Hello Guides!
On 25 January, the Year 2s and 3s had different activities. The Year 2s did creative gadgeting while the Year 3s had a combined 集合 with the Scouts!
Year 2s
Creative gadgeting
The Year 2s are to build 2 structures based on a given theme - Guiding. This will allow them to reflect on what Guiding means to them and their Guiding journey as whole. Whether the Year 2s want to split into their own teams is up to themselves. Creative gadgeting allows the Year 2s to engage their creativity as well as their gadgeting skills (ie how to increase stability, etc). It will also allow for some Year 2s to take the initiative to step up and lead their batch in building the structures. However, there is an added condition -- the Year 2s in a group will have to tie their wrists together.
Reflection by Year 2s:
Our batch were told to build a baggage rack. We had to standardise which 木 we were using throughout the 团. At first, there was some confusion as different groups used different 木 for A-架. Our 白绳 and some of the 木 got taken away by the seniors, as we did not take care of our logistics. After this incident, we learnt to 照顾好东西, as we need all the logistics to build the baggage rack. After building the baggage rack, I was more familiar which 木 is for which part of the structure and how to net. My lashes were tighter and I had a greater sense of urgency. Our seniors also told us which part were wrong with our structures, like where to tie the clove hitch and the type of 木. From today 集合, I learnt many hard skills and I am more confident about tying a baggage rack.
For standard gadgeting, we had to build a baggage rack and indoor fire altar. When we collected the logistics, it was very confusing in the 团部 as there was a lack of communication and we took lesser 木 than required. There were also a lot of people clustering in the 团部. We feel that we should have tried to communicate across the batch such that we will be able to collect the right amount of logistics and 集合 back in time. Afterwards, we had to build a baggage rack and indoor fire altar. We were a bit unsure on how to build the structures and which 木 we had to use for each part which resulted in my time extensions and weak lashes. At the end of the day, we were able to clarify our doubts on the structures and be mindful not to commit them again.
It was second 集合 of the year. First, we tried to practice building 2 common structures which are Baggage Rack and the indoor fire alter without the Year 3s. It was enriching as it helped us to recall how to tie the structures and learn to tie them for those who did not know how to. It was helpful as we Year 2s are going to have new Year 1s and not knowing all these basic skills will make us not be able to teach and lead the Year 1s properly. During the activity, we had to take the initiative to lead our batchmates and we also had to have a strong sense of urgency to make sure we will be able to complete the activity.
Team bonding activities
This series of activities will require the Year 2s to work together in order to accomplish the given tasks, thereby allowing for the development of communication across patrols and the building of trust amongst batchmates.
Daredevil: The Year 2s will compete against each other (P1 and P4 vs P2 and P5 vs P3 and P6), where one member of each group will be blindfolded. The blindfolded members are required to compete against each other to find an item and place them into the middle of the playing area while being instructed by their teammates. However, possession of the object will be lost and given to the other blindfolded member if the person holding the object drops it or is tapped on the shoulder by their competitor. The teammates are not allowed to tell the blindfolded member what object they are looking for, but are instead supposed to describe it. This allows for the Year 2s to work on their communication skills as well as the trust they have in their teammates. The losing teams will compete against the other losing teams and so on for the winning teams. The losing teams will have perform Maboleh in front of everybody else.
Scavenger Hunt: There will be 1 big picture that will be split into 10 smaller parts, which will then be cut up to form a puzzle. Each part of the puzzle will be hidden in locations around the school compound, and the Year 2s will have to solve Guides Code and answer the riddles in the given riddle sheet in order to obtain the locations. However, the Guides will discover that in order to form the picture, all of the patrols have to combine their puzzles, thereby increasing cooperation and communication across the batch.
1: Outside PAC (exit nearer to Y1 classrooms)
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“Concert”
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2: Old 团部
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“Our old home”
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3: GSL Level 2 (near benches)
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“Taking 集合 to the next level”
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4: Open Space at Block G Level 3
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“Big banners”
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5: Outside bookshop
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“Buy books”
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6: 团部
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“Shared with SJB”
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7: Locker room
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“Where to submit work”
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8: Podium
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“Where the 升旗手s go every morning”
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9: Backstore
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“Dead trees”
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10: Level 1 area outside MRL
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“Where to 集合 during OP”
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Riddle Sheet
Reflection by Year 2s:
Scavenger hunt was really fun and we learnt how to read the guides code as the clues were written using it. Through this game, we found that we are actually not really familiar with the guides code yet and I think this is one area to improve on. I feel that we have worked fast this time because we split the tasks between each patrol but we can still improve by 报时 more often. For our patrol, we only have one task and we finished quite early, so we started solving the other guides code and helping the other patrols to finish their tasks as well. In a nutshell, it was a enjoyable 集合 and we really look forward to having more activities like these.
