RATIONALE
The Survival Camp is one of the most significant skill activities among the pre-requisites that a candidate for Venturer Scout Rank has to go through. Generally, it rechecks and enhances the candidates’ proficiency and readiness to respond in times of emergency, disasters and inculcates the LEAVE NO TRACE OUTDOOR PRINCIPLES to wilderness camping.
In the
Outdoorsman Scout Rank, staying in an improvised shelter, making camp gadgets and
improvised utensils in cooking their own food are some of the focused camping
activities while in the Venturer Scout Rank require higher knowledge and
skills, discipline, self-confidence and stamina because of its more challenging
physical and mental activities like Orienteering/Navigation, Pioneering and
Emergency Preparedness.
It is in the
Survival camp that encompasses the necessary aptitude a scout should have, believing
in himself to overcome various challenges, self-reliant and always “prepared”.
RULES IN
CONDUCTING SURVIVAL CAMPING
1.
It should be a 3-day/2-night activity for
Venturer Scout Rank.
2. The participating scouts must be a
registered member and holder of Outdoorsman Scout Rank.
3.
The scouts must be physically fit.
4. Ideal ratio is 3 trained adult leader to 8
Scouts (minimum); 3:15 (maximum).
5. One accompanying trained adult leader be at
least a graduate of the Advanced Training
Course, other one is trained in medical and one for communication.
Course, other one is trained in medical and one for communication.
5.1.1.
Suggested General Program of Activities
Wilderness
Survival Camp
Urban
Survival Camp
5.1.2.
General Guidelines for Selection of Sites
Wilderness
Survival Camp
1.
Camp on durable surface. An
ideal campsite is an area conducive to move around and conduct activities but
will have minimum impact on the environment. The most applicable way to choose
a campsite is to look for a site that already exists with established trails
and some trees enough to provide protection from the sun or bad weather. It
should be in the wilderness, where dwellers don not exist.
2.
Campsite may or may not have natural
supply of water. Keeping away from riparian areas best protect either scouts or
the environment from any impact.
3.
Avoid valleys and low lying areas
where water may flow and get flooded due to rains.
4.
Choose an area where natural dangers
are not present such as animal or insect nests, trees with dead branches or
mature fruits that might fall off,
falling rocks or landslide areas, or area with dense vegetation where you
cannot see present weather situation.
5.
Campsites can be selected by an Outfit
Advisor making sure that all mentioned considerations are met. Together with an
authorized Local Council representative, It has to be carefully assessed and
familiarity of the environ has to be established. Prior to the local Council’s
approval, necessary Safety & Risk Management Plan should also be devised
and to be discussed in a pre-Survival Camping Orientation with the assigned
leaders.
Urban Survival Camp
1.
An ideal campsite for Urban Survival
Camp can be public parks, markets, school grounds, public parking areas and
2.
Campsite may or may not have supply of
water. Keeping away from riparian areas best protect either scouts or the
environment from any impact.
3.
Avoid valleys and low lying areas
where water may flow and get flooded due to rains.
4.
Choose an area where natural dangers
are not present such as animal or insect nests, waterways or river banks; places
with informal settlers and have high crime incident rates; places with presence
of toxic materials such as doomed chemical factories or any other risks that
could be inflicted by Old/condemned buildings, construction sites, Nightclubs and bars, places with busy traffic
conditions.
5.
As much as possible, choose an area
that is close to Police Headquarters, Barangay Outposts or Medical Facilities
6.
Campsites can be selected by an Outfit
Advisor making sure that all mentioned considerations are met. Together with an
authorized Local Council representative, It has to be carefully assessed and
familiarity of the environ has to be established. Prior to the local Council’s
approval, necessary Safety & Risk Management Plan should also be devised
and to be discussed in a pre-Survival Camping Orientation with the assigned
leaders.
5.1.3.
Safety and Risk Management Plan
Familiarity and articulacy with the environ of
selected campsite is significant to have an effective and efficient Safety and
Risk Management Plan.
Possible Risks should be identified to
formulate a plan. Gathering Information from past experiences is vital to
devise an effective strategy.
Eg: Earthquake
How to protect yourself
from falling objects.
Dock, cover and hold.
After the shake, secure everyone and execute the evacuation plan
Evacuation Plan
Storm/Thunderstorm
Be acquainted with weather forecast prior to camping activities
Day-to-day weather update and monitoring,
Open and efficient communication among leaders in any eventuality
Execution of Evacuation Plan if necessary
Flood:
Be acquainted with weather forecast prior to camping activities
Keep away from areas that are prone to flooding or flash flooding
Identify elevated expanses that can be an evacuation area in case
of emergencies
Emergencies caused by wildlife: Stings, bites
Selection of an ideal campsite is really
indispensable in order to avoid as much risks as possible to possess a safe
environment for all scouts.
Aside from verbal disclosures during meetings
Visual Illustration of Safety and Risk Management Plan will provide realistic
information and guidance in preparation or even during actual events.
