Toa-Payoh District Sabah Adventure Trip

Communing with Nature through Adventure, was how you could describe the Eco-Adventure Trip that 31 Scouts and 5 leaders (Maris Stella, Beatty, RI 01, Bishan Park) from Central Area went on from 10-16 June 2008. This year, TPY District Leader, Mr. Kumanan, planned and organized a 7 days journey to Sabah, The Land below the Wind. The trip to Sabah was meant to challenge the Scouts’ perspective of adventure and give them a greater outlook into International Scouting.

The Adventure aspect of the journey, saw the Scouts engaged in activities such as White Water Rafting @ Kiulu River and Snorkeling @ Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park. Most of the boys truly enjoyed the experience of seeing fishes swimming right in front of their eyes in the crystal clear waters and the exhilarating moments of going down the rapids and crashing through the white waters of Kiulu.

Our Scout also learnt about the ecology of the endangered Proboscis Monkeys and the Orang Utans during their visit to the Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary and Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre.

Our arrival at Kota Kinabalu International Airport was warmly received by the Sabah Scouts and Commissioners with loud bangs of the ‘Kompang’ and Cheers from them. It sure was a culture shock for our Boys who have never experienced such a warm welcome upon the arrival at another country.

During our visit, on the second and fourth day, we were hosted for a goodwill night by the Kota Kinabalu Scouts and Sandakan Scout. At Kota Kinabalu, the Commissioners and Scouts put up a night full of dance and songs with lots of great local food. The Singapore Scouts did as well show them some of our Campfire songs and dance.

At Sandakan, the Local Scout Council hosted us for a Seafood Dinner and Campfire. The whole atmosphere of the campfire in total darkness under the shimmering stars and the light of the moon was an unforgettable one for the Scouts who dwell in an urbanized society like Singapore.

In overview, the trip was a great opportunity for the Scouts to know each other from different Units and was a good way to apply the Scouting method of Learning through Nature into the Programme of the Scouts.

" As the trip progressed, I actually found myself enjoying it as I managed to get away from the stressful life in Singapore. Looking at it from another point of view, I was actually “playing” for a whole week! The trip offered everyone a chance to learn more about the wildlife and habitats over in Sabah, and gave us the opportunity to bond with each other and make new friends within the Units of Toa Payoh District. I would like to thank the Teachers and Scout Leaders for taking their time off to organize this trip. "

Nicholas Loh Kian Seng

Patrol Leader of

Beatty Beaver Scout Group