Activity Reports

HIKE REPORT

Rationale: Outdoors activity is an integral part of building a strong personality in a scout. And Camping and Hiking are the two ways how it is done. Thus, a hike was planned for the scouts keeping in mind, this special need. It was also an opportunity for them to revise their understanding and recognizing of the numerous trail signs that are used in scouting. And since the hike is usually taken in small groups known as patrols, it gives them a chance to interact in small setting

I. Planning: Monday-Friday [04.04.16 – 08.04.16]

Scoutmasters involved:
1.      Hikeleader Scoutleader Rinchen Gyeltshen, ALT
2.      Scoutleader Karma Kuenzang Wangdi, ALT
3.      Scoutleader Yeshi Dorji, BULT
4.      CBS Leader Tshewang Zangmo, BULT

The hike route was to be planned through Jakar village, Pongar forest, and Lamai Gonpa roadways. The total hiking distance would be around 7-8 kms of footpaths, paved road, animal trails and untrodden pine forests, covering around 150 acres of Pine forest. We calculated the time taken to be around 6 hours.

We put in written permission to the principal, along with budget proposal for light refreshments to the scouts, which he kindly consented.

Then we went on putting written permissions to the Warden and Matron for the scouts residing in the hostels. We also sent Consent Letters to the parents of the dayscholar scouts, to be signed by their parents, granting the scouts permission to go on a hike.

The mess Incharges were also informed to prepare packed-lunches for the scouts residing in hostel, which was gladly accepted.

II. Pre-Hike Day: Saturday [09.04.16]
From 3:00 pm, Scoutleader Rinchen Gyeltshen and three Sharibu scouts left to check the hike route, and if needed, to clear some ‘harsh’ areas. They also planned the places to hide the messages and put up the trail signs. Their report on the condition of the trail was so good, that we decided to proceed with the hike the next day.

III. Hike Day: Sunday [10.04.16]
From 7:30 am, Scoutleader Rinchen Gyeltshen left with one Maugalbu Scout along the hike route, to crosscheck the trail signs and hide messages.

By 8:30 am, all Scoutleaders and scouts gathered at the old basketball court (near the school gate). A First Aider scout was also chosen to carry the emergency medicines and his cell phone number was passed on the each patrol leader.

Then, Scouts were divided into 6 patrols, having an average of 12 scouts each. They were given their patrol sequence for the day, and starting 9:15 am, patrol one started with the hike. I issued the ‘Letter to the Patrol Leader’ and the ‘Emergency Letter’ with last minute instructions.

Scoutleaders Yeshi Dorji and Tshewang Zangmo engaged the other patrols with lessons on pioneering, games, songs and yells. After 15 minutes intervals, each patrol was sent off. Scoutleader Yeshi Dorji was sent off with the second patrol, while CBS leader Tshewang Zangmo went with the fourth patrol. I left with the last patrol, at 10:30 am.

The ‘Letter to the Patrol Leader’ instructed the patrol leader to lead his scouts to the Assembly courtyard, from where the messages and signs pointed towards the lower school gate.

The route lead towards the crematorium, and crossing a stream, we were headed towards Jakar village. The path meandered between the houses, zigzagging between the narrow fences until we reached the Jakar dzong road. Taking it, we reached Pongar bend from where we left it to take the dirt track, away between isolated farmsteads.

The track lead further towards the hillocks, until the trail signs led us straight into a clearing in the jungle. Resting among the prayer flags, we sang songs and yelled at the top of our voice. No other sound, just the 12 scouts and me, alone in the meadow. We caught up with the dirt track and took it for a few hundred feet, whereby the signs bade us leave the track and climb uphill.

Then we were practically wading through knee-high grasses through thick pines. The arrows pointing our way seemingly hid from us most of the time. The scouts in my patrol were scattered in a file, eyes ever darting towards the tree trunks, looking for the tell-tale white mark of the chalk arrow. But we did see the arrow-signs.

