On the very first day of our training camp, we Fall In at 0830 hrs for the Flag Ceremony at KC Den, where we salute to the Jalur Gemilang in synchrony to kick off the camp programme. After the inspection and a quick briefing, we immediately set up our tents at the school field.
We were taught with some useful tips to pitch the tents nicely, before we proceeded to the pioneering session. Our mission was to construct a stable altar fire with bamboo, and cover it with a fly sheet in case of rain. Meanwhile half the team was busy collecting tinder, kindling and firewood. As Senior Scouts, we were expected to work more efficiently to show good examples to the Boy Scouts. We managed to put the lashing skills in good use, combining the likes of Square Lashing and Snake Lashing, to tighten up the stands and table top of our altar fire. The end result was just alright.
Lunch preparation then began as we were issued with just the right equipment and cooking utensils systematically, which we had learned to not mess up the Quartermaster’s Room. We had a rather simple but filling meal for lunch, to make sure we have enough time for the rest of the programme planned for the day. Some of us started to feel a little tired since we had been working under the hot weather for some time, and this was just the very first camp for some new members.
We then gathered in the classroom for a badgework training course conducted by the Scouters. It was aimed to help us with our badge progression. We enjoyed the balance of both indoor and outdoor activities in this camp, where we got to have some patrol competitions at the school field right after the course. Everyone was battling to earn more patrol points, as the ranking were still quite close at this stage. Once the games were concluded, we proceeded with dinner preparations. We were taught with a simple home-cooked dish, and it went well with some canned food and white rice.
Soon after, it was the highlight moment in this training camp, when we gathered again with the Boy Scouts to have a campfire night. The Scouters taught us the 10th KL scout songs that were passed down over generations. We had a lot of fun and laughter during the campfire games as well. It was a good bonding session for both Troops.
Day 2 of the training camp began with morning exercise, and preparation of breakfast, before we continued our programme for the day. We had training sessions for both theory and practical of fire lighting, as we were going to conduct backwoods cooking for our lunch later. Some of us then proceeded to build a fire on the altar fire, while others were taught on the preparation of “bamboo chicken” and “bamboo rice”. It was indeed a fun learning experience to try doing backwoods cooking, the scout method.
Later, we had a session with the Scouters sharing about history of 10th KL with reference to the History Book that was published last year. All of us were given a copy and it was quite interesting to know more about our own scout group and how it was like in the old scouting days. We then proceeded to the field and had a few games together with the Boy Scouts again. After dinner, there was another leadership training session, which reminded us about the importance of certain skills like precise communication, coordination, and basic management skills.
The last day of the training camp began with a simple breakfast, and dismantling of the pioneering structures that we had built. A team was also deployed to make sure the camp compound was properly cleaned, and all equipment returned to the Quartermaster Store. We then changed into uniform again for the closing and Flag Ceremony, before returning home with a happy heart filled with scouting memories and precious comradeship.
–
Tuan Jay Han
Senior Scout Troop Historian
Court Of Honour 2025