A memorable outing for scout campers
IT was an outing to remember for all 193 young scouts and sea scouts at the second series of the Young Scout Badge Camping Scheme held at the Maritime Transport Training Institute (Matrain) in Kuala Baram, Miri.
The recent camp sought to provide an experience with a positive impact on the future of the participants.
Held at a new site this year, it differed slightly from the first series which took place at the Teacher Training Institute Sarawak Campus (IPG) Miri. The change allowed the participants to get close to nature – the forests and the beaches – in an idyllic setting.
Marine Department Sarawak region director Mohd Marzuki Brahim, a staunch supporter of the sea scouts movement in Sarawak, helped to provide Matrain’s facilities for the camp to promote marine scouting activities in the northern region.
The Fire and Rescue Department also lent a hand to make the camp a success together with Kampung Masjid community leader Yusree Zainuzzaman.
With the department’s knowhow in camping activities and Yusree’s help through community service slots and the use of the village area as one of the hiking paths, the camp presented a new and more engaging experience for participants.
Camp coordinator Amri Azmi hoped that with the new site, more schools would participate, especially from the northern region.
Nine secondary schools from Miri District were involved this year – SM Sains Miri, Kolej Tun Datu Tuanku Haji Bujang, SMK Baru, SMK Agama Miri, SMK Riam, SMK Taman Tunku, SMK Dato Permaisuri, SMK Pujut, and SMK Merbau.
SMK Kidurong from Bintulu District and three other schools – SMK Mendamit, SMK Seri Patiambun and SMK Agama Limbang – from Limbang District also participated.
SM Sains Miri sent the biggest contingent comprising 40 scouts, followed by Kolej Tun Datu Tuanku Haji Bujang with 37.
Overall, the participation this year was more encouraging than the previous 47 campers.
At the closing ceremony, Sarawak Scout Northern Region Headquarters commissioner Fathi Ramli said he was happy to see the camaraderie among the campers and proud of the camp’s success.
He hoped the encouraging response from the schools would be sustained and further improved.
The Second Sarawak Scout Academy Messenger of Peace Gathering will be held on April 7 at Matrain.
Participants from Sarawak, Sabah, Brunei, Indonesia, Singapore and Japan are expected to attend.
The third Sea Scout Badge Scheme Camp will also be held at Matrain from May 4-6.
Among the events planned are marine science activities, boat handling, water flotation techniques, ways of save yourself and others in the water, and maritime law.
Sains Sri Marine Scout advisor Qaisarah Abdullah said SM Sains Miri and Kolej Tun Datu Tuanku Haji Bujang will host the ‘How to Conquer Space Knowledge’ programme on April 13-14.
It will be the first of its kind to be organised in Sarawak. The activities will include observation of the moon and the stars, introduction of the different types of telescopes and their uses, and knowledge of the planetary system and their moons.
According to Qaisarah, participants will be eligible for the Astronomical Badge through this programme.
Hopefully with such activities, the sea scouts will be more proactive in working towards the title of Scout King (Sea).