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Month: May 2026

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Club Buzz

Mission: Survive the June School Holidays (Without Losing Your Sanity)

Attention parents, the June school holidays are almost upon us! Here’s your field guide to keep your entire family active, engaged, and off their devices.

Commanders (aka parents of Singapore), the June holidays are almost here. It’s time to put together your battle plan to manage your kids, especially if you aren’t planning to go overseas.

Your primary target: Keep your high-energy kids engaged, active, and more importantly, away from their digital devices.

Your secondary target: Keep your sanity completely intact until school reopens.

If you’re still thinking about what to do, worry not. We’ve got just the tactical plan for you to combat your kids’ energy: use HomeTeamNS’s clubhouses as your ops bases. In support of National Family Festival (NFF) 2026 led by Families for Life (FFL), HomeTeamNS clubhouses are buzzing with fun family-oriented activities—perfect for building a solid strategy to entertain you and your family.

So grab your clipboard, brief your kids, and let’s run through your mission objectives.

MISSION OBJECTIVE 1: REEL IN FAMILY MOMENTS

Status: Family-Approved Viewing

No commander should have to fight the holiday boredom battle alone, especially when backup comes with some yummy popcorn. 

HomeTeamNS Family Day 2026

For this mission, gather your entire unit for a well-earned pause from the action. Family Day 2026—HomeTeamNS’ signature, members-only event—returns with a quest: rally the family for a special screening of a highly-anticipated animation movie at a subsidised rate, complete with a whole lineup of activities, exclusive movie merchandise, goodies, attractive prizes, and more. It’s a chance for intergenerational bonding, where parents and kids, and even grandparents, can come together, laugh, and share in a classic story that ignites conversations that go beyond the screen. 

When: 20 June 2026 (Saturday)
Time: 10.30am to 7pm
Where: Golden Village Cineleisure
Pricing: Tickets start from $18.75 per pax

To better support the family ecosystem, HomeTeamNS has introduced a brand-new Grandchildren Membership Tier, making it easier than ever for grandparents to share in the clubhouse experiences and events with their grandchildren.

Everyone wins a slice of the pie: kids are spoiled by all the adults and their grandparents get to bond with them.

Check out the details of the new Family Membership tier here.

MISSION OBJECTIVE 2: BURN OFF EXTRA ENERGY

Status: Important

Your little ones have boundless energy. When it doesn’t have an outlet, it can spill over into the house in less‑than‑ideal ways.

A few fun, high‑energy activities can make a big difference.

SkillFest

This one’s applicable if your troops are between 8 and 12 years old. Start by signing them up for HomeTeamNS’ SkillFest, a three-day school holiday programme conducted at all HomeTeamNS clubhouses.

This full-day hands-on learning deployment will challenge junior participants to various structured activities across a range of clubhouse facilities. From outdoor missions and team challenges to immersive play, no two days are ever the same. Every moment is screen‑free, engaging, and truly unforgettable!

New skills and friends aside, they’ll also burn off their energy, giving you much-needed peace to yourself.

When: 10 to 12 June 2026
Time: Various timings
Where: HomeTeamNS Clubhouses (Bedok Reservoir, Khatib, and Bukit Batok)
Pricing: Passes start from $100

MISSION OBJECTIVE 3: EXECUTE AQUATIC MANOEUVRES

Status: Highly Recommended

Singapore’s recent heatwave doesn’t look like it’s letting up any time soon, and it will definitely pose a tactical disadvantage to you and your little troops. Before tempers flare and the troops start getting sweaty and cranky, pivot your strategy to some water-based fun, perfect for the entire family.

Dip 'N Splash at Bedok Reservoir

Returning for its fourth edition with an exciting, refreshed concept, Dip ‘N Splash is your ultimate cool-down protocol. Navigate the Floating Water Obstacle Course, a floating challenge of climbing, balancing, and sliding across the water.

If your kid prefers something calmer and more scenic, check out Aqua Sports for a beginner-friendly guided kayaking experience at Bedok Reservoir. For the ultimate water-filled wind-down, head to Aqua Adventure for some splash-filled fun.

