This was the first time we visited Bishan Park, and what more, on an early 830am Saturday morning. Well, it was all for the Parent-Child Orienteering Workshop organized by the Lifeskills & Lifestyle @ People’s Association. Repackaging the PA’s image, this new approach is termed as the “Series of courses”, aimed to create awareness of the wide array of parent-child courses PA offers to the public.
And so we were invited to participate in the Orienteering event – The Amazing Duo, where the trainers taught the kids on how to read maps (good for the mothers too), use the compass and take part in simple obstacle challenges. Fun facts: Do you know that Orienteering is a feature event in the World Games?
The girls wrote their names and mine. Definitely added a touch of feminism for me too.
Instead of a duo, we participate as a Trio. It was a rare chance for me to bring both girls out alone. Now that they are much older and able to participate without me taking care of them so much, I actually quite enjoy the event. Maybe more to come in the near future. Father & Daughter bonding!
We started with the trainer, Sebby (Sebastian) explaining the ice-breaker games. We played Dragon-Wizard-Elves (the equivalent of Scissors-Paper-Stone), but with actions. Standing in a line back-to-back, turn around on command and display our group’s selection. The winner gets to tap the other team and the loser runs as fast as possible back to safety.
Pretty soon, the kids are all warmed up and sweating. Parents are slightly tired by now, hahaha..
Water parade!
Next up was the training on how orienteers clock in on different control points. Sebby introduced the use of an electronic punching and identification system.
The girls were given a simple map with different control points, and they were suppose to run around, reading the map and find the control points (different color cones), stick in the electronic key and move on to the next marker on the map. Simple? It was until Sebby mentioned the challenge of completing the route under 50sec.
After every try on the course, the timing would be printed out on a slip and we went for at least 10 rounds to finally complete the challenge in 50.2sec flat.
Last part of the orienteering race, the kids were taught how to use a compass to read the map. It was really quite interesting, even for an army guy like me, it was fun to teach our children how to topo.
It was a bit too tough for Jayne to understand, so she went off to play on her own. Which gave me the chance for some photo shoot opportunity. My cutie pie!
In an orienteering race, the control points are well identified by an internationally recognized orange and white symbol. Which is what the children will need to find using their newfound skills on reading the map and compass. Ok, I admit, we were the ones reading the map, the kids just pose with the electronic keys. Still, the most important thing is we both have fun.
All sweaty and tired. We are ready for a break and some lunch.
Lunch at the greenroom. Nice place, I think I would bring Kless back here for a more relaxing meal in future.
Jayne and her new friend who is also turned 5 just a few weeks back.
Jayne was all excited to win some prize for the day’s work and duly rewarded when we crowned the Most Tremendous Trio. No idea where did Jayne learnt the zombie pose from.
It was a great morning family fun at the Bishan Park. Leave you with this amazing photo taken by Jayne.
