Whether it is our Scout Group, Singapore Scouting or World Scouting, there a very rich history behind each and every one of them. Check them out!
- Thiru
- Yee Keat
- Eugene
- Say Chionh
- Pui Shing
We have the following Training Schemes available in our collection.

Chief Scout of the World Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell was born in London, England, on February 22, 1857. He lived a glorious outdoor life with his four brothers, hiking and camping in many parts of England. He was the founder of the Boy Scout Movement.
In 1870, Baden-Powell (B-P) gained a scholarship to Charterhouse School. He was not an especially outstanding scholar - but he was one of the liveliest. He was also musically inclined, and his gift for sketching later made it possible for him to illustrate his own writings as seen in his book, 'Scouting For Boys', which he had later written.
At 19, B-P passed the army examination and immediately accepted a chance to go to India as a sub-lieutenant, to join the 13th Hussars, the regiment which had formed the right of the calvary line in the famous "Charge of the Light Brigade" in the Crimean War. He became a captain at the young age of 26.
In 1887, B-P was in Africa, taking part in the campaigns against the Zulus, and later the tribes of Ashanti and the Matabele warriors. The tribesmen respected him so much that they gave him the name of "Impessa", the "wolf-that-never-sleeps", because of his courage, his scouting skills and his amazing tracking abilities.
In 1901, B-P returned to England from South Africa after a victorious siege of Mafeking, a town in the heart of Africa, to be showered with honours and to discover to his amazement, that his personal popularity had given popularity to his book for army men - Aids to Scouting. It was being used as a textbook in boys' schools.
He saw this opportunity to help the boys of his country to grow into strong manhood. He set to work adapting his experiences in India, and in Africa and many other parts of the world. Slowly and carefully, B-P developed the Scouting idea. He wanted to make sure it would work, so he took a group of 20 boys with him to Brownsea Island in the summer of 1907. This was the first Boy Scout camp the world had ever seen which ended in a great success. Scouting was born!
In the early months of 1908, he brought out his handbook for training, Scouting for Boys - without dreaming that this book would set in motion a movement which was to affect the boyhood of the entire world.
B-P, finally reaching the age of 80, having seen his movement grow into tremendous proportions, his strength began to wane. Because of this, he returned to his beloved Africa with his wife, Lady Baden-Powell. They settled in Kenya where on January 8th 1941, B-P passed away, a little more than a month before his eighty-fourth birthday.

Scouting in Gan Eng Seng School started in 1923, then known as 8th Singapore Troop, 38 years after the opening of Gan Eng Seng School and 13 years after Scouting started in Singapore. At that time, there were 38 boys in the unit. The 1st Scoutmaster and the one who was also believed to be the founder of the 8th Singapore Troop was Mr G.C.S. Koch, an Irish with German descent. Since the rise of the 8th Troop, scouting in Gan Eng Seng School had matured over the years and in 1925, the Troop's membership rose to 57 scouts compared to the 38 scouts when the unit was established. During the Annual Sims Shield Competition of 1927, the unit emerged as runners-up for all round efficiency. All was well until the Japanese Occupation started, since then, the 8th Troop stopped functioning for four and a half year.
After the Japanese Occupation, scouting in Gan Eng Seng School was re-established on the 13th of May 1946 as the 26th Group with the combined effort of Khor Choo Eong and E.C. Kraal, previous scoutmaster of the 8th Troop, together with school teachers Mr Peter Lim, Ms Mary Yip and Ms Mirnue Slott.
When Mr Lim Keok Seng came to take over the unit in 1960, he began to mould and nurture the unit to be one of the top Group in Singapore. The unit recorded a high standard of scouting with many scouts attaining either their 1st or 2nd class badges.
