Army troops participate in the 16th provincial Boy Scout jamboree in Northern Samar

By 20th Infantry Battalion, 8ID PA
December 3, 2012

BRGY MAGSAYSAY, Lope de Vega, Northern Samar  –  The troops of 20th Infantry (We Lead) Battalion, together with personnel from 803rd Brigade and from 8th Infantry Division, Philippine Army, the PNP and Local Government of Allen, Northern Samar participated in the just concluded 16th BSP Council Scout Jamborette with a theme: “Be Prepared: Leadership for life” held from November 17-21, 2012 at Camp Talaboy, Sitio Imaga, Bgry. Cabacungan, Allen, Northern Samar.

The series of activities started with a parade on November 17, 2012 in which more or less one thousand two hundred (1200) scouts and scoutmasters from the 24 towns in 36 school districts all over the province paraded at Bgry. Cabacungan. Then a program was held at the Camp Site at Camp Talaboy.

During the Program, Hon. Rod Laurean Suan, welcomed the participants to the Camp and stressed how important the Boy Scout program is to the development of the students in honing their skills as future leaders and citizens of this country. The program was capped by the Boy Scout pledge of all Boy Scouts.

Among the highlights of the jamboree was the conduct of six training packages, aimed to develop among the Boy scouts the value of self-confidence, preparedness, service and team-work. The training packages include Back to Basic Skills in self reliance through the conduct of different rope courses in mountain climbing; first aid and Water rescue operations training wherein the troops taught the boy scouts about basic first aid and Water Rescue techniques utilizing rubber boats; Waste Management/community Service training to improve the scouts’ community awareness; Self-confidence training wherein the Boy scouts underwent obstacle course around the camp; and Team building Games to develop the sense of cooperation and team-work among the scouts.

During the evening Affairs, the Boy Scout council also held special activities each night for the scouts such as the hip-hop and ethnic dance contests, the Choral singing Contest, and the “Combo Lata” contest. Hon. Mayor Rod Lauren Suan together with 2LT Joter M. Lobo II and other members of the Boy Scout Executive council served as judges for these activities.

Aside from the conduct of the training package, the Army troops also took the opportunity to inform the scouts about the current programs of the Philippine Army through film showings during the scouts’ free time.

The series of activities was culminated by a Fancy drill and troop formations competition between the participating schools. Mayor Rod Suan together with the Philippine Army Personnel served as judges for the event.

According to LTC Noel Vestuir, 20IB’s commanding officer, “the participation of Philippine Army personnel is a good opportunity to impart to these young men the necessary skills, knowledge and attitude as boy scouts that would mold them into responsible, service-oriented and productive citizens of our country in the future.”