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- Robert Baden Powell
“See things from the boy’s point of view”
EDITOR’S NOTE Welcome to the first issue of Scouting Around, the brand new Newsletter of Scouts TT! Every month, we will take a look at some of our very own scouting adventures, get a first-hand account of our scouts’ experiences, get some insight on the developments taking place at the Scout Association and around the world, and look forward to upcoming activities for the next month. We will also share some ideas for activities and see what interesting things we can do to execute our programme in a more fun, enjoyable way.
In this, our first issue, the Section in Focus is Scouts. Scouting Around the World takes us to Japan where we hear about Rafael Ferdinand’s life -changing experience at the World Scout Jamboree. We talk about the use of technology in Scouting and we hear about issues facing our scouts in Youth Voices . The goal of this publication is to showcase our activity to ourselves and the external community. It is your opportunity to show off! If you are interested in joining the media team to cover events by taking photos or writing articles, contact the editor.
Enjoy reading! We welcome your comments and even more, your content. Send us your photos and articles to programme@ttscouts.org. Yvan Mendoza
Dec 5 - Cub Scout Leaders Annual Luncheon - Couva District
Dec 5 - Opening of Creche at National HQ
Dec 12 - Venture Scout Campfire
Dec 25 - Christmas Day
Dec 26 - Boxing Day
Produced through the kind support of
Scouting Around the World
A life-changing experience at WSJ! Look out below! - Fatima Scouts at Turure Water Steps
- Rafael Ferdinand
F
rom the time I set foot in Japan, my life was changed. What greeted me was even more amazing than I expected. During the first week, my fellow scouts and I spent our time exploring Japan, setting up base in the city of Osaka. Trips to The Kyoto Shrines, the Osaka Aquarium and the Osaka Castle were among our many aweinspiring experiences. Japan showed that there is beauty in simplicity. Finally, the day arrived when we travelled to Yamaguchi to attend the 23rd World Scout Jamboree, “WA: a Spirit of Unity” being the theme for
this year’s edition. A long train and bus ride didn’t take away from our energy as we began chanting and singing in chorus upon our arrival to the campsite. Within the first half an hour I got a small taste of what I was in for, with many scouts from around the world coming to speak to us and share their interests. Upon arrival to the place we would call home for the next week, we turned a barren area into a buzzing campsite filled with eager scouts. The spectacular opening ceremony made me feel a sense of
pride as I realised that I had thousands of brothers and sisters all over the world, an army of scouts that spread across the globe.
“Japan showed that there is beauty in simplicity.” The next few days were spectacular. Our time was filled with eye opening modules about technology, nature and the world. The culture module was my favourite as I got to see the other aspects of international culture and society.
Also, the visit to Hiroshima gave me a more positive outlook and different perspective on life. When the modules were done, the fun continued as our days were filled with long walks across the campsite, trading with countless nations, meeting new people and discovering new things. A real sense of adventure filled us as we dared to try things we had never tried before, all the while showing what our beautiful nation was about. When it came time to leave, I was a changed person. I had experienced the world all in one place. I finally understood the meaning of the words kindness and
happiness and above all that, that scouting isn’t a hobby but a way of life, a family. Memories of Japan will forever be in my mind. Once a scout always a scout!!!
WSJ Japan - Rafael Ferdinand