The Scouting Years

Was sitting around flipping through some of my old photos as well as looking at some of the photos posted on Facebook by Ekbert really bring back some sweet memories of my scouting days. Do you remember the first time you go camping? For me, it’s still as fresh in my mind like it happened only a few days ago.

Looking at all those time we had fun, growing up together as a group, enjoying all those activities from camping to hiking, from Jamborees to campfires. It was great memories that I truly valued. I’ve stopped being active for about 10 years now with work being one of the main factor that stopped me from being active cause even weekends was the days I’m the busiest in those days.

Anyway, writing this post really just to note down some of the best memories I had when it comes to Scouts. Starting with the very first camp I get to attend at SRK Taman Sea. Even though it was in a school, at a tender age of 10, it was still an adventure I cherish. My family showing up on the 2nd night of camp was also a high point for me at that time cause on that night, my troop had to perform a Malay traditional dance and better way to have it than to perform it for my own family right?

Fast forward to 1990, it was the 2nd troop I joined after I entered secondary school and this is the 73rd Petaling Scout troop of which I can say that I spend a lot of time at. So much so that my parents commented that I’m like have moved out of the home and only come home every now and then to visit them. It sounds extreme but that’s how it was, after school if I’m not at the basketball court, I’ll be in the Scout Den and weekends would also be spend at school.

Most troops I know would have their troop meeting and such until bout noon but we were so into it that we would only go home when it’s near dinner time. The first camp outside of school was at Templar’s Park. Back then the forest was untouched compared to what you see now. Not much constructions and building within the park except for a building used as the dorm and a few huts. Plenty of space for us to set up camps too. Being 14 at that time, we were all excited about what we can do at the place. I can say that that’s the time I learn how to ride a motorbike too (more like a scooter), the Suzuki V100. To some, it was a torturous camp schedule, with loads of marching, building of bamboo structures, first aid and cooking. Looking back, we actually had more fun than being tortured at that camp.

Then there was the Jamborees that we got to attend, meeting scouts from all over the world. One of the best experience that a young boy could ever have as it’s not often we get to meet like minded people from other parts of the world without the need of flying overseas. Of course, when you have Jamborees, one of the biggest thing that goes on at the camping ground would be the incredible competitions that happened among each contingents. I’m not talking about the usual marching competitions and such which is the usual stuff. It’s the unofficial competitions of who can make the biggest Arches, Camp sites, The Tallest Tents and the likes. In one of the Jamborees, we practically stayed awake from the day we arrived to the day we left. The adrenaline of the competitions kept us awake (along with countless cans of Red Bulls).

There’s also the Jamboree on the Air (JOTA) where contingents from various countries doesn’t need to gather together in the same ground but one where each contingent from various countries gather in their own countries and communicate with each other via the Amateur Radios. Every day throughout the entire JOTA, the scouts get to learn about the operations of amateur radios, phonetic codes, morse codes and the likes that is needed in the communication through radios. Even games like fox hunts was done using the walkie talkies which is unique compared to the usual games we played in other camps.

Aside from camps and campfires, one other experience I cherish is also the experience of meeting the various people during award presentations. How often do we get to come face to face with US Marines? How often can we meet royalties? It was really an experience to cherish.

After leaving school, scouting never stopped as I then joined Ekbert and friends as Scout Masters for the 73rd and guide the new groups in their path to reaching their goals, some, as King Scouts. That journey is also very exciting, learning to interact and teach as well as learning to be responsible with ensuring people under our care was safe under any circumstances whether it’s climbing up the side of the building or going for long hikes.

As work piled up, my time with the troop got less and by 2001, with heavy heart, I had to stop completely. Nevertheless, every now and then, I still think about maybe one day going back to the troop to have a look. What I gained from my time with the troop not only helped me with my working life, it also prepared me for  a lot of things which I never knew I’d do (at that time).

What about you? Were you active in any uniformed bodies during your school days?

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