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Lifestyle

Special deals to celebrate your special someone

From favourite flowers to a mid-day getaway, make this Valentine’s Day one to remember without burning a hole in your pocket.

TEXT: MELODY TAN

Valentine’s Day falls on a Monday this year. But whether you’re embarking on a new relationship or celebrating decades of marriage, a treat on 14 February lends a spark of romance to even the most mundane of weekdays.

That doesn’t mean that you have to empty out your wallet, though. Little gestures like writing your loved one a simple, heartfelt message or getting up early to prepare breakfast for them before work can be far more meaningful than splurging on costly gifts or dinners.

You can even get creative and choose to make memories to last a lifetime by booking a photo studio session or a ManCave afternoon retreat for two. And if romance is not in the cards for you this February, feel free to treat yourself instead – after all, self-care is a form of love too!

GIFTS TO SPOIL YOUR VALENTINE

Humming

Photo: Humming

Flowers are a traditional Valentine’s gift – but if the seasonal price of a bouquet makes you feel less than warm and fuzzy, make sure to download the HomeTeamNS mobile app onto your device to retrieve the promo code. From 17 January to 15 February, enjoy 10 per cent off all Valentine’s Day flowers and gifts at Humming, with no minimum spend required.

JBL

Photo: JBL

Is your Valentine a musician, gamer or just someone who sits through too many Zoom meetings? JBL offers a wide range of speakers, headphones and earbuds to suit all audio needs. From 3 February to 28 February, enjoy 15 per cent off already-discounted promotional prices. View the promo code on the HomeTeamNS mobile app.

A DINE-IN DATE FOR TWO

Winestone

Photo: Winestone

Impress your partner with dinner and drinks at Winestone, a modern European restaurant, bar and wine retail store at Stevens Road. Till 28 February, make a reservation and flash your HomeTeamNS card to redeem 10 per cent off the Valentine’s Day Set Menu (S$88++ per person), which features crowd-pleasers like seafood bisque, Australian beef tenderloin with foie gras and cured smoked salmon loin salad.

Lola Faye

Photo: Lola Faye

For a sugary-sweet casual date, check out Lola Faye. Located in the Jalan Besar enclave, the Muslim-owned cafe offers wraps, sandwiches and their specialty gelato-based desserts.

Try the Buttermilk Belgian waffles topped with a scoop of gelato, or have your gelato stuffed into a buttery, flaky croissant and drizzled with chocolate sauce. Until 28 February, between Tuesdays to Thursdays from 2 to 6pm, display your HomeTeamNS membership card for 10 per cent off your total bill.

EXPERIENCES TO SHARE

Pierre Ooi Photography

Photo: Pierre Ooi Photography

Snaps meant for social media are fun, but having a professional take your photos can bring them to a whole new level, especially if you and your significant other want to take a more formal portrait. For families, it can also be a fun way to commemorate a broader celebration of love. Exclusive to HomeTeamNS and SAFRA members, enjoy a 50 per cent discount on Pierre Ooi Photography’s Classic Family Photography package (original price S$388, discounted price S$188) for shoots during the month of February.

Held at the HomeTeamNS-JOM Balestier Clubhouse, the photography package features one 20-inch by 16-inch canvas portrait with framing, one 12-inch by 8-inch laminated photograph with framing, and two soft copies of selected, edited, high-resolution images. WhatsApp 8112 3114 to book.

HomeTeamNS Khatib ManCaves

Photo: HomeTeamNS

Despite the name, the ManCaves – well-equipped entertainment and work spaces at the HomeTeamNS Khatib Clubhouse – can be a getaway for couples. From just S$6 an hour on weekdays, you can enjoy lunch and tea break for two – as well as a great opportunity to reconnect in a quiet environment without the noise and interruptions of everyday life.

Relive your dating days while sipping coffee, get artsy with a paint-by-numbers kit or duel it out over a console game – being together in the moment is all you need to keep the flame alive. From 14 to 18 February, book your ManCave here for a Valentine’s Day celebration both of you will love.