Since then, the number of Queen Scouts and later President Scouts increase steadily over the years. Although there was a low profile of the unit in the local scouting scene in the 1970s, it did not retard the spirit of scouting among the GES Scouts, instead the unit was able to concentrate wholly on its internal development. In 1982, there were restructuring in the unit and the district. The unit was rename to Outram 01 Gan Eng Seng Dragon Scout Group but in 1988, during the reorganization of the Association which placed the Dragon Scouts into the South Area, "Outram 01" was dropped to become Gan Eng Seng Dragon Scout Group (which is the present name).



However, we discovered recently from our oldest scout, Mr Chan Chon Hoe, that the group was founded in 1922 instead of the documented 1923. Previously, 1923 was taken to be our founding year because the earliest official document proving our existence dated back only to 1923. Now we know that our true founding year is 1922 & year 2002 will be the year we celebrate our 80th Anniversary!

Scouting in Singapore began with the 1st Sand’s Troop of 30 boys under the sponsorship of Young Men’s Christian Association, whose building also served as the Scout Headquarters.
Scouts rendered valuable service by taking over from the police and army the duties of dispatch riders, telephone operators and clerks during the period of the Sepoy Mutiny by the Indian Light Infantry
Younger boys were brought into the Movement as Wolf Cubs. The Scout Headquarters moved to Zetland house at Anson Road.
The 1st Malay-speaking Scout Troop was formed.

Scouting from Singapore spread to the mainland of the Malay Peninsula and Frank Cooper Sands assumed the post of Chief Commissioner of the Scout Branch Association, Comprising of the British Crown Colony of the Straits Settlements (Singapore, Penang and Malacca) and the Federated Malay States. The Scout Headquarters moved to a building vacated by the General Post Office at Clifford Pier.
Recognizing the extensive role of Scouting in the lives of young people, the schools in Singapore adopted the Scout Programme as an extra-circular activity resulting in the formation of school-sponsored troops registered as 2nd Raffles Institution, 3rd Anglo-Chinese School and 4th St Joseph Institution in numerical order of formation chronologically after the 1st Sand’s Troop an open troop.
Senior Scouts were established as Rover Scouts.

Mr Ng Seng Choy loans his land for use for camping. That piece of land was situated at Wing Leong Road, Changi, and was named Purdy Camp. Many Scouting veterans remember their camping days at this very memorable site. The loan continued for 21 years.
Baden-Powell’s visit was resoundingly acclaimed at a mammoth rally organised specially for this occasion. It was held at Jalan Besar Stadium.
Sea Scouting was introduced with the formation of the 1st Trafalgar Sea Scout Troop. Their base was on the ‘SS Lumut’ moored in the Telok Ayer Basin.
The effects of World War 2 were being felt in Singapore and Scouts took up positions of responsibilities by qualifying as Air Raid Wardens, Fire watchers, First Aid Men and Police Officers are serving bravely in their respective units until disbanded with the fall of Singapore to the occupational forces of the Japanese Army.
Under fear of Japanese Military action, Scouts clandestinely met to keep the Scout Movement alive.
Senior Scouts had opportunities to work for the King’s Scout Badge as their highest award.
Arrangements were carried out for Singapore to gain Association status with the UK Scout Association.

Branch Association status was accorded with Reverend R.K Adams as Chief Commissioner.
Singapore Scouts went on their first Job Week and raised funds to send its first contingent overseas to Australia to participate in the 2nd Pan-Pacific Jamboree in Sydney.
Fund raising efforts were fruitful enough for the Association to purchase a 27 acre land in Jurong, for a permanent campsite, named Jurong Park. It was situated at the old Boon Lay Road.
The Association build its permanent headquarters. The Association Headquarters was thus able to vacate from its borrowed premises at Armenian Street to Sands House, Clemenceau Avenue.
Singapore Scouts acquired a 1 acre land at Telok Paku, Changi for camping and sea activities, the campsite was named Jubilee Camp. It continued with the lease for 14 years. Singapore participated in the 10th World Jamboree at Makiling, Phillipines.
