CCA Fair 2021

On the 7th of January, our troop held our annual CCA Fair. However, the CCA Fair this year was quite different from the ones I had participated in before. Due to COVID-19, we were limited to only setting up simple booths that featured some elements of Scouting such as the badges, scarves, tools, a mini pioneering structure, and a simple game. On top of the booths, we also prepared a set of presentation slides that portrayed what scouting was about and also showcased an animated video of our unit to the Secondary Ones. 

Since the Covid-19 restrictions did not allow us to use the parade square for our usual CCA Fair, we were not able to build a pioneering structure to showcase to the Secondary One students. As such, we decided to build a small gateway to fit into the small entrance of the study entrance

However, we decided to scrap that idea as most of our poles were too tall and the entrance of the study area was too narrow. After some discussion, we decided to build a photo booth for the sec 1s as they could gather there with a group photo with the CCA and also complete one of their challenges for the orientation program, which was to take a group picture with each CCA. The photo booth would be one of our banners, which will be suspended between 2 tripods. Although it seemed like nothing could go wrong, on the actual day of the CCA fair, our structure fell moments before the first class came in due to strong winds. However, we did not let that setback ruin our moods for the CCA fair and decided to carry on with the program.

For the exhibitions, we had a total of 10 scouts participating due to the safe distancing measures and had to assign each of them to various booths. I was in charge of the Badges booth, along with my Sec 3 Junior, Lucius. Our job was to explain what all the showcased badges meant. These badges included Area badges, Progress badges, and Event Badges. Although I had to present the same thing about the badges for 8 classes, I was very satisfied because most of the Sec 1s were very intrigued and signed up for our CCA as they showed interest.

Me talking about various badges

The booth displayed many of the miniaturized versions of past pioneering structures we did before and also displayed pictures of other structures that we have built. I still remember one of the Sec 1s excitedly asking ‘Have you guys built this before’ as he pointed to one of the mini pioneering structures. It was because of the creative element that pioneering has that attracted him to Scouts. He even told me that he wanted to build his own obstacle course through pioneering.

     

                   Venture Bellamy Kwan and Patrol Leader Asvind showcasing the various pioneering structures

Other than these 2 booths, I felt that the Sec 1s  enjoyed the video that the media team created. The video was an animation of the few things we do in Scouts with the theme song of Naruto. I felt that this was a smart way to promote Scouting to the Sec Ones as not only did it showcase some of the things we did in Scouting, it also had the theme song of Naruto which managed to get the attention of these students as this was something that most of them like, anime.

Below is the link for the recruitment video

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CJs2QSkH7bJ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Overall, although it was a very tiring day, I felt satisfied as most of the Sec 1s who came to see our booth were quite interested in Scouting through the various exhibitions we had and considered putting Scouts as one of their choices for their CCA.

Secondary One Students engaged in the various booths