In remembrance of and following the footstep of our former Prime Minister, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, J and C have both decided to join the scouts in Denmark.
J first joined the scouts at the age of six years old for four years until COVID-19 stroke in 2020 where all the activities were suspended. C just started scouting this year at the age of seven years old.
Along with Mr Lee Kuan Yew, the current Prime Minister Mr Lee Hsieng Loong, the former Prime Minister Mr Goh Chok Tong, Former Chief Justice Yong Pung How, former President SR Nathan, and Ong Teng Cheong, the first elected President of Singapore, had also been scouts.
Scouting, also known as the Scout Movement, is a worldwide youth movement with the stated aim of supporting young people in their physical, mental, spiritual and social development with a strong emphasis on duty to God, duty to country and helping other people, through the Scout Method, that they may play constructive roles in society.
In the words of Mr. Goh Chok Tong, a former Prime Minister of Singapore, "The scout movement helps to lay the foundation for active adventurous boys to grow into strong, dependable men. The discipline and kindness of a scout, the pledge to do one's best to help others and to make friends and establish harmonious relations - these are the laws of the scouts. Scouting therefore builds character and nurtures the young to be resilient."
Among various outdoor activities, scouts niche areas are pioneering, campfire and camp craft skills.
The scouts movement is very much part and parcel of the Singapore education system. The movement is an integral partner that helps youth build character and leadership.
Singapore's success in nation building from being a third world country to a first world, while having compassionate and benevolent leaders with a strong value system, who truly give and care for the country and its people, to a large extent, has a strong influence from the scouting tradition in Singapore.
In this aspect, Singapore is rather similar to Denmark.
J's first Scouts Camp on 5 July 2015 (6Y)
C's first Scouts Camp on 17 May 2023 (7Y)
C's first Scouts Camp on 17 May 2023
J (6Y) receiving and wearing the Scouts uniform for the first time on 9 September 2015
C (7Y) receiving and wearing the Scouts uniform for the first time on 31 May 2023
C (7Y) in the Scouts uniform on 7 June 2023
J (6Y) wearing his scout uniform in his scout group opening and closing meeting ceremony on 9 September 2015
C (7Y) wearing her scout uniform in her scout group opening and closing meeting ceremony on 31 May 2023
Former Singapore Prime Minister, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, bottom row fourth from the right, had been a scout.
Former Singapore Prime Minister, Mr. Goh Chok Tong (third from the right) had been a scout.
Former Singapore Prime Minister, Mr. Goh Chok Tong (center) as a scout during his teenage years.