Last Friday after gadgeting during 集合, we were split into our patrols and had to “hunt” for red packets that are hidden in different places around the school. We had to find the different places by using guide’s code and we felt that knowing guide’s code well is very important. Since everyone worked quickly and gathered at GSL before the designated time, we were able to piece the pictures together to form a Scouts and Guides picture and finish the task before the time given. We not only felt that this game was very exciting and fun, but we also felt that since we could work fast for this task, we should try our best and work even faster during normal 集合s so we would not 过时.
We played a fun activity called treasure hunt. We had to find our designated areas through guides codes and find for parts of a photo there. It was not stressful unlike the previous activity and it also allow us to communicate and be more bonded. After this 集合, I feel that it was a fun and good experience as it helped us recall what we have not been doing for quite a long time so that we will be prepared to teach and lead new Year 1s. Also, it helped improved our bond in the patrol as well.
Year 3s
The main objective of this 集合 was to improve communication between the Year 3 Scouts and Guides, hone their leadership skills and to allow them to revise their Camp Development(Camp D) skills.
The Year 3s have also been separated into 6 groups. Here are the allocations:
Group 1
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Group 2
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Group 3
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Group 4
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Group 5
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Group 6
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Xin Chen (IC)
Ethan Hoh
Brion
Yujie
Nicole (IC)
Iris
Si Qi
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Yu Han (IC)
Jared
Jun Hung
Boon Leong
Le Xin (IC)
Shayna
Charmaine
Kor Xuan
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Sean Chua (IC)
Dylan
Johnny
Jonathan
Li Wen (IC)
Rachelle
Yutong
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Kyan (IC)
Ezekiel
Victor
Qihan
Juin Ron
Klare (IC)
Heather
Jing Wen
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Jonas (IC)
Roi Tong
Wei Lun
Boon Kiat
Novelle (IC)
Willyn**
Yu Ning
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Sebestian (IC)
Ethan Sia
Ryan Tan
Shi Yu
Xin Wei (IC)
Elizabeth
Xi Yin
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Building of Kitchen Table
In this activity, the Year 3 Guides will be combining with the Year 3 Scouts to build a Kitchen Table. This will provide them with an opportunity to lead their peers before Patrol Leader Training Camp(PLTC) rolls around, as well as to ensure that they have the basic Camp D skills and pioneering knowledge.
Kitchen Table
Each group is also given a different set of logistics. In order to build the Kitchen Table, they will have to communicate with other groups and trade logistics to obtain the ones that they need.
Logistics list (per group):
Group
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Logistics
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Group 1
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6 红木
14 青木
4 白木
1 tableboard
Sufficient 麻绳
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Group 2
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2 红木
10 青木
2 白木
1 tableboard
Sufficient 麻绳
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Group 3
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4 红木
2 青木
No 白木
1 tableboard
Sufficient 麻绳
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Group 4
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6 红木
8 青木
No 白木
1 tableboard
Sufficient 麻绳
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Group 5
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10 红木
6 青木
2 白木
1 tableboard
Sufficient 麻绳
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Group 6
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2 红木
No 青木
4 白木
1 tableboard
Sufficient 麻绳
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Reflection by Year 3s:
During the first part of Friday’s combined 集合, we built a kitchen table in our patrols. Our logistics were split unevenly across the 6 patrols, so we were supposed to exchange 木 we needed with other patrols that had an excess of it. However, my patrol had most of the 木 we needed and did not take the initiative to ask around if other patrols needed it, and only exchanged them when others came to ask. We should have communicated better amongst patrols to see if anyone else needed the extra 木 that we had so we could all complete our KTs. Although we finished building the KT, we still had many areas for improvement, such as our sense of urgency being low, and we could have increased it by 报时-ing more often so we are all aware of how much time we have left, as we rushed many of the lashes during the last few minutes that we had received a time extension for. we should have 照顾好东西, as many items such as 麻绳 barrels were kapped by seniors and if we did not get them back, we would not have been able to complete the kitchen table. Despite the mistakes we had made, I am still glad we had this opportunity to improve on our communication and hard skills such as lash-tying during this activity, and I think we were motivated by the fact that we were able to complete our KT.
I was selected to be the IC for my group for the building of the Kitchen Table. Although at the start, I was not really leading the group with the other IC to build the KT and I was just building together along with my group mates, I am glad at the end, I managed to step up more as an IC by giving my group instructions to follow and cooperating with the other ICs. I feel that we still need to tie our lashes much faster and tighter because our structure was not in the best shape and it was rather loose. We also were not able to finish tying the seats. Our time could be managed better as for the first ten minutes, we barely got anything done due to some confusion with the other group.
Initially I was worried about combined 集合 with the Scouts as I didn't know any of them well and I didn't know if we would be able to communicate. We built a kitchen table in the first part of 集合 and I thought that it was good that we were able to complete the kitchen table even though some of our lashes were loose as some other patrols had not even finished yet. Although, there were some differences in how Scouts and Guides build a kitchen table, and the ICs were relatively quiet, it was good that our group managed to make a decision and completed it with some time to spare. I think that Friday's 集合 greatly changed my perspective of the Scouts and made me believe that I could possibly work well with them in the upcoming PLTC.
