Lantern Making, 29th January 2011

Lantern Making, 29th January 2011

by Scribe Brenda Wang

The day started with the blowing of whistles and horseshoe, our usual ritual that marked the start of yet another scout meeting. After assembling in Indian file, we were told the good news: The water badges were finally here. We were given our badges one by one, each marveling at the beauty of each badge that we received. The blue badge with red wordings would fit perfectly to each of our collection of proficiency badges.

Soon after, we were taught to make some beautiful lanterns made using red packets to decorate our home in time for Chinese New Year. Each of us had to make an individual lantern and each six would have to make a group lantern together. Each six had 3 individual lantern manuals to share around.

Off to the six’s corners we went, with our scissors, stapler and ang paos, engrossed in the making of our individual lantern, all hoping to win and earn the group some points. Some made unique lanterns discovered by experience. Others followed the manual and challenged themselves with the harder lanterns while some took the easy way out and did the simplest lantern of all. It was fun making these lanterns, glowing with pride when the finishing product came.

The sixers were called back in, and given the group lantern manual, which consisted of more difficult lanterns to be done as a group. My group (three senior sixers) unfortunately failed to complete the first step of the fish lantern by using the square-shaped ang paos instead of the rectangle-shaped ang paos. We decided to proceed by making our own individual lantern with the group lantern manual with a dust of personal creativity.

All too soon, it was time to pack up. Each group sent a few cubs to get the broom and dustpan while the rest sat down and discussed among themselves as to who had the beast lantern of all. The individual and group lanterns were chosen. Some were simply created by joining a few simple lanterns together. Some were original and unique. Some had intricate designs and patterns on them and group effort could be seen. These groups and cubs deserved to win for all their hard work put in.

It all ended with horseshoe and sixers council, as well as the excited chatter about Chinese New Year and the wonderful break!

Learning to make lanterns is not just about learning a new skill, it enables us to express our creativity and most of all, have fun!

Meantime, the recruits had a separate meeting. Akela played some games, and revised with them the Scout Promise and the Scout Law. Akela told the recruits that before they can become a scout, they would have to pass an admission test. However, all they had to do was to pay attention at every learning session, and they would have nothing to worry about! The highlight of the meeting was taking measurements for the scout uniform, bringing the recruits one step nearer to becoming a scout. The uniform would be ready for collecton at the first meeting after Chinese New Year.











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