The Backyard Encampment: Scouting Activities, Cooking Contest, Campfire, and the Roasting of Chicken Lechon

We held our first backyard camping last November 28. It's been a while since we've done this activity, so we're all excited to join and participate. We want to make sure that everyone will enjoy and that everyone will be filled with learnings that everyone could benefit from. After the pandemic years, we finally had the chance to conduct another memorable camping with the scouters again.

The morning procession and a ceremony honoring Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of the International Scouting movement, precede the official start of the event.

We planned several lectures and activities for each scout to help them learn how to make their time as scouts meaningful and unforgettable. These lessons are crucial for making their scouting efforts worthwhile in the long run.

During the backyard campsite, all of the scouters engaged in the following activities:

Understanding the Significance of a First Aid Kit

Since we engage in activities every day as scouts that may lead to actions both indoors and outdoors, it is ideal for us to have an essential awareness of first aid.

Among camping equipment, a first aid kit is a vital component that should not be disregarded. By treating minor wounds, including cuts, scrapes, burns, bruises, and sprains, first aid kits reduce the chance of infection or the severity of the injury.

Practice Lashing and Knot-Tying

Tying knots is crucial for camping, trekking, bushcraft, and survival. It enables you to construct tools, set traps, secure shelters, and carry out various outdoor tasks. In the bush, being able to tie multiple knots is essential for efficiency, safety, and ingenuity.

Conversely, lashings are employed to fasten poles or spars together so that structures and items can be built. This endeavor is referred to as pioneering in scouting. Getaways, bridges, and platforms are typical pioneering projects. Minor camp furnishings like washstands, chairs, benches, and tables are typical.

For good reason, knot-tying and lashing have long been a part of the scouting program. It encourages self-control and concentration and imparts practical, immediately applicable abilities.

Understanding the Significance of Hand Signals

Because they are meant to make it easier to organize a united group action when the weather is extreme and noisy, hand signals are crucial for troop formations. To communicate with members of their patrol and troop across short distances, scouts should be proficient in hand signals.

Flag-Folding

The living representation of the Philippines is our flag. It is the symbol of our country, representing who we have been, are, and want to be. Our shared goals for the future of the Philippines and our aspirations as a people are encapsulated in our flag. Our flag is a representation of our nation and ought to be treated with respect.

Everyone should be aware of and abide by the correct methods for handling and, of course, folding our flag. It is a gesture of reverence and recognition for the national flag of our nation.

Cooking Contest

We had a cooking competition for the scouters to increase the fun during the backyard campsite. They each prepared a typical meal, known as "Tinolang Manok." One of the foods that Filipinos love and eat often.

Four scouts are formed: two groups for Girl Scouts and two groups for Boy Scouts. Initially, it was difficult for us teachers and judges to choose the winners, but fortunately, group 2 in the Boy Scouts groups took first place.

Even though some didn't win the competition, at least they could experience the spirit of cooking together and their shared camaraderie when participating in group activities.

We, teachers, are busy preparing our dinner, chicken lechon, while they are holding the cooking as mentioned above the competition. It was so delicious and flavorful that we relished every morsel of it. This chicken lechon brightens our spirits after a long day.

We eventually got to enjoy the campfire after eating. Together, we sing and dance. With the help of the teachers, the scouters do a song and dance to exhibit their talents.

We had a great time camping in the backyard. We are happy that the Scouters had a great time participating in all the activities and that they learned a lot of things that will be very helpful to them.

These were the activities we participated in while camped out in our backyard.

We felt so happy about this unforgettable event, and now we're looking forward to more enjoyable activities.