A Revitalized Activity

This activity proposal was conceptualized when the writer became Chairman of the LC Advancement Committee.  However, series of events delayed the proposal and somehow hold the idea momentarily.  As being required at many scouting manuals, handbooks and other publications on advancement, a 4-day survival hike is prescribed for the Eagle Scout Rank.  Unfortunately, most Philippine schools are not in conjunction with BSP activity framework with regards to the length of time students can devote on an important scouting activity for advancement.

Still, there are varieties of challenges and exercises being held if only given enough time to inject all those in the proposed activity.  Challenges and exercises Reality-Based TV series like “Survivor”, “Amazing Race”, “Eco-Challenge”, and “Urban Challenge”, and other publications like Team Building Games (Jim Spears), David McClelland’s Motivational Theories, Business balls Research and Organizational Development (Alan Chapman) and Scouting Games by Sir Robert Baden-Powell gave inspiration to come up with this activity proposal.

After years of joining with the Laguna Council Scouts’ regular advancement activities at our campsite in Barangay Anibong, Pagsanjan, Laguna, I found out that local practice on some major activities need to be revitalized with extra vigor, much as to realize its importance in its execution and become more interesting and exciting for the boys.

The Survival Hike is one activity of the LC scouts that I feel should be resurrected.  Giving more spirit to the activities concocted with the latest trends on exciting outdoor tasks will effectively give our boys the benefit we want them to acquire.  More exciting exercises and improved design on outdoor activities adaptable to our present generation, as popularly called the Generation X.

In this times of the “Reality Genre”, while we still want our youth to be conscious of themselves and to their environment, we should also be giving them the latest twist on outdoor trends so it become more interesting to them.

The revitalized activity is designed to re-establish and improve communication, build trust, increase confidence and bond members to each other and to the organization.  With the added challenges injected in the revitalized activity, our boys will confront series of challenges that will definitely improve their Leadership, Communications, Trust-Building, Resource management, Time management, Problem solving capabilities, Creativity under pressure, Practical reasoning, Confidence and self-image.  These series of activities encourages the boys to be aware of the benefits of “Teamwork” designed and taught to instill pride and be victorious in any challenge.  By continuous efforts providing up-to-date outdoor activities and sports trends, boys’ interest on scouting and the entire scouting organization will be preserved as well.

After the activity, the boys will feel more energized, motivated and inspired to achieve excellence because they have been challenged to reach their personal best.  The mental, emotional, and physical challenges they face will bond them into a team, one that can achieve far more together than its individual members.  The activity will guide the boys, teach them new skills in all areas of team work, and then force each team member to put those techniques to use on challenging problems which can only be solved by team work.

“Survival Hike” as the term submits means withstanding challenges brought about by the revitalized activity.  Although the activity suggests challenges testing the boys’ capability to be by their own selves during the hike, we take special precautions to insure the health and safety of all participants at all times—we always err on the side of caution.  We can’t say the boys will always be comfortable or pampered, but with the revitalized activity, they will always be safe.

LOGISTICS

Duration:  Half-day activity continued by an overnight program and hike retreat to be conducted at last Control Point.

Location: LC Campsite at Barangay Anibong, Pagsanjan, Laguna including adjacent parcels ofland extended at Barangay Bangco, Cavinti & Barangay San Salvador, Malaguin, BAulajo and Balanac, Luisiana.

Hike Length: 5-8 kilometers

STRATEGY

1.        The injection of exciting “team building” exercises during the hike that will bring out the best of the boys’ character.

2.       The introduction of manned Control Points (CP) to regularly check boys’ performance during hike.

3.       Giving the boys exciting tasks require to withstand all challenges in every CP in order to advance to the next CP.

4.       Hike in the wilderness is more appreciated if there are available exercises to perform and to develop not only team work but consciousness to the environment.

5.       While monitoring boy’s performances through the strategic CP, ensure that the boys will not, in any way loose control of their tracks and their behavior during the activity.

6.       At every challenge to perform on every CP, at stake is the boys’ water and food to encourage winning the challenge and advance to the next CP.

7.       Installation of manned CP provides immediate help in case of accidents.

8.       There is this one CP installed halfway of the hiking course where the boys will report their present condition over the radio which the HQ will acknowledge and eventually congratulate them for their performance and giving them moral support they wanted to go on and finish the survival hike at expected time.

9.       Leaders designated at every CP can ensure that every task was being cleared by the boys and that every boy participant can be accounted for during the activity.  Cleared CPs are reported over the radio for updates.

10.   The use of trail signs is still encourage and in fact being revitalized.

11.   At the end of the hiking course, last groups to arrive are treated with much importance, respect and expectation because food cannot be served and eaten until all groups are present.

12.   In the end, before finally retiring from a long and exhausting day, leaders will have a chat with the boys, telling stories, sharing experiences, and instructing the boys of the secrecy of the survival hike details to maintain its integrity and excitement to the next batch who will undergo similar training.

BASIC GADGETS

1. CP Markers
2. Hike Tickets
3. Fast Forward Ticket (FFT)
4. Bread for the boys (prize for the challenge)
5. Radio equipment
6. Gadgets for puzzles and games
7. First Aid Kit
8. Improvised trail signs
9. Participants Rooster
10. Food at the last CP

Firewood, kerosene, match, pot, water, oatmeal, sugar, cup, bowl for each group, spoons

11.  Flag for every group participant

E                 A                      G                      L                    E                      S

EAGLE if there are five groups participating the Survival Hike; EAGLES if 6 groups; GO EAGLE if 7; GO EAGLES if 8 groups

CP Markers – Colored Markers clearly recognizable by the participants during the hike.

Hike Tickets – (HK) Guide that describe the next CP. Description can be in many forms such as distance from the last CP, terrain to get to the CP, landmarks, position and location of the CP Markers, and what’s instore at the CP.  Guides are written similar to tagalong riddles.

Participants’ Rooster – During Leaders’ Instructions before taking off to the Survival hike, participants should write their names, vividly and clearly (in print) at the participants’ rooster for proper information of every boy participant.

First Aid Kit – Leaders manning every CP should bring with them First Aid kit and always keep it handy when the need arises.

Fast Forward Ticket – A Fast Forward Ticket (FFT) should be given to expedite the hike of a group and skip the next CP.  Giving FFT is not recommended to boys in training.  However, the designers of this activity reserve a situation where a group should be permitted to use FFT for some very remote but understandable situation (eg.  Accident, bad weather, group/s who lost track and are running out of time).

MANPOWER

Scout Leader at each CP (depending on the number of CP to be installed) Scout Leader operation as Base Radio Station in the camp or HQ

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Map to be used by the leaders