People’s Association Parent Child workshop

“Never-Eat-Soggy-Wanton” was printed on our trainer’s Tshirt.

It sure left an impact on Boon Wee, Daddy hopes Boon Wee will remember his North-East-South-West topo (orienteering) skills.

We were invited to one of People’s Association (PA) parent-child course last Saturday. Named “Amazing Duo”, participants get to learn about navigation with compass and map.

As the course was designed with family in mind, it provides an opportunity for Daddy to bond with Boon Wee.

Whenever Daddy drives, Boon Wee is the one keying in the GPS destinations. Boon Wee understands that if we follow the GPS turn-left turn-right instructions, we will get to our destination. But what if our GPS breaks down or there is no GPS signal?

Treasure Hunt Bishan

Daddy thought PA’s orienteering workshop will help Boon Wee to understand more about navigation, and pick up a life skill.

Orientation is easy for adults (well, for most guys :p ) as we can understand the concept and have a better sense of direction. Daddy purposely kept quiet when Boon Wee is navigating. We are curious to find out about his confidence in navigating.

More importantly, Boon Wee knows it is ok to make mistakes, we want our kids to be brave enough to take the first step (out of their comfort zone).

“Amazing Duo” was a fruitful event to help Boon Wee learn the fundamentals of navigation.
Let us share more about the fun activities.

Our trainer Sebastian (from Build N Grow), started the day with some ice breaking activities.
We played Dragon, Elves and Wizard (improvised from scissors-paper-stone), tring to decimate the opposite camp.

After we have warm up, we started our navigation course with cones and a map.
Kids need to study the “map”, identify the location of “coloured” cones.

Working as a pair, parent and child need to go to different checkpoints (cones) in sequence. The kids were dashing to snare the fastest timing, leaving the poor parents struggling behind to catch up haha.

Video : Running circles around the Cones

As we progress, the cones become more challenging too. One person has to shout the instructions “BLUE one, BROWN one” while the other dash to check-in at the cones.

By now, everyone knows the importance of “holding” the map in the correct orientation.
If orientation is wrong, cones position will be wrong.

Next, throw in a compass and North-East-South-West (NESW), and kids will get a little bit disoriented (pardon the pun).
Map reading for kids

Navigation’s first tip is always to know our North (Hands point towards North).
The compass’ bearing allow us to identify the direction of our checkpoints.

If we are still reading the map upside down, it means we are still confused about orientation, and will definitely lose our way.

Kids get to practice their new skills at Bishan Park, reading their map, identifying the route to the next checkpoint, all in a safe environment. Through a few tasks and encouragement, kids build up their confidence.

Daddy took the opportunity to remind Boon Wee to pay attention during briefing sessions.
He has a short attention span and could miss out some crucial details during briefing.

In fact, we hit our first obstacle pretty quick.
In his eagerness to complete the navigation task, Boon Wee miss one step, and all the subsequent checkpoints became “inaccurate”.

Lesson learned, it is always better to be careful than to be the fastest.

The final test for us would be to navigate and find a few checkpoints in Bishan Park under 50mins.

The navigation skills which Boon Wee picked up will be useful when he is traveling overseas. It was very fulfilling to witness Boon Wee’s confidence grows, as he hunt down the checkpoints.

We would like to thanks People’s Association for providing an opportunity for father and son to learn a new skill together. For more fun holiday activities, do pop by PA’s website.

We have been declared the Most Calm Duo! Daddy thought maybe we look too idle relaxed?

Click on link if you wish to find our more about Bishan Park (longkang fish) or basic GPS tips. Checkout Jbabies‘s experience too.

Pop by our Fanpage album for more Fun photos on Orienteering day itself.

** disclaimer. A fee was received for this blog post.

iFLY literally

iFLY, ie I FLY.

For that 45s when you are in the tunnel, you are weightless, carefree like a bird, with iFLY’s giant turbine propelling you upwards !

For that short moment when you are airborne, you throw away all your worries.
Your mind is blank, and the short 45 seconds feels like 5min of pure adrenalin.

Flyers have to go through an orientation first, learn the correct postures and instructor’s hand signals. (leg straight, leg bend, chin up and most importantly Relax!)
iFly review

Suit up, with goggles and helmet too. No phone and camera allowed inside the tunnel.
iFly dress code

If you are jumping off a plane, 45s is all it takes to fall from 12000 to 3000 feet.
Although we are confined in the tunnel, those experienced ones can drift towards the top at 56.5 feet (5 storeys high), then zoom down for that adrenalin kick (watch the professionals do it)

This must be one of our best experience in 2014.
The whole flying experience still feels surreal, Daddy say he felt like Ethan Hunt in Mission Impossible. (Did we mention wind speed is 170MPH! )

Video (Link): Best of all, Daddy and Boon Wee can encourage each other to overcome their fears.

Video(Link) : Attempt 2, thank you to our videographer Boon Kang. It might look like we are iSWIM, that is because the draft is pushing our legs out of control

The instructors will demo their skills during intervals, the experts make it look like a Matrix sequel, spinning upside-down so effortlessly. Our friendly iFLY coach, Josh. Thanks for the coaching !

At iFLY, we step out of our comfort zone, and tandem jump is no longer taboo in Daddy’s bucket list. He is still shaking his head at Bungee jumping.

Oh, remember to smile for the camera 🙂
(your cheeks would be flapping)

I can Fly (iFly) !

More Tips :
– if you find yourself heading towards the window, just slightly push away with feet or hand
– no dress code but you must wear a pair of shoes(rent at reception)
– no cameras allowed, so keep your GoPro at home
– get someone to take your photo or video(recommended) from outside
– you need to book a iFly session 90min before it starts
– ticket pricing starts from $70 and $79, for children (under 18) and adult respectively (super off peak)
– x2 sessions of 45 seconds, we recommend $30 for an extra round
– minimum age limit is 7 years old
– photos can be ordered separately

For latest updates and iFLY promotions :
https://www.facebook.com/iFlySG
http://www.iflysingapore.com

Finally, we got a chance to iFLY because we won two tickets from Estella!
Do pop by her iFLY experience too.