NATIONAL CAMPAIGN (NC) / BETTER WORLD (BW) BADGE SCHEME 2023

Reuben Hendriks

Dear Leaders,

NATIONAL CAMPAIGN (NC) / BETTER WORLD (BW) BADGE SCHEME 2023

Greetings from The Singapore Scout Association (SSA).

We are pleased to inform that leaders may now register eligible Scouts for the NC and BW badge schemes via the MSDS Youth Programme Registration Portal.

Kindly note the following:

  • For NC badge schemes,
    • Registration will be opened in 2 intakes; till 30 June 2023 and 30 September 2023 (refer to Annex A).
    • Leaders may obtain relevant information, teaching materials and results form via SSA’s website (link provided in Annex A).
    • Leaders are to submit completed results form, receipt number of payment made and supporting documents electronically by the respective deadlines (link and deadlines provided in Annex A).
  • For BW badge schemes, leaders may obtain relevant information via the ‘BetterWorld’ website at: https://scout.betterworld.sg/repository/

Please refer to Annex A for details regarding the various badge schemes and for payment instructions respectively. Additionally, please note that:

  • Additional supporting documents (e.g. reflection journals, photos, videos etc) may be required for audit purposes. Such audits are jointly conducted by the relevant agencies and the National Programme Team.
  • Photos, videos and other forms of visual submissions may also be used for official reporting purposes (e.g. report submissions to agency and/or annual report publication).

Kindly email Ms Emily Ho, Executive (Programme) at emily.ho@scout.org.sg or call 69115790 for assistance or clarification.

We look forward to your enthusiastic participation.

Annex A

(I) Badge Schemes, Eligibility and Fee

Badge Scheme ^ Eligible Sections FEE (S$)
Subject to GST		 TYPE
Cub Scout Venture Rover
Civil Defence   ✔️     4.00 National Campaign (NC)
Crime Prevention ✔️ ✔️ ✔️  
Climate Action Ambassador ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️
Youth Water Ambassador   ✔️    
Kindness Badge Award ✔️      
Kindness Badge Award   ✔️     Waived
Singapore Anti-Narcotics Agency   ✔️     5.00
Messenger of Peace ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ Waived Better World (BW)
Scout Go Solar ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️
Champion for Nature Challenge ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️
Plastic Tide Turner ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️

^ Self Conducted at leader’s discretion and to be completed within the registered year unless stated otherwise. It may require site visit and/or online assessment (Refer to Information Sheets).

 

Deadline
MSDS Registration Period 1st Intake: 8 February 2023 – 30 Jun 2023

1 July 2023 – 30 September 2023
Submission of Results Deadline & Outcome of badge scheme and Notification of Collection Period Batch 01/2023

  • Submission Deadline: by 10 April 2023
  • Collection Period: 1 May 2023 – 17 June 2023

Batch 02/2023

  • Submission Deadline: by 1 August 2023
  • Collection Period: 21 August 2023 – 30 September 2023

Batch 03/2023

  • Submission Deadline: by 1 November 2023
  • Collection Period: 20 November 2023 – 16 December 2023
Information Sheets and Results Form https://scout.sg/ssa-circular under Programme – Youth
Online submission (Google Form) To be completed by Adult Leaders only https://bit.ly/NBCSubmissions2023
MSDS Youth Registration Portal https://intranet.scout.org.sg

CANDIDACY FOR THE PRESIDENT’S SCOUT AWARD 2023

Reuben Hendriks

Dear Leaders,

CANDIDACY FOR THE PRESIDENT’S SCOUT AWARD 2023

Greetings from the Singapore Scout Association (SSA).

The President’s Scout Award (PSA) is the highest award for Venture Scouts in Singapore. The PSA represents the pinnacle of achievement for Venture Scouts as well as heralds their readiness to further their commitment to serve God, Nation, and the Community.

We are pleased to inform that Candidacy for the President’s Scout Award 2023 is now open to all eligible Venture Scouts. 

