The Singapore Scout Association

Scouting in Singapore began with the 1st Sand’s Troop of 30 boys under the sponsorship of Young Men’s Christian Association, whose building also served as the Scout Headquarters.

Scouts rendered valuable service by taking over from the police and army the duties of dispatch riders, telephone operators and clerks during the period of the Sepoy Mutiny by the Indian Light Infantry

Younger boys were brought into the Movement as Wolf Cubs. The Scout Headquarters moved to Zetland house at Anson Road.

The 1st Malay-speaking Scout Troop was formed.

Scouting from Singapore spread to the mainland of the Malay Peninsula and Frank Cooper Sands assumed the post of Chief Commissioner of the Scout Branch Association, which comprised of the British Crown Colony of the Straits Settlements (Singapore, Penang and Malacca) and the Federated Malay States. The Scout Headquarters moved to a building vacated by the General Post Office at Clifford Pier.

Recognizing the extensive role of Scouting in the lives of young people, the schools in Singapore adopted the Scout Programme as an extra-curricular activity resulting in the formation of school-sponsored troops registered as 2nd Raffles Institution, 3rd Anglo-Chinese School and 4th St Joseph Institution in numerical order of formation chronologically after the 1st Sand’s Troop an open troop.

Senior Scouts were established as Rover Scouts

Mr Ng Seng Choy loans his land for camping. That piece of land was situated at Wing Leong Road, Changi, and was named Purdy Camp. Many Scouting veterans remember their camping days at this very memorable site. The loan continued for 21 years.

Baden-Powell’s visit was resoundingly acclaimed at a mammoth rally organised specially for this occasion. It was held at the Jalan Besar Stadium.

Sea Scouting was introduced with the formation of the 1st Trafalgar Sea Scout Troop. Their base was on the ‘SS Lumut’ moored in the Telok Ayer Basin.

The effects of World War Two were being felt in Singapore and Scouts took up positions of responsibilities by qualifying as Air Raid Wardens, Fire watchers, First Aid Men and Police Officers, serving bravely in their respective units until they were disbanded with the fall of Singapore to the occupational forces of the Japanese Army.

Under fear of Japanese Military action, Scouts met clandestinely to keep the Scout Movement alive.

Senior Scouts had opportunities to work for the King’s Scout Badge as their highest award.

Arrangements were carried out for Singapore to gain Association status with the UK Scout Association.

Branch Association status was accorded with Reverend R.K Adams as Chief Commissioner.

Singapore Scouts went on their first Job Week and raised funds to send its first contingent to Australia to participate in the 2nd Pan-Pacific Jamboree in Sydney.

Fund-raising efforts were fruitful enough for the Association to purchase a 27 acre land in Jurong, for a permanent campsite, named Jurong Park. It was situated at the old Boon Lay Road.

The Association built its permanent headquarters. The Association Headquarters was thus able to vacate from its borrowed premises at Armenian Street to Sands House, Clemenceau Avenue.

The Singapore Scouts acquired a 1 acre land at Telok Paku, Changi for camping and sea activities, the campsite was named Jubilee Camp. It continued with the lease for 14 years. Singapore participated in the 10th World Jamboree at Makiling, Phillipines.

A standard uniform of khaki shirt and trousers with the distinctive white and red scarf was established.

Singapore was admitted as a full member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement. Jurong Park was acquired for industrial projects. Sarimbun Camp, a 27 acre campsite situated at Jalan Bahtera, Lim Chu Kang was leased by government on the basis of a temporary occupation license.

The Government's recognition of the local Scouting Movement was registered with the selection of the scouts’ marching contingent at the Singapore's National Day Parade for its illustration on the $1 "bird" series currency note. Its printing has since been stopped and the currency note is now a collector's item.

First President's Scouts invested.

A two-storey bungalow at 5 Martia Rd was acquired for scouting activities and named Ee Peng Liang Building.

Singapore participated in the 13th World Scout Jamboree and 23rd World Scout Conference, both held in Japan.

Singapore hosted its first regional conference, the 9th Asia- Pacific Scout Conference, at Hotel Royal Ramada.

First National Jamboree (JAMB 10-80) was held at Sarimbun Scout Camp to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of Singapore Scouting.

A set of stamps depicting our scouts in various outdoor activities was issued by the postal department to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of World Scout Movement.

The eight-hectare Sarimbun Scout Camp was developed at a cost of 1.7 million to better serve campfire needs with a multi-purpose hall, modern washrooms, dormitories and a central kitchen.

Sands House at Clemenceau Avenue was acquired and the headquarters moved to a two-storey bungalow at 305 Tanglin Road.

