Hi Guides!
To start of the new school year, the Year 1 CCA Exhibition was held on 9 January 2024. The aim of the exhibtion was to showcase what we did as Guides, and together with the scouts, attract as many Year 1s as possible to join our CCA. For 2024, the theme was "Nostalgia", where the exhibtions would help the Year 1s to reminisce about their childhood. Since Guides is a CCA where we are allowed to constantly unleash our creativity and have fun, it is closely related to what people would usually associate with one's childhood. During OP '24, Guides were split into different committees, where they played different but all inmportant roles in helping to make OP '24 a great success!
Creative Pioneering:
This year, to fit to the theme of Nostalgia, the Creative Pioneering committee built a playground, a safe and fun place for children to make fond memories.
Reflection from a Year 2 in Creative Pioneering:
During Orientation Preparation, I was assigned to the Creative Pioneering group. We were tasked to build a playground. As it was my first Orientation Preparation in Guides, I knew that I had to make a good impression for the Year 1s. This way, we could recruit more Year 1s to join Guides by appealing and enticing them with our structures! In the first session, we had to build the frames for the playground. I felt that the quality of our lashes could be improved. As our lashes were not tight enough, we had to constantly 重抽 our lashes. This led to us asking for several time extensions. The building of the frames has given me a better understanding of the phrase “Do it once, do it right”. In the future, I will ensure that my lashes are up to standard so that we would not have to 重抽 our lashes so many times. In addition, I was unfamiliar with how the structure would look when we built it as the initial plan was changed multiple times and we could no longer follow the initial drawing given to us. Hence, I was a little lost. However, I asked the ICs and seniors what to do, and they gave me instructions to follow accordingly. Lastly, I feel that we could have 报时-ed more often. This would allow us to know how much time is left so we can work faster. In the second-last session, we improved. There were fewer mistakes and loose lashes. As I was more familiar with the structure since I had experience building it, I felt that I was better able to help out with the building of the playground. However, I feel that we could have 报时 more often as our sense of urgency decreased as the day went on. On the last day of OP, we successfully built the final playground in time for the Y1s to see our final work. I felt that we had significantly improved since the first day of OP. I learnt a lot from my seniors, as well as my groupmates. This valuable experience would definitely aid me in my journey in Guides.
Reflection from a Year 3 in Creative Pioneering:
For Orientation Preparation (OP) this year, I was assigned to Creative Pioneering (CP). It was a genuinely memorable and fun experience for me as I got the chance to form bonds with my batchmates, seniors, and committee members over the course of the four OP sessions. OP is one of the few events where Guides and Scouts have combined sessions and it definitely was a cool experience getting to work with Scouts, especially since my batchmates and I will soon be going through the Patrol Leaders Training Camp (PLTC). For OP’24, CP made a playground that consisted of a slide, a swing, a ladder, and a box tower. The box tower provided a platform for us to climb onto, and one of me and my batchmates' favourite parts of OP was getting to get onto the second level of our structure as we would typically not be allowed to get onto such structures as it may be dangerous. Throughout OP, I think my hard skills definitely improved and my lashes became tighter. Additionally, since we had to work in bigger groups, we learnt to communicate better. Across the four OP sessions, my committee’s sense of urgency became quicker as we got more comfortable with each other and began to work better together. During the first OP session, we worked really slowly and without a sense of urgency and it could have been because of the fact that we had not done any gadgeting or pioneering for the previous month or two. Thus, during the first session, we were unable to complete our entire structure and were punished with forfeits. However, after the first OP session, we began to work more efficiently and managed to complete our tasks! The improvement from the first to the last OP was a sight to see and it definitely made me proud to be in CP. This OP, I was really glad to be in CP as I got to have the opportunity to build such an amazing structure with my CCA mates. It is a memory that I will treasure forever.
The Gateway committee also built a gateway that stood outside the library, keeping to traditions. This year, the Guides and Scouts flags were also raised on the gateway.
