Monday 8 December 2014

Day 7: Farewell Shizuoka Prefecture, Hello Tokyo!

We began the day early with assembly and a few short stretching exercises to get pumped up for the day. Then we proceeded for breakfast before gathering in the orienteering room of a short briefing on running our game stations.


















We the headed to the gymnasium to run our local games for the Japanese scouts. We split ourselves up into groups whom would run various game stations. Then our Japanese friends spilt up from their troops to visit our stations.

Although we initially had difficulties getting across the language barrier between one another. We were eventually able to overcome this with a short demonstration or in our local lingo, "monkey see, monkey do".

Rubber bands for point zero
Before long, the whole gymnasium was a lively and cheerful place filled with laughing and smiling Scouts as they played the games together. Our cubs then took this chance to take the stage and put up a few performances they prepared for the Japanese scouts.
Flea fly mosquito
Performing the "Ah boys to Men" song
"Because in Singapore, Singapore..."
Soon it was time for us to part ways. We headed to a seminar room in the facility where the scout leaders exchanged words of farewell and gifts for both the Japanese and Singapore scouts. Learning from the Elementary School Students that we visited, we formed a farewell friendship bridge for our Japanese scout friends to walk through as they left.
Farewell Friendship Bridge
We took this opportunity to head out to the nearby sea shore to snap our very last group photo with Mount Fuji and a few jump and fun shots. We then proceeded back to the centre for lunch before we loaded our luggages and left the Yaizu Youth Centre.
Last group photo with Mount Fuji
Photo bomb!
Fun shot
Jump shot!
Bus ride
Before we headed to the train station, we made one last pit-stop at the Disaster Centre in Shizuoka Prefecture. In the centre, we were warmly greeted by the guide before proceeded to watch a video about the catastrophe of the Japan earthquake and tsunami in 2011. 
Group photo
Video
Then the guide brought us around the exhibitions to learn of the science behind the frequent earthquakes and tsunamis in Japan. We also got to learn about preventive measures such as earthquake-proofing your house and what to do in such a crisis.
How tsunamis are triggered
Demonstration
Short vs. Tall buildings in different types of earthquakes
On the simulator
Here comes the earthquake
Useful emergency equipments and rations
Earthquake proofed furniture
After that, we proceeded to a simulator which would allow us to experience the effects an actual earthquake. Despite being safely seated on the simulator, the experience certainly shook some of us. The simulator not only gave us the chance to experience what an earthquake feels like, it also taught us to empathize and respect the resilience of the Japanese people who pulled through these natural disasters.

Next up, we headed to the train station. We arrived at the waiting room in the station where we could shop and grab some food for the train ride. Before soon it was time to head up to the station. Out of no where, there was a siren that sounded. Within seconds, a bullet train shot out of nowhere and past us in mere seconds. The bewildering speed of these trains left us in awe. 
Shizuoka Station
Starbucks for the ride
Train platform
Boarding the train
We said our final goodbyes to the Japanese scout leaders who accompanied us to the station before boarding the train. The seat was really comfortable with a tray table for us to enjoy our food or read on. Much to our amazement, the train ride was as smooth as silk! It is truly a wonder how the train travelling at such speed could remain so stable inside. What a unique train ride!
Farewell! Thanks for the Snoopy!
Arrival at Tokyo station
We arrived at Tokyo station precisely on time as the station forecasted. We took a bus transfer from the station to our accommodation, the Olympic Youth Centre. Upon arrival, we proceeded with rooming allocation and headed to set up our beds. 

Rooming
After  that we met two Japanese rover scouts who took time off their busy study schedule to join us for the programmes and proceeded to dinner. 
Meeting the rover scouts
Dinner
After a splendid meal, the cubs proceeded for their origiami activity for their Craftsman badge. We headed for a briefing for day 8's programme before we heading the showers and going off to bed. What an eventful day!

Stay tuned for Day 8's blog! 

Sunday 7 December 2014

Day 6: Friends, Fun & Games

Once again, today was an early start, everyone got out of bed before 6.30 am and proceeded to the gymnasium for the morning assembly. Just when we thought the assembly and flag raising was over, music out of no where played. It was a simple stretching exercise. After that, the microphone was passed around for the other Japanese student guest at the centre to share a few words of welcoming to us. It was truly impressive that they spoke with a gust of confidence and enthusiasm when they took to the stage.

Morning Exercise
Greeting Speech
Soon after, it was time for breakfast!Once we had eaten our fill, we headed to the orientation room and did our preparation for the combine activities once again. This time we practiced the traditional games once again and the cubs were getting the hang of it.

Blehhh!
"Kuti Kuti"
After a while, a large wooden containers and two oversized wooden hammers at the parade square caught the attention of the cubs. Peering from the behind the glass windows, we saw steam coming out of wooden containers. In our quest of curiosity, we headed out together to have a look at what the other Japanese Students on their school trip were doing.

What's that?
Hammering rice
Posing
Strong boy
It turns out, they were hammering a traditional Japanese glutinous rice dessert. It was like our local "Muah Chee" snack. After a few quick poses with the hammer we headed back to continue with our practice before awaiting the arrival of our Japanese Scout friends. We then headed down to the cafeteria for our lunch.

Lunch time!
Our afternoon programme kicked off with a simple few games. The games were prop-less and could be played by the large group of about 100 Japanese and Singapore Scouts. The games were not only fun to play, it certainly succeed in hyping up the scouts. After that, we proceeded with a  simple ceremony to open the meeting.
Making new friends
Hi there!
The afternoon combined activity started with a wide game. 
Line us up!
Warm up game
Run devil run!
Evasive retreat   
The wide game was a quest to find the key to the pirate's treasure chest. The Cubs and Scouts would be competing with our Japanese counterparts in a friendly competition. The game had several stations around the Yaizu centre, each with their own unique challenges. Although the language barrier caused a communication problem between our Scouts and the Games master. We eventually worked out the game through a translator and hand gestures. The Scouts from both countries certainly had a wonderful time together playing and bonding together.

The pirate quest
Game station
Can Stacker
Blind marcher
Soon after, we headed back to the Yaizu Centre before it got cold at night. Then we headed for dinner! It was a packed cafeteria hall but it felt cozy with lots of compliments, chatters and cheers from the lively Japanese Scouts. 

Dinner menu
Cozy cafeteria
Boy Scouts Shizuoka 
After dinner, we headed back to the gymnasium for our Candle Fire programme. The programme started with a 25 minute walk-about trading session where scouts from both sides swapped badges, scarves, woggles and even their hand-crafted origami!After gaining a bag full of  new trades, we got a group photo together.

Trade ready
Then, the emcees from the Japanese side took over and kicked off with a wide game to hype and warm up the atmosphere. After that, we proceeded to demonstrate our "Chapteh" and "Zero Point" games to the Japanese Scouts and got them to try it out too! Afterwards, we continued with a few other activities planned by the emcee before closing off with a song.

Game
Dice-San our Emcee for the night
Games
Trying out our local games
Kick!
Zero point + Karate
Expert Lim Sensei
As per usual, the cubs went on with their debrief, reflection and off to the showers before bedtime. It was indeed a wonderful time spent making new friends with the Japanese Scouts. Tomorrow we would be having one last combined activity session with them as well and our scouts are certainly looking forward to it!
Candle light fire closing!

Stay tuned for Day 7's blog!