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!