Guides and Scouts Combined Skills Training, 16 May 2025

Hi Guides! Today was our first Combined 集合 with the Scouts this year! We did many Station Games, where both Guides and Scouts elements are incorporated into the 集合 to showcase both our uniqueness as well as connections between both CCAs! 

We learned alot from one another.. It was yet another memorable CCA session. Let us share it with you!

Reflection from a Year 2 in P3 on the Fire Pits and Outdoor Fire Altars Station:

On 16 May, we had a Combined 集合 session with the Scouts, and one of the highlights was a hands-on Fire Starting activity. Although I was initially nervous about handling fire, this experience turned out to be one of the most impactful ones I have had so far. The objective was simple, to start a small fire using matches, kindlings and teamwork. However, the execution was anything but easy. I got the chance to light the fire and it took me more than 10 tries. The process required a lot of patience, coordination, and critical thinking. The fire kept going out as there were strong winds that day. It made me realise that I had to protect the flame in the process. I am glad I got the chance to try setting the fire as it is not every day that I get the chance to do that in urban Singapore. What really struck me that day was how we all had to support one another, especially during the frustrating moments. The fire would not start even after multiple tries, and I could sense tension building. But instead of blaming one another, we chose to encourage and offer suggestions. This strengthened our teamwork and reminded me how important communication is in high-pressure situations. This is also significant as some of us were apprehensive, or better put, it was not comfortable working with the Scouts as we were not used to it. The experience brought us closer together and I feel that alone is an achievement. I also learnt the value of resilience. Fire Starting is a delicate process that often does not work out on the first try. It reminded me that, in life, things do not always go according to plan. But if we stay calm, keep trying, and learn from each attempt, we will eventually succeed. Emotionally, I went from being anxious to hopeful, then finally excited when we saw the first flame. That small success gave us such a big sense of accomplishment. It reminded me that even small victories matter, especially when they are earned through effort and perseverance. This experience taught me that with the right mindset, even challenging tasks can become opportunities for growth.

Reflection from a Year 2 in P1 on the Fire Starting Station:

On May 16th, there was a Combined 集合 for the Year 2 Scouts and Guides, which included Station Games which allowed us to put important skills learnt from both Uniformed Group CCAs to use. One new skill that I learned from the Scouts in this 集合 was digging a Fire Pit, which we then used for Outdoor Cooking in the same session. This is new to me as in Guides, we build Indoor or Outdoor Fire Altars for Outdoor Cooking instead. To dig a Fire Pit, I learnt that the wind direction has to be taken into account and the Fire Pit should be rectangular, with the shorter side of the pit facing the wind. The depth of the Fire Pit is dependent on what it is being used for, which in that 集合, it was used for Outdoor Cooking. A "slope" is used in the Fire Pit, and the fire is placed at the deeper end of the Fire Pit, further away from the wind direction, so that the fire receives more oxygen to burn from the wind. This differs from the Outdoor Fire Altar used by Guides, which elevates the fire with Gadgeting and a Zinc plate. To start a fire in the Fire Pit, the twigs are bent to form a round shape, then a lit match is placed under the twigs, which I found was similar to starting a fire on a Zinc plate using an Outdoor Fire Altar. When I was digging the Fire Pit with my Combined 集合 Patrol, we took too long to dig the pit and had to use the pre-dug pit by the Scouts' seniors. This is likely due to our inexperience in digging Fire Pits as it was the Guides' first time and introduction to Fire Pits, and also because we did not have a sense of urgency. In conclusion, I learned about a different way the Scouts light a fire from the Guides and how they do it. I hope to learn more such skills from other CCA sessions in future Combined 集合s, and I will also improve on my sense of urgency. 

