The Scout Association of Belize

Filled with excitement, they were ready to meet friends and spend a fun-filled weekend.  After registrations, the Units headed to the field for the piggyback race and the three-legged race which were very competitive. 

After this first phase of activities all the participants had a feast with tamales for lunch. 

With excitement and full stomachs, they started the Opening Ceremony led by Master of Ceremony, Mr. Camilo Romero.  Pastor Antoinette Young led the gathering in prayer and asked for God’s blessings on all the participants. 

Immediately after, Mrs. Nazira Romero, Principal of Trial Farm School and Sponsor for the 17^th Trial Farm Scout Unit, gave the welcome address.  

Invited guest Mrs. Cecilia Williams from the District Education Office applauded the Units and The Scout Association for working hard to get young people involved in productive activities that will help them become better citizens.  Mr. Hilberto Riverol spoke with much enthusiasm and encouraged the children to keep on striving in life to do better for their community.  He shouted out with great enthusiasm the great Kiefa and the Scouts responded from the top of their voices.  After all was said, Mr. Ramiro Duran, President of The Scout Association, gave a short address and then officially declared the Olympiad opened.

          Leaders planning the days activities

Once again, the participants headed off to the field for the softball throw, then warmed up for an adventurous hike in Pucte Villas just out of Orange Walk Town.  Mr. Juan Baeza, Scout Leader for the Trial Farm Scout Unit, led the hike through the dense but cool jungle and bushes filled with sceneries that the participants will remember for many years to come.  Some of the main attractions were the beautiful Black Orchid, the enormous wee wee ants nests, the scarred Sapodilla “chicle” tree and other scenes that entertained them all through the hike.  Upon their return to the school, everybody got ready for their well deserved bath.

                     After the hike through dense jungle

Supper was a real camp special, hotdogs.  Everyone then gathered in front of the stage to enjoy the presentations given by each Patrol and even more had a blast with Trial Farm’s Mr. Camilo Romero who entertained them with his jokes and actions. 

             Sausage eating competition

The camp fire was lit and our very own Venture Scout, Jeremy Perez, led them with some calls and songs.  The campfire would not be complete without a marshmallow roast.  These were large marshmallows; after each Scout had two most of them did not want another.  It was then bedtime; they all headed to their rooms for the night hoping to recharge as much energy for the following day.

             Serving lunch in the kitchen

The day started early with personal hygiene followed by the traditional Scouts Own after which breakfast followed.  Scouts enjoyed the delicious refried beans with tasty soft cheese and fresh bread. 

                        Volleyball competition

And now the second day of activities was about to start.  The Scouts who would run the open race were taken to the Bishop Martin High School on the San Lorenzo Road where they would start the race that would end on the camp grounds.  As the first Scouts completed the run, they were greeted with cheers and hugs at the finish line.  A friendly tug of war was played, then came the obstacle race.  Having to work with speed, the children ran down the field putting on their oversized clothes and topping it off with colorful, large purses and getting back to the starting line first.

                   Three-legged race - racing to the finish line

The long awaited exciting event of the day was now about to begin.  Argolla India, as all Scouts know, was the game of the day and it was time to get muddy and slide on the field as they tried to throw the ring on the pole. 

                            Argolla India Competition

Giving each Scout a chance to play and get soaked by the water from the fire truck, they played as if they never wanted to stop.  Even Venture Scout Robert Escobar, the referee, got a taste of the cold mud as he kept the rules of the game clear.  Immediately after the games, the fire truck hosed down everybody and off they ran to the shower stalls.

Lunch was ready and everybody delighted themselves with Belize’s delicacy, rice and beans with stewed chicken and coleslaw along with a nice ripe banana and slice of watermelon.  They sat down with friends they had met and shared their time talking about the great time they all had.  After relaxing and digesting the good meal, they then gathered for the closing ceremony. 

                                A perfect score

Mrs. Nazira Romero expressed how honored she was to have had the privilege of hosting the event and then proceeded to announce and award the winners of the various events.  The Scouts went up proudly to receive their medals and trophies; they wore it with pride and shared their victory with their brothers and sisters in Scouting.  The event was then officially declared closed by Mr. John Carrillo who thanked everyone for making the event a success.  Scouts and Leaders then departed for their homes a bit tired but very happy.

  WE HAD LOTS OF FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CONGRATULATIONS TO MRS. NAZIRA ROMERO AND HER TEAM OF SUPPORTERS. SPECIAL MENTION FOR THE KITCHEN CREW WHO PERFOMED WELL, PROVIDING NUTRITIOUS MEALS FOR ALL THE PARTICIPANTS.