This year’s Namibian National Scout Camp took place from 22 to 26 August at Farm Mafoi close to Otavi embracing the ‘Spirit of Unity’.
The theme was taken from the recent 23rd World Scout Jamboree in Japan. A total of 58 people took part in this event including staff members and scouts.
The scouts were taken through various processes of team building and self-improvement tasks where they learnt many new skills. Their self-defence abilities were tested on each other when they were introduced to different karate exercises. The scouts also learned how to make sushi rolls and tasted them for the first time using chop-sticks.
There were different bases set up where the scouts learnt about the traditions of the Japanese. At the origami base, the scouts were taught how to construct different structures with paper, such as paper lanterns, peace cranes and also kites.
They were also taught about the traditions surrounding the Japanese tea ceremony at the WA base. Issues surrounding world peace were discussed and war stories were shared as the anniversary of the Hiroshima bombing was also held at this base.
At the solar and pioneering bases, the scouts were briefed in the importance of solar energy and how to use solar panels, and also how to build constructions with ropes and poles. The scouts’ knowledge of emergency situations was also tested at different first aid scenes.
It wasn’t all work and no play, though. The scouts enjoyed a paintball session as well and ended off with an intimate campfire that portrayed the Spirit of Unity.
Matthieu Haeniche of the First Scouts from Otjiwarongo said “in the end, the Spirit of Unity was felt by all. In camping, sharing, learning, helping and most of all having fun, everyone embraced the spirit of scouting”.
