(India). Boscoree is the gathering of all the Scouts and Guides from Don Bosco and Auxilium Institutions all over India. It is an event in which Scouts and Guides along with Scout Masters and Guide Captains from various Don Bosco and Auxilium Institutions would camp together in the same campus, living together in a learning experience of love and brotherhood with a commitment towards society and nation building.
Mini Boscoree was a collaborative venture of SDB and FMA Tiruchy Province. The purpose of the gathering was to prepare the Scouts and Guides for XIII Boscoree, a national event which is going to be held at Don Bosco – Nashik, Salesian Province of Mumbai from 30 December 2018 – 03 January 2019.
Mini Boscoree 2018 focused its gathering on the theme “Scouts and Guides towards Ecological Citizenship”. The camp was held for three days (22 – 24 April, 2018) at Don Bosco Mat. Hr. Sec. School, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. A total of about 400 Scouts and Guides from twenty units participated in the 3-day event.
Every day, the activities began at 6.00 am and ended at 10.00 pm. The programs included group trainings, competitions, games, adventure activities, theme presentations, backwoodsman cooking, tent pitching, color party marching, peace rally in cultural costumes, and campfires. Awards and certificates were issued to each participant and the troops. Well-experienced animators were invited for the various activities and programs. The animators animated the students on scouting skills and the concepts of this Mini Boscoree’s theme.
Don Bosco Community, Thanjavur hosted the program at its campus and made the event a splendid experience for all the participants through their hospitality and good organization. Auxilium Community, Thanjavur extended its support and collaboration by accommodating all the Guides at its campus and by taking care of them.
The gathering began with the flag raising in the presence of Mr. Samynathan, District Commissioner, Thanjavur District Scout Association. Special invitees like Mr. Krishnasamy Vandaiyar, President, Thanjavur District Athletic Association; Dr.G. Ravikumar, Professor of Plastic Surgery – Thanjavur Medical College; Sr. Margaret FMA, District Commissioner (Guide Wing), Don Bosco District Scout Association; Fr. John Peter SDB, Secretary, Don Bosco District Scout Association; and Fr. Amaladoss SDB, Economer – Salesian Province of Tiruchy were all invited to preside over the various Scouting programs and competitions of Mini Boscoree. They addressed the Scouts and Guides on the theme of the Mini Boscoree and inspired every participant to emerge as responsible leaders of the nation. The gathering concluded with the valedictory function held in the presence of Fr. Agilan SDB, Vice Provincial – Salesian Province of Tiruchy and Sr. Magnificat FMA, Superior, Auxilium Centre – Thanjavur.
The main objective of this gathering to train Don Bosco Scouts and Guides in socially responsible citizenship by educating and sensitizing them on the significance of environmental protection, conservation of natural resources, promotion of equality, and provide them with an opportunity to learn from each other how to cope with life situations, to learn practical skills, and to trigger their creativity was well achieved.