Reflection from a Year 1 in P4 on the Gadgeting Station:

We participated in combined 集合 on 16 May, and it was such an unique and interesting experience for all of us. I remember seeing all the different Guides and Scouts gathering together in such a wholesome way. During the combined 集合 activity, we participated in gadgeting together. At first, we were all shy and afraid to share our opinions. However, as we worked together, we started opening up and giving ideas more willingly. We had to create a shelter for surviving in the wild, and had to think hard as to what to create. Once we settled on the structure, we started tying the 木 together with 白绳. It was such a different experience working together with the Scouts during gadgeting as we had very different knowledge on lash tying. The Guides were more familiar with basic knots and lashes such as the clove hitch, while the Scouts struggled with those but excelled in others like the pioneering lashes. I also remember teaching some Scouts how to tie the clove hitch. Although they did not seem as attentive, they got the hang of it and helped to build the structure. We put together our diverse field of knowledge and managed to brainstorm and build our structure. We divided our manpower well and managed to finish building the structure in time, although it was not very stable. We definitely could have communicated more clearly to save time and energy, and there were sometimes a few zuobos as we were unclear what to do. We also could have tied our lashes tighter as our finished structure wobbled when the Year 4s tested it. Next 集合, I would definitely try and be more enthusiastic and confident when working with the Scouts. Still, while we did not communicate much other than discussing the structure and logistics, I definitely felt a stronger bond with them and would look forward to working together again.

We are glad to have this chance to work with the scouts! 

Published by 

Chan Zi Xuan 

56th 届 Secretary 

Total Defence Badge, 9 May 2025

Hello Guides! Today, the Year 1s and Year 2s went to get their Total Defence Badges! 

It was quite an experience..

Reflection from a Year 1 in P4:

Us Year 1 Guides went on a learning journey to the Singapore Discovery Centre together with the Year 2s on 9th May to learn more about Total Defence and acquire our Bronze Total Defence Badge. It was truly an eye-opening experience for me. It was one of the first few excursions I had gone on as a Year 1 and I remembered a buzzing air of excitement among my peers in the bus on the route to the SDC. When we got there, we were briefed on the six pillars of Total Defence in Singapore. This allowed us to deeper understand the uses of the different Defence Pillars, and familiarise ourselves with the relatively new sixth pillar, Digital Defence. I enjoyed sitting amongst my fellow Year 1 Guides as it gave me a chance to interact more with those who were not from my patrol. Next, we got to experience an interactive exhibition in which we were shown significant events in the past that had shaped Singapore’s defences and which Pillar of Defence applied to the situations. This exhibition educated me on many bits of history that I was not aware of, for example the 1983 cable car accident and the konfrontasi attacks across the country, notably at the McDonald’s House. After a short break, we played a Total Defence-themed game. Playing the card game with my friends was a fun and engaging way to learn about uniting the nation amid a crisis. The game also gave us an opportunity to bond with our batchmates. Overall I would definitely try to apply what I have learnt from this learning journey in daily life and appreciate Total Defence Day activities a lot more. The memories we made here were captured in our many photos taken at the Singapore Discovery Centre. We even took a picture outside the centre as an entire batch, so this experience would certainly stay in all our hearts for a long time to come and I am definitely looking forward to going back there again next year.

Reflection from a Year 2 in P4:

On the 2nd and 3rd of June, a VIA Carnival was held for the primary school children at GSSC (Good Shepherd Student Care). I was stationed at Booth 6, the poster-making station, for both days. The task at this booth was for the children to create a poster on the topic of good daily healthy habits. They were asked to draw, write, and colour five healthy habits they could practise every day, making the poster as colourful as possible. As the carnival started at 1320, the patrols reached the Caldecott MRT at 1300 and made our way there earlier to start preparing for our respective stations. On Day 1, the flow of children was smooth and manageable. We communicated well and divided the work effectively, to make sure both of us weren’t too burnt out. However, Day 2 was more challenging. I was the only one stationed at Booth 6, and with the large number of children coming by, I had to repeat my instructions many times and manage the crowd alone. This required patience, resilience, and quick thinking, but it also gave me the opportunity to step up and practise leadership and self-discipline. Although tiring, it was heartening to see the children putting in their best effort. Some even shared that they had just learned about healthy habits the day before! It was a joy to see their interest in drawing and how naturally talented many of them were. Time passed in a blink of an eye as I became fully engaged with the activity and the children. Towards the end, many children went to the redemption booth to collect their prizes. Surprisingly, the eraser packets, as they were food themed, were so popular that they eventually ran out! It was rewarding to see the children excitedly working through the stations to earn their Oreos and eraser packets. Throughout this VIA experience, I saw how meaningful interaction and encouragement from the heart can foster positive relationships, even in a short amount of time. Although we were not allowed to ask for their contacts, we still enjoyed ourselves and created lasting memories. All in all, this carnival not only gave me the chance to connect with primary school children, but also helped me grow in time management, independent problem-solving, and adaptability.



