Pohnpei Camp Preparations

In preparation for the upcoming Pohnpei Boy Scout Summer Camp, the Aloha Council provided camp supplies to the Pohnpei State Office of Social Affairs. The staff members of the OSA are responsible for the youth programs of Pohnpei and include Scouting as part of their overall youth efforts. The camp will be held on July 18-22 at Nett Elementary School and will include around 250 Scouts.

Staff members count out First Aid supplies, including bandaids, cotton swabs, cotton balls and alcohol wipes, art supplies and patches and wristbands for the participants.

The Director of the Office of Social Affairs, Kester James (far right), Youth Coordinator, Person Joseph (far left) and John Mills... showing off some of the supplies and resources provided by the Aloha Council for the youth of Pohnpei State

The staff of the Office of Social Affairs with Ko'olina Mills, who accompanied her father to assist with the camps throughout the Pacific

The staff of the Office of Social Affairs with the Special Assistant to the Governor for Social and Community Affairs, Janet Panuelo (front row, left).

Pohnpei Island Director receives Award of Merit

The Aloha Council, BSA awarded the District Award of Merit to the Pohnpei Island Director, Person Joseph for meritorious service to youth within the Federated States of Micronesia. Person has been serving as Island Director for over 10 years, and is responsible for holding successful programs each year. The awards were present to Person by PBS Field Director, John Mills, and Pohnpei Director of Social Affairs, SeNellie Sangio.

2008 PBS Summer Camps

Summer Camp programs were held throughout the Pacific this year, with over 1,000 youth attending camps in Guam, Saipan, American Samoa, Chuuk, Pohnpei, Kosrae and Majuro. Cub Scout Day Camps were also held throughout the islands. The need for Scouting becomes so clear when even girls from the local villages show up for our annual camps and events.

The summer camp experience is used to help build a knowledge of personal culture along with Scouting skills. In place of materials like reed or raffia, Scouts learn to weave with local materials like coconut and pandanus leaves. But many traditional Scouting skills, knot-tying, orientation, first aid, etc. are also taught to the boys. One of the favorites among the islanders is hiking or marching along trails and roadways. As they hike through villages they will sing the Scouting songs they have learned and yell their troop and patrol cheers.

Special thanks must be given to those organizations that contribute many resources to help these camps become a reality; groups like Triple-J Enterprises, Pacific International Inc., Lions Club of Pago Pago, Do It Best Hardware and the various government and private agencies that support our Scouting efforts.