Earth Hour at the World Scout Youth Forum

First started in Syndey, Australia in 2007, Earth Hour globalized in 2008. But why only a day every year? The Singapore Scout Association's Youth Delegation to the 10th World Scout Youth Forum is bringing Earth Hour to Korea!

'Earth Hour in Korea' is fortunate to have the blessings of the World Scout Youth Forum planning committee, Korea Scout Association and Wonkwang University (venue of the Forum). Let's make the impact in Korea and spread it around to all the regions in the world! Who knows this might jolly well be the start of a common practice at all Youth Forums across the globe!

Singapore Poly Campfire

Griffin was invited for SP campfire, and having some close ties with them, we had to show up to show our support regardless of our strength. The theme was 'A Night in é Ville' and one of the emcee, Andy is an friend of ours. Cheeky guy and now I know he can sing (*thinking of an evil plan*).


The backdrop/gateway was quite good, especially the gateway which is impressive but I wonder is it usable? It would be cool if it is.


Small and simple campfire. So much easier to manage than our Griffin own Silver Jubilee Campfire.


The guys sure had fun. Seems to be quite some time since I've seen them like this. It's about time to get Griffin perked up. Haha!


And the usual singing, dancing around the fire and games of course!


Our dear Yuan Kai with the 'aku the rock', Aru.


The day started great with good weather, but soon rain drizzled and SP Rovers were quick to direct the participants to the sheltered area and carried on with the campfire. The rain stopped soon later thou.


And here's the empty campfire circle. Imagine if this is the turnout for your campfire... Horror...


Soon the campfire was close to the end, and souvenirs were given out. Here's Changci with the Principal of SP.


And how can we not take a group shot! Dear Samuel was in toilet... Give me a photo of you and I'll photoshop you in. Hehe...

Griffin shall await for more campfires!!!

Sumatran Rhino Conservation Project (NYC-YEP)

INTRODUCTION
In 2003, I was part of a committee that organized a humanitarian project (Project Horizon)to build a single-storey community library in a village in Laos. This project was known as a Youth Expedition Project (Then under the wings of Singapore International Foundation. It is now under National Youth Council). It was after that project, I decided to embark on YEPs and lead projects focusing on Environment/Conservation issues.

After a couple of years of constant contacts hunting and several fruitless attempts , finally my 'dream' was fulfilled in June 2007. I was involved in a National Youth Council - Youth Expedition Project (YEP). Together with my team of Rovers from Singapore Scout Association (SSA), and in cooperation with SOS Rhino Borneo, we went on a Sumatran Rhino Conservation Project in Sabah. This project was known as Project Sirius - Rovering with Rhinos.

Preparation started in Feb 2007, and the 2-weeks overseas project was carried out from 12 to 26 June 2007. This part of the project required us to build a base camp at the border of the reserve, and also to interact with the locals to understand their lifestyle while living so close to Nature. This very much needed base camp serves as a rest-point for the rhino field researchers, and doubles-up as a guardpost. Eventually the project officially ended in Sep 2007 with a post-event.

The following is the hard work of a fellow team mate of mine, Shamir. He painstakingly put together a 'documentary' of our whole expedition to Sabah. It would be a waste if his efforts are only viewed by those of our team. So here's to share it with all! Enjoy! Feel free to leave any comments!

Part 1


Part 2


Part 3


Part 4


Part 5


Part 6


Part 7


Part 8


Part 9


Part 10


Added:

This is the completed basecamp as of Jan 2008, and in use. We did not manage to complete the whole building (only about 1/2 to 2/3 of it, in just 6 days) during the expedition. The staff continued to work on it and in Jan, I received the photographs from them.

Thanks to NYC, SSA and all fellow Scouters for making this happen. And of course, not forgetting the whole team (Aru, Kangwei, Wilson, Austin, Yizhen, Shamir, Dickson, David, Sox) for going through the ups and downs together. Cheers!

Griffin Ventures' CJ Walk (22 Dec 07)

The Ventures (Scouts between age of 15-18) have been wanting to go CJ for a very long time, but just couldn't find a date. And of course, NParks' intertidal walk is always full. This time round, they decided to take the boardwalk, and I was asked by Wilson to guide them.

Earlier in the morning was our campfire debrief and after lunch at Long John, we made our way from the west to the east. Once reaching Changi Village, the rain came... and we decided to wait it out abit. Soon enough, we were on board the bumboat to ubin, and immediately hoped on a van to CJ.


Ride to CJ


Griffin Ventures

This was a chance for me to practice my guiding skills before the next public guiding, so I brought the Ventures through the same path. Here goes the journey.


The start of the journey...


Looking at fish tail palm and...


Sea almond and...


