NCC WOOS RIVERVALE STUDENTS WITH ADVENTURE TRAINING PROGRAMME

In spearheading the first ever National Cadet Corps (NCC)-primary school collaboration in outdoor adventure training, some 400 students from Rivervale Primary School challenged themselves with confidence-building obstacles and team-bonding activities at the NCC Campus in Amoy Quee Camp.

As part of the school's three-day, two-night camp, which began on 28 May, its primary five students got a first-hand experience in navigating through "spider-webs" and balancing on a giant see-saw.

The obstacles were part of a series of six activity stations at the NCC premises. Situated on low ground, these obstacles were intended to train participants in teamwork and survival skills.

Principal of Rivervale Primary School Yeo Ah Tee, who is an NCC officer and avid supporter of the uniform group, mooted the partnership between the two establishments.

Explaining his motivation for the initiative, Mr Yeo said: "The NCC has a lot of activities which can benefit our children. Unfortunately, these activities are restricted to only secondary schools."

NCC is only introduced as a Co-Curricular Activity (CCA) to secondary schools.

Through this programme, Mr Yeo hopes that his students "will develop an adventurous attitude and show interest in joining the NCC which is doing a lot in terms of character development for young kids".

While some students were thrilled, others seemed apprehensive as they experienced the Motivational Obstacle Course (MOC) for the first time.

Like the Standard Obstacle Course (SOC), which is mandatory for all recruits doing Basic Military Training, the MOC - albeit a simplified version of the former - seeks to imbue self-confidence, build fitness and develop agility.

Certified military instructors, teacher facilitators and NCC cadets from Compassvale Secondary School were on hand to provide guidance and to ensure the safety of the student participants.

With the wide expanse of land available at the NCC compound, students had plenty of room for movement and exploration.

Citing the availability of suitable training facilities for his students, Mr Yeo was glad that the 11-year-olds got to experience the training which NCC cadets undergo.

"The confidence-building elements - I can't get them in school, it's only here that I can get them," he explained.

Besides increasing awareness, the adventure training programme has allowed the NCC to correct any misconceptions students might have of the uniform group.

"We hope to expose these pre-secondary school pupils to our activities and to show them some of the interesting facilities and training that we have," revealed Major (NCC) Chua Ah Thi, Head Training Cadre.

"And to tell them that NCC is not all about military shooting and drills, but that we've got more to offer to our cadets," he added.

One of the programme highlights - the paint ball shooting segment which aimed to develop students' concentration abilities - proved popular among the students.

"It's very fun although it's tough because we don't have the tactics of shooting," exclaimed Teo Siang Joo.