25th Junior and Senior GSP camping held

BAGAC, Bataan – Campers, troop leaders and guests were warmly welcomed during the 25th Junior and Senior Provincial Encampment, held at the Stella Mariz Beach Resort, this town, Nov. 10-13.

“We are doing this to encourage the girls to live independently and for them to live out of their comfort zones,” said Ms. Reynalyn Andres, over-all camp director.

During the opening ceremony, Bagac Municipal Mayor, Louise Gabriel del Rosario, Assistant Schools Division Superintendent, Dr. Roland Fronda and Schools Governance and Operations Division Chief of Balanga City, Dr. Flordeliza del Rosario, gave their inspirational messages to the participants.

Ms. Reynalyn Andres, Ms. Divina Agustin, council executive, Ms. Leonory Canare, GSP Commissioner on program, Mayor del Rosario, Dr. Fronda and Dr. del Rosario led the ribbon-cutting, signalling the start of this year’s encampment.

“I am looking forward that after this event, our girls will be self-reliant. Since our theme is ‘Paskong Bataan para sa Inang Kalikasan,’ the activity revolved in the caring of the environment and waste management process, that is why in the camp, they segregated wastes. We are here to develop girls to become well-rounded individuals – mentally, socially, spiritually, emotionally, all the aspects of their personalities,” said Ms. Canare.

The activities lined-up during the four-day camping were Zumba Challenge, Lantern Making, Miss Earth GSP 2016, Blue Tapestry and Obstacle Course.

A total of 1,349 campers from all over the province joined the event. Beatrice Kyle Francisco, Grade 9 from Luakan National High School, said, “Malaki po ang naging effect ng camping na ito sa personality ko bilang isang babae. Natuto akong mag establish ng friendship at makisama. Marami akong nakilala. Ipinapangako ko po na magiging responsable na ako bilang isang girl scout.”

Members of the 48th Infantry Batallion, 7^th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army provided full security for the campers. “Okay naman, wala naman kaming naging problema, cooperative naman yung mga tao dito pati yung mga kasali at mga staff ng girl scout, okay naman, masaya itong scouting nila,” said Corporal John Rey Bonda, Ordinance Services, Squad Leader, 48th Infantry Batallion, Philippine Army.

Photos courtesy GSP Documentation Staff