Sea lettuce.


Walking along and looking down. I realised boardwalk is better for mid-level tide, rather than low tide. As at low tide, you miss out alot on the swimming critters that seek shelter below the boardwalk.


The front and rear beacon. Notice that the line of sight for the rear beacon has been cleared. Usage of beacons - when the tips of the triangles are aligned, ships are able to pin-point their position on their navigation map. *Correct me if I'm wrong.


Looks like water spouts forming over the water in the distance.



View of the seagrass lagoon from the boardwalk at low tide.


Half-way through, the rain came again. But the Ventures decided to brave the 'drizzle' and continue with the journey.


Meeting the attap seeds' 'parents' for the first time for them.


And up we go...


For the beautiful overview of CJ. And as we were coming down the tower, the guard called out to us. Little did we realised that it was already 6pm! Out we rushed and our van uncle was already waiting for us with his doors open. Efficient service!

We went on to have a wonderful dinner at the seafood restaurant that Ria always bring us to. And of course the fried sotong was a snatch as usual. Soon the time came and we bid farewell to the beloved island, but sure to return another day.


And the Ventures did have a lot of memories and much to talk about.

*Photos courtesy of Wilson and myself.

Griffin's Silver Jubilee

1st December 2007 marks the celebration of Griffin Scout Troop's 25th Anniversary, in conjunction with the centenary celebration of Scouting world wide. 100 years ago, Scouting was born in the hands of Lord Robert Stephenson Baden-Powell. Today, it is the largest global youth movement with 28 million Scouts, youth and adults, boys and girls, in 155 countries. And I'm proud to be a part of it.

Preparation started in June 2007, but the campfire committee had a lot of ups and downs, much of it due to the fact that majority of the members are either in NS or are having exams/'A' levels. When it came to the final stretch, effectively we only had two weeks to prepare the real stuff.

On the day itself, all of us really stretch ourselves to the limit.



Souvenir committee working, and eventually presenting unique souvenirs individualised for each troop, guest, and award.


Campfire chairman, Yuankai (right) with his band of brothers, who were all set to give a wonderful performance that night.


The 'gateway' seen in the background consists of two towers and a wide gateway with a converging visual effect. Kudos to the gateway com for working through the whole night and that day itself.


It is later decorated with banners, individualised for each troop that came. Great pieces of masterworks by Serene and her committed team of artist who stayed in school for a couple of nights to work on them.


The firepit committee with their own piece of work showing the numbers '2' and '5'. It was to be seen as '25' from either side of the pit. Thanks to Tat Lin, Badruddin and their team for all the hard work.


Soon, troops started arriving.


And the campfire ground started to fill up.


And not long after, our Guest of Honour, Margaret Anderson, District Commissioner of Clementi arrived and declared the campfire open!


What a blaze!


It was then showtime for our two dearest Emcees, Jason and Changci to get the show started!


With Cheers!


And of course, songs and games. Even special performances by CTSS guides and Serangoon Eagles!

It was believed to be the longest campfire any troop has organized, but perhaps also one of the most fun and enriching. All guests were treated to a feast of assorted pizzas for refreshment at the end of the campfire. Not bad eh? Sorry ar, no pictures since everyone was busy eating. Haha...Refreshments were arranged solely by our dear Janson. Kudos!


It was also a time for the 'oldies' to catch up on the past and current. And here's the 'old' boys and girls of Griffin.


And of course, a final shot of the Griffin Family! With many more to come. Special thanks to the two teachers, Betty and Kamal, who have been shuffling here and there for the whole day!

Scout Youth Forum - Back in Singapore (Leave contacts here)

After the small feast, we began on our journey back to NYC. It was horrible as some of us were already damn sleepy. As most people would already know, thanks to Edward for that, we usually have small meeting sessions at night, usually lasting till 1 or 2 am. So the accumulation of sleep deprivation hit us this time as some of us actually were 'sleep-walking' our way back to NYC. Muhd even nearly clashed with the gates at the side of the pathway. Haha... And boy, it was freezing....

For Jean, Alan and Muhd, it was okay for them as they got the chance to continue their trip. But for Sarah, Steph, Aru and I, we had to return back to Singapore. It was so sad as we couldn't bear to leave... Although this was not my first APR event, but it was so much more memorable than others. As we bid farewell to Japan, we left with a heavy heart...

Upon reaching Narita Airport (which we slept throughout the bus ride), we looked for a place to settle down and had our breakfast. After breakfast, we went for some last minute shopping spree. Sarah, Steph and Aru ended carrying like 3 to 4 hand carry bags up the plane... They really know how to shop man...

