Pathfinders (AISA) of the district of Rome (of the Appian, Lungotevere, Philippine, Latin American, Romanian, and Latina and Rieti Adventist churches) organized the “Rescue Scout Camp” (RSC) project, in collaboration with the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) and the municipal civil protection group of Collevecchio.
Over 150 pathfinders participated in the camp, held in Poggio Sommavilla (RI) from 17 to 19 May. The aim of the initiative was to allow the scouts (children and teenagers aged 6 to 16) to get to know some of the associations which, by statute, are at the service of others, and to do so in a camping context, therefore, in direct contact with nature.
Children and teenagers experienced the simulation of an emergency after an earthquake and saw how the rescue machine works. They prepared humanitarian aid for the population. The highlight was the arrival of an Air Force helicopter equipped for search and rescue.
During the event, the right weight was given to the spiritual aspect, with various moments of sharing and testimony led by the Pastor Luca Faedda.
Thanks to the enthusiasm of the Collevecchio volunteers, several Sabina civil protection groups, the fire brigade operational training school, the Save the Children association and the forestry carabinieri of the Montebuono unit (RI) were involved in the project.
Another notable participation was that of the Air Force, which carried out a search and rescue (SAR) demonstration with an HH-139B helicopter from the 85th SAR Center of Pratica di Mare.
Like a Great Emergency Situation
The activity, which had already started in April, was set up as a large role-playing game in which the Pathfinders, through some fake news broadcasts professionally produced by HopeMedia Italia together with the project partners, were informed of a strong earthquake in the Sabino area and were called to help the rescuers.
The final instructions for reaching the camp were "issued" via a fake radio news broadcast, which provided the train timetables useful for reaching the "safe area" in which to set up the scout camp.
In a series of meetings at the Adventist church in Rome Lungotevere, the representatives of the Civil Protection and the firefighters, after watching the news, told the scouts about the contribution of their organizations to the management of a seismic emergency. The project culminated with the camp where the scouts were able to experience what it means to intervene in an emergency situation.
Pathfinders in action
The girls and boys arrived at the camp site on the afternoon of Friday 17 May, many with the trains that had been indicated, and began to set up the camp. Once all the tents were erected, the role-playing game setting was recreated. We remembered that we were in an emergency situation in which the pathfinders would have given decisive help to the rescuers and where every resource, starting from drinking water, became precious, to be used sparingly. The moment has now arrived for the opening of the campsite and the biblical Sabbath (from sunset on Friday to sunset on Saturday) with an "energetic" intervention by the spiritual animator.
First phase: emergency and rescue
In carrying out the role play, Saturday morning coincided with the acute phase of the emergency: direct relief to the population affected by the earthquake. The main actors were the firefighters who, with engaging activities, showed the children how to operate in the event of an earthquake. The ‘Explorer pathfinders’ (12-15 years old) were divided into two groups: the rescuers and the victims.
While the group of rescuers learned to mark the areas based on the level of risk and to rescue people under the rubble, the group of victims was further divided into injured people, displaced people who are pushing to return home to collect their belongings, journalists and onlookers. . In the time available, the rescuers had to proceed with securing the areas and managing the group of victims. Once the time expired, there was a change of task between the two groups: the rescuers became victims and vice versa. The Civil Protection dog units were also involved in these activities, explaining in detail their purpose and methods of intervention, finally giving a practical demonstration with the search for a survivor under the rubble.
The ‘Tizzoni pathfinders’ (6-11), however, attempted the "Pompieropoli" course at the end of which they received the "Junior firefighter" diploma.
On the sidelines of the activities with the firefighters, Tizzoni and Explorers faced the challenges and obstacles proposed by the Civil Protection volunteers. It was a series of exercises aimed at stimulating team play and enhancing the role of the leader in managing the patrol's work, to progress between the various islands set up by the volunteers.
Second phase: environment and prevention
On Saturday afternoon, it was the turn of Save the Children and the forestry police. Firebrands and Explorers alternated between the two organizations which proposed diversified activities by age group.
Save the Children operators guided the older pathfinders in an experiential game that gave them the opportunity to learn what the organization does and how to prepare to intervene in an emergency situation. For the Tizzonis, Save the Children's activities were focused on respect for the environment and the importance of recycling.
While one group was busy with Save the Children, the other was "enchanted" by the forestry carabinieri of the Montebuono (RI) unit who, with great ability to entertain everyone, from the smallest Tizzone to the greatest of the scout animators, illustrated what are the risky behaviors that could cause forest fires, what is the conduct to follow and what is the risk of those who do not respect the rules.
Greetings from AISA Leaders
Saturday evening allowed us to deepen our knowledge of two very important figures for AISA: the outgoing national director, the past. Ignazio Barbuscia, and the newly appointed one, the past. Alessandro Calà. Following a fun double interview, conducted by the spiritual animator, the evening continued around the campfire with fun team games.
Third phase: humanitarian intervention
The last phase of the camping and role play took place on Sunday morning when we moved on to the phase of supporting the population with the Adra agency. The Saturday patrols were reshuffled to create intergenerational Adra Teams (Tai) which, through ten stations, were able to experience how a humanitarian campaign is managed. We started with the reception and division of the aid into categories, then moved on to the preparation and sending of packages packaged for each specific need, and concluded with the definition and management of a fundraising campaign.
Also on this occasion, much weight was given to the Tai's ability to work as a team, taking advantage of the age diversity of the participants, to best achieve the aim of the game and of Adra: helping others.
From game to reality
Thanks to the collaboration with the social services of the Municipality of Collevecchio, the game was able to become reality. In fact, at the end of Adra's activities with the scouts, packages were prepared for truly needy families living in Collevecchio. The aid was delivered to the Mayor and subsequently the Municipality took care of delivering it.
Helicopter rescue
The grand finale of the Rescue Scout Camp was the Search And Rescue (SAR) demonstration conducted by the 85th SAR Center of the Air Force. The arrival of the HH-139B helicopter, perfectly synchronized with the closing of the Adra game, was welcomed by all the scouts and a certain number of local spectators. Once landed, the crew members introduced themselves and illustrated the characteristics of the aircraft and the methods of intervention of their Centre, involving and interesting adults and children. They also answered everyone's questions, from Tizzoni who asked if they had ever been afraid during a speech, to some animators, engineering students, who asked very technical questions. We then moved on to the SAR demonstration with spectacular maneuvers and the recovery of an injured person (a mannequin) on a stretcher using the winch.
At the end of the demonstration, the helicopter landed again and the final ceremony took place, with the exchange of gifts between the participating organizations, greetings and a group photo... then everyone together for lunch!
In the afternoon the scouts finished dismantling the camp and, having collected their tents and put their backpacks on their shoulders, they returned, some by train, some by car, to their homes. This emergency has been resolved!
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