MANILA, Philippines – The Boy Scouts of the Philippines – Southern Tagalog Region held its first face-to-face Advanced Training Course for Troop Leaders on November 22-28, 2021. The training was conducted at the Wood Badge Area, Makiling National Scout Reservation, Mt. Makiling, Los Baños, Laguna.
Almost two years since the Philippines put restrictions on physical gatherings and activities, the BSP-STR braved the pandemic and successfully finished a Wood Badge Course with 50 participants and 16 staff including consultants and support.
The particular ATC-TL course was conducted after Laguna, and 72 other places were put into Alert Level 2 restrictions where recreational and outdoor gatherings are allowed with minimum health protocols in place.
In an interview, STR Training Commissioner Dr. Ferdinand Millan said that the course strongly adhered to the IATF guidelines.
“All participants were full vaccinated, were wearing masks, and implementing social distancing. We also have regular hand sanitations with alcohols and body temperature of the participants are being gauged before going in and out of the session hall,” Dr. Millan said. He also added that participants are being reminded to wash their hands with soap and water every after sessions and meetings.
The Regional Training Commissioner also noted that aside from ensuring the course’s compliance to the IATF protocols which makes it slightly different compared to what they do pre-COVID.
“The changes in this ATC compared to the normal trend was the implementation of the IATF guidelines–making sure that there were no violations. We also integrated Gender and Development programs especially using gender-fair languages to address gender sensitivity concerns,” he added.
The Regional Scout Director of STR was also present for the duration of the course. RSD John Pangilinan had mixed emotions with the success of the training and expressed his gratitude to God and all the people who made the activity possible.
“[Nakaramdam ako ng] mixed emotions at excitement na kakaba-kaba because of this pandemic. It was almost 22 months na walang face-to-face activity. Sa biyaya ng Panginoon, walang nagkasakit dahil lahat naman ng kasali ay fully vaccinated,” Pangilinan said when asked about how he felt when the activity was conducted successfully.
(“I felt mixed emotions and excitement with anxiety because of the pandemic. It was almost 22 months that we don’t have face-to-face activity. In Lord’s grace, no one became sick because all the people involved are fully vaccinated,” Pangilinan said when asked about how he felt when the activity was conducted successfully.)
The conduct of the activity was not smooth. The staff and participants also faced some challenges during the week-long course.
“Very challenging [lang] kasi walang humpay ang ulan sa 7 days na training. Ang ATC kasi ay ginagawa natin tuwing summer,” Pangilinan added.
(“It is only very challenging since it rains continuously for seven days. The ATC is normally conducted during the summer,” Pangilinan added.”)
RTC Millan also calls for Scout Leaders who have not participated in the ATC yet or to those who are not part of the Scouting movement to join. According to him, the reason why membership is continuously growing since the time of the movement’s founder – Baden-Powell – is because of the programs which are not just about fun but also develop camaraderie, rapport, and harmonious relationships among members.
“This is a type of training that satisfied, the needs of the participants both theoretical and practical. STR is very lucky to have this pilot group to prove that Wood Badge Course is still the best training in developing effective and efficient future leaders of the country,” said to end his message to Scout Leaders.
All 50 participants of the training were able to graduate and receive their Wood Badge Tokens on November 28, 2021. They are now considered as part of Gilwell Troop 1. Also present in the activity were BSP Secretary-General Rogelio S. Villa Jr and Asia-Pacific Regional Director JR C. Pangilinan.
