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2 August 2018

Skills Training, 20 July 2018

Hello Guides!


For this 集合, we had skills training for the Year 1s and 2s, with the objective of letting the Year 1s and 2s practice building a standard kitchen shelter or kitchen table, promoting bonding between the Year 1 and 2 batches and allowing the Year 1s and 2s to experience working with one another.


There was a photo taking session scheduled on this day, so activities were planned around the scheduled timing. First, there were station games, followed by the photo taking and lastly the building of a standard kitchen shelter.


Station Games


For these station games, the Year 1s and 2s were split into their respective batches, then into their patrols, to play the station games. The top 2 patrols, determined by the combined score of  the Year 1s and Year 2s in the patrol, were awarded drinks and snacks after the end of all the other activities.


The scoring system is as follows:


Placing
Points awarded
1st
10
2nd
8
3rd
6
4th
4
5th
2
6th
0

Mission
Description
Level 3
Throw ping pong ball into a cup 1m away
Level 4
Answer a math question
Level 5
Balance a can on its side
Level 6
Blow a tissue and make it stay in the air for 30 seconds


Station 1:


In this station, the Year 1s or Year 2s were to race against other patrols to complete the relay race from level 3 to 6 in block F. When playing this station, any patrol with fewer members could choose patrol members to go for two missions such that there would be an equal number of rounds played across the patrols. To play this station, each patrol member would stand at the stairs of the designated floor, from the 3rd floor to the 6th floor. During their turn, the patrol member would run one round around the designated floor, complete the given mission, then proceed to the next floor so that the next person could start. The first patrol to complete the mission on the 6th floor would win.









Station 2:


In this station, the Year 1s or Year 2s were each given a paper bracelet to wear on their wrists and had to group up within their patrols in twos or threes. To eliminate other people, they had to successfully tear the opponent’s paper bracelets. Once the pair’s bracelet is torn, the pair would proceed to 集合 first. The patrol with the most number of intact paper bracelets remaining at the end of 15 minutes would win.


Reflection by Year 2s:


Station 2 was a game where we had to pair in twos and threes and wear a paper bracelet. The objective of the game was to rip off the other patrol’s bracelet while protecting our own. The required teamwork and good communication between the pair and the patrol. It also required good strategic thinking and fast reactions in order to stay in the game. Some patrols also formed alliances with others to defeat a common opponent but in the end they also had to fight each other. The game was really fun and interactive and also helped bonding among the patrol members. There were many creative ways that the patrols came up with to protect their bracelet and defeat others. For example, some held hands tightly and hid them behind their backs or in between them. It was also physically draining as we had to run up and down several levels to escape our seniors and batchmates. It was an intense and interesting game as we watched the last few players rip off each others bracelet. The game reached a climax when there were only 2 pairs left in the game. To everyone’s surprise, they ripped off each others bracelet at the same time thus ending the game as equals. Overall, it was a fun station that had a simple concept but lots of learning points.


For this 集合, we started with playing batch games for stations 1 and 2. Station 2 was played in our own patrols and we had to have our hands linked by paper bracelets. My patrol had 3 Year 2s, so it was tougher than having 2 pairs because of coordination, and our patrol only had 1 chance because when 1 of them is broken, all 3 of us are out of the game. Only around 1 minute into the game, while I was checking the left hand side and thought the coast was clear, another patrol sneaked up on us from behind and attempted to break our bracelet. I tried to press down on the bracelet so that it would be harder for the other patrol to break it. However, sadly, in the end they managed to break our bracelet. We had to sit out of the game and we got the chance to observe the game. Some patrols had an alliance with others, and they cornered 1 patrol and worked together to eliminate that patrol. Some patrols also hid their hands behind them so that it was harder for the opponents to break their bracelet. From this station, I learnt that this station was all about planning; who to eliminate first, who to have an alliance with. It also tests us on our teamwork and cooperation within our patrol and other patrols too. Although my patrol mates and I didn't get to play much of this station, it was rather intense and exciting.








