Colombo Scout Camporee goes international and Colombo Scouts are back at Outdoor Camping

Friday, 7 January 2022 02:20 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Annual flagship event of Colombo Scouts kicked off on 2 Jan., will close on 9 Jan.
56th Colombo Camporee 2021 is the first Colombo Camporee in history to open its doors to international contingents from all over the world
Camporee is also the first major Scout Camp in Colombo that encouraged its participants to camp outdoors since the outbreak of the COVID-19

District Commissioner – Colombo Amil Abeysundara

Organising Commissioner Miral Ariyapala

Colombo Camporee, which is the flagship event of Colombo Scouts, is one of the most iconic events in Sri Lankan scouting history rooted with rich Scouting traditions. The 56th Colombo Camporee 2021 held from 2 – 9 January was declared open on 2 January by the Chief Guest of the Opening Ceremony, Dialog Axiata VP – Network Operations and Service Assurance Indika Walpitage, who himself was a President’s Scout of 42nd Colombo Royal College Scout Troop.

Commenting on resumption of outdoor camping by Colombo Scouts, the District Commissioner of Colombo Amil Abeysundara stated: “Given the COVID-19 pandemic situation that has been prevailing in the country since March 2020, we, the Colombo Scouts, had to think out of the box and innovate the concept of a Virtual Camporee which became a roaring success in 2020 when we organized the 55th Colombo Camporee. “Now with the resumption of most day-to-day activities in the country, we decided to hold the 56th Colombo Camporee in a hybrid format, where scouts were encouraged to camp outdoors at their homes or neighbourhood, individually or as small teams whilst joining some of the activities virtually. Further, we have organised two events of the Camporee, namely the Camporee Youth Day and the ‘Camaraderie’ – The Camporee Urban Hike open for external youth organisations as urban hikes in the city of Colombo”. Organising Commissioner of the 56th Colombo Camporee Miral Ariyapala, who is also the Asst. District Commissioner – Media/PR and IT for Colombo Scouts added: “This year’s Camporee that is held under the theme ‘Towards an Inclusive Society”, will be the first Camporee in Colombo Scouting history to open registrations for scouts from across the world, which has been well-received, and we are thankful to all the International Contingents for joining hands with us as the Camporee opened to them on 5 January 2022”.

The Organizing Committee has made all arrangements to host a successful Camporee experience for the Singithi, Cub, Junior, Senior and Rover Scouts of the Colombo District as well as other districts and international participants, where they can participate in a comprehensive non-formal educational program mixed with fun and adventure.

Colombo is considered to be the premier ‘Scout District’ in Sri Lanka with a membership of over 11,000 Singithi, Cub, Junior, Senior and Rover Scouts from over 50 active Scout Groups. Scouting in Colombo is focused towards empowering scouts to be active citizens leading positive change in their communities. This is possible due to the variety of non-formal educational programs conducted by the Sri Lanka Scout Association – Colombo District Branch at district level and by the Adult Leaders trained by it at the unit level. For more information, please visit: www.colomboscouts.lk.