A standard uniform of khaki shirt and trousers with the distinctive scarf of white and red was established.
Singapore was admitted as a full member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement. Jurong Park was acquired for industrial projects. Sarimbun Camp a 27 acre campsite, situated at Jalan Bahtera, Lim Chu Kang was leased by government on the basis of a temporary occupation license.
Government's recognition was registered in the selection of the scouts marching contingent at the Singapore's National Day Parade for its illustration on the $1 "bird" series currency note. Its printing having since stopped, the currency note is now a collector's item.
1st President's Scouts invested.
A two-storey bungalow at the Martia was acquired for scouting activities and named Ee Peng Liang Building.
Singapore participated in 13th World Scout Jamboree and 23rd World Scout Conference, both in Japan.
Singapore hosted its first regional conference, the 9th Asia-Pacific Scout Conference, at Hotel Royal Ramada.

First National Jamboree (JAMB 10-80) was held at Sarimbun Scout Camp to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of Singapore Scouting.
A set of stamps depicting our scouts in various outdoor activities was issued by the postal department to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of World Scout Movement.
The eight-hectare Sarimbun Scout Camp was developed at a cost of 1.7 million to better serve campfire needs with a multi-purpose hall, modern washrooms, dormitories and a central kitchen.
Sands House at Clemenceau Avenue was acquired and the HQ moved to a two-storey bungalow at 305 Tanglin Road.
Two ‘first’ for Scouts were scared this year. The first-ever Scout Cross Country Race at MacRitchie Reservoir on 23 July, attracted 480 enthusiastic participants.
In August, the first ever National Camp was held for the various school uniformed groups (The National Cadet Corps, the National Police Cadet Corps, the Singapore Scout Association, the St. John’s Ambulance Brigade, the Red Cross Society, the Boys’ Brigade and the Girls’ Brigade at the Sarimbun Scout Camp. It was organised by the National Cadet Corps, but the Singapore Scout Association was proud to contribute its expertise and participation in this national event.
Mr Joseph Wong took over the helm of the Singapore Scout Association as the Chief Commissioner from Mr Lim Keng Teck.
Singapore celebrated 25 years of independence. The Singapore Scout Association launched a new badge as their way of commemorating the nation’s 25th birthday and also for the scouts to identify themselves with the community and the nation.
The Singapore Scout Association celebrated its 80th Anniversary the same year. One of the highlights was the 2nd National Scout Jamboree (JAMB 25-80) where over 800 scouts – both local and from the Asia-Pacific Region – got together at the Sarimbun Scout Camp.
The Singapore Scout Association became the 3rd organisation in Singapore to send a team of climbers to successfully scaled Island Peak (6189m), in Nepal, in December 1990.
The Singapore Scout Association and the Singapore Civil Defence Scout Survival Camp to equip scouts with the skills of helping the civilians by rendering first aid, distribute rations and provide support services in any state of emergency of war.
His Majesty, King Carl Gustaf XVI of Sweden, in his capacity as Honorary President of the World Scout Foundation and Patron of the Baden-Powell World Fellowship, made a historic visit to Singapore from 18.8.91 to 19.8.91, to present certificates and medallions to new Fellows. Eleven new BP Fellows from Singapore were installed at the ceremony.
Mr Joseph Wong stepped down as Chief Commissioner due to heavy business commitments. Mr Felix Li Tai Ho was elected the Chief Commissioner by the Scout Council to succeed him.
A decision was taken to sell the Ee Peng Liang Building, long used as the Katong Headquarters, at 5 Martia Road, to raise funds for the building of the new Scouts HQ in Bishan.
As a finale to the National Day Celebration, over 3,000 Scouts joined more than 20,000 members of the public at the memorable National Day Campfire, held at the Padang. The Association played a very active role in the campfire organisation.
The Association’s mountain-climbing team successfully scaled Mera Peak (6654m), in Nepal, in December 1992.
