to walk any further. The human patrol will have to build a carriage to carry their injured friend to the cliff, where they will then jump off and escape the zombies. (The suggested solution will be that the patrol should not elevate the injured patrol member’s legs as it will allow the virus to flow to his brain more quickly, which will cause him to turn into a zombie.) However, the zombies themselves do not escape uninjured. In midst of the conflict with the human patrol, a zombie was slashed on the leg by a human. The zombies, being the social creatures they are, decide to bring him along in their pursuit of the humans. Seeing that the humans have decided to build a carriage, they learn from them and decide to build the same carriage to transport their injured comrade. Should patrols not be able to come up with a design for the carriage, they have the option to solve a riddle, which upon solving will grant them the blueprints to construct a tested carriage that will be able to take them all safely to the cliff. While a few of the patrol members are busy constructing the carriage, the zombies launch in all out attack on the humans, especially the injured ones. They play a game of “hit the king” in an attempt to get their hands on the humans. The game lasts until one patrol has completed the construction of the carriage. If the humans win, they carry their injured comrade to the cliff, constructing something to climb up the cliff before jumping down to safety. The zombies then have lost and continue to tie their carriage and get to the cliff, before making a valiant effort to capture the humans and jumping into the abyss below. If the zombies win, the injured member is immediately captured, the remaining complete their carriage and flee to the cliff, only to be slowly bitten and infected as they jump off the cliff, turning into zombies as they hit the deep waters below.

Hit the “King”

How to play: The two patrols will have to assign one patrol member to be the “king”, and they would have to protect him/her. However, once the “king” is eliminated, the patrol will lose immediately. The playing area will be segregated into various sections, with the deepest section limited to the king to be situated at. There will be 5 other playing areas, each of a different distance from the king’s area. A player is considered to have been eliminated when they are hit by the ball. When 2 opponents are eliminated, the patrol members are able to advance one playing area closer towards the opponent’s king’s area. Eliminated members are to perform forfeits before being able to return to build the carriage or the game.

Forfeit

Human patrol: Hit the “King”

• Zombie walk up and down basketball court twice
• Proceed to construct carriage until new turn available to return to the game

Zombie patrol:

• Do the zombie dance
• Proceed to construct carriage until new turn available to return to the game

Storyline:

Zombies:

Welcome to station 5, my undead friends. Your mission today will be to hunt down an injured human from the other patrol that one of you have so brutally wounded. Unfortunately for you guys, one of you was injured in an encounter with a human being and are no longer able to walk on your own. You guys notice that the humans have begun to construct a carriage to carry their injured comrade, and thus you decide to build a carriage as well to carry your injured friend a continue your pursuit of the humans.

Humans:

Welcome to station 5, friends. The zombies are out hunting for you guys today and all of you must try to escape from them. Unfortunately for you guys, one of you was bitten on the leg by a zombie, and it is only a matter of time before he turns into one. Unless, you take him to the cliff to get the antidote of course. You’re in luck however, because the cliff also happens to be your safe haven from the zombies. All you have to do, is build a carriage to transport your injured member to the cliff.

Both:

(AT AREA OUTSIDE HOSTEL) You will have 2 minutes to brainstorm for the design of the structure you want to build in order to transport your injured patrol member safely. However, if you are unable to come up with a design, you can obtain a blueprint of a tested structure from us after you solve a riddle. While 3 people from each patrol will have to build the carriage, the rest of the patrol will play a game of Hit the “King”. Each patrol will have to assign one patrol member to be the “king”, and the patrol would have to protect him/her. However, once the “king” is eliminated, the patrol will immediately lose. You will be considered to be eliminated when you are hit by the ball. When 2 opponents are eliminated, you all will be able to advance one playing area closer towards the opponent’s king’s area. Eliminated members are to perform forfeits before being able to return to build the carriage or the game. The team that finishes their carriage and manage to eliminate the opponent’s king first will be able to proceed to the cliff first, while the other team will need to carry out a forfeit before proceeding to the cliff.

(AT FITNESS CORNER) You all will now need to build some steps to ascend the cliff.

