Vales Coastal Cleanup in the Pre-Pandemic
Care for Earth is essential and needs to be taken action by anyone, no matter how influential or impactful one's perceived actions may be. These preservation activities for our "common home", as Pope Francis has called our planet, is evident before the onset of the pandemic. This was the landmark activity of the yearly Institutional Camping three years ago of St. Peter's College of Toril, in conjunction with the Boy Scouts of the Philippines and Girl Scouts of the Philippines.
The project was initiated on the second day of the Institutional Camping, whereby approximately 200 Scouts, along with faculty and staff, hiked 2.2 kilometers from the school premises to a nearby beach resort to initiate coastal cleanup activities. The said project was a success requiring great coordination and consideration for the safety of the said Scouts.
As the said beach resort is being used on a frequent basis (approx. 1,000 people), the coastal cleanup drive has impacted both the community and the environment. It has impacted the community on the basis that the beach has become more aesthetically-pleasing, meriting a more enjoyable experience to its ongoers and users as well as the removal of harmful waste. On the other hand, the said project was impactful to the environment by promoting natural development of the seas through trash removal.
It is important that the youth, especially the recent generations, to engage in these sorts of activities that makes them aware of the contemporary issues that is faced by the world today, especially by climate change. The Scouting Movement, through its principles and initiatives, have become instrumental in promoting awareness. With these considerations, the essential learning is the following: that the youth is important in creating change for the betterment of the society and the world.
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