National Camp Reflections

Along with Qiyi, we signed up to participate the National Camp event and I must really say it is one of my most memorable camps. Unlike any other camps we had in school, this is a combined camp with 10 different UGs and participants from across Singapore. There were over 600 participants and each group had about 60 people. As for my group,named Delta, there were 57 of us and I made a lot of new friends.

Throughout the camp, I really gained a lot of experience and learnt a lot as well. I've learnt how the other uniformed groups run their CCA and it was very different from how our UG works. The 4-day camp was filled with activities like
1) Archery
2) Flight Stimulation
3) 0.22 revolver shoot
4) tub rafting
5) S.H.E-Save, Heal, and Evacuate
6) Unarmed Tactics
7) NCC experience
8) First Aid Scenario
9) Campfire Organisation

My favourite activity was the First Aid Scenario. The facilitators asked for volunteers and I volunteered, not knowing that volunteering could be so much fun! Basically, they drew cuts and wounds on me that were so realistic, I thought I hurt myself! I was suppose to act like a casualty while my teammates would be making use of materials given to treat my wound. It was a fun and exciting experience even though the wounds look disgusting xD

Another activity that I enjoyed was the .22 revolver shoot. In this activity, we used real guns to shoot and it was an exciting activity. Due to my nervousness, my hands were shaking so violently that I could not hold my gun right x'D It was a great experience as we do not get to do these things during Guides activity and I really enjoyed it! :)

With different activities organised by different UGs, my teammates will give advice to those who are experiencing the activity for the first time. For example, the NPCC cadets would teach us how to aim properly with the gun as they did revolver shooting in their curriculum. As for the NCC experience, the NCC cadets would share their knowledge of what they learnt in their CCA like hand signals etc. Lastly, those who are in SJAB/Res Cross would know what to do when treating a casualty and hence would share their knowledge to us as well.

Overall, I enjoyed this camp as we all came from different CCAs but yet are all willing to share our knowledge from our CCAs to the group. Everyone is willing to help one another. I find my group quite bonded as we sang cheers together, and were all 'high' during the campfire! :D  We are still in contact with one another and created a Whatsapp group too!

I would really recommend those who are able to go, to participate in this camp. It is a bi-annual camp and not many people have the chance to participate. Even though it might be awkward on the first day of camp, but as time goes by, you will slowly bond with the group and get to know a lot of people!
I LOVE DELTA! ♥♥♥♥♥ :''))))))

-Eunice

National Camp Reflections

From 15-18 August, I participated in the 13th National Camp, which was held at the Home Team Academy (HTA). This year's National Camp was organised by the National Police Cadet Corps (NPCC) and I got the chance to meet different people from different Uniformed Groups and schools during the camp.
On the first day, the Girl Guides gathered at the Guides Headquarters and we got into our respective groups and soon headed off to the HTA. I was very anxious as I was excited but nervous at the same time.
When we arrived at the HTA, we gathered and finally formed the groups. My group was named "Echo" and it was a rather huge group as there were about 60 people. I did not know anyone from my group but soon, we started to click as we bunked in. I was surprised when I saw the bunks as it was very comfortable and there were even new bed sheets for us!
The camp started off with an opening ceremony and we took the National Campers pledge. At that moment, I felt very grateful to be part of the big NC'14 family.
The first activity was organised by the Scouts, and we had to plan a proposal for a campfire. We were not familiar with each other yet so this was a chance for us to break the ice! As we missed half the activity due to the opening ceremony, the activity ended off in a flash.
The next activity was archery, organised by the Boys' Brigade. Through this, we were able to shoot with a real bow and arrow and tried to get as many points as possible. I wasn't very good at archery but it was extremely fun!

Then we had our lunch and the food that was served was surprisingly very good too!
Tub Rafting: This was organised by the Girl Guides and Girls' Brigade. We had to make a mini raft using chopsticks and twine. This was also a chance for the Girl Guides and Scouts to teach the other UGs more about Gadget Making and it was very fun too!
NCC Experience: This was organised by the National Cadet Corps. Here, I learnt how to hold a rifle and also some of the hand signals the soldiers used during their trainings. I also learnt how to shoot a grenade.

