The scout movement generally dates back to 1907 and was founded by the Late Sir Robert Baden-Powel; a lieutenant-general in the British Army, serving from 1876 until 1902 in India and Africa. That basic pattern of scouting has continued in every country where scouting exists. It involves a scout oath or promise; a scout law, with such small variations as national traditions and culture demand; an emphasis on the delights of the outdoor life and the pursuit of such outdoor activities as camping, swimming, sailing, climbing, canoeing, and exploring caves.
At Nipe Tumaini, Benson and Eunice always had the urge to start the movement in the school but didn’t know how to go about it. One Saturday afternoon while at a nearby resort, Benson came across a group of scouts children from a Kenyan school who had come to do some outdoor activities like swimming. The children had been accompanied by their trainers who also were in full scouts uniform. Benson decided to ask the trainers the requirements for schools to start the movement. They explained that he needed to visit the scouts association located in Naivasha sub county which has at least two trainers. After contacting them he set up a date with them to come over to Nipe Tumaini to commence training.
The first camp was held from 24th to 27th February 2022. Eligible children were from the ages of six to twelve. We had 10 children from Nipe Tumaini home and fifteen other children from outside the home but are pupils at NT academy. Together with their teachers they were introduced to the theoretical part of scouting, the history and how the movement spread to other parts of the world. They also did outdoor drills and physical fitness activities as well as tree planting exercises.
There was going to be another camp in March with the following goals: inspection of the trainees, recap of the previous topics, scouting skills, agriculture, education and literacy, spiritual development, scouting spirit, health and sanitation, conservation, pioneering, reproductive health, Physical development, campfire, citizenship and scout own and flag ceremony. After these exercises they were commissioned to be full scouts, and can now wear scouts uniforms with scarfs around their necks based on different color codes depending wit the category each scout belong.
There is going to be a final camp at Nipe Tumaini mid April that is meant to ensure that all scouts are updated on what they are expected to do, to recap on the scouts drills, putting up camp tents and to ensure that the teachers at Nipe Tumaini are conversant with the scouts programmes and flag ceremony.
These children are expected to remain disciplined, lead good examples to others in class, in extra curricular activities and in all aspects of life. They are also expected to be environmental conservants, first aiders and flag raisers. For them to become scouts they must cover all relevant topics that are in their categories. At Nipe Tumaini, we have two categories, ie.sungura ages (6-11) and chipukizi, ages (12-15).
The main objective is to make them align with the scouting pledge and scout laws. The pledge reads: “On my honor I promise that I will do my best to do my duties to God, and to my country to help other people at all times and to obey the scout law.”
The Scout Laws
1. A Scout’s honour is to be trusted.
2. A Scout is loyal.
3. A Scout’s duty is to be useful and to help others.
4. A Scout is a friend to all and a brother to every other Scout.
5. A Scout is courteous.
6. A Scout is a friend to animals.
7. A Scout obeys orders of his parents, Patrol Leader or Scoutmaster without question.
8. A Scout smiles and whistles under all difficulties.
9. A Scout is thrifty.
10. A Scout is clean in thought, word and deed.
Joining the movement is very beneficial to them and the entire society in promoting the spirit of brotherhood, nationalism and good citizenship. As future leaders they will be equipped with skills that will help them and others to nurture, inspire and cultivate best governance, policy and decision making.
Paul Njogu
(Junior Manager)
