Government would be better served giving more money to the Barbados Boy Scouts Movement than spending it on the residents of Her Majesty’s Prisons Dodds, says Father Clement Paul.
Addressing the Scouts Centennial Founder’s Day Service in the gymnasium of the Garfield Sobers Sports Complex, Wildey, St Michael, on Sunday,
Paul said he was conveying a message founder of the Scout Movement, the late Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell, gave him.
In addition, he called on the Minister of Education to make Scouting a part of the curriculum.
“I wish you to challenge the Honourable Ronald Jones, the Minister of Education, to place Scouting on the curriculum so that when Scouts achieve, it becomes part of their marks in their examinations,” he said, still “referring” Powell’s message.
As for himself, Paul had high praises for the Scout Movement and criticism for the media.
“People love bad news and what is bad news goes into the media. The media doesn’t highlight you as they should because you are not bad news . . . but then it must mean you are doing something right; it must mean you are on the right track. You are going to turn things around; marijuana and cocaine will become things of the past because of you!” he said.
Chief Scout, Acting Governor General Elliott Belgrave, said the centenary of Scouting should awaken Barbados to the fact the organization had dedicated itself to the total development of the nation’s youth.
“It is the hope that many more persons will volunteer to assist in mentoring and moulding these young guys. Scouting’s aim is to continue to prepare young men for leadership by teaching them the most effective ways to become more confident and self-reliant.
“I am confident that Scouting in Barbados will continue to equip young men for service and teach them the importance of service for others. Scouting will also be the tool to battle complacency, neglect, ignorance and the emptiness of spirit that are the common enemies of freedom, peace and progress,” he said.
Belgrave said Scouting was an area which developed the characters of people from chief executive officers to the man on the street.
“As we celebrate, let us keep this noble thing alive. Let us continue to be the best we can,” he said.
The theme for the centenary is Celebrating Our Scouting Heritage 1912 – 2012.
The celebration featured hundreds of Scouts and their parents marching along Wildey before and after the ceremony.
As part of the service, retired Governor General Sir Clifford Husbands and retired Chief Justice and former Acting Governor General Sir Denys Williams were made honorary Chief Scouts while four Scouts: Johnovan King; Shaquille Rouse; LeAundre Knight and Jamar Millar were given Chief Scout awards.