Unit Hike 2017

Unit Hike 2017 was held on 2nd September this year, at MacRitchie Reservoir Park. This annual event gave our cadets the chance to appreciate nature while engaging in activities like pioneering and bonding. Below are reflections on Unit Hike by Batch 51.

“On the 2nd of September 2017, Batch 51 went on our first Unit Hike with our ma’ams. It was a new experience for us as most of us have never hiked before and we did not know what to expect. After assembling at the MacRitchie Reservoir Resting Hut, we lined up ourselves according to our groups before setting off to our next location, the grass patch near the reservoir. After arriving at the grass patch, we had the first of three pioneering activities. We were given a scenario by the 49 ma’ams, which stated that we were stranded on a deserted island and we needed to build a shelter as well as something that could protect us from the wild animals in our respective groups. We only had 20 minutes to complete the task as, according to the scenario, the Sun would set and it would be too dark to see anything. Due to the fact that we have never done pioneering prior to the Unit Hike, we were unsure of what to do. Fortunately, the 50 ma’ams came up with ideas for the task and guided us on what to do. After the time was up, we had to present about our finished products as well as the different knots and lashings used while constructing them. It was very enjoyable and we got to learn from other groups as our shelters were quite different and each had their own advantages and features. Most of the groups also had an item or two confiscated by the 49 ma’ams as we did not take care of them properly, which resulted in us having to do forfeits, which ranged from stating twenty elements from the Periodic Table of Elements, saying puns and pick-up lines to singing the Alphabet Song.
After the second pioneering activity in which we had to construct something that could catch fish as well as rainwater, we stopped to play “Dog and Bone”. It was very fun and we also had to use our brains as we had to answer a few questions that tested our Mathematical abilities. Before lunch, we also stopped to play “H2O” to work up an appetite. During lunch where we had a potluck session, we played “Pass the Message” and got to interact more with the 49 ma’ams and 50 ma’ams, becoming closer as a unit. However, after the hike, we felt that we should have better memorised our knots and lashings as well as the NPCC cheers, as some of us were not able to recall the exact lines to the cheers. Unit Hike for us was definitely tiring but fruitful as we were able to learn new skills from ma’ams, especially during pioneering sessions. Although it was quite awkward interacting with the 50 ma’ams in our teams at first, we gradually became closer and it was not as awkward after the first pioneering session. Some of us were also able to give suggestions and ideas on ways that we could complete the task. Getting to enjoy the scenery and natural greenery during unit hike was definitely a bonus for us we do not go out often to enjoy nature. We also got to learn more about the reservoir and the nature around us after reading bits and pieces of information from the information boards along the reservoir. Unit Hike 2017 was well spent and a very enjoyable experience for us and we look forward to Unit Hike next year.”