The trail lead through marshy grasslands, knee-high ferns, and logging paths, until we reached the pure pine forest. No other vegetation except, pine trees young and old. Sleek and slender with a strong smell of resin, we continued our hike. And at the same time, I was constantly keeping in contact with the Scoutleaders of the other patrols, checking on their progress. The Hikeleader was also checking on our progress via the cellular network.

After almost two hours into the hike, we reached the fourth hidden message which instructed to rest and take our emergency snack. We each had a mango drink and dried noodles, which we took with generous addition of water from our personal canteen.

Then we continued our hike for another 15 minutes, after which the patrol leader informed me of his inability to locate any trail signs. We scattered around the pine trees, staying within shouting distance and scoured for any trail signs that may be scribbled on to tree trunks. We didn’t find any. After scattering further away we saw a small arrow pointing the way, up towards a clearing. We followed it and reached the top of a ridge, near which there were a couple of houses and pastures. The trail lead downwards along a steep underbrush and a vertical drop took us to the base of a mud skid. From there we hugged the side of a steep incline in search of a hidden message which we didn’t find. Admitting defeat, we hiked through bamboo underbrush and finally reached another logging track.

The trail signs pointed we follow the track for a couple of hundred meters, after which we could hear the yells and singing of the previous patrols. Then we climbed a small incline, and saw them hugged in small groups, engaged in numerous activities; singing, storytelling, acting, yelling, and shouting to us.

The last message found and reported to the Hikeleader, we hugged each other. It was already 2:30pm. We sat down to lunch in patrols, which was the most savoury meal that we had ever eaten.

After resting for a few minutes, the entire Scouts were called to attention and the hike reports were collected from hike leaders. Then started the merrymaking with songs, dances and yells by patrols. At 3:30pm we camped out and started out journey towards home. Walking for half an hour the logging track joined the Lamai Gonpa road, where we stopped for a quick photo session. Then we followed the road which lead us towards the School gate. From there we bade goodbye to each other, the boarders returning to their hostels and the dayscholars returning home. The time was 4:30 pm.

IV. Post-Hike Day: Tuesday [12.04.16]
On Tuesday which is a Scoutday in Jakar HSS, the scouts gave their brief hike report to the whole school gathering. There was also verbal feedback session during the scouts meet in the afternoon.

V. Photogallery

Add caption

[Crossing a narrow makeshift rickety bridge]

[Helping each other to climb down a mud slope ]

[Group photo when we reached the Lamai Gonpa road]

[Through the pine forest]

[Lunching in a clearing among the trees]

[The return journey]

[patrol # 4]

[The 4 scoutleaders]

[Finding the trail through the underbrush]

[Entertaining the scouts]

Please click on the link to see more photos https://www.facebook.com/jakarhss/posts/669244723214244

VI: Acknowledgements

I would like to thank the following people without which this Scouting activity would be possible;

  • Mr. Pem Tshering, Principal of Jakar HSS for his support in granting permission and approving budget for the refreshments.
  • Mr. Phub Dorji, Warden and Ms. Tashi Wangmo, Matron for allowing the scouts under their keep to go on this hike. Had they said ‘no’ the boarder scouts wouldn’t have availed this opportunity.
  • Mr. Yeshi Dorji (Scoutleader), Mr. Darjay and Ms. Yangchen Dolkar, Mess Incharges for providing special packed lunch for the boarder scouts.
  • Mr. Rinchen Gyeltshen, Hikeleader for traversing this hike route many times and personally preparing the hike route.
  • Ms. Tshewang Zangmo, CBS Leader who has taken personal interest in Scouting, and who has always extended her helping hand in many scouting activities, including this.
  • The parents of the Dayscholar scouts who signed the Consent Forms and allowed their sons and daughters to partake in this school activity.
  • And lastly the Nazhoen Scouts, without who this programme wouldn’t be possible.

Thank you all.

Report Submitted By: Mr. Karma Kuenzang Wangdi, Assistant Leader Trainer (ALT)