Reflection from a Year 2 in Gateway:
Orientation Preparation (OP) was a good learning experience. During OP we could learn how to work with one another in the 团 and with the Scouts better. We were able to learn how to better collaborate and communicate with one another and the Scouts. It was also helpful in learning what we can improve on before the new Year 1s arrive so that we can be better role models and set a good example for them. During OP we had to be constantly reminded to 报时 so I think that we can improve on that. We need to take constantly 报时 to keep track of the time and ensure that we do not 过时. We also did not cheer much so we could try cheering more to boost the morale. I realised that I have to improve on the amount of time taken for me to tie each lash and that I have to 抽 tighter and continue to hold tension to ensure that my lash is tight and the frapping does not overlap. When we 顶 the structure, we must ensure that we 顶 properly so that the structure does not slant to one side or fall. I also learnt that I have to ask the In-Charges what I can do or check for loose lashes to 重抽 or tuck in 鸟绳 to make it look neater. Taking note of protrusion is also important in making the structure look neater. We were also able to work with other Guides that are not in our patrol and we were able to grow closer to one another by developing a better understanding of one another. In conclusion, OP was a good opportunity for us to see what we need to work on, such as the tightness of our lashes and the time taken to tie each of our lashes, for us to improve.
Reflection from a Year 3 in Gateway:
During Orientation Preparation (OP), we were able to work together with other Guides in the 团 and the Scouts to build a gateway, which was a good learning opportunity for us. By the end of OP, I improved on many skills such as communication, teamwork, and the tying of lashes. However, there were still many areas for improvement throughout the sessions of OP. During the first OP session, we had a poor sense of urgency and thus took a longer time to complete the tasks given to us. Additionally, our lashes were not up to standard and hence we had to spend more time 重抽-ing them. Despite slightly improving on these aspects in the following sessions, we still had to be reminded to 报时 constantly. All in all, through the OP sessions, we still needed much improvement. We should have had a better sense of urgency in order to complete our gateway faster and tied better quality lashes to reduce the time spent on just 重抽-ing. Moreover, we should have 报时-ed more without the reminders from our seniors and taken more initiative, especially for things like cheering to boost our morale. The OP sessions allowed me to improve on my hard skills, such as tying lashes quickly within the standard timing and tying them tightly without having to 重抽 multiple times. I was also able to get to know other Guides and Scouts better which will be beneficial as we will have to work together more in the future. Lastly, communication was an important skill I improved on as the gateway was a big structure which required much coordination. Even simple tasks like 顶-ing the structure had to be heavily coordinated, thus communication was very important and I was able to learn how to communicate efficiently and effectively to complete tasks given better. By the end of OP, we were able to complete the gateway and display a structure that we were proud of to the Year 1s.
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Performance:
This year, the Performance committee put up an extremely cool performance while performing Fireman's Ladder and 绳桥, impressing many Year 1s.
Reflection from a Year 2 in Performance;
Orientation Preparation was a fulfilling and very fun experience for me. We got to work with seniors and batchmates from different patrols and also with the Scouts, and I think that through OP, I forged a better bond with everyone in my committee, with my batchmates as well as my seniors. I was put into the performance committee, and we were going to be performing 绳桥 and Fireman's Ladder (云梯). Firstly, I got to successfully climb 绳桥 for the first time. However, I did not manage to succeed in doing the Fireman's ladder as I was a little scared, but I hope that I can have enough courage to flip on the Fireman's ladder in the next OP. Together with the help of our alumni and seniors, I learnt how to build a 绳桥 the seniors also gave us useful tips on the building of the 绳桥, as well as tips for the performance itself, like how to slide on the mats and place the 绳桥 most efficiently. The seniors were also very encouraging towards us and gave us a lot of feedback to help us improve on our techniques (building the structure, turning during 绳桥, etc). I think that there were some preparation sessions where we were a little relaxed and could improve our sense of urgency. I also realised that 顶-ing the structure is extremely important as if we don't 顶 the structure properly, it will be risky and dangerous for the person that is climbing the structure. I am very grateful to the seniors for guiding us, as well as my comm-mates for cheering and keeping our morale high during the OP preparations. Overall, I had a lot of fun during OP and hope that next year, we can do even better.
