We've got the deets on all things CCA-related in Singapore. Read on to find out more…
Looking for fun things for the kids to do after school? We know all about enrichment and activities for children, including drama classes, singing lessons, sports lessons, and music lessons, to keep the kids busy once school’s out for the day. But what about the old-school CCAs in Singapore (or clubs, as we called them) we loved when we were kids? Think spiffy uniforms, good old-fashioned outdoor adventures, team-building exercises and badge-earning schemes. We’re talking about after-school clubs like Brownies and Scouts, first-aid courses, and cadet programs! Read on for all the action-packed, beret-wearing, confidence-building CCAs for kids of all ages in Singapore.
CCAs for kids in Singapore
Click below to read more:
Uniform groups
Sports
Performing Arts
IT & Tech
CCAs for kids in Singapore: Uniform groups
CCAs called uniform groups usually require kiddos to be outfitted in uniforms! These groups might sometimes be gender-specific but are all about nurturing good character and social responsibility. Here are the uniform groups that kiddos can consider:
1. Brownies
Who danced around a toadstool singing cute songs as a child while dressed in a very brown uniform? Hands up! Kiddos in Singapore can kumbaya next to a campfire by joining the Brownies, aimed at girls aged nine to 12. Brownies are encouraged to explore the world around them, embrace independence and try many adventurous activities. All while learning new skills and picking up lasting friendships along the way! We only wish that the brown bobble hat of our childhood was still part of the get-up…
2. Girl Guides
Once your Brownies have hit the pre-teen scene, then it’s time for them to ditch the brown threads and move on to a blue number when joining Girl Guides. Young ladies aged 12 to 17 years will work towards gaining badges and awards while taking part in individual and group activities. Sports, games, camping and community projects are all part of the Be Prepared ethos that Guides embodies. We love that our girls will be facing challenges and new adventures. Think volunteering with the elderly to take part in anti-bullying campaigns. Plus, they get their own cool handshake. Can we join?
3. The Singapore Scout Association
Formerly known as the Boy Scouts Association, these days, this popular extra-curricular activity is open to boys and girls from age seven. The SSA is one of the oldest youth movements in Singapore, inaugurated in 1912! Emphasis is on duty to the country and helping other people. Groups are open to kiddos of any nationality or ability and are often offered as a CCA in primary schools. We have our little scout and love that she is picking up essential life skills and enjoying activities and games she wouldn’t usually try. She’s also earning many badges and becoming more concerned about her environment and community. Plus, she looks pretty cool in that pea-green uniform. Kids through to teens and adults can stay involved until age 26!
4. National Police Cadet Corps (NPCC)
For teenagers from Secondary One upwards (around 13 years), why not steer them towards the straight and narrow by signing them up for the National Police Cadet Corps? Not only will your youths get a pretty snazzy uniform, but they will hopefully step away from usual teenage inertia while keeping minds busy. We’re discussing many activities designed to teach discipline, loyalty, and integrity. Sounds like a dream come true for those of us parenting teenagers…
5. Red Cross Youth
Bring out your kids’ inner compassion while getting them on board with learning essential first-aid skills and humanitarian projects when they join the Red Cross Youth. Mini humanitarians volunteer in the community, sharing that famous Red Cross spirit and are encouraged to become top-notch citizens. We also love that the Red Cross lives its message of inclusiveness. They’ve formed a special Red Cross Youth club, especially for kiddos with disabilities, over at the ASPN Delta Senior School. Thumbs up from us, Red Cross!
6. National Cadet Corps – Singapore (NCC)
As a former teen Air Cadet back in the UK, this is one CCA I would love to sign my kiddos up for! NCC is offered in secondary schools as an after-school club divided into three distinct sections: air, land and sea. This popular organisation has a 20,000-strong membership, all of who take part in adventurous military-related activities in affiliation with the Singapore Armed Forces. It’s more than 20 years since I hung up my own beret and stopped polishing my shoes in a mirror, but I still have the fondest memories and formed plenty of lifelong friendships on my outward-bound escapades.
7. Boys’ Brigade
For kids who want that Scout experience but also cherish and reinforce their Christian values, Boys’ Brigade is the CCA for you! Ranging from the Explorers Programme for young kids to junior and senior programmes, it allows them to participate in many value-filled activities. They also get snazzy uniforms that change according to the various programmes, with badges to boot. This CCA for kids sounds so enriching; we want to join, too!
8. St John Brigade
St John Brigade extends its volunteer and training programs to kiddos through the Cadet and Badger schemes. These are often offered as a CCA at primary and secondary schools across Singapore, and programs aim to prep youths for a bright future in healthcare by training youngsters in first aid and home nursing skills. Members will participate in leadership development, badge-earning schemes, and community service-based projects while making new friends and building confidence.
9. Military Band
Schools usually have some form of orchestra or musical ensemble, but a military band is one that’s a little less well-known. It’s hard enough playing an instrument, but playing it while marching in formation in full military uniform? Hats off to the kids from Deyi Secondary School!