Mini Obstacle Journey
There will be 3 stations, where each station will test the Year 3s on different soft skills: perseverance, communication, and stress management, all of which are important soft skills needed to be a good leader in order to effectively lead others well.
Station allocations:
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Group 1
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Group 2
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Group 3
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Group 4
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Group 5
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Group 6
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Stations
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1, 2, 3
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1, 3, 2
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2, 1, 3
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2, 3, 1
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3, 1, 2
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3, 2, 1
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Station 1: Perseverance
This involves a “laser” maze made from raffia string. The patrol is required to go through the maze, and can only touch the string at most 5 times. The patrol with the least amount of time taken to go through the maze wins. Every patrol member is required to form a train where they would hold each other’s ankles. Out of the 6-8 members, half of the patrol cannot talk, so that the other members in front of them would not know if they are going too fast and the patrol would end up running into too many strings. Once the patrol hits 5 strings, they have to restart the maze. It would continue until either the time runs out or the patrol manages to reach the end. This teaches them perseverance as the patrol would likely run into the strings if they rush through the maze, and they have to push on and continue crawling through the maze even if it takes very long to do so in order to complete it. The Year 3s will also learn that anything can be accomplished if only they persevere to the end.
Success objective: The patrol is able to complete the maze without touching more than 5 of the raffia string. They may take a longer time but the people leading the crawl should be aware of the situation in order to complete the task at hand.
Layout of “laser” maze (not to scale)
Reflection by a Year 3:
For Station 1, two patrols were supposed to pass the maze of raffia strings in 18 minutes. Each patrol were not allowed to touch the strings more than five times. Initially, we were supposed to crawl underneath the string but afterwards, the seniors changed it to everyone holding an end of a string split to many parts and exiting the maze of strings. From this station, I learnt more about cooperation and coordination because we had to ensure that those ahead were not going too fast and wait for one another. In addition, we require communication so that we know who to step where to ensure a smoother and more successful trip. I felt that this station enabled us to bond more as scouts and guides because we needed to look out for one another and work together to complete the station.
Station 2: Communication
For this activity, 2 people can talk but cannot do anything, and they will be the ones in charge. 3 people can see but cannot talk, while 2-3 people can talk but cannot see. Those people who are able to tie lashes are supposed to team up, eg. 1 pair should include one person who can see and one person who can talk. They are required to complete a modified quadpod structure within the shortest time possible. This will be a competition against another patrol. The ICs are to remain calm even when they are unable to communicate directly with the patrol. Patrols will be given 5 minutes before the activity starts so that they can discuss their plan.
Success objective: Patrols are able to complete structures on time and communicated with one another while keeping to the rules of the game. They are able to come up with an effective communication system in the first 5 mins of discussion before the game starts.
Even though the activity may seem simple, communication is key. More time will be given to the patrols to evaluate their actions and decisions made during the activity.
Reflection by a Year 3:
This station was more interesting and challenging as people were given handicaps such as their inability to use 1 hand or talk. Especially since our patrol had a greater lack of manpower, it was even more important that we delegate the tasks efficiently and allocate manpower appropriately. For example, people who were unable to talk could tie the lashes, while people who only could use 1 hand helped to 顶 the structure. As a result, we managed to build the structure as efficiently as the other team, who had a greater manpower than us, and I realised that the allocation of manpower was indeed crucial in doing tasks more efficiently under a time limit.
Station 3: Leadership
The main objective of this activity is for the Patrol Leader(PL) to be able to handle the stresses of coordinating multiple tasks at a time. This activity is to put the whole patrol’s communication into use. For the PL, communication is necessary as only one set of instructions will be given at any time. For the members, they are to help the PL figure out what they are building and discuss amongst themselves as to how they are to complete the task given.
Success Criteria: PL is able to handle the stress when they do not put any unnecessary stress on the members and constantly motivate their patrol. For the members, they are to give as many suggestions and ideas as possible, demonstrating their communication skills.
Rules:
Only PLs will receive 1 piece of instruction every 2 minutes.
Nobody is allowed to ask for clues about the structure.
Members are to keep track of time.
HAVE FUN!!!
Gateway
Reflection by a Year 3:
For station three, we built an improvised quadpod structure. Our lashes were also not tight enough and we could have improved on our communication as well as improve our sense of urgency as we had overrun and it lead to having time constraint and unable to finish the last station. I think that we managed to speed up a bit at the end as we were able to 拆掉 fairly quickly. We were able to cooperate with the scouts quite well and were able to become more bonded as a batch. I felt that it also helped me develop my leadership skills and try to work better together.
Hope that the Year 3s learnt a lot and improved from this 集合!
Published by:
Hoong Yu Ning
50th Batch Secretary