Reflection from a Year 3 in Performance:
As part of Orientation Preparation (OP), the Performance committee’s main objective was to perfect our sequences for the Fireman’s Ladder (FML, also known as 云梯), as well as for 绳桥. Aside from building these two structures, we spent the first few sessions practising our flips and climbs on them. For some, it was their first time on an FML. Understandably, this proved to be a bit of a challenge as a few committee members had trouble committing themselves to the daunting flip, causing them to waver uncertainty on top of the FML for extended periods of time. To counter this, the rest of us offered advice and encouragement — cheering for them enthusiastically while suggesting ways for them to flip over more easily. In the end, most of us were able to complete the flip successfully and quickly. As for the 绳桥, many of us ended up with dark bruises on the back of our knees after many attempts. However, we did manage to make significant improvements to our speed and technique thanks to the guidance of our mentors and seniors. We went from barely being able to cling onto the 绳桥 to completing the full climb in under 15 seconds each by the time half of OP was over. The main deterrent to this was probably fatigue, which kept us from practising continuously. This lowered our productivity, especially towards the end of the day when we were all feeling very battered. Although climbing the 绳桥 was painful and exhausting, it was ultimately thought of as fun and satisfying to accomplish, making our effort worthwhile in the end. Apart from the stunts themselves, we also had to practise running in and setting up our structures many times. The time limits imposed on our performances were incredibly short, meaning that every second out there made a difference. This was a challenge as we found it difficult to ensure a smooth run-in process, spending precious seconds that compromised the performance itself. Therefore, we should have been more focused on coming up with solutions to the various nuanced issues that we faced, such as preventing the mattresses from becoming crooked. In the end, most of these problems were rectified by our mentors, who promptly gave us tips to improve every step of the way. On the Orientation day itself, we delivered a smooth performance that we hope made the exhibition more memorable for the Year 1s. I am grateful for the opportunity to have been part of the Performance committee and hope to recreate it in the future.
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Decorations and Souvenirs:
The Decorations and Souvenirs committee was in charge of the decorations to be placed on the pioneering and gadgeting structures and also the souvenirs to be given out the Year 1s.
Reflection from a Year 2 in Decorations and Souvenirs:
During Orientation Preparation (OP) in the Decorations and Souvenirs committee, we made a skeeball board, a football game table, stamp cards, and packed beads for do-it-yourself (DIY) rings. On the first day of OP, we were lost and did not know what to do as we had not read through the proposal sent before attending the session. We were very low on manpower since half of our committee was absent while most of the other half had to help the other committees. This led to us 过时-ing, mainly because we did not factor in the time needed for the paint to dry. We should have maintained a sense of urgency and put in our best effort to complete whatever we had to accomplish, along with having more constant 报时s. On the second session of OP, our seniors sent us photo samples of the items we had to make, saving us more time. Hence, during this session, we caught up on time and had more constant 报时s, thus having a better sense of urgency. However, when we were painting the signages, we dirtied the floor and did not clean it up immediately, causing some stains. We should have been more aware of our surroundings and ensured that we 清理场地 properly. I also could have been more careful and quick when sticking the tape onto the stamp cards, as this action was irreversible and time-consuming, since we had many stamp cards to tape over. If I ever do this again, I hope to produce better quality work in a shorter amount of time. For the last OP session, we packed the beads for the DIY rings and helped out other committees. The DIY rings took a while to finish as the beads were very small and would easily roll away when the wind blew. We also did not know how to accurately estimate the number of beads needed in one pack or the number of packs needed. We tried our best to finish it in time and then went to help the other committees. Through this experience, I learned that it is very important to have a good sense of urgency and not take being in the Decorations and Souvenirs committee for granted, as well as to familiarise ourselves with our activities for the day in advance so that we will not be lost during sessions and can start work immediately. During these OP sessions, I think that we could still have 报时 more and cheered more to keep our morale high. Nonetheless, it was an enriching experience to have.
