2025 Ubin Hike

On 1 November 2025, the Troop gathered early in the morning for our long-awaited Pulau Ubin hike. After attendance and inspection, the Scouts boarded buses to Changi Ferry Terminal, where patrols were split into groups for the bumboat ride to the island. Upon arrival, the troop assembled at the Nature Gallery for a short orientation and safety briefing before the day’s activities began.

The troop began a 9km hike towards Chek Jawa Wetlands, travelling via the Sensory Trail and stopping at key rest points along the way. Midway through the hike, the patrols took part in an orienteering challenge, where they sketched a triangle formed by three marked trees using bearings and distance-estimating methods. After reaching Chek Jawa and completing the round-trip, the troop returned to Jelutong for a short rest.

In the afternoon, Scouts took part in VOJ, a rotation of four stations run by Ventures. Patrols tackled challenges such as building an improvised shelter, setting up signal fires and water-collection systems, navigating blindfolded during Nightfall, and responding to realistic emergency scenarios during First Aid. These activities tested their problem-solving, teamwork, and outdoor skills under time pressure.

The day concluded with a lively 45-minute scavenger hunt, where patrols explored Pulau Ubin within set boundaries to locate various natural items. Scouts demonstrated situational awareness, creativity, and strong patrol coordination as they searched the island before regrouping at Jelutong Campsite for dismissal.

By evening, the troop boarded bumboats back to Changi and returned to school. Through this full day of navigation, skill-based challenges, and exploration, the Scouts strengthened their resilience, adaptability, and patrol bonds—while gaining a deeper appreciation for Singapore’s rustic island.

Reflection by Pei Hoong 

On 1 November 2025, we reported early in the morning to prepare for the long awaited Ubin hike that day. That day, we were tasked with navigating through Pulau Ubin as a Patrol. From school, they set off towards the jetty where the bumboats would take them to Pulau Ubin. Once we reached the island, we were first given a safety briefing as this was an area that we were not familiar with. We then set off towards their first checkpoint, Jelutong campsite, a place that held significant importance to the scouts. After that, we set off on a hike towards Chek Jawa. Throughout the hike, we were tasked with completing many different checkpoints, such as orienteering related activities. While the hike was long, the troop spirit never wavered and we were able to complete the hike. Afterwards, we returned to the Jelutong Campsite where we had our lunch. During lunch, it started to rain, yet this did not affect us as we all put on their ponchos and prepared to move to a sheltered area. Once the rain subsided, we started making their way towards the different checkpoints that the ventures and rovers planned out. Throughout the checkpoints, we had to use multiple skills such as orienteering, backwoods, first aid, and precise thinking. To round things off, we were sent on a scavenger hunt to look for different items such as fruits, plants and different animals. We then headed back to school and bid farewell to Pulau Ubin. Overall, this experience allowed us to venture into newer areas, as well as bond together as a troop.