After several months of planning and organizing a twenty-one (21) strong member Contingent comprising of sixteen (16) cub scouts and five (5) scout leaders left the island in three (3) groups on Thursday, July 21, 2016 and Friday, July 22, 2016 to participate in the 14th Caribbean Cuboree being held in Guyana from July 24 – 29, 2016.
This regional event is being held under the theme ‘Rays of Fun, Journey as One’ and Cub Scouts between the ages of 7 – 11 years, and their Scout Leaders, from fourteen (14) Caribbean countries (Anguilla, Antigua, Aruba, Barbados, Curacao, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago) and one Eastern European nation (Poland) are participating.
Dominica’s contingent is being led by Dr. Mallet Marie and the deputy contingent leader is Mr. Kenrick Lecointe. The contingent is drawn from the Castle Bruce and 4th Dominica St. Alphonsus Scout Troops.
The Cuboree theme signifies that participating cubs will arrive in Guyana with their own uniqueness of cultures, and will all journey together as one body in scouting to show the local community and the wider Caribbean the camaraderie and objectives of the world’s oldest Youth Movement which is to actively engage and support young people in their personal development, empowering them to make a positive contribution to society.
A Cuboree, which is a gathering of cub scouts from many countries in one camp, provides a unique opportunity for boys and girls to interact, learn, experience each other’s cultures and form lasting friendships. Cuborees are held a minimum of three (3) years apart and is the only opportunity for those in this age range. This year also marks 100 years of Scouting worldwide and it is noteworthy that Dominica has made a tremendous effort to participate.
This is the first time in about twenty years that Dominica has been able to send a contingent to attend a Caribbean Cuboree and it was done through a concerted effort on the part of the new National Scout Executive. Preparations were led by the International Commissioner, Dr. Mallet Marie in collaboration with the parents and troop leaders to give cubs this once in a lifetime experience.
Dr. Marie has also been designated the Chief Doctor for the Cuboree. Dominica was fortunate to be represented by one cub in 2013 when it was held in Suriname, but his participation was made possible through self-funding. This time several fundraising events were held by the troops, as well as parental support and the kind financial support of several corporate sponsors made participation of these twenty-one (21) scouts possible.
Stimulating Social, Educational, Cultural and Spiritual experiences will form part of the activities at this Cuboree. Activities will include a Route Parade, Community Service, Interfaith Religious Observances, Creative Endeavours, Country Cultural Presentations, Excursions/Tours – to Factories and Places of Interest, Torchlight Parade and Campfire and a Day of Sports, among other events.
As part of Dominica’s preparations for participating at the 14th Cuboree, a pre-cuboree camp was held from July 15 – 17, 2016, at the Forestry Research and Interpretation Facility in Pont Casse, so that the cubs would be better prepared for participating at this regional event. The cubs got to know each other from the troops participating and learnt the official Cuboree song, as well as practiced for the cultural performance.
The Grand Opening ceremony was held on Sunday, July 24, 2016 and the Dominican flag is now proudly flying high.
Woop woop! Something finally positive among the youths! Make Dominica Proud. Good job Dr.Marie. steer the fort !
Go guys. Continue to make your country proud.