The Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) Rangers, Eleuthera Company, as part of its annual program, which has participating students from a number of the public schools in Eleuthera, took part in a weekend field trip on Saturday, February 22nd and Sunday, February 23rd, that saw students challenged in a demanding hike, camping, as well as survival swim training activities.
Local Rangers instructor, Destiny Seymour – herself a former Ranger, along with other instructors, led by RBDF Officer Tevin McPhee and Chief Petty Officer (CPO) Seymour, took the student rangers through the rigorous weekend program. The adventure in endurance and discipline for the young rangers began at 7:00 a.m. sharp at the Central Eleuthera High School, said Destiny, and from there, the sizeable group of children and instructors hiked all the way, along the highway to the area of the French Leave Resort, finishing up at the French Leave Beach. “This hike was definitely a success,” she described. “Every hike always has a sick crew that has to be pacified at some point along the way. If it’s not asthma, it’s some kind of injury that causes the Ranger to be shuttled to the camp site until the others arrive, but this year, every last Ranger was able to kick down those mental barriers and power to the end.”
Knowledge assessment in the area of ropes, core values, the Rangers pledge, prayer and motto, was also part of the afternoon experience, with extra physical training as a deterrent from failure.
The mentorship aspect of the Rangers program, which came after the drilling and shelter and fire construction during the day to set up camp, shared Destiny, was a very valuable and important part of the weekend. “I believe that the best part of any hike is the mentorship segment. The boys and girls are separated, so that we can have our time of vulnerability, compassion and candidness with our respective genders.” Some of the topics discussed, she shared were concepts of confidence, hygiene, family matters, and healthy relationships. It was a powerful session, said Destiny, which gave her a renewed understanding of just how much young people need and depend on stable, love-centered and competent support systems – which she said deepens her commitment and zeal for the Rangers program. “At the end of the night, nearly everyone was in tears from the knowledge that they have people who understand and validate their feelings and are willing to help.”
The following morning, the young Rangers took part in a ‘Man Overboard’ exercise in waters at the Cupid’s Cay dock in Governor’s Harbour – which taught them key survival swim skills. According to Destiny, the sense of bond from sharing during the camping exercise, created a new found trust and sense of community within them – adding to their ability to work together during the swim drills.
“I work toward being the embodiment of all qualities stated in our Rangers Booklet,” said Destiny, “and I am determined to make a difference in my environment and in the lives of the people around me. I would like for all the children to know… we are here to stand with you, side by side. To all of the Rangers present that day, Bravo Zulu!” Those Rangers qualities, said Destiny, included, discipline, dedication and determination.
A leading CPO also described the program saying, “We focus on discipline as the end result we want is to produce caring, and productive citizens of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas – and somebody who has respect for law and order, and authority.”