When: 6 and 7 June 2026 (Saturday and Sunday)
Time: 10am to 7pm
Where: HomeTeamNS Bedok Reservoir
Pricing: Passes start from $12

Other happenings at HomeTeamNS Bedok Reservoir in June: Dad-And-Me Gymnastics Try-Outs, Four Star Mattress Sale, The Big Game, Family Fun Festival Toy Fair, and Jean Perry Mid-Year Sale.

MISSION OBJECTIVE 4: REINFORCE FAMILY PLAYTIME

Status: Essential

A wise man once said, “The family that plays together, stays together.” …or something along these lines. The point is, it is crucial for you and your little troops to log meaningful shared experiences together to strengthen your bonds as a family.

Playland at Khatib

For those who prefer to stay dry while enjoying some indoor fun, head over to HomeTeamNS Khatib for Playland. Playland 2026 features a series of activities centered on learning through play, including mega bouncy castles, carnival games, fringe activities, stage entertainment, and more!

To sweeten the deal, there are also ice cream redemptions, food and snacks stations, mascot performances, a T-Play craft zone, and a movie screening to further amuse and entertain the kids. All activities and redemptions are subjected to availability and while stocks last.

When: 14 June 2026 (Sunday)
Time: 10am to 7pm
Where: HomeTeamNS Khatib, Level 2 Grand Ballroom
Pricing: Tickets start at $10 per child

Other happenings at HomeTeamNS Khatib in June: Toy Fiesta with Robocar Poli Meet & Greet, Link Sports Sale, and The Big Game.

MISSION OBJECTIVE 5: CRAFT THE GLOW EXPERIENCE

Status: Artist’s Pick

Even the best units need time off the field. Meaningful family moments don’t just happen, they’re created through shared play and discovery. In this case? A little extra glow doesn’t hurt.

Glow Play Carnival at Bukit Batok

For a more relaxed, carnival-style deployment, check out Glow Play Carnival at HomeTeamNS Bukit Batok. It is all about expressing your little troops’ creative spirit, including a unique glow-in-the-dark painting experience and light-play elements such as a bouncy castle, carnival games, and face and body painting. All in all, you get a low-stress, high-reward environment designed to foster smiles all around.

When: 27 June 2026 (Saturday)
Time: 10am to 5pm
Where: HomeTeamNS Bukit Batok
Pricing: Passes start at $8 per child

Other happenings at HomeTeamNS Bukit Batok in June: T-Play Championship Cup, The Big Game, and Family Fun Festival Toy Fair.

MISSION OBJECTIVE 6: CREATE FAMILY MOMENTS ANYWHERE, ANYTIME

Status: Vital

Family bonding does not only happen during planned moments. It begins with YOU. 

No grand gestures are needed. Sometimes, all it takes is showing up, being present, and making time together matter.

National Family Festival 2026

Now in its fifth edition, the National Family Festival celebrates the vital role families have played in shaping Singapore’s growth over the past six decades. Anchored by this year’s message, “Family Begins With Me,” the initiative brings families together through a nationwide lineup of events, while empowering each individual to take the lead in strengthening family bonds and become a catalyst for positive change within their own family unit. From vibrant carnivals and interactive activities to hands-on workshops and special promotions, families of all kinds can look forward to meaningful experiences designed to create lasting moments together.

When: 30 May to 28 June 2026
Time: Various timings
Where: Various venues
Pricing: Free

DEBRIEF AND FINAL INSTRUCTIONS

The June school holidays don’t have to be a gruelling test of endurance. With the right intel and solid bases of operations at HomeTeamNS’ clubhouses, you’re guaranteed a successful holiday campaign filled with laughter, growth, and strengthened family bonds.

Remember the National Family Festival directive: Family begins with you. After all, this nationwide campaign is designed to reinforce the vision of a “Singapore Made for Families,” empowering you to create quality, unforgettable moments with your loved ones.

