Troop Program: Japanese Invasion!

Ohayou!

So this last Friday was the second Scout Troop program we got to run as a rover crew, and let me in advance that I think this was a huge success and the scout seemed to have a fantastic time!

The overall theme of the program was ‘Japanese Invasion’ and we tried to keep all the activities in line with this theme. Here are some explanations of the activities and here is the program.

The program started with the usual flag ceremony, but after this, scouts were instructed not to report in with the usual salute and ‘Eagles Reporting!’ routine. Instead they had to give a quick bow and greet the scouter by name, eg. “Weasel-domo”, “Mammoth-domo” or “Panda-chan.”

The first activity was a game dubbed ‘Pearl Harbour’. Basically each of the 4 patrols had  basin filled with water and these were arranged in a squared about 10m wide. Each patrol started with 3 apples (or ‘bombs’) floating in their basin. The aim was to lift up a patrol member by their arms and legs (similar to the ‘Aircraft Carrier’ game) and try transfer as many apples to the other teams basins within 5 minutes, the team with the most apples being the losers of the round. 3 rounds of this were played.

There was then a short instruction on how to make sushi. I’m not giving a guide here, but just search Maki Sushi and you’ll find alot of recipes. They were told to make sushi for their patrols and the challenge was for them to figure out how to make Ura-Maki, or inside out sushi, where the rice is outside the seaweed. The ingredients the patrols were given included Nori seaweed, wasabi, avocado, tuna, bacon, crab sticks, peppers, sushi rice, pickled ginger & soy sauce.

The patrols were also given the following STA’s:

1. Make a Samurai Katana, with a sheath, out of cardboard and foil.
2. Every patrol member needed a Japanese headband.
3. Patrols needed to make a working Japanese paper lantern.
4. A Sudoku puzzle had to be solved.

The scouts were then given alot of time to finish all the STA’s and sushi. In the middle there was a short gap for them to put the sushi and green team in the fridge. During this time, our resident Ninja, ‘Panda’, gave a demonstration on various self defense techniques and locks and holds. This may or may not have resulted in the injury of fellow rover Monkey, but nobody important. And the scouts really enjoyed it which is what matters!

Damon demonstrates how to handle your anger...

We then had time for the scouts to present their STA’s and challenges and also for them to enjoy their sushi!

After a quick cleanup we had the traditional scout flag-down ceremony and the winning patrol was announced. Well done Hawks!!!

Troop Program: Minefield Rescue

Sup Y’all!!!

So this last Friday, before trekking through to staff on Cooks Course, the Rovers ran the opening program for the Friday troop night. We tried to keep the program relatively simple, but maintain the fun aspect while still staying scouty! So heres our program, feel free to use it in your troop!

Click here to download the program!

Now for the explanations:

The Hawk Patrols failed hot drink presentation.

First off, the inspection. We ran inspection a little differently. Instead of checking uniforms or equipment, we locked the rear storeroom and told the PL’s that their patrols had to present a hot drink in 20min. This pretty much ensures that they have all their basic cooking supplies and stationary handy to come up with some nice presentation.

The game could be anything chosen by the PL of the duty patrol.

Finally, the big acitivy: THE MINEFIELD RESCUE!!!! This was a combination of pioneering and first aid skills, as well as leadership and initiative. To set up for this activity, a square needs to be marked on the ground outside, measuring approx 6x6m, for every patrol. The P3 (third most senior scout) must then be removed from his patrol and told to lie in the centre of the square. He/she is instructed to be totally unresponive to other patrol members, but must hand them a list of injuries if they check him.

In the mean time, the rest of the patrol is given the following briefing: “A German paratrooper was shot down outside and need to be rescued. Unfortunately he has fallen into a minefield, although he was lucky enough not to set any mines off. The minefield has been marked out for your protection. The mines are totally undetectable and will explode immediately if touched. The only safe area is outside the field, and near (within 10cm) to where the paratrooper has fallen. Good luck!”

Patrols must then use ropes and staves to try get a member out into the minefield without touching the ground (this means staves can touch the ground either) to check the ‘paratroopers’ vital signs. When he does this, the victim can hand him a list of injuries. You can make up any injuries, depending on the skill level of your troop. The ones we used included a broken knee, internal bleeding, skull injury and a punctured lung.

They then need to somehow rescue the ‘paratrooper’ from the field. Remember he has ‘suffered a considerable fall’ so even if neck and spinal injuries are not listed it is important that the patrols immobalize their victim before moving him. Once he has been rescued, scouters can step in to examine the first aid and pioneering!

Hope that of some use to you all!