The 5-year Strategic Plans for the 1990s to increase the membership growth, to provide quality Scouting and to make Scouting the Number One Youth Movement in Singapore were formulated and launched under the leadership of Mr Felix Li, Chief Commissioner.
Dr Tay Eng Soon, Senior Minister of State for Education, officiated at the Singapore Scout Association’s National Adult Leaders’ Convention, ‘Scouting is Education’, on July 10th. More than 400 scout leaders, school principals and Education Ministry officials were present. Two community campfires, one at New Town Secondary School and the other at Tao Nan School, were held on Aug 28 to commemorate Singapore’s 28th birthday.
‘Adiji Chief Scout’ was held on Feb 27, at Bedok South Secondary School, to welcome the new Chief Scout, His Excellency President Ong Teng Cheong, President of the Republic of Singapore.
In May, the Association hosted the Asia-Pacific Regional Seminar on Financial Management. Sarimbun Scout Camp was turned into a jungle survival classroom for more than 1,000 campers from all eight Uniformed Youth Organisations and the Youth Wing of the People’s Association at the National Camp ’94, at the Sarimbun Campsite. Again, the Singapore Scout Association played a very active role in the camp organisation. The President of the Republic of Singapore. Mr Ong Teng Cheong, was the Guest-of Honour.
The Association’s mountain-climbing team, led by National Training Commissioner, Mr Mohd Effendy bin Rajab, succeed in climbing Mount Kilimanjaro (5895m), in Tanzania, Africa, in June 1994.
Dr Ee Peng Liang, 81 years old, President of the Singapore Scout Association (1973-1994) passed away peacefully in his home on Aug 24. Singapore Scouting has lost a great benefactor and dear friend. Mr Chia Shi Teck, Vice-President, took over the helm of the Association following the sudden demise.
Development of Sarimbun Scout Camp was completed with the addition of the Dr Tay Eng Soon Pyramid Challenge Tower, a 7-Storey artificial rock wall, 20 a-frame huts, 3 specially constructed campfire circles and facilities for low rope elements, and others.
The Singapore Scout Association hosted the 18th Asia-Pacific Regional Scout Conference, from June 19 to 23, at the Mandarin Hotel. The Conference theme was ‘Towards 2002: Quality Scouting for a Better World’ with a 10-year time frame, from 1992 to 2002, to attain regional priorities on Youth Programme, Adults in scouting, Management, Finance, Public Relations and Membership Grow. It was officially opened by His Excellency President Ong Teng Cheong, who is the Chief Scout of the Scout Movement in Singapore. It was attended by more than 500 delegates from over 30 countries – making it the largest attendance in Asia-Pacific Scouting history.
The Conference also saw the Chief Commissioner of Singapore, Mr Felix Li Tai Ho, being elected as the new chairman of the Asia-Pacific Regional Scout Committee.
The Conference was preceded by the Asia-Pacific Regional Course for Leader Trainers, from June 12-17, at the Sarimbun Scout Camp. More than 40 trainers from 13 APR countries attended the course, which was officially opened by a former Scout, Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Yatiman Yusof. This is the first time such a course has been conducted in the history of Singapore Scouting.
The Conference was also preceded by the 1st Asia-Pacific Regional Youth Forum. Youths from 12 APR countries gathered at the Raffles Institution, Singapore, for the forum from June16-17. It was officially opened by Mr Sidek Saniff, the Minister of Sate for Education and a former Scout.
The Singapore Scout Association moved into its sparking new HQ building and permanent home at No. 1 Bishan Street 12 on Sep 2. The three-storey high building was built at the cost of $3m and named Ee Peng Liang Building, after its long-serving President and benefactor.
The building boasts of a spacious scout shop, four-area offices and display centre on the first level. On the second level is located the Association’s general office, offices of key personnel, Scout Guild Room, Conference Room, Training Room, Programme Room, and a resource library. The Association’s auditorium is located on the third level. Space is fully utilized with the provision of guest rooms and a lounge.