Reflection from a Year 3 in Decorations and Souvenirs:
Orientation Preparation (OP) 2024 will probably be one of the best memories I will ever have in Guides. I adored how we had an opportunity to dabble in arts and crafts, which is not something we get to do during normal 集合s. Working with Scouts was also quite refreshing. Though we did have combined 集合s, working with Scouts for an extended period of time is probably something that happens only in OP. Scouts have their own system of working and it does take time to be able to work with them efficiently. However, I find this experience valuable as we also have to work with them shortly for our Patrol Leader’s Training Camp (PLTC). The Young Adults (YA), Ventures, and Rovers were all there to aid and assist us in our decoration and they even gave some great advice on how certain activities should run. We had to bring items to use during OP before each OP session, such as pen knives and scissors. This taught me to be organised as without these items, I would not have been able to carry out my duties as a member of the Decorations and Souvenirs committee. OP led me to step up more and lead not just my juniors, but also my fellow batchmates. Manpower allocation was crucial especially when there were changed circumstances and a lack of people. Being part of the Decorations and Souvenirs committee meant that there were so many different pieces to decorate, so ensuring that everyone had something to do and that all the pieces would be finished on time was crucial. Looking back, we could have definitely worked with a better sense of urgency, but I am thankful that we managed to finish all the decorations on time. I also gathered valuable art experiences by using acrylic paints as it is rare that I would paint extensively using acrylic paint in my daily life. I understand the importance of looking at the bigger picture, even when not building structures. Overall, the Decoration committee was lovely and I enjoyed painting, cutting and pasting very much. If given the opportunity again, I would love to be in Decorations and Souvenirs next year.
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Gadgeting:
This year, there were many gadgeting structures built by the Gadgeting Committee in the classrooms where the Year 1s wallked around.
Reflection from a Year 2 in Gadgeting:
This was my very first Orientation Preparation (OP) as a Girl Guides member and a Dunmanian. Honestly, I was dreading OP before it started as it ate up into our December holidays and I had been looking forward to getting more rest. Furthermore, I was put into the Gadgeting committee and I was separated from most of my patrol mates and friends. However, my OP experience was actually much more enjoyable than I thought it would be! During OP Gadgeting 2024, our committee built structures like the catapult, pool table, ferris wheel, etc. After being able to build more complex structures with fellow Guides and Scouts whom I have not worked with before, I was thankful to have been given the chance to do so, as not only did I make some new Guides and Scouts friends, but I was also able to improve my gadgeting and lash skills. Throughout 2023 as a Year 1, my lashes had not always been tight or up to standard, so I was actually a little worried for OP as I was afraid that my lashes would not be tight and I would inconvenience my committee. However, to my surprise, when building the OP structures, I found that my lashes were surprisingly tight, and I realised that I had improved my lashes’ quality throughout the past year! I felt very proud and happy at the same time. Despite being given forfeits, I feel that this entire OP was very enriching and meaningful for me! I was given the chance to learn new structures and make new friends, as well as hone my skills in tying lashes. The punishments also made me feel a sense of responsibility to have a better sense of urgency and also made me feel a sense of belonging to my CCA. All in all, I enjoyed OP very much and after it ended, I missed the sessions so much, I am more than willing to do it again! Through this experience, I felt very proud to be a Girl Guide. OP 2024 was a blast, and I am very much looking forward to OP 2025!
Reflection from a Year 3 in Gadgeting:
During Orientation Preparation (OP), I was assigned to the Gadgeting group. For Gadgeting, we were to build many structures to either entertain the Year 1s or display the many items Scouts and Girl Guides own to showcase our CCA, convincing them to join us. This was my second Orientation, so I knew I had to step up my game to lead my juniors during the course of the entire Orientation. Only then would our standards be high and enough to attract Year 1s to join our CCA. As I was overseas, I could only make it for the last Orientation Preparation which we built our final structures. The frames of the games we had to build, such as Catapult and Draw Bridge, were already done up last session. During the Orientation Preparation, I felt that our lashes and sense of urgency could definitely been improved as we had 过时-ed a lot. Despite being done with the structure, we had to perfect it as we had many 鸟绳s all over. This would have decreased the overall aesthetic of the structure thus it had to be dealt with. Our lashes also needed to be tighter to avoid any structure coming apart during the Orientation. With all these small details to take note of, we were overwhelmed, thus needing to ask for many time extensions to make sure these were taken care of. I would definitely need to work on the tightness of my lashes. I regret not familiarising myself more with the structures. If I had, we would have a more smoother building experience. We could also have definitely 报时 more often. This would have allowed us to know how much time we had already taken up and work faster to improve our sense of urgency to get things done on time. On the last day, we were thankfully able to complete all but one of the structures. Through this experience, it has given me more chances to step up to lead my juniors to work on my soft skills. This valuable experience definitely aided me in my Guiding journey of becoming a better leader.
