Palau Summer Camp 2011

Photos from our Summer Camp in Palau - June 22-25, 2011

Scouts passing off their Tenderfoot fitness requirements

Scouts of Palau

Scouts were required to learn several knots for their Tenderfoot

Showing off their personal first aid kits

Learning how to help a choking victim

Scouts learned how to fish, as well as eat

El'Zeder Eledui being awarded the Award of Merit

Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts enjoyed Ko'olina Mills's help during camp

A Court of Honor was held on the last day... a Scout is given his Tenderfoot

Scouting Reaches Out to Serve Youth throughout Palau

Boy Scouting has enjoyed many years of success within the Republic of Palau. The Koror State Department of State and Cultural Affairs, with Director Scott Yano and Scouting Coordinator El’zeder Eledui, has maintained one of the strongest Scouting programs in Micronesia.

Troop 712, chartered to the Koror State, has committed to assist other organizations around Palau to start new Packs and Troops. In March 2010, Koror State appointed 12 young adults to head the effort in supporting youth programs. Included in this effort will be establishing strong Scouting units in neighboring hamlets and villages.

The absence of quality youth programs in the Pacific region show the need to reach out the girls, as well. Koror State has worked to include girls in their scouting efforts, as part of their overall program. The program used for the girls is a unique variation of Scouting, but just as valuable as the Boy Scouts.

(Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of Koror State, Republic of Palau)

Summer Camps held throughout the Pacific

Over 1,000 youth participate

Scouts in Palau enjoy camping in the Rock Islands

The year 2009 brought another summer of fun, adventure and skill development for the Scouts of the Pacific Basin. Summer camp programs were held throughout the Pacific, with nearly 800 youth participating within the islands of Micronesia, and over 200 Scouts joining Day Camp and Summer Camp within American Samoa.

For the first time in three years the youth of Yap State, FSM enjoyed a summer camp experience. The turnout was small, but the stories will bring more boys next year.

Working with the youth this year was a Venturing Scout from Hauula, Hawaii. Natahli Mills, from Crew 423, travelled the Pacific to assist at each camp as part of a personal growth project for her Venturing Silver Award. She taught the boys Scout Skills, Fingerprinting Merit Badge and Art Merit Badge.

Scouts and Leaders from Tafunsak, Lelu and Utwe municipalities
on the island of Kosrae, pose for a photo
on the last day of summer camp

This year summer camp programs introduced merit badges to several islands in an effort to see the first-ever Eagle Scout in Micronesia.

Scouts are Taught Traditional Skills

Along with Scout Skills and merit badges, Scouts in the Pacific are taught the skills of their ancestors from local experts. In many island nations traditional methods of hunting, fishing, weaving, sailing and cooking are being forgotten. In an effort to ensure Scouts are learning these skills, local experts are invited to share their knowledge with the youth.

Among skills that were taught this year include basket weaving, snaring a pig, simple navigation techniques and cooking. Experts also teach the Scouts local legends and language.

Scout Camp: Palau

Scouts campout in the Republic of Palau

Update on Scouting in the Pacific

Republic of Palau

In the far west reaches of the Pacific Basin Scouting lies the islands of the Republic of Palau; a gem in the Pacific, especially when it comes to Scouting.

Palau, and Koror State to be specific, has one of the most active Scouting programs in Micronesia. Although small in number, Koror State offers consistent Scouting activities.

This is all due to Scott Yano, Director of State and Cultural Affairs, and El’Zeder Eledui, Scouting Coordinator. The successes here in Palau can provide examples of how to succeed in other areas of the Pacific, and you can be a part of this Scouting experience in paradise by becoming an Island Commissioner.

Above: Scott Yano, Director (far right); El’Zeder Eledui, Scout Coordinator (in blue)
and the staff of Youth Division of the Department of State and Cultural Affaris

Mariana Islands

The PBS District of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) opened a new Scout Service Center on the island of Saipan. The facility was donated for the use of Scouting by the Saipan Government. The building was in poor condition when received and repairs and renovations were funded primarily through donations from Tan Holdings, Inc., Century Insurance, District Chairman David Sablan, the Saipan Rotary Club and with labor provided by district volunteers.

The facility will house the Boy Scout district offices and be used for Scout Roundtables, district meetings and Basic Leader Training. It is a large facility and includes one main room that serves as a resource center and library, three offices and a conference room.