The state headquarters of Bharat Scouts and Guides on Kamarajar Salai wears a colourful look with pitched tents, clothes drying on rows of cloth lines and girls in uniforms carrying out a variety of guide-based activities.
At the entrance of this facility, which is called Wenlock Park, the visitor is greeted by a printed orange bed sheet, whose two ends tied to branches, that bears a note, ‘Jasmine Patrol’.
Over 300 guides and 17 examiners from the southern States are participating in the Rashtriya Guide Testing Camp. This regional camp is divided into batches and the candidates are tested for various parameters. Those who pass the test will receive the President’s medal.
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“Every activity that we do here is being watched by examiners,” says a student from Chettinad Vidyashram.
During the camp, examiners check the candidates’ log books. An examiner asks a student questions after reading her ‘hike report’ from NSN Group of Schools, Chitlapakkam.
Other groups are being evaluated based on the reports they submitted and on the community work they did. Inside one of the old buildings, three teachers are going through candidates’ answer papers.
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Through the scouts and guides movement, students learn discipline, punctuality, cleanliness, honesty and service to society.
They learn vocational skills too. Students from Karur show how they can weave baskets into various shapes and sizes using palm leaves. There are other interesting creations from other students, including a model washroom, a swing, a shoe rack and a sofa.
“Scouts and guides are also tested in their ability to cook,” says S. Beulah, one of the examiners from Salem.
Wenlock Park has played a major role in promoting the scouts and guides movement and it needs some attention.
“Most of the buildings at the campus are in poor state; we have renovated them. Next, we will be working at improving the other amenities,” said K. Ramachandran, state secretary of Bharat Scouts and Guides.