More promotions and opportunities await at HomeTeamNS clubhouses! Keep abreast with the latest membership promotions and share them with your friends.

Whether you’re heading to the cinema or watching in the comfort of home, movies are another great option for Valentine’s Day.

Categories
Club Buzz

Roping in a new training syllabus standard

The Singapore Sport Climbing and Mountaineering Federation launched a new national syllabus to align the training standards for instructors of high-ropes activities.

TEXT: ADLINA ADAM

IMAGES: HOMETEAMNS

Various rope-course facilities in Singapore adopt different standards and teaching methods for their instructors and trainers on the safety management of high-rope activities. The Singapore Sport Climbing and Mountaineering Federation (SSCMF) saw the need to set a common standard for training courses so instructors would impart the same knowledge and best practices to trainees.

It rounded up a team of programme specialists, and together with HomeTeamNS, the People’s Association’s PAssion Wave and two other corporations, developed a set of new training standards.

The Singapore National High Ropes Standards by SSCMF was launched on 18 January 2022 at HomeTeamNS Adventure HQ by Assoc Prof Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs & Ministry of National Development, and President of HomeTeamNS. The event was graced by guests and members of the high-ropes industry.

“As one of Singapore’s leading adventure facilities providers and teambuilding venues, HomeTeamNS welcomes the launch of the national standards for high ropes training,” said Ms Agnes Eu, Chief Executive of HomeTeamNS.

“We believe it will help to regulate the industry, equip specialists with the best practices and encourage continued pursuit for excellence.”

She added that HomeTeamNS is privileged to play a part in SSCMF’s milestone achievement.

“Our involvement echoes our commitment to build a strong team of in-house Adventure Specialists and contribute to the growth and development of adventure pursuits, a matter close to the hearts of our NSmen.”

ADVENTURE SPECIALISTS TO THE RESCUE

During the launch, two rescue demonstrations were performed by SSCMF and HomeTeamNS specialists.

In the first scenario, a participant tripped while walking along an obstacle course and fell. A specialist approached the participant and set up separate anchor points to transfer the participant’s weight to his anchor system. The participant’s safety line was then removed before being lowered down.

In another scenario, a participant lost his grip at the rock wall, fell off and was unable to climb again due to exhaustion. A specialist then used traditional techniques such as the “Munter Hitch” and “Auto-Bloc”, to secure his weight before releasing the participant’s safety line.

After the participants were brought to safety, a copy of the syllabus was presented to Assoc Prof Faishal. This marked the official launch of the national high ropes standard, signifying the new journey that the high-ropes industry will be embarking upon in time to come.

TAPPING INTO INDUSTRY EXPERTISE

Mr Iswandi Masduki, Assistant Director of the Business Development and Marketing unit in HomeTeamNS, shared that the organisation currently works with an external partner to train a selected group of senior specialists as in-house trainers.

The certifications received are site-specific to the Association’s facilities. In turn, the senior specialists will conduct monthly training and refresher courses for the other specialists.

“With the introduction of this national standard, all our specialists will now be trained under a nationally-recognised curriculum, which is more structured. It also allows our instructors access to knowledge of the industry’s best practices,” he added.

FUN FACTS ABOUT ADVENTURE HQ

Adventure HQ is Singapore’s largest multi-installation indoor adventure centre. Spanning across four storeys, the 2,800sqm facility feature 10 kaleidoscopic adventure installations, catering to all levels of adrenaline thrills for the young, and young at heart.

Adventure HQ is home to Singapore’s…

  • FIRST Indoor Roll Glider
  • LONGEST INDOOR SLIDE at 14m
  • FIRST 165m long Indoor Artificial Caving
  • BIGGEST two-tiered, 16 elements Indoor Challenge Ropes Course

Are you an adrenaline junkie? Visit Adventure HQ at HomeTeamNS Khatib and have the time of your life!

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