Last Saturday, 3 March, we (sec 3s and 2s) went for Pioneer course at Guides HQ. First, Mr Mail, the instructor, briefed us on the things we were going to learn that day. Next, we went out to collect kindling and twigs in groups of 3. We collected a lot of twigs in different shapes and sizes.
After that, we did fire lighting. Each group had to dig a hole in the ground. It was quite difficult to dig the hole because it had to be big and deep. After digging the hole, we put in mao mao and the kindling and twigs we collected. After lighting up the fire, we put the kettle over the flames and waited for the water to boil. It was a very cool and new experience!
After that, we had to build an emergency shelter per group. It was quite easy to make one as it only involves a few steps. An emergency shelter is a very useful tool when you are trapped in a forest and waiting for rescue. It provides one with protection from the hot sun and the rain.
After that, we did a ladder using wooden poles and ropes. Each person had a chance to tie a pole to the string. We all had to work together to complete the task. When we dropped our ladder from the second floor, it reached the first floor without any poles dropping out! However, none of us knew we had to climb the ladder we built to the second floor! We were all shocked and thought the instructor was kidding but he was not. So, one by one, we climbed up the unsteady looking ladder. It was very fun and we all managed to climb to the top!
After lunch, we chopped wood. We learnt how to hold an axe, the safety precautions involved, how to take care of an axe and the many different types of axes. Wood cutting was fun! We used a hand axe and a bow/bush saw to cut the wood. Some of us even took the wood we cut and kept it as souvenir.
The last activity of the day was map reading and compass. We all learnt very fast and soon found it easy to read a map and compass after practicing.
I learnt many skills from this pioneer course. I had many new experiences I never had before. Overall, it was a fun day! :)
After that, we did fire lighting. Each group had to dig a hole in the ground. It was quite difficult to dig the hole because it had to be big and deep. After digging the hole, we put in mao mao and the kindling and twigs we collected. After lighting up the fire, we put the kettle over the flames and waited for the water to boil. It was a very cool and new experience!
After that, we had to build an emergency shelter per group. It was quite easy to make one as it only involves a few steps. An emergency shelter is a very useful tool when you are trapped in a forest and waiting for rescue. It provides one with protection from the hot sun and the rain.
After that, we did a ladder using wooden poles and ropes. Each person had a chance to tie a pole to the string. We all had to work together to complete the task. When we dropped our ladder from the second floor, it reached the first floor without any poles dropping out! However, none of us knew we had to climb the ladder we built to the second floor! We were all shocked and thought the instructor was kidding but he was not. So, one by one, we climbed up the unsteady looking ladder. It was very fun and we all managed to climb to the top!
After lunch, we chopped wood. We learnt how to hold an axe, the safety precautions involved, how to take care of an axe and the many different types of axes. Wood cutting was fun! We used a hand axe and a bow/bush saw to cut the wood. Some of us even took the wood we cut and kept it as souvenir.
The last activity of the day was map reading and compass. We all learnt very fast and soon found it easy to read a map and compass after practicing.
I learnt many skills from this pioneer course. I had many new experiences I never had before. Overall, it was a fun day! :)
- Shailyn Soh