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Outdoor Cooking:
In order to attract Year 1s to join our CCA, the Outdoor Cooking Committee put in much effort to make delicious dishes for the Year 1s.
Reflection from a Year 2 in Outdoor Cooking:
During Orientation Preparation (OP) 2024, I was having mixed feelings. As it was my first time at OP, I was feeling quite nervous as the new Year 1s would be coming soon and I had to be confident in tying lashes and singing Guides songs. However, I was also excited to be in the Outdoor Cooking (OC) committee. I find Outdoor Cooking very interesting as it allows us to learn many useful life skills such as starting and maintaining a fire, as well as cooking in a mess tin. It is a fun activity that I thoroughly enjoy, and I aspire to utilise my newfound skills the next time we do Outdoor Cooking. For the first few sessions of OP, I learnt how to build an Indoor Fire Altar, but with two Zinc Plates instead of one. Initially, we were struggling to start a fire as most of the kindlings were quite wet. Some of the 木麻黄s were also too short to form a bird’s nest shape — which was critical to starting the fire. Nevertheless, we persevered and still managed to light one after many attempts, even managing to maintain it for quite a long period of time. Cooking the food was also a key part of the experience that made it enjoyable and memorable. We had the opportunity to create many different dishes such as satay, cheese sausages, smores, popcorn, and more. Despite our lack of a proper kitchen and no expertise in cooking, the food turned out quite well and was — contrary to our initial expectations — very tasty. Unfortunately, even though we prepared a lot of food for the Year 1s, many did not come to our Outdoor Cooking stations and missed out on our delicious creations. Therefore, I feel that we should have taken more initiative to invite them over and offer food to them. Ultimately, however, I was still happy to have gotten this OC experience. It was very enriching for me and I hope to get another chance to do Outdoor Cooking again during the next Orientation.
Reflection from a Year 3 in Outdoor Cooking:
For Orientation Preparation (OP) this year, I was assigned to Outdoor Cooking (OC) At the start of each OP session, we had to build 2 fire altars. The fire altars were connected through a quadpod. During the second session, we spent a lot of time building the structure. Not only were our lashes loose, but we were also not working with a sense of urgency. This caused us to have to retie the majority of the lashes over and over again as they were not up to standard. As a result, we took a very long time to get the structure done. Next, we started the fire. The seniors taught us how to start a fire and sustain it well. After that, we had to start the fire on our own without the help of seniors. After we had started the fire, we were each tasked to blow on the fire in order to sustain it. Finally, while some of us continued to sustain the fire, a few of us went on to prepare the ingredients to cook them. In general, the food that came out was decently good. During the next few OP sessions, we worked faster and improved on our lashes. We managed to get the 2 fire altars up within the time given. We also trial and error the food in order to make it taste better for the Year 1s to try. On the actual day of the showcase for the Year 1s, we swiftly started the fire and got to preparing the food right away. I was tasked to cut up all the chicken and mix it in with marinated sauce. Then, I had to skewer the chicken with sticks to make it look like satay. Our next dish was popcorn, in which we added both salt and butter. Our third dish was cut-up fruits with chocolate sauce drizzled over it. We also had marshmallows for the Year 1s to roast on their own. In the end, all of the food tasted amazing. Personally, I think we did a great job in many aspects, from starting and sustaining the fire to helping in the cooking of food. Each and every one of us played a part in the success of OC.
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We would like to thank all everyone who participated in OP '24, allowing it to become a huge success and attract many Year 1s to join Guides and Scouts. I hope that everyone learnt many new things throughout the tiring yet fulfilling sessions, and also made new friends!
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