To be eligible for candidacy, a Venture Scout must fulfil the following requirements:

  1. Pioneer Award Holder
  2. A Venture Scout who has reached 15 years old at the time of registration and not more than 18 years of age as of 31 December upon completion of the eligibility for Nomination of PSA.
  3. Registered member of the SSA
  4. Nominated by his/her own unit’s Venture Scout leader.

    5. Kindly register your Venture Scouts via MSDS Youth Programme Registration portal at http://intranet.scout.org.sg. Thereafter, they are required to submit the duly completed PSA Candidacy Registration Form along with supporting documents to https://bit.ly/PSACandidacySubmission.

Kindly contact Ms Emily Ho, Executive (Programme) at emily.ho@scout.org.sg or 62592858 should you require any assistance.

 

We look forward to your active participation.

ADULT LEADERS TRAINING COURSES 2023

Reuben Hendriks

On behalf of the National Training Commissioner, we thank you for your valuable feedback. We have taken them into consideration to plan a series of courses to support your learning needs in running your scout unit for 2023.

 

Aligning to “Adult Leader 2030” announced by the Chief Commissioner, we have updated the Learning and Development Roadmap with focus on 4 types of courses necessary for scouters, namely Wood Badge Courses (WBC), Standard First Aid Courses (SFA), Youth Education and Scouting (YEAS), and core scouting skill courses (Skills). Please take note thatCertificate in Applied Outdoor Education (CAOE) Part 1 and Part 2 will be combined to form “Wood Badge Course (WBC) Basic”, while Advanced Certificate in Applied Outdoor Education (ACAOE) will be renamed as “Wood Badge Course (WBC) Advanced”.

Please refer to Annex A for more details on the upcoming course dates. Registration is on a first-come-first-served basis for all interested leaders, and registration is on MSDS at http://intranet.scout.org.sg. No withdrawal/refund is allowed once registration is confirmed. 
 
For clarifications, please contact Ms Evan Ong, Executive (HR & Training) at evan.ong@scout.org.sg or call 6911 5798 for assistance.

 

Course Title Type Course Date Closing Date Cost
Standard First Aid Course (SFA) – Intake 1 SFA 31 Jan (Tue) 21 Jan (Tue) $50
Standard First Aid Course (SFA) – Intake 2 SFA 24 Feb (Fri) 10 Feb (Fri) $50
Student Leadership Challenge – Inspiration and Application YEAS 11 Mar (Sat) 11 Feb (Sat) TBC
Standard First Aid Course (SFA) – Intake 3 SFA 18 Mar (Sat) 4 Mar (Sat) $50
Wood Badge Basic Course – Intake 1 WBC 21 – 22 Mar (Tue – Wed) 1 Mar (Wed) $350
Wood Badge Advance Course – Intake 1 WBC 11 – 14 Apr (Tue – Fri) 14 Mar (Tue) $350
Facilitating Student Development Experience & CCE2021 in UG CCAs for Teachers YEAS 20 Apr (Thu) – AM 8 Apr (Sat) –
Standard First Aid Course (SFA) – Intake 4 SFA 28 Apr (Fri) 7 Apr (Fri) $50
Specialist Skill Course – (Campfire) Skills 13 – 14 May (Sat – Sun) 15 Apr (Sat) $200
Wood Badge Basic Course – Intake 2 WBC 20 – 21 May (Sat – Sun) 22 Apr (Sat)  $350
IMH Mental Literacy Train-the-Trainers Programme YEAS 24 – 25 May (Wed – Thu) 10 May (Wed) –
Standard First Aid Course (SFA) – Intake 5 SFA 26 May (Fri) 12 May (Fri) $50
Specialist Skill Course – Campcraft Skills 3 – 4 Jun (Sat – Sun) 13 May (Sat) $200
Wood Badge Advanced Course – Intake 2 WBC 8 – 11 Jun (Thu – Sun) 11 May (Thu) $350
External – Kayaking Course Skills 10 – 11 Jun (Sat – Sun)

24 – 25 Jun (Sat – Sun)

