Scouts around the country celebrated 100 years of excellence at the Centennial Camporee at Palmiste Park last Saturday. Members of the south-western districts gathered for the historic evening of events.
The scouts were part of a five-day camping experience, during which time they were trained in tying various types of knots, along with basic life and survival skills. They were also engaged in hikes, water-sports and drills. The campers included scouts from Cedros, Siparia/Erin, Point Fortin and visitors of Port-of-Spain.
School supervisor from the Ministry of Education, Anthony Ramjit, said opportunities like the Centennial Camporee enabled participants to reflect on what had taken place in the past and make plans for the future. "We at the ministry are reflecting, and we are putting things into the school's curriculum to help prepare them for the future. The ministry has to take this model of teaching used by the scouts and put it into use to better aid the teachings of life skills in schools," he said. Ramjit, a former scout told the younger ones, "To you boys and girls, whatever I am today is partly due to the scouting in Trinidad and Tobago."
On hand were members of the Ministry of Housing and Environment, Forestry Division, who provided various educational documents and artefacts pertaining to the environment.
Members of the Southern Bowtech Archery Club disseminated information on the sport in the country, and provided a shooting range and archery equipment. Music was provided by the young men and women of the Old Tech Steel Orchestra. Long-serving scout member, Cecil Daniel, of the Siparia/Erin district was honoured at the event.