My experience in 6th SAF Scout Friendship Camp

          It was the prodigious experience and really the stirring journey to National Training Centre, Mouchak, Gagipur, Bangladesh. The occasion was of 6th SAF Scout friendship camp that was being hosted by Bangladesh Scout. 

 

Since 2002 in an association with the south Asia foundation (SAF) SAARC countries have been hosting and organizing SAF scout friendship camp. It was now Bangladesh who successfully hosted 6th SAF scout friendship camp on 12-8 October, 2008 with a theme of ''Scouting for peace and friendship''. It was the assemblage of about 350 participants from SAARC countries including camp officials and volunteers Rovers. The main objective of the gathering of youths was the enhancement of solidarity, friendship and natural exchange through scouting.

            It was great opportunity for me to participate in that camp and to be acquainted with the foreign scouts. We were 39 members contingent from Nepal scout including two contingent leaders. Though great festival of Hindu 'Dashian' was on the way, we forewent it to prove our-self and our national scout among SAARC countries. So before a day of Dashami, receiving blessing and tika from parents we left home.

         That day we rested at Birgung. Then we took train from Rakswal to Mujafarpur of India. From there we took the bus to Purnima and again to Siliguri. Travel by the bus was safe though we got few difficulties and problems on the way. At Siliguri we received Rovers and Rangers scouts from Jhapa and Sunsari. We reached to boarder at 5:15 pm, 21st October and after performing some formalities we crossed it at 7:00 pm, exchanging our currency at the border.

It was a great relief to land ourselves in the land of Bangladesh. But it lasted no long as there was no one to receive us. We waited few hours before some official scouters came. That night we stayed at guest house in Lalmonihaat. By the early morning we got special welcome by Lalmonihaat district scout. Than after lunch we made our move towards the National training center at Mouchak,Gazipur. We reached the destiny at about 8:35 pm of night. We were so much exhausted that day. Bhutan, Pakistan, Srilanka and Bangladesh scout had already arrived to the camp. After taking our meal we went for sleep in the guest hall, Srilankans were our room partner.

             The next day was the first day of the camp. Early morning we arranged our tent. After breakfast we participated in the grand opening ceremony. It was really exhilarating and colorful. Rovers from Bangladesh scout presented beautiful cultural dance and songs. The honorable chief Adviser of the Govt. of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh attended the opening ceremony. On the same day we participated on challange-2, which was friendship card distribution.

      Next day on 24th October we participated in chalange-10. Under that we enjoyed the scenic beauty of Bhawal National park through hike. We gathered on the start spot at 08:00am. Then we took bus to National Park. We reached there at 9:30am. There were 5/6 hike routes provided. We had to hike by petrol. In my petrol all we were Nepali Rovers. We got opportunity of fishing, cycling, watching tower, rowing, backwoodsman cooking etc. Then we left National park for Rover Village at 1:00pm.

               As discovery-2 we participated in Community Development (CD) Work. After lunch and rest we went nearby village to understand the Life of rural People and tried to discover some ways of refining their Life on the basis of MDGS. We were divided as small groups to pursue four works: making vegetable garden, showing system of making quick composed manure, planting trees and creating mass awareness. I tried to make public aware about the Iodinated salt in Bangladeshi language by the help of some Bangladeshi friends. We enjoyed informal cultural Program which was organized and performed by the local Villagers and Rover Scouts.

             Third day, 25th October we participated on youth forum. All the Participants were divided into 20 small groups and I was in the group "Dhaka" The Youth forum was divided into four sessions. The first session was on the topic "What is scouting for me?" The second Session was on the topic “Regional peace and cooperation". We needed to discuss about the topic in group and present the group report after each session. That day at evening we enjoyed the camp fire where many participants presented their talents. We also presented Nepali culture by playing Dheusi Bhailo with some musical dance performance. It was fantastic.

                On the fourth day, third session of Youth forum started. It was on the topic "Youth leadership for Sustainable Development". And the fourth session was on the topic "Millennium Development Goals (MDGS)”. It was great pleasure for me to get an opportunity to be the commissioner of the Youth forum of fourth day. I conducted that session with National Commissioner of Bangladesh Scouts. On evening we participated in the exhibition where we exhibit different crafts from Nepal Scouts showing Nepali culture and tradition. On the same day the final selection was made. Out of thousands of participants only 20 scouts were selected for the grand Youth parliament. From Nepal three Rovers and Rangers we got chance to Practice parliamentary system.

             On the fifth day, 24th October we participated on the Youth parliament. I was the chief commissioner of Nepal representing the parliament. We presented bill on the parliament and appealed the SAARC countries to implement them. All the members of Youth parliament got an opportunity to take the group photo with honorable President of the people's republic of Bangladesh and chief scout. After the closing of the Youth Parliament the final session of friendship camp started. We took the group photo with our new friends and even shared our feelings. At the evening we participated in the International Cultural Program. 

              6th day on 28th October we went for sight-seeing (Educational Tour). It was an interesting and exciting challenge. We got chance to visit the tourist spots and parks like fantasy kingdom park, Water Kingdom and Heritage Park. We got chance to learn the language, movement, Liberation war, religion, history and important structures of Bangladesh. We even enjoyed exciting water activities. After leaving the park we returned to the camp and attained the grand campfire. We were in our national costume. All other participants of different countries were also in their own cultural dresses. We enjoyed the colorful campfire. Rangers of Nepal scouts presented dance on national song. 

             That was the most treasured night for me. I got many foreign friends who became so close to me. And the most surprising thing happened when three of the girls purposed me. 

         Last day, after the closing ceremony we went for the visit to Dhaka. We visited parliament house of Bangladesh, many historical places, national stadium, universities and large markets. We did shopping there.

             Camp was really successful. After 2 days regular travel on Bus we reached to home on 30th October with the Loving memories of 6th SAF scouts friendship Camp. It has given me best friends, loving and caring brothers and sisters, encouraging and motivating teachers; indeed it has given me a full package of happiness; a lot to remember, a lot to smile. A sincere thanks to Nepal scouts for giving such a wonderful opportunity.