 20 May (Sat) TBC
Standard First Aid Course (SFA) – Intake 6 SFA 24 Jun (Sat) 10 Jun (Sat) $50
SEL – Psychological First Aid (PFA) YEAS 7 Jul (Fri) 16 Jun (Fri) TBC
Standard First Aid Course (SFA) – Intake 7 SFA 25 Jul (Tue) 11 Jul (Tue) $50
WB3 – Youth Programme (Implementation) WBC 26 – 30 Jul (Wed – Sun) 1 Jun (Thu) $500
Wood Badge Reunion WBC 29 Jul (Sat)   TBC
Facilitating Student Development Experience & CCE2021 in UG CCAs for Volunteers YEAS 19 Aug (Sat) – AM 5 Aug (Sat) –
Standard First Aid Course (SFA) – Intake 8 SFA 19 Aug (Sat) 5 Aug (Sat) $50
Wood Badge Basic Course – Intake 3 WBC 9 -10 Sep (Sat – Sun) 12 Aug (Sat) $350
Standard First Aid Course (SFA) – Intake 9 SFA 22 Sep (Fri) 8 Sep (Fri) $50
Standard First Aid Course (SFA) – Intake 10 SFA 28 Oct (Sat) 14 Oct (Sat) $50
Standard First Aid Course (SFA) – Intake 11 SFA 27 Nov (Fri) 10 Nov (Fri) $50
Wood Badge Advanced Course – Intake 3 WBC 16 – 19 Nov (Thu – Sun) 19 Oct (Thu) $350
SEL – Psychological First Aid (PFA) YEAS 18 Nov (Sat) 21 Oct (Sat) TBC
Standard First Aid Course (SFA) – Intake 12 SFA 16 Dec (Sat) 2 Dec (Sat) $50
  • Fees excludes prevailing GST (8%)
  • Ministry of Education’s Uniform Group Grant available

Upon notification of accepted registration,

Terms and Condtions:

  1. Upon confirmation of registration, no withdrawal will be allowed once invoice is generated unless the organiser cancels the event.
  2. A no-show fee will be imposed on absentees without valid reasons or medical certificates.
  3. Prevailing GST charges applies.
  4. The Singapore Scout Association reserves the right to cancel/postpone the event and reject applicants where necessary.

NOMINATIONS FOR AKELA AWARD 2023

Reuben Hendriks

Dear Leaders,

NOMINATIONS FOR AKELA AWARD 2023

Greetings from the Singapore Scout Association (SSA).

The Akela Award is the highest award for Cub Scouts in Singapore. We are pleased to announce that the nomination for the Akela Award 2023 is now open for eligible Cub Scout and Special Needs Cub Scout Packs.

To be eligible for nomination, a Cub Scout must have completed the following requirements:

  1. All Progress badge awards – including the Gold Arrow Progress Award (Revised Criteria),
  2. Akela Award (Revised Criteria)
  3. Currently a registered member of SSA
  4. Nominated by the Group Scout Leader or Cub Scout Leader and endorsed by the Sponsoring Authority.

Do note that the Akela Award interview process and ceremony will be conducted at the Area Level.

Kindly refer to Annex A (Nomination & Submission Timeline), Annex B (Revised criteria for Akela and Gold Arrow Award), Annex C (Standing Order for Akela Award) and Annex D (Submission Checklist) for further details regarding the submission criteria and process.

For clarification or assistance, please contact Ms Emily Ho, Executive (Programme) at emily.ho@scout.org.sg or at 69115790.

Please refer to the email for the circular for more information regarding the Revised Criteria, Standing Order and Submission Checklist.

Annex A

SUBMISSION AND NOMINATION FOR AKELA AWARD 2023

Nomination Procedures

  1. Refer to the Standing Order to ensure nominee(s) have completed the necessary requirements.
  2. Register the nominee(s) via MSDS’s Youth Programme Registration portal: http://intranet.scout.org.sg by 1 Apr 2023, Sat (5.00pm).
  3. Upon successful registration, Area Admin will provide the details and google link for E-Submission. All submissions are to be completed by 16 Apr 2022 (5.00pm).
  4. All nominations must be registered by cut off dates and times. Late submissions will not be accepted.

