Scouts prepare for first regional encounter in Belize

Next April over six hundred children aged seven to eleven will converge on Camp Oakley for the fifth Central American Cub Scout Encounter. It is the first time that Belize is hosting the biennial event, which will feature scouts from ten countries, and local organisers are intent on making it a success. But with the encounter only ten months away, the Scout Association is very short of its one hundred and fifty thousand dollar budget and at the launch this morning, called on the public to assist them in their efforts.

Hilberto Riverol, National Executive Commissioner
“This event represents a great challenge for us institutionally, culturally, and educationally, but we are determined to show the rest of Central America and other invited countries the best that Belize has to offer. We at the Scout Association are working hard to prepare and organise our first international event so that each young person participating may have a lasting and memorable experience while at the same time establishing strong bonds of friendship and lasting relationships. We are confident that this event will meet the expectations of the participants and will help them to develop into better boys and girls in our global society.”

Randolph Johnson, Director of Operations
“We have received some funding and we are presently completing two shower stalls with eighteen shower stalls and eight toilet facilities. We are still in need of much more funds to build a counsel rack, a cub’s den, and outpost, first aid centre, and these are the things which we hope to use for the activities in the encounter next April. The road inside our property is badly in need of upgrading. We have always shied away from hosting any regional activity because we thought we were not ready and we don’t have equipment and we’re afraid to take up the challenge. But just over a year ago we agreed to try and make a success of it. We are confident that with you assistance and our determination we’ll make this possible.”

The Scouts say they also need diesel for its generators, folding tables, purified water, bathing water, and of course volunteers. If you would like to assist the Association, call their office at 227-2168 or contact National Executive Commissioner Hilberto Riverol at 610-5320. The theme for the 2009 Cub Scout Encounter is “A Magical Adventure”.