Okay... this is the most embarrassing and worse part of our trip... It was about 11.30am (Japan time) when we got on the plane and got ourselves settle down but the flight was delayed by 10 minutes as clearance was not given yet. Then...I can't remember what happened! You know why? Cause the four of us concussed before the plane even flew! The air hostess even had to put Steph's seat belt on for her cause she forgot to put it on before she concussed!

The next thing I remember was that I woke up at 1pm plus, with the air hostess serving some snacks and drinks. I attempt to wake Aru and Sarah up by shaking them but in vain... they were really deep in their dreamlands... I decided to watch a movie, which I can't remember watching the whole thing too since I was dozing off now and then... It was about 2pm plus that lunch was served. Only then the three of them woke up. But not for long as, all four of us fell asleep again after lunch all the way till the plane arrived in Singapore... Now you know how tired we were... But wait there's more...

After going through the customs, we went to collect our baggages. So we arrive at the conveyor belt waiting for our baggage. After about 5 minutes, Sarah said she saw her baggage so we waited for it to come round. After about another 5 minutes, we find something amiss... we didn't see our baggage. Then I took a look at the sign and great... for almost 10 minutes, we were like idiots standing at the conveyor belt waiting for something that will not appear.... cause we were at the WRONG conveyor belt! Ours were like two belts away.... Sarah then labeled us as 'Losers'. Period...

That's all for the adventures in Japan. Couldn't include everything thou. I really regret not extending my stay to the conference as I did not know that I wouldn't have started work yet. I really miss such a great chance. Sorry to all my new friends that I couldn't stay to enjoy your company even more. Perhaps we will be able to see each soon! Maybe at the end of the year in Australia for the rover moot or in Korea next year for the World Scout Youth Forum and Conference! I hope I'll be able to go! See ya all.

Do spread this blog around. Perhaps we can use this last blog entry's comment column as a form of communication especially for leaving your contacts as I believe not everyone has name cards during the forum. Enjoy!! Thanks for making my possibly last Rover event so memorable!

Leave your contacts as a comment to this blog entry.

Scout Youth Forum, Tokyo - 15th Oct 07

Today is the day. The last day of the forum and also the day of the election of the new YAMG. Everything important is here today. We started off the morning with the recommendation that was compiled by our hardworking steering committee, whom I have to acknowledge as they spent their time the night before doing it. Many did not realised but they did not go out for the Tokyo tour along with the rest. Kudos to you guys and gals!

After the recommendation came the important part of the forum. The 9 candidates were introduced once again and the voting procedures were explained. Then it was time for the first round of election whereby only the top three will get elected. The voting is a secret vote and was tallied by the Valeria from Macau and Kevin from French Polynesia, accompanied by Syd Castillo.

While the votes were being tallied, an award presentation was held. It was for Aru and me for completing the Scouts of the World Award. Australia was the first in APR to award it, and now followed by Singapore. Muhd went up to introduce SWA and what was done by the base in Singapore. Then it was time for the award ceremony. It was such an honour to have the award presented by Mari Nakano. Couldn't get better than this.

Soon after, the results came in and it was announced. First in was Nikketah McGrath from Australia, second was Manabu Hiratsuka from Japan and third was... Sarah Ho Wing Kei from Singapore!!! Hip hip hurray for Sarah!! She got in! But wait... for those in NRC, I guess you know what that means. Hehe... Then it was time for the second round. After knowing who got in, the delegates can now vote to balance committee, allowing both sub-regions and gender equality. Once again the votes were then to be tallied.

Another presentation was held again while waiting. This time is to a great guy I got to know through the discussion topic. It was Andrew Bartle from New Zealand. He was presented by Mari Nakano his Queen's Scout Award, the highest award in New Zealand. Congratulations Andy!! Soon after his presentation, the final list of the successful candidates were announced. Fourth in was Karma Coden from Bhutan, followed by Rio Ashadi from Indonesia and last but not the least, a young man – Muller Bato from Philippines. Congratulations to all!

It was a long morning! At last it was done with and lunch proceeded. After lunch, came the closing ceremony. After some closing speeches, all the participants were then presented with certificates for the forum. The delegates were then called upon to receive plaques from SAJ. Most countries also presented back to the host plaques and gifts as a token of appreciation. After the ceremony ended, more photos were being snapped as it was going to be the last chance for some of us... Damn it... why do I have to leave tomorrow...

As for our last dinner, it was also our cultural exchange night too. We all got dressed in our national wear and got together for a major celebration with performances put up by every country's participants. The food was definitely great and so were the performances! There was so much to talk about I just simply can't put everything here... Well, one thing for sure, the night was not over for Singapore as we went out for a long, long walk and had a small feast of our own. We only returned at 4.15am... which the story will continue after this entry...