Schedule – Nominations, Interview, Ceremony

No Date Description Remarks
1 7 Feb – 2 Apr 2023 Online Registration of Nominations via MSDS’s Youth Programme Portal @ http://intranet.scout.org.sg Only Teacher In Charge / Group Scout Leader to register nominee(s).
2 By 15 Apr 2023 Submissions

E-Submission of Nomination Form via google link together with relevant supporting documents

 Area Admin will provide the details and google link for E-Submission of Nomination forms.

Submission ONLY by Teacher In Charge / Group Scout Leader.
3 17 Apr – 2 May 2023 Akela Award Interview and Holistic Assessment
Conducted virtually at Area Level.

Successful nominee(s) will be notified via email to their Leader 1-2 weeks before the interview.

 Area will notify the Leader regarding the interview date & time.
4 27 May 2023 Interview Results

Successful recipient(s) will be notified via email to their Leader.

 Teacher In Charge / Group Scout Leader will be notified via HQ
5 Area will advise date Receive Certificates

Awardees will receive their certificates and badges.

 Certificates and badges to be collected from HQ / given at the ceremony
6 Area will advise date & time Akela Award Ceremony

Conducted face-to-face/virtually at Area Level.

 Area will notify Teacher In Charge / Group Scout Leader about the ceremony date & time.

South Area Founder’s Day Celebration 2023

Reuben Hendriks

In commemoration of the Scout Founder’s Day on 22nd February 2023, South Area will organize a celebratory campfire.

The theme for this year’s campfire will be “Superheroes”. Participants will take part in many exciting and interactive activities with fellow scouts from the area, strengthening the unique fellowship of Scouting.

Units that send their youths as participants will be able to enter their participation under the “Area Activities” component of the Frank Cooper Sands Award. Please refer to Annex A for event details.

We are also encouraging units to participate in the following events:

  1. Design Area Scout Founder’s Day badge competition – Design a Scout Founder’s Day Badge with the Superhero and/or Environment themes, together with a short write up of their choice of design. A panel of leaders will review these submissions and the top three designs will be shortlisted as potential icons to incorporate for the Area Scout Founder’s Day badge.Competition criteria can be found in the submission link. Submit via this link: https://bit.ly/south-campfire-badge2023
  2. Skit/Performance Competition – The best item from each section will be shortlisted and perform live on the day of the campfire. Competition criteria can be found in the submission link. Submit via this link: https://bit.ly/south-campfire-perform2023
  3. Best Dress Competition – Use your creativity in the costumes and the superheroes spirit (think superheroes and DJC theme) as a unit or individual and this will be judged on the day of the campfire with attractive prizes to be won.

Units that participate in the above activities will be able to enter their participation under the “Competitions” component of the Frank Cooper Sands Award

Deadline to submit badge design and skit/performance via Google form is Friday, 17th February 2023, 5pm.

You are encouraged to register all your Cubs and Scouts via MSDS’s Youth Programme Registration portal: http://intranet.scout.org.sg before Friday 17th February 2023. Accepted registrations will be notified.

Should you need any clarifications, please email Ms Valerie Lim at valerie.lim@scout.org.sg

We look forward to your enthusiastic participation and your registrations in good time.

South Area Scout Founder’s Day Celebration 2023 – Campfire Annex A

General Information

Date 25 February 2023 (Saturday)
Time 1900 to 2100hrs
(Participants are strongly encouraged to have dinner before the event)
Venue Beatty Secondary School
1 Toa Payoh North, Singapore 318990
Attire Scout uniform with scarf / Superhero costume with scarf
Eligibility All Registered Cub Scouts, Scouts, Venture Scouts, Rover Scouts, and Leaders
Registration fees S$5.00 without GST per participant (includes a commemorative badge and refreshments)
Capacity Max. 650 scouts
Registration Closing Date 17 February 2023, Friday