So, commanders, your orders are clear. Structure your schedule, secure your bookings, and prepare for the holidays ahead.

Ready to execute? Check out the full list of June holiday activities and secure your slots here!

MORE PERKS WITH EVERY STAY THIS JUNE

Make every booking go further this June. Book a stay at East Villa or ManCave at Khatib or Bedok Reservoir, and unlock 3 exclusive 1-for-1 vouchers across selected facilities. More ways to play, more to explore, and more moments to enjoy together across HomeTeamNS!

Like our stories? Subscribe to our Frontline Digital newsletters now! Simply download the HomeTeamNS Mobile App and update your communication preference to ‘Receive Digital Frontline Magazine’, through the App Settings.

Categories
Close Up Featured

Partners in Service: The Art of Search Dog Handling in the SCDF

CPL She Zongda reflects on his journey in the SCDF Search Platoon, where trust, responsibility, and mutual understanding shaped not just how he trained, but also how he worked and forged deep connections with his canine partners.

For many full-time National Servicemen (NSFs), transitioning from Basic Rescue Training (BRT) to their assigned units comes with a period of adjustment. But for CPL She Zongda, a 20-year-old nearing the end of his National Service, joining the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) Search Platoon was more than a change in environment. It turned his lifelong love for animals into a vocation built on trust, patience, and love for his four-legged colleagues. Formed in 1997, the Search Platoon comprised regular officers, NSFs, and currently 17 dogs, which are trained in Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) or Fire Investigation (FI).

A CALLING FOR CANINES

Zongda grew up with three Labrador Retrievers and now has a dog and two cats. When he completed his BRT, the Search Platoon felt like a natural fit for him. Upon being posted to the unit, he found a small, close-knit team of approximately 17 SCDF officers who enjoyed working with and caring for dogs. For Zongda, this marked the beginning of his vocation as a Dog Handler, a calling that required dedication not only to his work but also to the canine partner by his side.

CPL She Zongda and Sophia (second from left) with his colleagues and their USAR dogs and FI dogs.

QUINCE: BECOMING A TRUSTED PARTNER

Small in size but boundless in energy, Quince responds to CPL She Zongda’s steady presence, building a bond that goes beyond obedience.

His first partner was Quince, a Cocker Spaniel specialising in USAR. Coming from a home with large Labradors, Zongda was initially struck by how small Quince was. However, his size belied his larger-than-life energy levels and personality. The energetic Quince would always be barking in excitement at the kennel gates the moment he sensed Zongda approaching.

As a USAR dog handler, Zongda realised that his vocation came with more responsibilities than being a pet owner. After getting to know Quince and his lively nature, he spent much time studying the best ways to manage Quince and more crucially, build a strong bond with him.  

Other than teaching Quince basic obedience cues, Zongda would spend time petting him and scratching his belly every day. Once the bond was strengthened, Quince instinctively understood and responded to Zongda’s instructions.   

Over time, Zongda’s dedication to Quince and his vocation became evident. Zongda would seek advice from regular officers on how to better train Quince. He tried out a “voice dragging” technique, in which he dragged out his commands in calm, measured tones, “relaaaaax, hooooooold”. He also learned to synchronise his walking pace with Quince to keep him focused when moving from point to point. With the help of his colleagues, Zongda achieved steady progress with Quince and felt a strong sense of camaraderie and support in the unit. 

THE GAME OF HIDE-AND-SEEK

CPL She Zongda giving Quince the command to start searching for the "casualty", as part of their training.

Training a USAR dog is a structured, multi‑stage process which taps on the dog’s natural instinct to hunt and play, honing its detection skills and reliability in the field. Channelling their natural instinct into consistent focus takes time and reinforcement. Zongda explains that for search dogs to succeed in USAR, they must have a strong drive to find survivors who are trapped under rubble, and be friendly enough to approach  without alarming them.

Training takes place in different phases at the Home Team Tactical Centre with facilities that simulate post-disaster environments, such as confined spaces and rubble.