Riddles:

• A Nazi German bomber plane was flying over Germany to bomb London during World War II. With a loud battle cry the pilot of the plane opened the bomb compartment on the plane. However, the bomb never did leave the plane, yet the pilot was not surprised at all. Why is this so? The plane was flying upside down.
• Brothers and sisters I have none but this man's father is my father's son. Who is the man? The man is my son.
• What is greater than God, more evil than the devil, the poor have it, the rich need it, and if you eat it, you'll die? Nothing
• What has a head, a tail, but no body? A coin
• What is harder to catch the faster you run? Your breath
• If you have me, you want to share me. If you share me, you don’t have me. What am I? A secret
• What is at the end of a rainbow? The letter “W”
• Where do fish keep their money? Riverbank
• What occurs once in every minute, twice in every moment, yet never in a thousand years? The letter “m”
• What disappears the moment you say its name? SilenceWhat type of house weighs the least? A lighthouse

Thoughts from a Year 3…

We felt that station 5 is the most fun station as we get to play dodge ball, tie a structure, and jump off the “cliff”. It is very interesting as it also tested on our skill to think on the spot to tie a carrier for the injured person which is similar to Orientation Journey (OJ). The structure for the cliff is also very cool as we have never seen it before. It was very interesting especially with the innovative story line of like zombies and humans. The activity initiated bonding between scouts and guides as we had to work together in our groups to build the structure within 10 minutes. It was also very cool to jump into the water filled canvas sheet. Overall, I really enjoyed this station as it incorporated many new and fun elements as well as basic skills into one.

Station 6: Ball Transfer

How to play: 

1. The patrols will be split into two teams with an equal mix of Scouts and Guides. They will be given 5 minutes to strategize before the game begins. Two person will be selected as PL and APL and only they can talk. New PL/APL will be selected for each obstacle. (*note: choose the quieter ones)

2. Ball pit. From a single pit, the two teams will be given 1 minute to pick tennis balls from the pit. Each ball carries 10 points and different instructions, which will have to be followed by the team. However, the members have to stand half a metre away from the edge of the ball pit (the groundsheet). They are however able to use the provided logistics to aid them in taking the balls. [See Ball Pit drawing]

3. Ball slide. With the balls the team collected, each team would have to transfer it on a slide that has holes (garbage bag with holes). They have to successfully roll the ball from the top of the slide to the bottom. They are to stand on either side behind the masking tape line and on designated points (which will be marked by an ‘X’), with the slide in between them. Each member is only allowed to hold onto a portion of the slide (which will be marked) and cannot move away from their standing point. Each ball is only allowed to drop through the hole and onto the ground twice (unless otherwise stated on the instruction that comes with the balls). If the ball drops onto the ground, the team would have to place the ball at the top of the slide and start over again. If the ball drops onto the ground more than the times than stated on it, the ball would be confiscated. [See Ball Slide drawing]

4. Minefield. Next, the remaining balls will have to travel through a minefield (which would be marked with a grid). The team is not allowed onto the grid, and only two member can stand at the ends of each row or column, with one at each end. Using bucket with 4 麻绳(one pair as Y-axis and one pair as X-axis), the team is required to move the bucket containing a ball through a pre-designated route. The members are not allowed to walk to move the bucket, but instead have to pass the 麻绳 to adjacent team members. If the bucket touches the ground or drops, the whole process has to repeated from the starting point of the route. [See Minefield drawing] 

5. The team with the most points (aka tennis balls) at the end wins.  

Ball Pit

Ball Slide

Minefield

Thoughts from a Year 3…

This station aimed to test our communication and teamwork. My team took as many balls as we could using the gadget poles, while the rest distracted the other team. I felt that this was a good strategy to enable our team to get more balls. Next, we had to roll all the balls that we had collected down a garbage bag with holes, which would be held up in position by our team members. We had to minimise the number of balls that fell through the holes. After a few tries, we decided to let the people who were successful in rolling a ball down, to continue. This would prevent the additional wastage of time. Then, we had to tie our hands together with another person, and complete the passing of the bucket of balls. I felt that this was a challenge as the hands of both parties would have to be in sync, or it could cause discomfort and restriction of movement. When the bucket was being passed, all of us were alert and ready to step forward should anything happen. There was once when the bucket was on the verge of slipping from our fingertips. However, a team member with longer arms stepped out to help the bucket regain its balance. I felt that this was a good point being demonstrated, as our members took the initiative to help others. In the end, our team won as we had completed the passing quickly and successfully.

And that’s all! It was truly a fun and memorable combined 集合, and we definitely hope to be able to see more of such activities! :-)

Published by:

Chen Wei

48th Batch Secretary