Our Troop

Founded in 1921, the ACS (Independent) Scout Group, consisting of the Scout Unit and Venture Scout Unit, is one of the oldest and largest Scout groups in Singapore. We are proud members of the West Area of the Singapore Scouts Association.

We carry a 100-year-old legacy on our shoulders and we constantly strive to honour this great legacy by aiming for scouting excellence on a troop level and most importantly, by holistically developing each and every scout that passes through our doors.

Our Founder

The ACS(I) Scout Troop was founded in 1921 by William Thorpe (W.T.) Cherry Jr, an old boy of the school. He was assisted by Reverend Charles Blackshear (C.B.) Paul, a teacher at ACS. The Troop was named the 11th Singapore Troop and was the first school-based Scout Troop in Singapore.

W.T. Cherry Jr was an American who came to Singapore with his father, and spent much of his life on these shores. He was an officer of the Singapore Volunteer Corps and volunteered for military service when war broke out in 1914, during which time he was promoted to Captain.

A Patrol Leader, he was subsequently promoted to the position of Assistant District Commissioner of Singapore District and later became Singapore’s third District Commissioner. Involved in the smuggling of food to Changi Prison during the Second World War, he was caught and tortured by the Japanese Kempeitai in the YMCA building. As a result of the torture, he was rendered permanently disabled. His incredible act of valour is a perfect example of the values scouting instills within us - the irrepressible need to help those in need and the inherent sense of personal responsibility for society's status quo.

W.T. Cherry Jr

Our Ideals

The ACS (Independent) Scout Troop is centred around the Scout Method. For a 100 years and counting, we have done our level best to inculcate invaluable life lessons and skills into young acsians, equipping them with all the knowledge and experience necessary to grapple with the challenges of the 21st Century, and to achieve our school's vision of Every Acsian a Scholar, Officer and Gentleman.

We firmly believe in the holistic development of our scouts and provide countless opportunities for young acsians to develop themselves with both practical and soft skills.

Pictures of our troop in the 1990s

Pictures of our troop in 2022

Troop Structure

With over 200 Scouts in the Troop, the ACS (Independent) Scout Troop is split into three sub-troops - Land, Air and Water, all of which are led by our Group Scout Leader, Mr Desmond Yap. Each sub-troop has 4 patrols and every two patrols are led by an Assistant Scout Leader. Despite this, almost all activities are held on a troop level and the sub-troop system is used mainly for administrative and organisational purposes. The sub-troops and their corresponding patrols are as follows:

Land sub-troop: Panther, Stag, Lion, Wolf

Water sub-troop: Turtle, Octopus, Flying Fish, Shark

Air sub-troop: Falcon, Owl, Eagle, Swift

In terms of student leadership, the entire troop is led by the Dragon Patrol, the executive committee of scouts in ACS(I). The Dragon Patrol is led by the three Troop Leaders (TLs), who are assisted by three Assistant Troop Leaders (ATLs) and nine Senior Patrol Leaders (SPLs). The Dragon Patrol plays a key role in organising and running scouts sessions and alongside the teachers, ensures the troop functions properly. They, in turn, are assisted by the Patrol Leaders (PLs). The PLs are the leaders on the ground who work alongside the younger scouts during sessions and act as the "big brothers" in their respective patrols.

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