Before training commences, the handlers will don their Personal Protective Equipment and conduct safety checks of the area. A colleague will hide in the rubble as a simulated “casualty” for Zongda and Quince to locate.  Conversely, when another team is training, Zongda would take on the role as the “casualty”.

By simulating various scenarios under the handlers’ strict supervision, it reinforces the dogs’ innate drive to search for “casualties” swiftly and confidently.

SOPHIA: THE METHODICAL FIRE INVESTIGATOR

Built on mutual awareness and teamwork, CPL She Zongda and Sophia train and grow together, both in work and in spirit.

After Quince was handed over to a mentee, Zongda began working with Sophia. As a Labrador specialised in Fire Investigation, Sophia works with fire investigators to detect traces of flammable liquids after a fire incident. Like Quince, Sophia is highly intelligent but expresses herself differently. She is attuned to human emotions in a calm and quiet way, unlike Quince’s exuberance and playfulness. She is also highly agile and nimble when running around the training grounds.

Handling Sophia was different. Fire investigation dogs must be methodical, covering the entire fire scene systematically to detect hints of accelerants like petrol, diesel, or acetone. While USAR dogs are trained to bark upon detection of a human scent, Sophia is trained to “freeze” on the spot when she detects an accelerant.

When rewarding Sophia, Zongda has to be extra careful. To keep her focused on the scent source rather than on him, he throws the reward ball from behind her back. And just how much accelerant is applied for Sophia to pick up the scent? “About 50 micro-litres, which is one drop, sometimes even less,” says Zongda.  

THE BOND THAT WORKS BOTH WAYS

As Zongda’s understanding of his search dogs grows, both Quince and Sophia have also become incredibly sensitive to his mood. Even when Zongda is feeling down, he makes a conscious effort to keep his spirits up. Nevertheless, Quince and Sophia would pick up his emotions quickly and try to cheer him up.

Reflecting on his experiences in the Search Platoon, Zongda shares that it has turned him into a “better pawrent” to his pets. He now has a better understanding of their behaviour and the importance of meaningful playtime.

A COMBINATION OF LOVE AND DRIVE

Through play and shared focus, CPL She Zongda engages Sophia in work that challenges her instincts and strengthens their connection.

For Zongda, the SCDF Search Platoon was more than a posting. It was where he acquired a professional ethos, putting in the hours and energy to sharpen his partners’ skills. As he will be heading to the University of Chicago to study sociology soon, Quince and Sophia will remain his close partners in his memories. To Zongda, the duo are not just dogs. They are highly capable individuals that help SCDF to fulfil its mission as a lifesaving force.

Like our stories? Subscribe to our Frontline Digital newsletters now! Simply download the HomeTeamNS Mobile App and update your communication preference to ‘Receive Digital Frontline Magazine’, through the App Settings.

Categories
Close Up

The Heart of a Responder: An SCDF Volunteer’s Dedication to Service and Impacting Lives

From training residents to balancing the different roles in life, WO1(V) Jacqueling Chua has dedicated decades to building a more resilient community.

In a fast-paced world where one’s value is often measured by personal productivity, WO1(V) Jacqueling Chua measures hers by the lives she impacts. For twenty years, Jacqueling has been a steadfast volunteer with the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF)’s Civil Defence Auxiliary Unit (CDAU). Her involvement with SCDF traces back even further to 1987, when she attended civil defence training  as an SCDF volunteer. Now 53, Jacqueling serves as a Public Education Officer (PEO), embodying the belief that volunteering is truly a duty of the heart.

THE "GOLDEN HOUR"

The driving force behind Jacqueling’s decades-long commitment stems from a realisation she had during her training in the late 1980s – the idea that time is precious in an emergency. As it is commonly known, the golden hour refers to the critical first hour after a serious injury, when prompt medical treatment is more likely to save a life. In the context of a cardiac arrest, the survival rate decreases approximately 7-10% for every minute without Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). This encourages her to step forward to spread the public education, ensuring that when emergency happens, more people can proactively step forward to assist.  For Jacqueling, preparing oneself to save a life is a fundamental duty.

