Two ducks swimming at Sentul Park.
Photo by Wuan.
There were at least 200 of us, Boy Scouts, Venture Scouts and Girl Guides, forming a horeshoe around the bonfire. The healthy flames rose four or five feet. The bakau wood popped and crackled. From where I was standing, I could feel the heat on my face. We were all basked in a glow of orange, singing and clapping merrily. That is what I remember most about my Scouting days.
Until today, I can still sing some of those songs that we sang during Jamborees, JOTA (Jamboree On The Air) campfires and gatherings. These events were organised by the various Scout troops Girl Guide companies in the disctrict. Among the songs that have stuck in my mind are Ging Gang Goolie, Brownsea Island, Millipede Dance and This Little Scouting Light.
The ducks at Sentul Park reminded me of my favourite campfire songs – Two Little Ducks. It is an action song. We would all walk in Indian file mimicking the actions in the lyrics. Those we the days. How I miss them so. At one stage, I spent so much time in Scouting activities that Dad became worried that I was neglecting my studies. He was right. I did not do that well in SPM. Still, I have no regrets. Those were the best days of my schooling life.
Two Little Ducks
Two little ducks that I once knew
Fat one, skinny one, two by two
But the one little duck with a feather on his back
He ruled the others with a quack quack quackDown by the river he would go
Wiggle waggle wiggle waggle two by two
But the one little duck with a feather on his back
He ruled the others with a quack quack.
I was a boy scout too. We went camping at Templer’s Park when I was 16. I borrowed my dad’s long tent. I think it could fit 10 bodies in it. I slept at the far end. My friend tried to scare me by saying that a creature would pull me out from the tent. Those were the days when nothing really bothered me.
Peter:
I am sure you had as much fun as I did.
My dad was in charge of dispensing badges to scouts who have earned it in penang. I would admire the many colorful badges in the big tin chest.Was a cub,became “cub of the year”, joined the scouts and gave up after a year!I don’t remember most of the songs though!However,I went along with my dad to the jamborees including the international jamboree in penang many many years back! It was fun seeing so many nationalities singing songs and eating together by the campfire in teluk bahang.Tents in those times were heavy and made of canvas,smelt bad sometimes and pegs were made of wood!
Peter:
You just reminded me that I have not been to Teluk Bahang in the longest time. I want to see what happened to the piece of land that used to be Jubilee Camp. The sad thing is that we have lost Coronation Camp due to the expansion of the Botanical Gardens. I have so many sweet memories there.