World Scout Day

hmm... last friday was world scout day! it is the same every year, however, this year was extra special as i got to go to the world scout day dinner at some bukit batok NS club thing... below is the speech done by Mr Tan Guong Ching, President, Singapore Scout Guild






Fellow scouts, guests and friends

Thank you for the privilege of joining you to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the World Scout Movement.

Staying relevant, being prepared

The World Scout Movement has over 28 million members in 155 countries today. Lord Baden Powell would have been justifiably proud of the movement he started. The world has changed considerably in the last 100 years. Consequently, the Scout Movement must also adjust and change with the times. It must therefore offer more than just the traditional camp craft and outdoor activities if it is to continue to attract young boys and men to our movement.

For example, the Singapore Scout Association (SSA) has updated its training syllabus to include topics such as the Internet and the conservation of the environment. It must keep pace with the interests and concerns of today's younger generation.

I have fond memories of my school boy scouting days - the outdoor camps, songs at campfires, doing odd jobs at Job Week, joint expeditions with Girl Guides but most of all - friendships which have lasted the test of time. I picked up many useful skills and learnt values such as loyalty, responsibility and of being prepared. These values made a real difference to my life, and I am sure in many other scouts. Thus, even as the Scout Movement changes to stay relevant, it must not lose sight of these core values of scouting.

I am happy to join you today to launch the new SSA emblem. The updated emblem reflects SSA's desire and intention to stay current but based on core values. It still incorporates the motto: ''Be Prepared.'' It remains an apt reminder to all scouts that they have to be prepared for any contingency and to face the uncertainties of the future.

Serving the community

One of the key principle of scouting is service to the community. In fact, the Scout Promise put it succinctly - a simple promise ''to help other people.'' That's why the SSA places strong emphasis on community service and involvement. It has been involving parents and reaching out to more youth through the formation of community-based scout groups such as those in Henry Park Primary, Gong Shang Primary as well as a community-based group at Pine Vale Condominium.

The SSA also reaches out to the older members in our community through the project - ''Developing Seniors as Resources for Community Scouting'', which is co-funded by the GO! (Golden Opportunities!) Fund under my Ministry. Under the project, 23 seniors have since been trained to assist in the running of Cub Scout units in the schools and other scouting activities both at SSA & district teams. This project will foster inter-generational bonding and help our elderly Singaporeans stay active in the community.

Other than community-based scouting and working with elderly, our Singapore scouts have also not forgotten the under-privileged and needy in our neighbouring countries. After the 2002 tsunami, our scouts raised over $10,000 towards the relief effort for the victims. In August last year, our scouts repaired a village bridge and built a school sports field on an island off Batam, Indonesia. Thank you for being our ambassadors and flying our flag overseas in these meaningful ways.






hmmm... it was bit boring but the food was great!!! see this









































































i got lots of great food btw... have fun eating my jpegs!