CCAs for kids in Singapore: Sports
Got a sport-loving kiddo? Then it might be a good idea to get them! While you can certainly find the typical sports CCAs at schools like basketball, soccer, hockey and so on, you can also consider going for some that aren’t run of the mill!
10. Tchoukball
Tchoukball (pronounced ‘chow-kuh-ball’) is an indoor team sport created by Swiss biologist Dr Hermann Brandt in the 1970s. He wanted to reduce the number of injuries people sustained while playing sports. This non-contact game is usually played on an indoor court. At each end of the court, there’s one square metre ‘frame’ and a semi-circular D-shaped forbidden zone. Each team can score on both ends of the court, but to score a point, the ball must be thrown by an attacking player, hit the frame and bounce outside the ‘D’ without being caught by the defending team.
11. Skipping
This playground game isn’t just great during recess, it’s also a popular sport. Skipping is a great form of cardio and improves coordination. Kids who pick this CCA don’t just learn techniques like the criss-cross (and there are some amazing technique names like Toad, Awesome Annie and TJ); they also perform choreographed routines at competitions.
12. Singapore Youth Flying Club
Available in 15 secondary schools in Singapore, the Singapore Youth Flying Club lets teens live out their Top Gun dreams. Students don’t get to practice on a real aircraft until they’re at least 16 years old but do get to design and race model aeroplanes and even try out flight simulators.
13. Canoe Polo
This fusion of kayaking, water polo and basketball is a challenging sport for teens over 17. Players must score goals into nets on either side of the pool while manoeuvring their kayaks. Sounds easy? Try having ten kayaks playing bumper boats in a swimming pool simultaneously!
14. Sepak Takraw
Coined from the Malay word ‘to kick’ (sepak) and the Thai word ‘woven ball’ (takraw), this old-school ‘kampung’ game is today a recognised sport worldwide. The game is simple yet interesting. You need to get a rattan ball across a net, the size of your hand. The tricky part? You can use your feet, knees, chest or head to do so, not your hands. Some secondary schools like Queensway Secondary School and more offer it as a CCA, and who knows, maybe the students there have got their eyes on an Olympic gold medal! There are also interschool tournaments and more!
CCAs for kids in Singapore: Performing Arts
Got a budding thespian on your hands? How about trying some different kinds of performing arts from traditional to exciting.
15. Angklung/Kulintang ensemble
The angklung is an Indonesian musical instrument that’s made up of bamboo tubes attached to a frame. The tubes are struck and shaken to create a resonant sound (think handbells). Angklung ensembles are usually coupled with the Kulintang, another ancient instrument made up of a row of knobbed gongs. When they come together, it’s not only a treat for the ears, but the amazing traditional costumes the students wear during performances are also a feast for the eyes. We hear it’s a favourite amongst the students at Crescent Girls School and St. Anthony’s Canossian Secondary School.
16. Gamelan
Another genre of Indonesian music, a gamelan ensemble, is made up of percussion instruments like drums, knobbed gongs, metallophones, xylophones and bowed and plucked strings. Gamelan is strictly a group effort with a polyphonic sound, so every performer needs to be in tune. A wayward strike could throw a meditative and soothing piece off. We’re amazed at primary school students, especially those from Lian Hua Primary School, who possess the patience and coordination to produce such beautiful music.
17. Guzheng Ensemble
The Guzheng is a Chinese zither, an ancient instrument with 21 strings. When plucked, each of them produces a variety of sounds. Learning how to play this delicate instrument is supposed to teach finesse and discipline. Put musically talented students like those from Cedar Girls Secondary School in front of this instrument, and they promise to give you a show-stopping performance.
18. That Dance Thing (TDT)
Organised by the parent volunteers at the Singapore American School, this co-curricular activity has kids learning the ins and outs of ballroom dance, dining and social etiquette. TDT isn’t just for learning which fork goes with which course (always start from the outside and work your way in), but it also teaches kids social graces and how to behave in formal settings. They’ll even get to strut their stuff at the monthly dinner dances.
CCAs for kids in Singapore: IT and tech
For kiddos who are tech-heads, these unique CCAS give them an opportunity to nurture their strengths!
19. eSports
It’s not a recognised CCA in most schools just yet, but if your gamer teen wants to rally a team to participate in the Campus Legends, they can. Just fill in a form, and they’ll be able to compete against other schools in League of Legends (a multiplayer online battle arena) and earn CCA points. Don’t be so quick to write off gaming; it teaches teamwork and problem-solving skills, so there are benefits. Check out our clueless parents’ guide to online gaming.
20. Tech Club
Got a tech nerd? The Tech Club is a great place for the tech-loving kiddo to thrive. Kiddos can get in on infotech and assist the schools’ system is a big way! Check out the schools in Singapore that offer this CCA.
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