The Asia-Pacific Regional Scout Committee met in Singapore from February 20-23. The Annual World Scout Day Rally (Known as Founder’s Day or BP Day) and the ‘Launch of The Small Kindness Year For Scouts’ was held at Yio Chu Kang Stadium on February 22. More than 6,000 Scouts and members of the Asia-Pacific Region Scout Committee members and Chairman of the various Sub-Committees in the Region attended this grand rally. Mr Lim Boon Heng, Minister without Portfolio, graced the occasion.
The Chief Commissioner, Mr Felix Li Tai Ho, officially launched the International Scout Club on May 24. Only Scouts and Scout Leaders who have participated in an overseas Scout event are eligible to be a member.
A Pre-National Service Camp was organised and carried out for Scouts above 17 years old and also for those who were due for NS enlistment, at the Sarimbun Scout Camp, from June 13-15.
Mr Billy Goh Piak Chiang, Executive Director of the Singapore Scout Association, was awarded the Bronze Wolf by the World Scout Movement for outstanding contributions of the most exceptional character to Scouting. He is the second Singapore Scout to receive this prestigious award as the first recipient was the late Dr Ee Peng Liang, former President of the Singapore Scout Association.
Mr Lai Kwok Seng, Deputy Chief Commissioner, was nominated by the Scout Council to succeed Mr Felix Li as the Chief Commissioner in 1998, after the later insisted on making way for new blood to head the Association.
The Official Opening of Ee Peng Liang Building STATE LAND LOT 6248 PT KMUKIM 17 become No. 1 Ee Peng Liang Building, our Scout HQ in Bishan Street 12.
The official opening on 22 February 1998 by His Excellency, Mr Ong Teng Cheong, President of the Republic of Singapore and our Chief Scout, was a memorable one. The charismatic lion dancers, accompanied by thundering drums and cymbals, heralded the auspicious event. All scouts, young and old, felt proud and honoured to witness this milestone in our Singapore Scouting history.
The new building was named after Dr Ee Peng Liang in memory of all the good work he had done for Scouting and the community through his tireless efforts in fundraising. The man served in 59 organisations and during this lifetime, received 18 decorations and 5 national state honours, including the Public Service Star. He strove to help as the many people as he could ‘regardless of race, “language or religion”.
Land Scout Training Scheme |
The World Scout Badge |
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Sea Scout Training Scheme |
The World Scout Badge |
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Venture Scout Training Scheme |
The World Scout Badge |
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| Scouts moving up to the Venture Scout Section should continue wearing this badge. New tenderfoot will have to complete The World Scout Badge before becoming a Venture Scout. | |
The Venture Scout Standard |
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Leadership |
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Leadership Training |
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| Successfully completed a Venture Leadership Course approved by The Singapore Scouts Association. | |
Practicing Leadership |
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| Hold an appointment or a role of responsibility successfully for not less than 4 months in the Unit or one approved by the VSL beforehand. | |
Skill |
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Hold the First Class Scout Badge OR complete the pre-requisite Core Requirements |
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Refer to The Scout Training Scheme - Land Scout
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Night Exploration |
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| Plan, organize and execute a Night Exploration of distance not less than 20 km. Holder of the Chief Commissioner’s Award can be exempted. | |
Activity |
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Pursuit |
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| Show evidence to the satisfaction of your VSL that you are actively participating in an Indoor Activity AND an Outdoor Activity. | |
Fitness |
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Complete either one:
Options:
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Responsibility |
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Training |
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Any one of the following:
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Service |
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Service Instructor |
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| Perform not less than 8 hours of consistent service as a skill instructor in a Cadet Scout/Scout Unit over a period of not less than 4 sessions on a regular & consistent basis (E.g. weekly, biweekly, etc). | |
Citizenship |
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| Complete any one of the following clause: | |
Clause A - Defence |
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Complete either one:
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Clause B - Caring Society |
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Participate in a Project or programme which has one of the following objective:
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Clause C - Community Living |
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| Make an arranged visit to one Community Club, Organization or Governmental Department or Statutory Board, with a group of Scouts/Ventures and then make a report to the Unit on how it is organized and its functions in the society. | |
