Students from the University of Baguio Science High School (SHS) donned their neckerchiefs and hiking boots as they eagerly participated in the school’s annual Survival Camp, in keeping with the school’s continued pursuit of nurturing relevant social skills and ethical values in a fun learning environment.
The activity, held during Philippine Scouting Month, is one of UB SHS’s essential off-campus activities geared toward honing essential life skills through a series of scouting activities. The Survival Camp, which took place from October 25th to October 27th, included a scout investiture program (facilitated by Council Scout Executive Mr. Ramon Jacinto), a 2-kilometer hiking trip, an obstacle course, First Aid and Basic Life Support training, and a scout outreach initiative.
The hiking trail had designated stations that taught skills such as navigation and knot-tying, while the obstacle course trained the students’ physical abilities by having them go through different sets of hurdles and terrain. The Bureau of Fire Protection facilitated the First Aid and Basic Life Support training, which taught students how to navigate emergencies safely and administer emergency treatment in the event of injury. The students also participated in various alight activities, giving them the opportunity to earn badges and advance their rank among the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of the Philippines.
The scout’s outreach initiative is a new addition to the Survival Camp’s roster of activities and is a highlight of this year’s event. The students contributed school supplies for the daycare teacher, as well as a kilo of rice and one canned good for each of the tanods in Sitio Palawan, Barangay Rizal in Tubao La Union, where the survival camp was held. The outreach was a way for the students to give back to the community that had hosted the event, allowing them to not only express their heartfelt gratitude but also to assist those in need.
This year’s Survival Camp drew a total of 191 students from Grades 8 and 9, with 38 faculty and staff on hand to ensure everyone’s safety. After the pandemic halted in-person school activities for nearly three years, it was a triumphant return to form.
As UB SHS grows, it hopes to continue offering programs like the survival camp to ensure that students receive well-rounded training that goes beyond the four walls of the classroom.
