NASHIK, DEC 31, 2018: Today, 31 December 2018, the Scouts and Guides at the 13th National Boscoree shook off the fatigue, exhaustion, and tiredness of the arrival and inaugural ceremony. Geared up and raring to have a day filled with fun activities, projects, they were up at the call of the bugle. In typical scouting style, beginning with BP’s six exercises and the Scout’s Own, the scouts and guides prepared for the inspection and flag break. Organised i
n their respective sub-camps, following the official procedure and in a true spirit of scouting, the Scoutmasters and Guide Captains together with the Salesians fathers, brothers, and nuns participated wholeheartedly in the varied activities.
The morning was dedicated to multiple activities simultaneously in sub-camps. A select number of Scouts and Guides were selected from each troop to work on pioneering projects. The Scouts and Guides were keenly focused on the job-at-hand; carrying staves twice their size, lashing these together with the requisite knots that they have learnt. Thoroughly enjoying the experience of putting their heads and hands together, projects like ‘signal tower’, ‘monkey bridge’, etc. were erected in record time.
A celebration of colours ensued during the ‘rangoli’ competition bringing out the brightest colours one could imagine with intricate and creative designs on the theme, ‘Health-Harmony-Holiness’. Alongside, a few other scouts and guides busied themselves producing paintings and works of art. The special theme highlight of the day was ‘Health’. Judges, comprising of senior scoutmasters, guide captains, leader-trainers and the Scout District Commissioner of Tamil Nadu inspected the projects and the artwork, evaluating these meticulously.
Soon, the noontime sun allowed the campers to take a break and head to the lunch counters, where steaming hot food awaited the hungry bellies. Immediately afterward, the campers returned were back to spruce up their tents and the campsite surroundings with a variety of Scouting gadgets. Plate rack, shoe rack, towel line, mug-holder, and pot hanger were few of the gadgets lined up at the campsite.
A session on ‘Health is Wealth’, in the language of preference: Tamil, English, and Hindi allowed the scouts and guides to introspect, be informed and take a pledge to keep healthy always. The session focused on ‘6 tips to maintain a healthy body’, ending with a 12-point resolution, that included saying no to junk food, segregation and correct disposal of garbage, building healthy and happy, positive relationships and giving up spending too much time on smart gadgets. The interaction, sharing and learning at the session provided a good level of participation for the eager-to-be-healthy campers. The not-to-be-outdone scouts and guides encouraged and inspired by their sub-camp chiefs and trainers put up a fantastic physical display in their respective sub-camps post-tea.
The lowering of the Flag ceremony at sun-down, also marked the last sunset of 2018, with the participants of the 13th National Boscoree all eager and ready to welcome the New Year 2019 with choral recitations, theme presentations and a moment of spiritual awareness at 00:00 hrs.
The Chief Guest at yesterday’s inaugural ceremony, Ann Choi, Deputy Commissioner of the Scout District of Hong Kong said, “This is my third visit to India and yes, I have been to Panchmarhi earlier and experienced the camps. But here, in Nashik, at this Boscoree, I am deeply touched by the warmth, eagerness, enthusiasm, and spirit of the scouts and guides. Yes, this is something I will take back to Hong Kong as fond memories.”