SLC 2026
Written by Cayden Ng, edited by Kang Yihun
Our troop's biannual Scout Leadership Course (SLC) was held from 4 to 7 September 2026. This year, we were honoured to welcome Gan Eng Seng's Dragon Scouts, St Gabriel’s Southern Cross Scouts and St. Joseph's Institution's Pelandok Scouts to join us throughout the 4D3N camp.
Day 0 – 29 August 2026
The pre-camp training served as essential preparation for SLC. For this camp, we have 6 patrols who are named after famous explorers, showing our hopes that the scouts will cultivate a courageous and adventurous spirit as developing leaders. The patrols are Hillary, Armstrong, Livingstone, Magellan, Timmer, and Indiana. After a comprehensive safety briefing on the use of mallets, intings and the pounder tent construction process, the scouts assembled into their new SLC patrols to build their pounder tents. Through careful planning, clear markings and effective teamwork, all six tents were raised swiftly and safely.
Following lunch, each patrol designed its own identity by creating a patrol flag, motto and set of values that would guide them throughout the four-day camp.
Day 1 - 4 September 2026
The camp officially commenced with campsite development. Under the guidance of the Level 3 Patrol Mentors, the scouts adapted quickly to last-minute changes as they constructed their gadgets and camp beds.
After Flag Break and lunch, the troop attended a series of leadership and scouting lessons conducted by the leaders. Dinner was prepared through stove cooking, with patrols taking full responsibility for planning, cooking and cleaning up their meals.
The day's SPL and Patrol Leaders were tasked with coordinating the entire clean-up operation, even organising mass sweeps of the canteen. Rows of neatly washed and organised equipment reflected the scouting principle that "A Scout leaves a place better than he found it."
The day concluded with a leadership session featuring clips from various films, from Indiana Jones to Apollo 13, illustrating how the values cultivated through scouting remain just as relevant in today's world.
Day 2 - 5 September 2026
The day began with morning PT and breakfast before the troop received its first challenge: completing a full inspection layout in under thirty minutes. Despite the demanding timeline and the need to standardise the layout of both patrol equipment and campsites, many scouts rose to the occasion by guiding those less familiar with inspection standards and coordinating layouts across the troop.
In the afternoon, the pioneering challenge required each patrol to construct a functioning catapult. With only 45 minutes to retrieve all the necessary equipment before construction began, patrols had to carefully balance speed, planning and communication while designing a structure that was both stable and powerful.
Beyond achieving the furthest launch or scoring the most points, the true lesson lay in effective leadership. Having foresight, leveraging every patrol member's strengths and ensuring everyone played a meaningful role in achieving a common goal was crucial to succeed.
The evening concluded with six Situational Response and Initiative Test (SRIT) stations designed to challenge each patrol's adaptability, resilience and initiative. From escaping dark classrooms using hidden clues to climbing ladders and lighting fires at night, every station pushed patrols beyond their comfort zones while strengthening teamwork and trust.
Day 3 - 6 September 2026
With the morning inspection approaching, every patrol put forth its very best effort. Learning from the previous day's shortcomings and refining their procedures during nightly reflections, the scouts produced a more organised inspection layout in even less time. This is 智 (wisdom).
For Backwoodsman (BWM) Cooking, the scouts adapted to using metal troughs instead of digging the traditional fire pits. Preparing new and unfamiliar dishes such as lotus leaf chicken, coconut rice and pizza, as well as managing the fire, demanded both the confidence and the determination to step up and put in their best effort. This is 勇 (courage).
After enjoying a well-earned lunch, the troop undertook the demanding task of breaking down and cleaning the cooking area. The Patrol Leaders of the day had to coordinate multiple teams simultaneously while ensuring the required cleanliness standards were met within the allocated time.
Next up was the hike. It started off with patrols planning their own routes based on different checkpoint categories before making their way to Thomson Plaza. Success depended not only on navigation skills but also on strategic planning, as an efficient route reduced both time and physical effort.
Following a well-deserved patrol dinner at Thomson Plaza, the troop embarked on a nearly 15-kilometre hike back to school. Despite growing exhaustion after several demanding days of camp activities, constant calls of "Keep left!", "Single file!", and words of encouragement kept everyone moving forward until they returned to school after 9.30 p.m. This is 仁 (benevolence).
Day 4 - 7 September 2026
The final day began with the dismantling of the campsite and striking of the pounder tents. Afterwards, the Patrol Leaders of the day facilitated a series of games they had planned for the troop, leading stations ranging from First Aid challenges to Physical Training (PT) activities.
During the closing debrief, Armstrong and Livingstone Patrols were recognised as the exemplary patrols of SLC 2026 for their outstanding teamwork, leadership and resilience throughout the camp.
The camp concluded with a resounding "On Guard!" (battle cry) cheer, a fitting end to four days of learning, leadership and camaraderie, and a testament to the enduring scouting spirit shared by every scout who took part. Our scouts have shown tremendous growth throughout the camp, and we have high hopes that they will be able to lead our troops to greater heights.
Below are reflections from two scouts who participated in the SLC:
“Personally, SLC 2026 was an eye-opening experience that completely changed how I view leadership as a scout. I realised that leadership isn't just about one person taking charge, but about the entire patrol moving together. This clicked on Day 2 when poor planning wrecked our catapult project, landing us dead last in Game 1. However, before the next game, we finally started working as a cohesive unit through clear communication and supporting one another. That teamwork saved us from coming in last again. All in all, my biggest takeaway is that leadership isn't just about the leader, it's about having a strong, united team.”
~Wang Zi Heng, Sec 1, Magellan Patrol
“SLC was a golden opportunity to discover more about myself and hone leadership skills, picking up the attributes of a better leader. One of my more memorable experience was when I was SPL for day 1. When building gadgets I realised that many patrols could not complete theirs in time, I learnt to communicate effectively with the PLs to clarify and ensure the time extension that I asked for can fulfill their needs most effectively and that I do not ask for too much or too little time. I also learned to put the troop before myself, to reach bigger goals, such as giving patrols extra scouts to help them build gadgets or beds after they are done building theirs.”
~ Damien Chee, Sec 2, Armstrong Patrol
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