Programme

Time Event
1900 Opening Address by Guest of Honour
1905 Songs & Dance
1930 Skit/Performance 1 (Cubs)
1940 Songs & Dance
1950 Skit/Performance 2 (Scouts/Venture)
2000 Songs & Dance
2010 Best Costume Project Runway
2030 Closing
2100 Refreshments & Home Sweet Home

DIAMOND JUBILEE CHALLENGE FUND-RAISING 2023 – DONATIONS MADE VIA GIVING.SG

Reuben Hendriks

Dear Scouts,

 

DIAMOND JUBILEE CHALLENGE FUND-RAISING 2023 – DONATIONS MADE VIA GIVING.SG

 

Following-up on the Diamond Jubilee Challenge fundraising circular sent on 22 December 2022 (Ref: HQ-024_2022-DJC2023.2), we would like to inform that Scouts and general public may support and contribute to the Diamond Jubilee Challenge fundraising effort via our online platform on the Giving.sg Diamond Jubilee Challenge campaign page.

 

To pledge an amount, donations can be made via the link:  https://www.giving.sg/the-singapore-scout-association/djc-environment

 

Kindly note that Tax-Deductible Receipts (TDR) are only issued for single donations of $100 and above. Do also ensure that donor details are fully captured on the Giving.sg platform when making donations to be eligible for the tax-deductible receipt.

 

We look forward to your support for the Diamond Jubilee Challenge Fund-raising 2023.

 

For any clarifications, please feel free to contact us at 6259 2858 or email us at hq@scout.org.sg .

2023 SOUTH AREA LEADERS ORIENTATION & ONBOARDING TRAINING

Reuben Hendriks

Dear Leaders,

This is to welcome and onboard our new leaders in South Area, and to facilitate their questions in running units, program planning and goal setting. We would like to take this opportunity to meet them, and exchange pointers on how we improve our Youth Programme Support for the South Area.

 

As the training involves a lot of hands-on activities and for the ease of trainers providing immediate assistance, the session will be conducted face-to-face at the Singapore Scout Association.

 

Details are as follows:

Eligibility : All newly joined Adult Leaders or Leaders who need administration clarifications
Date and Time : 11 February 2022, Saturday, 9:15 am to 11:45 am. Reporting at 9 am
Attire : Smart Casual with Scout scarf
Equipment : Computer with Desktop OS (avoid mobile OS)
Venue : The Singapore Scout Association, Training Room, Level 2
Course Fee : NIL

 

 

Topics covered:

  • Brief Scouting introduction
  • HQ & Area Structures
  • Brief intro to the Scout Method
  • Unit Admin (Creating MSDS account, Frank Coopers Sands Award)
  • National & Area Programme for the year
  • Checking Youth Progress Scheme criteria via scout-sg web app
  • Fund Raising
  • National Training Calendar 2023
  • Breakout room by sections

 

Registration for the course will be available at: bit.ly/south-2023-onboarding

 

For any queries, please feel free to contact Fong Kah Chun at kahchun.fong@scout.sg or HQ at 62592858.

DIAMOND JUBILEE CHALLENGE 2023 (ENVIRONMENT)

Reuben Hendriks

Singapore will be celebrating 60 years of nationhood in 2025. To strengthen the importance of a non-formal, value-based educational youth programme, the Singapore Scout Association (SSA) embarked on a four-year project called Diamond Jubilee Challenge (DJC), launched in 2022 by Chief Scout, President Halimah Yacob.

 

This year’s theme, ‘Environment’, aims to raise awareness on climate change among Scouts and encourage them to take climate action through ground-up initiatives. The DJC theme was launched by Ms Grace Fu, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, on Saturday, 14 January 2022. Following which, our Scouts will continue their learning journey to be environmental advocates through the learning process of Be Aware, Cooperate and Act to Engage.