The Singapore Scouts scored two historic “firsts” this year. The first-ever Scout Cross Country Race at MacRitchie Reservoir on 23 July, attracted 480 enthusiastic participants. In August, the first-ever National Camp was held for the various school uniformed groups (The National Cadet Corps, the National Police Cadet Corps, the Singapore Scout Association, the St. John’s Ambulance Brigade, the Red Cross Society, the Boys’ Brigade and the Girls’ Brigade at the Sarimbun Scout Camp.) It was organised by the National Cadet Corps, but the Singapore Scout Association was proud to contribute its expertise and participation in this national event.

Mr Joseph Wong took over the helm of the Singapore Scout Association as the Chief Commissioner from Mr Lim Keng Teck. Singapore celebrated 25 years of independence. The Singapore Scout Association launched a new badge as their way of commemorating the nation’s 25th birthday and also for the scouts to identify themselves with the community and the nation. The Singapore Scout Association celebrated its 80th Anniversary the same year. One of the highlights was the 2nd National Scout Jamboree (JAMB 25-80) where over 800 scouts – both local and from the Asia-Pacific region – got together at the Sarimbun Scout Camp. The Singapore Scout Association became the 3rd organisation in Singapore to send a team of climbers to successfully scale Island Peak (6189m), in Nepal, in December 1990.

The Singapore Scout Association and the Singapore Civil Defence Scout Survival Camp equipped scouts with the skills of helping civilians by rendering first aid, distributing rations and providing support services in any state of emergency of war. His Majesty, King Carl Gustaf XVI of Sweden, in his capacity as Honorary President of the World Scout Foundation and Patron of the Baden-Powell World Fellowship, made a historic visit to Singapore from 18 August 1991 to 19 August1991, to present certificates and medallions to new Fellows. Eleven new BP Fellows from Singapore were installed at the ceremony.

Mr Joseph Wong stepped down as Chief Commissioner due to heavy business commitments. Mr Felix Li Tai Ho was elected the Chief Commissioner by the Scout Council to succeed him. A decision was taken to sell the Ee Peng Liang Building, long used as the Katong Headquarters, at 5 Martia Road, to raise funds for the building of the new Scouts HQ in Bishan. As a finale to the National Day Celebrations, over 3,000 Scouts joined more than 20,000 members of the public at the memorable National Day Campfire, held at the Padang. The Association played a very active role in the campfire organisation. The Association’s mountain-climbing team successfully scaled Mera Peak (6654m), in Nepal, in December 1992.

The 5-year Strategic Plans for the 1990s to increase membership growth, provide quality Scouting and to make Scouting the Number One Youth Movement in Singapore were formulated and launched under the leadership of Mr Felix Li, Chief Commissioner. Dr Tay Eng Soon, Senior Minister of State for Education, officiated at the Singapore Scout Association’s National Adult Leaders’ Convention, ‘Scouting is Education’, on July 10th. More than 400 scout leaders, school principals and Education Ministry officials were present. Two community campfires, one at New Town Secondary School and the other at Tao Nan School, were held on 28 August to commemorate Singapore’s 28th birthday.

‘Adiji Chief Scout’ was held on 27 February, at Bedok South Secondary School, to welcome the new Chief Scout, His Excellency President Ong Teng Cheong, President of the Republic of Singapore. In May, the Association hosted the Asia-Pacific Regional Seminar on Financial Management. Sarimbun Scout Camp was turned into a jungle survival classroom for more than 1,000 campers from all eight Uniformed Youth Organisations and the Youth Wing of the People’s Association at the National Camp ’94. Again, the Singapore Scout Association played a very active role in the camp organisation. His Excellency, Mr Ong Teng Cheong, was the Guest-of-Honour. The Association’s mountain-climbing team, led by National Training Commissioner, Mr Mohd Effendy bin Rajab, succeeded in climbing Mount Kilimanjaro (5895m), in Tanzania, Africa, in June 1994. Dr Ee Peng Liang, President of the Singapore Scout Association (1973-1994) passed away peacefully in his home on 24 August, at the age of 81. Singapore Scouting has lost a great benefactor and dear friend. Mr Chia Shi Teck, Vice-President, took over the helm of the Association following Dr Ee’s sudden demise. The development of Sarimbun Scout Camp was completed with the addition of the Dr Tay Eng Soon Pyramid Challenge Tower, a 7-Storey artificial rock wall, 20 a-frame huts, 3 specially- constructed campfire circles and facilities for low rope elements.

