Recruits' Camp cum Annual Campfire, 24th January 2015

Written by: Daniel Por, Assistant Senior Sixer and Scribe

I arrived at school as a service scout just as the recruits were getting into their Sixes. There were five Sixes: Ants, Bees, Crabs, Ducks, and Elephants. I saw many bags propped up against the walls, and in them I could see different shapes.

When the recruits were in their Sixes two assistant sixers from our main pack were assigned to each individual Six as a duty sixer/duty assistant sixer.

Baloo then began some icebreakers, and when I saw them playing around it was clear that they were full of energy and excitement. After that Baloo taught them about the Jungle Book, and other important scouting information like who the founding father of Scouting was, when Founding Day was. They were also briefed on the Scout Promise and the Scout Law.

Meanwhile, the service scouts were preparing for their campfire skit. Many of them had brought spears and homemade shields just for the event.The recruits were then taught some basic foot drills. After practicing it for many times, I could tell that many of them didn’t like it!

Afterwards, the recruits went to get their mess tins for…Outdoor cooking! They filled their mess tins with water and then put the mess tins over a fire, waiting for it to boil. Once bubbles appeared in the water, they could add in the Maggi Mee and the seasoning. After some stirring, the noodles were fit to eat! They looked so delicious that I wanted to cook some myself!

After their lunch, the recruits were sent off to learn their individual dance item, one at a time. When one Six was practicing their dance item, the other Sixes had to work on the worksheets given to them.

When the service scouts were ready they performed their skit to the recruits, earning much laughter from the recruits. After that, the service scouts had to teach the recruits some songs required for the campfire. I can tell you, it wasn’t easy!

Dinner was over, and since the main pack had arrived it was time for…You guessed it! The campfire! This year was special because the three Senior Sixers had to host the campfire themselves, which was unlike previous years in which Baloo hosted the campfire.

After much singing, fun and games, the campfire was unfortunately over. Once all the recruits had finished their refreshments, it was time for the best part: Waterbombs! Six by Six, they flung waterbombs at each other, making each other very wet!

When they had finished bathing, the exhausted recruits tucked themselves in for bed and immediately fell asleep.

Early the next morning, the recruits woke up, ready to do their morning exercises. When they were done they went for breakfast: Sausage buns and Milo.

Every single recruit was eager to meet their parents, so the rest of the morning dissolved into games for them. Finally, it was dismissal time, and as all the recruits rushed towards their parents I’m sure that this experience would remain in their memories forever.