Scouts hold annual gathering at Camp Oakley

Last month we reported on the refurbishing underway at Camp Oakley…and tonight we can report that while the work continues, Belize’s scouts are making good use of the facilities.

Jacqueline Woods, Reporting

Despite the murky waters, scouts from various troops across the country enjoyed playing in the pond. The children, ages eleven to sixteen are on their annual camp at the training grounds in Burrell Boom.

Ricardo Alcoser, Camp Chief

“They have a variety of activities that deals mainly with scouting. They have water sports, road to scouting, they have obstacle courses. One of the main activities that called their attention, was the rifle shooting they are having this year as well. As well as the famous and traditional game, the Argolla India, which we will be having on Thursday of this week.”

The activities give officials a good idea of how the scouts have progressed throughout the year and how well their leaders have done their jobs. This year, there are two hundred twenty-five scouts at the camp including some very special visitors.

Ricardo Alcoser

“As well we have some visitors from Puebla, Mexico, which are ten participants, plus one member of the Associacion de Scouts de El Salvador, who is with us taking photographs and taking videos.”

Today, the guest of honour was the scout patron, Governor General Sir Colville Young. The G.G. was taken on a tour of the construction presently being done at Camp Oakley by the Royal Engineers of Jersey Field Squadron.

Major William Howie, Military Advisor, Scouts Assoc.

“The mess hall has been totally refurbished with a new roof on. they’ve rewired the whole place, they’ve repainted it, put in a new water tower and they’re making a brand new shower and toilet block, plus they’ve refurbished much of the other facilities on the camp.”

To mark the occasion, a plaque was handed to the National Scouts Association by the Royal Engineers. The renovation is expected to be completed on July fourteenth. Jacqueline Woods reporting for News 5.

The annual Scout Camp will also conclude on that date. Earlier this month, there was a similar camp for the Cub Scouts of Belize.