16th Montfortian Scouts and Guides Integration Camp
October 1st to 5th, 2023
at Montfort School, Roorkee, Uttarakhand
Theme: Service Above Self
The 16th Montfortian Scouts and Guides Integration Camp took place at Montfort School, Roorkee from October 1st to 5th October, 2023. This event was organized under the guidance of the Education Commission of Montfort Brothers of St. Gabriel, Province of Delhi and had the theme "Service Above Self." Over 200 Scouts and Guides from various regions participated, coming together to celebrate the 350th birth anniversary of the founding father, St. Louis Marie de Montfort.
The camp commenced with a briefing session on September 30th, where Bro. Albert Abraham, the Principal of Montfort School, Roorkee, welcomed the attendees and introduced the core committee team. This year held special significance due to the 350th anniversary of St. Louis Marie de Montfort's birth and his speech motivated and encouraged all the camp participants. Bro. William Kerketta, the Camp Leader, explained the camp's proceedings.
In the event, he welcomed participants from 10 schools within the Province of Delhi, with the exception of Montfort School Harinagar due to train cancellation. The gathering comprised Scouts and Guides from Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand and Delhi.
The camp began with a flag hoisting ceremony on 1st October, emphasizing the importance of the flag, salute and 'jhanda geet.' Mr. Ravindra Mohan Kala, the State secretary of Bharat Scouts and Guides and other dignitaries attended the ceremony. The Chief Guest, Mr. Ravindra Mohan Kala, along with Guest of Honour Bro. Thampy Alex, the Chairman and Provincial Superior of the Province of Delhi, were welcomed by the school band and escorted to the stage with beautifully decorated umbrellas. Bro. Albert Abraham extended a warm welcome to the Chief Guest and Guest of Honour, presenting them with shawls, mementos and flower plants.
During the camp, various Scout and Guide skills were taught, up to the Dwitiya Sopan syllabus. Activities included March Past, Daily Inspections, Shelter Making and Gate competitions. Patrol-wise competitions encompassed First Aid, Estimation, Pioneering, Mapping, Compass and Signalling, while the Quiz was organized at the school level. Individual competitions featured Kim Games, S.T.A., Friendship and Camp log book. Camp Fire evenings included captivating cultural presentations, such as folk dances, group songs, and skits honouring St. Louis Marie de Montfort's 350th birth anniversary.
The camp's Chief Guests during the Camp Fire evenings included notable figures from various fields and their presence added to the camp's grandeur. On the first day, Bro. Thampy Alex, Provincial Superior and Chairman of the Province of Delhi, graced the occasion, along with other guests. The second day's Chief Guest was Mrs. Alwin Roxy, Assistant Regional Transport Officer, accompanied by PTA members. The third day's Camp Fire welcomed Mrs. Kalpana Saini, a member of the Rajya Sabha and a range of dignitaries.
A significant event of the camp was the "Rally" held on 3rd October, 2023 with the theme of "Youth Empowerment." Mr. Pradeep Batra, the local MLA, flagged off the rally, emphasizing the importance of Scouts and Guides and road safety. The participants chanted slogans related to youth empowerment and road safety, drawing the local community's enthusiastic participation. Bro. Albert Abraham addressed the gathering, underlining the need for preparedness and the significance of supporting youth empowerment and road safety.
The Grand Camp Fire, a tradition of Scout and Guide camps, took place on the fourth day, offering an evening filled with festivities and inspiration. The Chief Guest was Bro. Shine Alex, the National Education Convener of the Montfort Brothers of St. Gabriel, India and Chairman and Provincial Superior of Hyderabad. The evening's Guests of Honour included Bro. Thampy Alex, Mr. Purvender Sharma, District Organization Commissioner of Bharat Scouts and Guides and others. Bro. Shine Alex encouraged the participants to focus in life, praising the camp's organization and cleanliness.
On 5th October, the camp concluded with a prize distribution ceremony. The prizes were awarded to the winners of various competitions held during the camp. Bro. Albert Abraham officially closed the camp, symbolically passing the flag to the next camp's organizers in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh. The participants expressed their gratitude for the hospitality and support provided by Montfort School Roorkee and praised the meticulous planning and schedule.
The success of the 16th Montfortian Integration camp was attributed to the tireless efforts of the organizing committee, led by Bro. Albert Abraham and the dedication of the staff and students. The camp aimed to foster the theme of "Service Above Self" and empower the youth to contribute positively to their communities.
In conclusion, the 16th Montfortian Scouts and Guides Integration Camp was a grand and successful event that brought together Scouts and Guides from various regions to celebrate their shared values and learn important life skills. The camp's focus on service, youth empowerment and community involvement left a lasting impact on the participants and highlighted the importance of selfless service and unity in today's world.
