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You can already tell that it will be a really hot day at the Marina One15 in Santosa Cove, Singapore. Even though it is still quite an early morning, there is lots of activity in the Volvo Ocean Race Village. The Rover Scouts of Singapore are preparing for their Scout's Day. Eight Scouts are standing in two straight rows, practising for the piping ceremony that will welcome the guest of Honor, Malcolm Tan, Assistant Chief Commissioner. Others are doing the last bit of preparing before 500 cub- and roverscouts arrives. The Singapore Scout's day is the third of the seven Scout's Days that will be held throughout the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-2009. Kenneth Lai, the man in charge from the Singapore Scouts Association, explains that in Singapore the Rovers has been asked to be in charge of the event. Ken and his team has worked for about 4 months to prepare for this day. We are all a little bit nervous about how the day will turn out, but as 500 scouts are coming into the Race Village almost all at the same time, our nerves cools down a little bit. 
It is 11 am, and the opening ceremony has just ended. The Scouts has been given the green light to explore the Race Village and the activity booths set up by the Roverscouts and external exhibitors. The common theme for today is ofcourse the environment, and what we can do to improve it. Learning is of course supposed to be fun- and we're having lots of it! The hours are passing by while we are fishing for a prize, throwing balls at targets, and at the same time learning more about coral reefs and the marinelife in Singapore- one of the busiest ports in the world. We also get to try out the Volvo Ocean Race Village experience, and visiting Volvo where we learn more about Volvo Ocean Race. 
The heat is taking its toll now, and we are treated to ice cream and water before we get to sit down in front of the main stage for a Q&A with representatives from the different racing teams. The day is coming to its end. Before we go home we are asked to make a committment for the environment by writing our pledge on a banner. You can feel the BP spirit in the messages written by the Singapore Scouts, the most telling is "Try to leave the world a better place than you found it. Save the environment". It is such a reward to take a look at the banner and all it's messages. Imagine what we can achieve for the environment by taking action together. 
If you would like to read more about the Singapore Scout's Day, please refer to www.volvooceanrace.org |
