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PHOTO of the Month Send your photos to programme@ttscouts.org to be highlighted here!
- 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
Scout Skills:
JANUARY
Available at The Scout Shop
ACTIVITY
New Experiences. New Adventures
A pocketknife like the Huntsman Boy Scout Swiss Army Knife is a very useful camp tool. It can cut a rope, open a can and whittle a tent stake. But it’s useful only if you keep it clean and sharp. A dull knife can slip and get stuck, making it more dangerous to use.
As next month’s theme suggests, this is the month to TRY SOMETHING NEW!
Keep your knife sharp by using a whetstone. Some experts prefer a dry whetstone, while others use light mineral oil or water on the stone while they are sharpening. The choice depends on the type of stone and the preference of the sharpener.
To help you out, ScoutsTT has arranged some SPECIAL GROUP RATES for the month of January for you, our members, at the following activity centers:
Hold the knife blade at about a 30-degree angle and push it along the stone as though you were slicing a layer off the top. For a sharper but less durable blade, you can try a lower angle, like 20 degrees.
You can visit somewhere new, learn a new skill, try a new instrument, play a new sport, begin working on a new proficiency badge, or even participate in a new activity! Coleman Fixed Blade Knife - $120
CORNER
How to sharpen a pocketknife
Kayaking with Trinikayak Ltd. (Chaguaramas). TEL: 680-6244
But whatever you choose, do your best to keep the blade at a consistent angle. Then sharpen the other side of the blade the same way. Check the sharpness by wiping the knife with a clean cloth and examining the edge in the sun or under a bright light. A dull cutting edge reflects the light and looks shiny. A sharp edge is so thin that it has no shine at all.
C O N G R AT U L AT I O N S !
Rock climbing at Central Athletic Club (Chaguanas). TEL: 221-2000
Join us in congratulating the 1st Naparima College Sea Scout Troop on celebrating its 60th anniversary. What a great achievement for a group that continues to adapt to the everchanging needs of their youth membership. Wishing you all many more years of success!
Ziplining with ZIP-ITT Adventure Tours (Chaguaramas). TEL: 303-7755
Q: Why is the little ant always confused? A: Because all his uncles are ants.
Copies of their 60th Anniversary magazine can be purchased at the Scout Shop.
What’s New @HQ Logo Design Competition Are you creative? Win FREE registration to the next Caribbean Cuboree or Jamboree!
We are looking for a talented scout to design our new National logo.
The Scout Association of Trinidad and Tobago (SATT) desires to establish a more recognizable brand identity and logo to be utilized in marketing and building stronger brand awareness – especially as we are looking to expand our membership and seek partnership opportunities to sustain our movement.
SATT has never had an official logo. The Crest or Coat of Arms has been used in lieu of a logo. It is necessary to create one visual that will represent SATT in the development of our marketing campaign so we can move forward with appropriate expansions and partnership opportunities.
Check out the NEW Scout Shop!
The contest is open ONLY to youth members (age 8-19) of Trinidad and Tobago Scout Association. DEADLINE for entry is Friday January 4th, 2016. Email yvan.mendoza@ttscouts.org for full competition rules.
scoutshoptt
scoutshoptt
627-2835 Mpow Selfie Stick
$199.00 ASSORTED BOARD SHORTS
$235.00 PNY Universal Portable Rechargeable Battery Charger
$99.00
40L Foldable Pack
$275.00
Meet Our 1st National Youth Commissioner As mentioned by the National Scout Commissioner, Roger Berkeley in our Annual Report, The World Youth Policy advocates for greater involvement of young people in the decision making structures of the NSOs.
will help us to become the premier youth organisation in Trinidad and Tobago. Name: Allan Gittens Age: 24 Group: 6th Trinidad Sea Scouts Email: allan.gittens@ttscouts.org
This is also aligned to our draft strategic objectives, which identifies youth involvement as a key developmental area to support the expansion of the movement. As a result, we have created the role of National Youth Commissioner. Working as part of our National Executive, the Youth Commissioner will ensure that our youth members have a strong influence on every decision so that Scouting answers their views, wishes and needs. Representing the youth members across Trinidad and Tobago, the National Youth Commissioner will work to achieve our objective of being recognized as a key and leading advocate for youth and youth issues by both young people and key national stakeholders and to be a strong influence on our young people, both of which
Started Scouting in 1999 Held positions of Senior Sixer, Senior PL and V/S Unit Chair Adult leader since 2009, first as Scout Leader then Assistant GSL and acted as GSL for the past two years Participant in Interamerican Leadership Training 2014 Outside Scouting is involved in organisations serving the differently abled