 

The annual challenge is split into 4 quarters. In every quarter, Scouts will carry out activities to complete the quarterly challenge and upon completion, they will be awarded a challenge badge. Submission must be made on the prescribed form (Annex C) and to be submitted at this link: https://forms.gle/kpFAp7qjZeVztZHb6

 

Kindly refer to Annex A, an infopack enclosed in the circular sent via email for information on Diamond Jubilee Challenge and the quarterly challenges in 2023.  Annex B includes the Climate Action Ambassador Badge that Scouts can pursue. For more information on the Better World Flagship Initiatives, please visit here: https://scout.betterworld.sg/repository/

 

In support of the Steward Pillar of the Forward Singapore exercise, our Scouts are encouraged to make their Green Nation Pledge to commit to making Singapore a green, liveable and climate-resilient nation. Pledge can be made here: https://www.mse.gov.sg/greennationpledge

 

We hope you will support our Scouts in their DJC learning journey. Your support for the challenge would be greatly appreciated as we prepare our Scouts in “Creating A Better World”.

 

Please do not hesitate to reach out to your Area Commissioners or Area Better World Coordinator if you require more information. Thank you.

UPDATE ON MOE PROGRESSIVE RESUMPTION OF HEIGHT-BASED ACTIVITIES FOR SCHOOL PROGRAMMES FROM FEBRUARY 2023

Reuben Hendriks

In line with the resumption of height-based activities as outlined in MOE’s Press Release on 28 November 2022, this circular serves to update Leaders of the following:

  • Leaders are advised to ensure that they engage accredited operators and qualified instructors to conduct height-based activities for their Scouts.
  • Operators running challenge course activities – which include zipline, high rope and obstacle courses that require belaying – will resume at a reduced tempo of 50% or less of their normal operational capacity from 1 February to 31 March 2023. Leaders should consider allowing time for operators to progressively scale-up and run-in their operations after the two-year hiatus.
  • Abseiling and climbing activities can resume in full from 1 February 2023, given that commercial operators and instructors for these activities have remained operational at commercial sites for the public.
  • Leaders are to carry out Risk Assessment as per Unit’s safety committee requirements (to seek advice from the Safety ICs of the schools or organisations) before conducting pioneering projects, as these projects may require Scouts to climb to heights which may pose as a safety issue.

    •  

    For Scouting activities at both unit and Area level, Scouts are advised to continue to exercise good personal hygiene and social responsibility. Additionally, Scouts who have just completed their vaccination or booster shot must be excused for two weeks from strenuous physical activities. Scouts with mild or asymptomatic COVID-19 infection should also avoid strenuous physical activity for 2 weeks after their first positive COVID-19 test (PCR or ART). Thereafter, they may gradually resume physical activity as tolerated. Leaders are also reminded to monitor and be vigilant to their Scouts’ health conditions to ensure the safety of all members.

    For further clarifications, do speak to your Area Commissioner, or call Headquarters at 62592858.

    LEADERSHIP KICK-OFF 2023 (ONLINE)

    Reuben Hendriks

    Greetings from The Singapore Scout Association and a Happy 2023!

    2022 started-off as a challenging year for Scouting with COVID-19 restrictions and the differentiated safe management measures for the various Scout sections. However, we were glad that the year ended with the resumption of many Scout camps and activities.

    As an annual exercise, Scout HQ would be having the Annual Leadership Kick-Off on 4th February 2023 to update leaders on the latest developments in Scouting and administrative procedures. Details of the Leadership Kick-Off 2023 will be held as follows:

     

    Date : Saturday, 4 February 2023
    Time : 9:30am (Registration starts at 9:00am; event is expected to end by 12:00pm)
    Venue : Zoom Meeting
    Dress  code : Scout Uniform or smart casual for new Unit Leaders.

     

    Meeting agenda and login details will be provided via email closer to the meeting date.

     

    It is essential that at least one leader-in-charge of the Scout group attends the session.

     

    Kindly register for the meeting using the following link by 5pm, Friday 20 January 2023 : https://forms.gle/4HfJH2fC77329Rsq8

     

    Should leaders have any questions or concerns, please direct them to our Leadership Kickoff Q&A form: https://forms.gle/tdy8zpJYuk9gv3tz8

    We will answer your questions during the meeting to the best of our abilities.

     

    Feel free to contact us at 6259 2858 or email us at hq@scout.org.sg for any further clarifications.