The three-day Scouts & Guides Training and Testing Camp for Pravesh and Pratham Sopan concluded successfully on 7 July 2026 at Don Bosco Secondary School (Colzani Memorial), Damra, after three days of intensive training, testing, discipline, fellowship and service-oriented activities.

The camp, organized under the Bharat Scouts and Guides – Don Bosco District Association, Assam, brought together Scouts and Guides from various institutions to strengthen their scouting skills while deepening the values of leadership, teamwork, self-reliance and service.

The camp was inaugurated on 4 July 2026 by Rev. Fr. Bivan Rodriques Mukhim, SDB, Vice Provincial of the Salesian Province of Guwahati. Addressing the young Scouts and Guides, Fr. Bivan inspired them to embrace the true spirit of Scouting by becoming young people committed to service and compassion.

He urged the participants to make the best use of the three-day camp by learning every skill with dedication and enthusiasm. “A Scout is not known merely by the uniform he or she wears, but by the willingness to serve others,” he remarked. He encouraged the participants to be attentive to the needs of their fellow Scouts and Guides, to support one another during the camp and to carry the same spirit of service into their homes, schools and communities.

Reflecting on the challenges facing today’s youth, Fr. Bivan observed, “In the world of the mobile generation, children are often so busy scrolling through their phones that they hardly find time to help their parents or serve society. As Scouts and Guides, our duty is to ‘Be Prepared’—prepared not only for adventures and activities, but always ready to lend a helping hand to those in need.”

He further reminded the participants that Scouting is a lifelong way of living rather than merely attending camps or earning badges. The movement, he said, forms young people of strong character who are honest, disciplined, responsible and committed to the common good. He encouraged them to cultivate habits of prayer, respect for elders, care for nature and love for their country. “Every good deed, however small, makes the world a better place. Let your daily lives reflect the Scout Promise and Scout Law wherever you go,” he said.

Fr. Bivan also challenged the Scouts and Guides to become role models among their peers by choosing kindness over selfishness, responsibility over excuses, and service over comfort. He concluded by wishing the participants a fruitful camp experience and expressed confidence that they would return home as better leaders, better citizens and better human beings.

The inaugural programme was attended by several distinguished guests, including Rev. Fr. Dennis Solomon, SDB, Don Bosco District Chief Commissioner; Rev. Fr. Nicodim Aind, SDB, Provincial Councillor and Don Bosco District Commissioner; Rev. Sr. Anita George, Superior of Nirmala School; Mr. A. R. Lazar, Don Bosco District Scout Trainer; Rev. Sr. Mary Hasda, Principal of Nirmala School, Damra; Rev. Fr. Anthony Dhasdan, SDB, Principal of Don Bosco Secondary School (Colzani Memorial), Damra; and Rev. Fr. Chinapparaj, Parish Priest of Holy Cross Parish, Rongkhon. Also present were religious sisters, Scout Masters, Guide Captains and the enthusiastic Scouts and Guides participating in the camp.

Throughout the three days, participants followed a disciplined routine beginning before sunrise and concluding with night prayers. The programme included physical exercises, training sessions, practical scouting skills, quizzes, testing, patrol games, campfire, leadership activities and opportunities for personal growth. Separate training and testing sessions were conducted for Pravesh and Pratham Sopan participants according to their respective syllabi.

The camp concluded on 7 July with the successful completion of the testing sessions and a renewed commitment among the participants to uphold the ideals of the Scout Movement. The organizers expressed gratitude to all resource persons, Scout leaders, volunteers and institutions whose dedicated efforts ensured the smooth and successful conduct of the camp.