Clause D - Cultural Involvement |
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| Conduct a cultural exchange between at least 2 different atltures in Singapore or with visiting groups to Singapore from overseas OR participate in an Overseas Scout Jamboree or Culture Exchange Programme. | |
Clause E - Heritage |
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| Complete the National Heritage Trail for Venture Scouts (TSSA). | |
Clause F - Citizenship |
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| Participate in activities that VSL/ExCo deems promote Citizenship or Community Living may be considered (does not belongs to clauses A to E) Consult HQ for approval on such activities to be used to fulfill the requirements of this section. | |
Personal Development |
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Career Awareness |
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Complete any one of the following to the satisfaction of your VSL:
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| 1 Medium sized company in this context refers to one with at least 25 staff and 5 different levels of job description. 2 Your school counsellor or career guidance teacher or Unit Leader who has HRM experience may be able to help you. |
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Self Improvement |
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| Successfully completed a course/seminar on anv one of the following topics pertaining to Self Improvement. You may seek your VSL for their advice on a relevant subject on Self Improvement. | |
Spiritual Development |
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Understand the Religious Policy of The Singapore Scout Association (P.O.R 1/8 - Religious Policy) AND complete any one of the following to the satisfaction of your VSL:
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Self Reliance |
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Survival Skills |
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The Venture Scout Cord |
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Leadership |
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Instructional Leadership |
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Complete either one:
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Skill |
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HQ Exploration Test |
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| Complete successfully an exploration of not less than 80km on foot conducted by HQ. In approved cases, exploration by canoe or bicycle may be conducted. | |
Backwoodsman Cooking |
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| Using backwoodsman cooking techniques and condition (i.e. no aluminium foil, utensils, etc), cook a meal comprises of rice, 3 dishes of main course, soup, hot drink and a dessert for 4 persons. | |
Rescue Knots |
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| Demonstrate the use of at least 3 rescue knots. | |
Activity |
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Instructor |
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| Attained a recognized level of Proficiency and be able to instruct in an activity chosen by the Venture. | |
Responsibility |
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Practising3 |
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Instructional First Aid3 |
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| Conduct a First Aid/Life Saving/Civil Defence lesson in a Scout, Venture or Rover Unit. | |
| 3 Exemption from both sections in the Venture Scout Cord will be granted for Venture Scouts who are doing First Aid/Life Saving/Civil Defence as an Instructor in the Activity section. | |
Service |
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Community Service4 |
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| 4 Participation in a Project used for fulfillment of Citizenship part of the Venture Scout Training Scheme CANNOT be used for this section and vice versa. | |
Citizenship |
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| Complete one other clause (in a different category from the choice made for Venture Scout Standard). Refer to the options under Venture Scout Standard Section. | |
Personal Development |
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| Complete the remaining two groups (not chosen for use in Venture Scout Standard). Refer to the options under Venture Scout Standard Section. | |
Self Reliance |
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Home Economics5 |
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Perform the following Home Skills satisfactorily:
Know how to choose and purchase fresh food from the market and prepare a simple meal at home for at least 3 guests or family members. Know the basics of hosting a meal. Bonus capability - Handyman , Simple Plumbing , Simple Electrical or Carpentry skills (option necessary for those aspiring for President Scouts Award) |
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| 5 Your VSL may, at his discretion, involve a family member to preside over the test. | |
The Proficiency Badges |
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Leadership
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Skill
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Activity
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Responsibility
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Service
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Citizenship
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Personal Development
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Self Reliance
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