IDENTITY AND PRIDE IN THE UNIFORM

Jacqueling joined the CDAU when it was officially formed in 2006, initially drawn to the SCDF uniform, which she found was aesthetically pleasing. But she soon found that donning it has a deeper meaning as it embodies not only a collective identity and but also serves as an ethos of Civil Defence readiness.

Nowhere was this sense of pride more evident than at the 2024 National Day Parade, where she was part of the Volunteer Marching Contingent marching alongside other volunteers with a Compressed Air Foam gun. Despite the sweltering heat during trainings, Jacqueling felt an immense sense of purpose. “You feel proud to be there, to do something for the country,” she reflects.

BALANCING THE MANY "PLATES" OF LIFE WITH HEART

For 20 years, Jacqueling has managed what she calls the “big plates” of life: her professional career (previously she was an operations specialist), her family life, her volunteer role as a PEO and Community First Responder (CFR). Though her family occasionally fretted over her busy volunteering schedule, Jacqueling’s devotion never wavered and remained committed to the call.

Her readiness was put to the test close to home when she used her home fire extinguisher to extinguish a neighbour’s unit fire. Thanks to her training and quick thinking, she ensured her neighbour’s safety. It was a moment that showed her family just how invaluable her life-saving skills are.

While much of her time is devoted to serving others, Jacqueling understands that readiness begins with herself. Although she enjoys swimming for leisure, she often challenges herself to swim up to 20 laps to train and maintain her stamina. She also finds peace in nature photography, using her Nikon camera to capture beautiful natural scenery. These activities are not only relaxing, they also form part of her life, powering her to be at her best so she can continue to assist others when needed.

MOVING "IN SYNC" WITH THE COMMUNITY

One of the most rewarding aspects of Jacqueling’s long service is the unspoken connection she shares with those who have the same heart for service. She recalls a memorable incident where she responded as a CFR to a cardiac arrest alert via the SCDF myResponder mobile application.

She arrived at the incident location with a colleague by chance.  Although they had not attended to an incident together before, they were able to work collaboratively to provide immediate assistance, with one attending to the patient whilst the other bringing the Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to the location.

This collaborative coordination to save a life is built on mutual trust and a shared mission and turned a high-pressure situation into a moment of meaningful achievement.

THE ROLE OF A PUBLIC EDUCATION OFFICER

As a PEO, Jacqueling focuses on SCDF outreach events like Safety and Security Day (S&S Day) and Community Resilience (CR) Day. In these roles, she meets residents and empowers them with life-saving knowledge. She also serves as the Chairman of the Community Emergency and Engagement (C2E) Committee for Changi Simei, where she organises courses to prepare residents for emergencies.

She believes that education is the key to community resilience. By teaching the residents skills like CPR, using of AED, and first aid skills, she ensures that the heart of assistance spreads throughout the neighbourhood. She views her role as preparing the residents so that the very first line of response, the bystander, is strong and ready to handle emergency situations.

DEFINING THE EVERYDAY HERO

Despite her decades of service, Jacqueling remains deeply humble. “I don’t call myself a hero,” she says, “I am just giving whatever I can.” To her, a hero is simply an ordinary person who decides to step forward when help is needed.

She points to the recent examples of migrant workers who have rescued children from ledges as the true embodiment of this spirit. They may not have formal training, but they possess the most vital qualification – the heart and courage to step up and render assistance.

A CALL TO THE HEART

As she looks to the future, Jacqueling hopes to inspire more people to join the CDAU. Her advice to everyone is grounded in practicality: invest time in building skills and training, because readiness makes all the difference. Jacqueling Chua’s volunteering journey stands as a quiet testament to altruism in action. More than a uniform, what she wears represents a steadfast commitment to service, one she has upheld with purpose for two decades.

Like our stories? Subscribe to our Frontline Digital newsletters now! Simply download the HomeTeamNS Mobile App and update your communication preference to ‘Receive Digital Frontline Magazine’, through the App Settings.

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