Unarmed Tactics: This was organised by the National Police Cadet Corps, and we learnt a few stunts and kicks to protect ourselves in an event of an emergency. I feel that it is extremely useful in our daily lives.
S.H.E: This meant Safe-Heal-Evacuate, an activity organised by the National Civil Defence Cadet Corps. Here, we learnt how to help a person evacuate in case of a fire and also how to make an improvised stretcher using 2 poles and a blanket.
First Aid Scenario: This was organised by the SJAB and the Red Cross Youth. We learnt how to provide first aid and CPR to people.
.22 revolved shoot: This was organised by the NPCC and it was extremely fun. We had a chance to shoot a real gun!

Overall, through this camp, I had a chance to learn and experience what other UGs do. My favorite activity was the .22 revolver shoot as it was a rare opportunity! During the campfire, I felt very sad as it was the last activity spent with my group.
Through this camp, I learnt many new skills and made many new friends. It was a wonderful experience and I am very thankful for this opportunity to participate in the National Camp 2014. ECHO!!!

-Qi Yi

Reflecion for 20th August (:

On Wednesday, the sec ones went for their Dynamite Health Trooper Badge while the sec twos fell in at the concourse at 3.15pm. We had uniform check and roll call as usual and we proceeded on with our 5 point test. Four our first test, we had to act out an advertisement on the iconic places of Singapore in groups. For the second test. we were given flags of different countries and name them. After that, we formed a horseshoe formation in the concourse. Lastly, we did a bit of drilling and some of the sec twos commanded the squad . All in all, I enjoyed the activity as I learnt about the flags of different countries and I’m looking forward to the next activity! (:

Yeo Min Yi
Sparrow Patrol

Reflection for 15th August (:

On the 15th of August, due to the O'level oral examinations, we had to fall in at the trophy area, instead of the concourse,  at 3.15pm sharp in half uniform. On that day, we were asked to hand in our tote bags that we made during the last initiative. The sec 1s then  had  a 5 point test on Outdoor 1.1 and 1.2 while the Sec 2s did gadget making and drilling. After the 5 point test, the Sec 1s did gadget making and we were asked to make a clothes hanger. We took a fair bit of time making it as it was our first time. Last but not least, we had patrol bonding. Each patrol brought snacks and we had a fun time bonding. Towards the end of patrol bonding, the Sec 3s announced the top 5 and consolation prize for the tote bag and yakult bottle making initiatives. Congratulations to all winners!!

Jean Ong, Dove Patrol

Reflection for 13th August (:

On Wednesday,13th of August, those who signed up for the flight simulation initiative gathered at the concourse at 3.10 .We then took our attendance and boarded the bus to the Singapore Flyer where we had our initiative. Over there, the facilitator introduced us to many different jobs in the airline industry, different parts of a plane and had some activities for us like a word search and a quiz ( which was meant to trick us. At the same time, some of us were experiencing the flight stimulator. When it was my turn, the real pilot  sat beside me to guide me on how to land a plane. We ended off with a group photo with our facilitators and thanked them. Overall, I felt that this was a very good experience for us as it is not every day you get to try to fly a flight simulator  and I'm glad that Guides has given me this opportunity.
Tammi, Oriole Patrol

For those who went for the Flight Stimulation initiative, I was unable to download all the photos as there were too many. Please Whatsapp me @ 96744626 if you want the photos (:
- JiaYi PS

Reflection for 6th August (:

On the 6th August 2014 , we fell in at the concourse at 3.15pm. The sec 1s then proceeded to an empty classroom to take their 5 Point Test on Home 1.3 and Outdoor 1.3 

We had to make a miniature gadget that consisted of at least one knot and lashing using chopsticks. Some of us had to bring it home and to retie our knots as it was not up to standard. We then did some drilling. Lastly, we had our weekly physical training. Although it was really tiring , I felt that it was a good opportunity for us to bond as a patrol and train ourselves physically.

 

 Lim Rui Jia , Sunflower Patrol :]