Station 3:


This was a mass station, where the Year 1s and 2s were competing against other patrols. The playing area was marked out by masking tape. All patrols were to enter the area at the same time. To play the game, the Year 1s and 2s will hop on one leg and attempt to eliminate people of another patrol. The Year 1s and 2s would be eliminated from the game when they exited the playing area or when they put down their foot on the ground. At the end of the allocated timing (minimum 7 minutes, maximum 15 minutes), the patrol with the most number of people left would win. The Year 3s were to overlook the game with the station masters by standing around the playing area to ensure everyone’s safety and that no one was cheating.


Reflection from a Year 2:
Station three had been a mass game, which had been among the Year one and Year two batches. The game we played had been ‘chicken fight’ and in the first round, we were not very enthusiastic, standing and not taking the initiative to move towards others which ended up as everyone waiting for each other and nobody approaching, letting the game come to a standstill. The second round had been an improvement as many more people had taken the initiative to move towards others unlike the earlier round. The third round was when our seniors could join in. I feel that this activity was good in letting us bond more as a 团 as we also mingled with juniors from other patrols and got to know them better, and that we could have improved on some areas like being more enthusiastic, taking more initiative as well as cheering and 报时ing more often after we had been eliminated. Station three could also improve teamwork as many of us had thought of the idea of helping to support each other by linking arms in order to not lose balance, as if they lost balance and stood with both feet on the ground, they would be eliminated.






After the station games was a mass change into the Guides Uniform, followed by an attire check and the photo taking session. Afterwards, the Year 1s and Year 2s had to mass change back into their PE attire for the next activity.


Building of Kitchen Shelter/Kitchen Table


The Year 1s and 2s were then split into 4 groups to build 4 standard kitchen shelters (dry weather) or kitchen tables (wet weather), and were given a time limit to finish the task.


Kitchen Shelter



Kitchen Table


Reflection from Year 2s:


During Friday’s 集合, we were split into 4 groups to build 4 kitchen shelters. As it was our first time with the Year 2s in charge of the Year 1s, we were sometimes unsure about how to instruct the Year 1s and manage our time properly. We were not familiar with the spars used for the kitchen shelter and the details to take note of, so there were times when we had to retie the lashes. For example, we did not remember to tie a 八字结 to the spar, which wasted our time. We did not allocate manpower properly, so there were many people who did not have tasks to complete. As a result of our poor time management and not asking for time extension, we 过时 and had to 拆掉 three of the kitchen shelters and finish one. We did forfeits as we were not up to standard and the expectations, and we reflected on our actions and shortcomings. We realised that we should have had a better sense of urgency and allocated manpower properly as well as to teach our Year 1s the basic guidelines and structure of the kitchen shelter. We felt very disappointed in our speed and efficiency while building the kitchen shelter, and I felt like I had let the seniors down and we should have been more responsible seniors towards the Year 1s. As a Year 2, I felt that I could have taught my juniors better and gave them a task instead of letting them do nothing. We took this as a lesson to learn from and realised our faults and things to take note and improve on, so we can raise our standard as a batch and teach our Year 1s well.


Last Friday, we had our first 集合 planned by our Year 3s. After some station games and mass change, we had to build a kitchen shelter. One thing I was thankful for the Year 3s was the fact that they had prepared most of the logistics for us already. The only things we need to take were the metal mallets and spars. I found it really nice that the Year 3s still did their best to help us in any way possible. When building the kitchen shelter, I felt that I should have been more familiarised with the structure, seeing as I had built it in the past with my seniors guiding me. In addition, I personally think I could have a better sense of urgency and should have tied my lashes faster and tighter. I could have taken more initiative in helping my patrol (the one the Year 3s assigned us to). During 拆掉, I could have been more aware of my surroundings and have more initiative to bring back the items instead of just 收ing 麻绳. After everything, the seniors gave us some forfeits for over running and not asking for time extension. From this 集合, I realised I have still quite some things to work on to be a better Guide, patrolmate and batchmate. I hope I will improve and do better in the subsequent 集合s.












Hope that this 集合 let everyone have fun and learn more things!


Published by:
Yu Ning
50th Batch Secretary

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