Scout Week 2025: Cub Scout Activities as “Firefighters for a Day”

MÉRIDA, Yucatán.— The Cub Scouts , a movement founded globally in 1916-1917 and established in Yucatán around 1934, seek to promote self-sufficiency, leadership and resilience in children, counteracting parental overprotection through recreational activities in contact with nature . Its methodology, based on games and teamwork , promotes values ​​such as discipline, environmental care and character development, aligned with the law and the Scout Promise, preparing children to face challenges with autonomy and ecological awareness.

Scout Week is celebrated in honor of Robert Baden-Powell , founder of the Scout Movement , which is held worldwide this week, with activities that promote teamwork, camaraderie and service.

The cubs concluded the activities of Scout Week 2025 at Fire Station number three, where a gastronomic exhibition, a trades rally, talks with directors of departments such as the Animaya and Centenario zoos, as well as the Environment and Animal Welfare, were held.

Juan Pablo del Ángel Castillo, Akela or coordinator of Group 7 of the scout group, detailed the activities of the last day of the Scout Week aimed at children, in which 20 scouts participated, and among them, seven cubs were selected by lottery to occupy the prominent roles in a symbolic way.

At the “Firefighters for a Day” ceremony, seven scouts received their positions of authority and symbolic firefighter helmets. They were also given a patch, a cap, and an agenda, and were given a certificate of recognition by the Fire Department.

Enrique Patrón González, Coordinator of Training and Continuing Education, highlighted the importance of educational events, such as those organised by scouts, so that children can learn about key professions such as firefighters. In his role as coordinator of training and continuing education, he emphasised that these activities allow us to value the work of firefighters and understand preventive actions for the safety of society.

Patron González added that the goal is to promote coexistence and brotherhood among participants, highlighting the human side of the authorities (firefighters, police officers). And to bring society closer to the institutions, such as visits to the C5 or interaction with the general commissioner, breaking stereotypes of rigidity. In addition, he stressed that, although the activities are safe, they reflect the real risks that firefighters face in rescues and protecting lives.

The day's activities began with a prayer from the Pack. The children received the commemorative scarf and after the ceremony, they went on to the activities, including a demonstration by the K-9 Canine Unit, as well as by the Ambulance Unit, the vertical rescue unit, a demonstration of the use of hoses and structural fires.

Juan Pablo, Akela from group 7, highlighted the strong relationship they have with government institutions, such as the City Council and other local agencies, as well as with the Fire Department. This collaboration is key for the Cub Scouts, who learn values ​​such as humanism and dedication to saving lives, as well as respect for rescue dogs, considered heroes. Among the main difficulties they face, he mentioned the culture of overprotection towards children and, in some regions of the country, insecurity, which makes it difficult to hold camps. However, in Yucatan, this problem is not as serious, which allows outdoor activities to continue more easily and safely.

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