Incident Command System among assigned
staff/leaders should be formed, understood and agreed upon prior to the conduct
of a Survival Camp.
5.1.4.
Camping Permits and Other Related Forms, Clearances, etc.
·
Survival Camping Permit Application – Camping
Permit
·
Campsite Inspection Clearance and
Approval by the Local Council
·
Permit from the Property owner
·
Community Clearance (Barangay,
municipality, city)
·
Police Clearance and request for
Assistance
·
Scouts’ Medical Certificate
·
Parent’s Consent
“Survival Camping involves risk. I will not
enter and participate unless I am medically able and properly trained. I assume all risks associated from the
activities which I will perform during camp.
Knowing these facts and in consideration of
my participation, I, for myself and anyone entitled to act on my behalf, waive
and release the BSP _________ Council and its representatives from all claims
or liabilities of any kind arising out of my participation”
5.1.5.
Equipment and Materials
These are the Materials suggested by the Program Task Group during
Presentation/Deliberation:
(wilderness)
Bolo or scout
knife
Garbage bag (to be used for
water proofing)
Sanitary napkin (to be used in
large cuts / wounds)
1 small
mirror
Whistle
Flashlight
Thermal blanket (alum. Foil)
(urban)
whistle
flashlight
garbage bag
I suggest however that we just devise a Basic
Survival Kit Standard for our Scouts to consist of the following:
Emergency Thermal
Blanket/Nylon Tarp
Water bottle
Fire Starter
Stainless Steel
Pocket knife
Whistle
Flashlight
Garbage bag
Basic First Aid: Bandages,
medicines
5.1.6.
Terms of Reference for the Staff
§ Objectives
1.
To get scout leaders prepare a premeditated Survival Camping
Activity required for our scouts.
2.
To give scouts freedom of time and entitlement on how to endure
the challenges bounded in the Survival Camp.
3.
Assigned Leaders are only to monitor the conduct of scouts’
activities but no mediation or intervention has to be made during the course of
scouts’ actions.
4.
Leaders should be equipped with First Aid necessities and Incident
Command System is in place in case of any eventuality.
5.
To make sure that the Principles “Leave No Trace” is being
considered.
6. Always remember the rule of Threes
In a Survival situation,
always remember the Rule of Threes.
A
human can survive for:
·
3 minutes without air
·
3 hours without a regulated body
temperature (shelter)
·
3 days without water
·
3 weeks without food
7. Of
the 5 Trained Leaders every 24 scouts, one should be assigned on First Aid and
scout’s other medical needs and one should handle coordination and
communication with necessary authorities like barangay, police, hospital, property
owner, park, market, school admin.
8. Transportation
must also be handy in case of any eventuality.
§ Activities to be implemented
during Wilderness Survival Camp
§ Improvised shelter making
§ Purifying water for drinking
§ Fire Building
§ Food Hunting
§ Survival Cooking
§ Identification of edible and poisonous plants (Ethno Botany)
§ Campcraft (Improvised camp gadgets and cooking utensils)
§ Orienteering/Navigation
§ To ensure LEAST POSSIBLE to NO IMPACT effect on the environment
(LNT principles)
§ Activities to be implemented
during Urban Survival Camp
§ Improvised Shelter
§ Finding water for
drinking
§ Protect self from illnesses
through hygiene
§ “Work for Food”
§ Offering Services &
Public Performances
§ Materials Recovery
§ Improvises gadgets &
Utensils making
§ Obeying traffic rules
& Signs
Community Service
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§ Expertise required
Scout Leaders who will
facilitate Pre-Survival Camp Activities should have some expertise in Bushcraft in Wilderness Survival Camps,
or Backpacking in Urban Survival
Camps.
Camcraft – knot tying skills and
proficiency in lashing should be the prime most requisite a trained Leader
should have.
Ethno Botany – Familiarity with
edible and/or medicinal against poisonous or plants
Practical Life Skills is eminent
in both Wilderness and Urban Survival Activities
Practice of the Leave No Trace
Outdoor Ethics and Principles
§ Reporting requirements
Obligatory nightly commentary
and evaluation by its staff is and Local Council Representative is required to
monitor the general progress of the activities being applied and to have a
clear visualization of next day’s activities.
5.2.
Standard Assessment Tool for the Survival Camp
Practicum or Actual performance of
given task. Knowledge & familiarity
of skills as being performed real time by scouts as it was directed to be
accomplished.
Theoretical and Academic
valuation as to competency or capability
in generating visual academic output like data charts, collage, multi-media
presentations or written/narrative information
such as Essays, blogs, creative writing about experiences and learning that
will be used in the analysis and evaluation or review.
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| National Commissioner Jose Delgado and my appointment |
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| with Sctr.Rex Ynion of Metro Manila South Council |
Misc:
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| Program Presentation |
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| 12L BP International Hotel |