Published by 

Chan Zi Xuan 

56th 届 Secretary

Skills Training, 9 May 2025

Hello Guides! Today, only us Year 3s and Year 4s participated in the Station Games, as our fellow Year 1s and Year 2s have gone to get their Total Defence Batch. It was yet another interesting CCA session!

Reflection from a Year 3 in P5 on Orienteering Station:

During the 9th May 集合, one of the stations we played was orienteering. The task was that we were given a compass and bearings and we were required to find the locations based on the bearings given. Before embarking on the journey, we were first given a chance to practice reading the compass by trying to find locations plastered throughout the hostel canteen walkway. In spite of starting off with a bit of confusion and hesitation, my group managed to accurately find the bearings and the locations during the practice round so we began playing the station feeling confident about our abilities. Throughout the course of the activity, we managed to both quickly and accurately find the locations, finding one point and the next with ease. However, we were always a few steps off, likely due to me taking slightly wider steps during the measuring of pacings. This allowed me to understand the importance of consistency when measuring pacings so if I ever did this activity again, I would take note to keep my pacing distance as consistent as possible, to ensure we arrive at the accurate location. At one point, we had to retrace our steps and retake the bearings as we were required to walk in a straight line but the path curved which resulted in us following the path and curving away from the location instead of walking in a straight line. Despite all these mishaps, my group managed to arrive at the final location within the fastest amount of time, underrunning by 20 minutes. All in all, orienteering was an extremely fun activity that I enjoyed while learning about this survival skill. Now, I am more confident about the functions of the parts of a compass and my ability to navigate using it. 

Reflection from another Year 3 in P5 on Inspection Station:

On 9 May 集合, we played station games! One of the stations was inspection. Under short time durations, we had to work together as a group to complete a layout. The first layout was one that we were used to, all 配备 logistics on a poncho that was folded in a hexagonal shape. We learnt the importance of communication as we had to work together to make the layout a successful one. I also learnt that one person should step out and look at the bigger picture to ensure that the poncho was indeed a hexagonal shape before continuing with our inspection. This ensures that we do not have to re-fold our poncho after the logistics are laid out, which would be a waste of time and effort. The second stage of the station was to complete two layouts, one by the Year 4s and the other one by the Year 3s. Our competitive spirit went up as both teams wanted to be the first to complete their layout. Through this stage, I learnt that even though we wanted to complete our layouts in the shortest possible time, it should not compromise on how compact and neat the layout is. I also took better care of logistics and asked for cupped logistics back. As a team, we also ensured that our logistics were all on the poncho to ensure that our logistics do not get dirty. Overall, I think both teams did a great job with their layout. The third stage was to create our own layout on the spot. Both teams had to be creative and think on their feet. We strategised and decided that the IC would plan based on what logistics we needed to layout next, allowing us to work better as a team. The last stage was to complete a layout while wearing socks on our hands. From this stage, I learnt that without having our fingers, completing a layout was difficult without the luxury of grip.

Reflection from a Year 3 in P1 on the Kitchen Table Station:

For 集合 on 9th May, Year 3s had a separate 集合 planned compared to the Year 1s and Year 2s, and we had Station Games. We were first put into our Patrols, which consisted of a few Year 3s and Year 4s. For the Standard Structure Station, we had to build a Kitchen Table by a specific timing. We started by appointing a Patrol Leader, and then started building after that. We started by tying the tripods with constant 报时 to ensure that we would not 过时. We also kept the morale high by cheering from time to time. Since our Patrol Leader looked at the big picture and gave us time limits for our lashes, we were able to tie our lashes tightly and quickly. After tying the tripod, we tied the 定脚s and made sure to 顶 our tripods properly so that our tripods would be in an equilateral triangle shape, and be stable. We asked for time extensions before we reached our time limit, and tied as much of the structure as we could. Though our Kitchen Table was still unfinished by the time we could not ask for more time extensions, we received feedback that we tied tight lashes and we tied the structure quite quickly, maintaining our sense of urgency, and morale while we built our Kitchen Table and also 照顾好人，照顾好东西, so that our logistics would not get Kapped. The next time I need to tie a Kitchen Table, I will have a high sense of urgency and 报时 constantly to ensure that I am on track.

Published by 

Chan Zi Xuan

56th 届 Secretary