The Singapore Scout Association hosted the 18th Asia-Pacific Regional Scout Conference, from 19-23 June, at the Mandarin Hotel, Singapore. The Conference theme, ‘Towards 2002: Quality Scouting for a Better World’ seeks to to attain regional priorities on Youth Programme, Adults in scouting, Management, Finance, Public Relations and Membership Grow, within a 10-year time frame from 1992 to 2002. It was officially opened by His Excellency President Ong Teng Cheong, who was the Chief Scout of the Scout Movement in Singapore. It was attended by more than 500 delegates from over 30 countries – making it the largest attendance in Asia-Pacific Scouting history. The Conference also saw the Chief Commissioner of Singapore, Mr Felix Li Tai Ho, being elected as the new chairman of the Asia-Pacific Regional Scout Committee. The Conference was preceded by the Asia-Pacific Regional Course for Leader Trainers, from June 12-17, at the Sarimbun Scout Camp. More than 40 trainers from 13 APR countries attended the course, which was officially opened by a former Scout, Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Yatiman Yusof. This is the first time such a course has been conducted in the history of Singapore Scouting. The Conference was also preceded by the 1st Asia-Pacific Regional Youth Forum. Youths from 12 APR countries gathered at the Raffles Institution, Singapore, for the forum from June16-17. It was officially opened by Mr Sidek Saniff, the Minister of Sate for Education and a former Scout.

The Singapore Scout Association moved into its spanking new HQ building and permanent home at No 1 Bishan Street 12 on 2 September. The three-storey high building was built at the cost of $3m and named the Ee Peng Liang Building, after its long-serving President and benefactor. The building boasts of a spacious Scout Shop on the first level. The Association’s general office, offices of key personnel, Scout Guild Room, Conference Room, Training Room, Programme Room and a resource library are located on the second floor. The Association’s auditorium is located on the third level. The Headquarters’ space is fully utilized with the provision of guest rooms and a lounge.

The Asia-Pacific Regional Scout Committee met in Singapore from 20-23 February. The Annual World Scout Day Rally (Known as Founder’s Day or BP Day) and the ‘Launch of The Small Kindness Year For Scouts’ were held at Yio Chu Kang Stadium on 22 February. More than 6,000 Scouts and members of the Asia-Pacific Region Scout Committee members and Chairman of the various Sub-Committees in the Region attended this grand rally. Mr Lim Boon Heng, Minister without Portfolio, graced the occasion. The Chief Commissioner, Mr Felix Li Tai Ho, officially launched the International Scout Club on May 24. Only Scouts and Scout Leaders who have participated in an overseas Scout event are eligible to be members. A Pre-National Service Camp was organised and carried out for Scouts above 17 years old and also for those who were due for NS enlistment, at the Sarimbun Scout Camp, from 3-15 June. Mr Billy Goh Piak Chiang, Executive Director of the Singapore Scout Association, was awarded the Bronze Wolf by the World Scout Movement for outstanding contributions of the most exceptional character to Scouting. He is the second Singapore Scout to receive this prestigious award, after the late Dr Ee Peng Liang, former President of the Singapore Scout Association. Mr Lai Kwok Seng, Deputy Chief Commissioner, was nominated by the Scout Council to succeed Mr Felix Li as the Chief Commissioner in 1998, after the latter insisted on making way for new blood to head the Association.

The Official Opening of the Ee Peng Liang Building STATE LAND LOT 6248 PT KMUKIM 17 become No. 1 Ee Peng Liang Building, our Scout HQ in Bishan Street 12. The official opening on 22 February by His Excellency, Mr Ong Teng Cheong, President of the Republic of Singapore and our Chief Scout, was a memorable one. The charismatic lion dancers, accompanied by thundering drums and cymbals, heralded the auspicious event. All scouts, young and old, felt proud and honoured to witness this milestone in our Singapore Scouting history. The new building was named after Dr Ee Peng Liang in memory of the good work that he had done for Scouting and the community through his tireless efforts in fundraising. The man served in 59 organisations and during his lifetime, received 18 decorations and 5 national state honours, including the Public Service Star. He strove to help as the many people as he could regardless of “race, language or religion”.

The Association worked with the Sasha Bear Company to outfit a 12-inch Sasha Bear in a Cadet Scout’s Uniform. With a limited production of only 600 bears, the Scout Sasha Bear is the first in Singapore and the World.The 1st National Website Competition was a project jointly organized by the Singapore Scouts and the Guides Association to encourage and promote the creation of Scout and Guide websites. The competition was judged over the Internet by a panel of 6 judges from the SSA, Guides, MOE and NCB.The Training Team conducted the APR Workshop on Management Techniques for Adult Resources from 20 to 24 November at the headquarters. 22 overseas leaders and 27 locals attended the 5-day workshop. Overseas participants from Egypt, Philippines, Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, South Korea, Malaysia, Australia and Bangladesh attended this workshop.The Strategic Planning & Implementation Seminar cum Workshop, was held at Hyatt Hotel at Johor Bahru on 11 and 12 December. At the workshop, nine groups of participants from the Association deliberated on their plans for the next three years of the new millennium and presented their action plans at the seminar.
2000’s