THE Boys’ Brigade (BB) in Singapore will celebrate its 75th Anniversary in 2005 with a wide variety of activities, including a week of prayers and thanksgiving, as it has not forgotten God’s grace and providence.
It will kick off its celebrations with a BB Jubilee Relay on Jan 8, 2005 with teams of mountain bikers relaying from company to company.
At each company, the Jubilee Pledge of Allegiance to the Nation will be made and signed by its representative. The signed pledge will then be presented to President S. R. Nathan, Patron of the BB, at the Jubilee Reception, which will be hosted by the Head of State at the Istana later the same day.
A performance by an Old Boys Band will be given at the Reception, which will honour BB volunteers for their roles in nation-building.
There will also be a showcase of the BB Programme at the Ngee Ann City Plaza on Jan 8. Adventure and outdoor activities will be featured. An exhibition of BB community service programmes, namely, the BB Sharity Gift Box, the BB CARES and the BB Youth Expedition Projects to Cambodia, and other BB Core Programmes such as Life Skills, National Education, Christian Education, and First-Aid, will also be highlighted.
Here are the other year-round activities planned for the BB Jubilee programme:
BB Day (Jan 12, 2005):
It will be celebrated at schools with BB companies on Jan 12. Boys will be expected to don the BB uniform throughout the school day.
President Nathan will deliver the BB Day Message, which will be broadcast to all participating schools.
BB Jubilee Prayer Week and BB Sunday (Jan 16-22, 2005):
A prayer book will be compiled to encourage BB Boys and supporting churches to pray throughout the week. Each day’s prayer items will be based on a theme. Daily prayer sessions will be held at the BB Campus. The inaugural BB Sunday (Jan 16), to be observed by churches, will start off the BB Jubilee Prayer Week.
BB Charity Golf Tournament (March 10, 2005):
It aims to raise money for the BB21 Development Fund. The Organising Committee hopes to raise $200,000 through this tournament in order to expand the BB in Singapore, develop leadership, enhance the BB Programme and extend the BB overseas programme. President Nathan will be the Guest-of-Honour for the post-Charity Golf Dinner.
Global Youth Summit (June 2-6, 2005):
It will gather youth leaders from the Global Fellowship of Christian Youths and BB Asia to take part in a six-day summit, which will culminate in a one-day public conference and exhibition (Global market place) on youth work and international culture.
The summit provides a platform for an exchange of ideas among the various international participants on how youth organisations like the BB can effectively attract, retain and mould young people, especially in the light of rapid global changes and ever-changing youth trends.
It will also promote international exchange and sharing of cultures with respect to youth work, family and community cohesion. Participants will showcase their respective countries’ work and ideas with the BB Officers in Singapore and the region.
BB Thanksgiving Carnival (August 2005):
A BB Thanksgiving Carnival will be held to host beneficiaries from 75 volunteer welfare organisations (VWOs). BB companies will stage performances and set up games and food stalls for the enjoyment of the beneficiaries free of charge.
BB companies will also be assigned to VWOs to provide befriending services. This will be the BB CARES event for 2005 in support of the President’s Challenge. President Nathan will be gracing the event.
BB Jubilee Dinner (Oct 30, 2005):
This event seeks to bring members of The Boys’ Brigade in Singapore, whether current Officers and Boys, members of the Stedfast Association or ardent supporters, together to celebrate the 75th Anniversary.
Camp Temasek (Nov 30-Dec 4, 2005):
An International Camp will be held for the various BB companies in Singapore and abroad. Invitations will be sent to BB members from BB Asia and the Global Fellowship of Christian Youths as well as other uniformed groups in Singapore. The camp programme will include experiential games, international exchanges, cultural interactions and so on.
Beach Party/Birthday Bash (Dec 3, 2005):
A mega-birthday bash will be organised for BB Boys and all volunteers and supporters. Proposed venues include Sentosa, Fort Canning Hill and the Padang. Both local and overseas Christian celebrities and bands will be invited to perform at the event.
Dendrobium The Boys’ Brigade:
One thousand Dendrobium The Boys’ Brigade have been propagated for the purpose of raising money for the BB21 Development Fund. The Dendrobium BB is special in that it is a unique hybrid, and The Boys’ Brigade is the only uniformed group in Singapore to be given this honour of having an orchid named after it.
Other on-going events:
Other on-going events that will be tied in with the 75th Anniversary Celebrations include the BB Sharity Gift Box and BB Adventure Quest, which was started in 2002. BB Boys from around the world will be invited to take part in the BB Adventure Quest.