by Cleric Joyston Machado
LONAVLA, OCT 28, 2017: On the penultimate day of GROMO 2017, scouts and guides from 23 Don Bosco schools tested their physical endurance and 
creativity with a range of activities that helped the campers connect with themselves and the divine at Don Bosco, Lonavla on October 27.
In the true spirit of scouting, participants embarked upon a gruelling endurance test by trekking up a mountain in the vicinity. The much-anticipated hike began at dawn, with the scouts and guides along with their scout masters, guides and officials taking to the slopes by searching for clues and keeping a check of the scouting morse codes.
When the troop returned at noon, they connected with the divine. Father Leon Rodrigues along with the help of brothers organised a session on 'God is love'. The session included an input on God's action in our life, 'What is love?' He stressed on how God works in people's life and how He shares His love through the people we encounter.
After sunset, the troop participated in an all-religion prayer meeting, with scouts and guides from various religions leading prayers for the whole assembly and reminding each other that though we are many we are one body.
The mega campfire followed and representatives from the four states – Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh- of the province of Bombay joined forces to ignite the fire. Three guides held burning torches symbolising the theme of GROMO 2017 – Health, Harmony and Holiness. Several outstanding cultural and physical displays that were performed earlier in the course of the event were repeated at the campfire.
Niddhi Passi, a zumba professional, impressed with a well-choreographed zumba display. The troop brought down the curtain on the mega-event by enjoying a jam session.
"I couldn't believe that even after the morning hike, there would still be energy enough for the scouts to dance in the evening; it's an event worth recalling," Trupti Sawant, a guide leader, said.