A weekend among the scouts in Oymapinar

Thursday, 13 July 2023 00:00
Written by Portal Editor

An interesting weekend with many new contacts and ideas is slowly coming to an end. Yesterday, Saturday morning, we arrived at our planned caravan location in the climbing park in Oymapinar,

had made final preparations for the first of two announced hikes and placed some information brochures about the project when the Boy Scout group from Bahcesehir College from Manavgat, as agreed, appeared. A weekend in a tent on an insulating mat to increase self-confidence and deepen social skills within the group were the main reasons for this scout weekend to also enjoy the wonderful nature in and around the climbing park. But more on that later.

First round of climbing in the climbing forest of the Adventure Park

First of all, it was time to set up and set up tents, then gather for the first round of climbing in the climbing forest of the Adventure Park. Of course, all members of the Manavgat Scout Association group were highly motivated, as it was the first leisure trip for almost all participants in the seven months since the group was founded.

With a little help for the boys between 12 and 15 years old, the construction of the small tent city proceeded quickly and a little later the group gathered for the first excursion on swaying tree sections, suspension bridges and the slides high up in the trees. But at the beginning there was the extremely important briefing, which was carried out with all due care.

Each participant received his climbing harness, which was laid out on the ground. The instructor first explained the function and then demonstrated how to put on the belt system. Then it was the Boy Scouts' turn. Other instructors were on hand to check and, if necessary, correct each individual scout harness system. Immediately afterwards, a participant on the practice course at the beginning of the course should learn how important the belt system and strict compliance with the safety regulations are.

A little nudge from the man behind him made him slip off the exercise suspension bridge and he was literally hanging on the ropes. An extremely instructive start for both of them, which could not have been better explained in words. So everyone was warned and listened intently to the further instructions.

With great enthusiasm we then went into the course, always accompanied by the supervisors. And already during the first parts of the exercise, the motives for conducting this weekend camp by the leader of the scouts, Serken Kaplan, became quite clear: the differences in the approach and behavior of the individual scouts were large. While some participants confidently entered the course and quickly completed the first exercises, others felt a lack of self-confidence and insecurity. Here, too, it becomes clear what modern society neglects so much: partnership in the group and willingness to help those who are just more reserved.

Just about 50% of the participants in this group are regularly active outdoors, besides watching TV and computers, they do banal things like untying a knot with their own fingers. It was amazing what problems individual participants had to contend with. The problems are just not stored differently than in other cultures.

The group leader had already determined the order of the participants in advance, sending the fastest to the front in order to reduce the pressure on the slower climbers from the following participants. It quickly turned out that this was a really good measure. As Serken Kaplan is primarily a teacher at Bahcesehir College, he is usually well acquainted with the Scouts who take part. What was unmistakable, however, was that everyone had fun being active outdoors. The slower participants also had their fun, even if climbing on the uneven ground is quite exhausting. After a good hour, the first round was completed and it was back to the terrace of the climbing park, where a hearty chicken goulash was already waiting for the group. Another course run should take place next morning.

Another youth group from Manissa had already been announced for the early afternoon, but was considerably late, so that only a short introduction to climbing could take place. It gets too dark too quickly in the narrow valley and under the pine trees to safely complete the course. Of course, the 28 participants were disappointed, but safety comes first.

In the meantime, the group had set up a hearty campfire in their tent camp, around which they now gathered. The second group seriously considered spending the night on site in order to tackle the course again in the early morning. Without a sleeping bag and without a tent but with no chance of success.

Short interview with Sadi and Erinc and the Boy Scout Hoca

For the coming morning we had arranged to meet with Sadi and Erinc, two members of the Boy Scout group, for a short chat because we wanted to get some answers to our questions from their mouths.

Hello Sadi, hello Erinc, you are part of the group of scouts from Manavgat who came for a weekend camping in the adventure park. How do you like it?

Sadi / Erinc: We both have camping experience before, but that was before the Boy Scouts days in Manavgat. We've only been here for 7 months and are really excited about the camp. It's a great environment and the view of the reservoir is really great.

What do you particularly like? How was the night in the tent on the insulating mat?

It's just a bit difficult to get used to the small tent. But since it was quite funny in the night, we didn't really sleep well and for a long time. But there really wasn't a problem. Of course, the insulating mats cannot be compared to a soft mattress at home.

Who came up with the idea for this weekend trip?

The idea for the camp came from our teacher and trainer. It was also his idea to come here to the climbing park, which we didn't even know about despite being so close to home.

What do your parents say about the camping weekend? Were you scared yourself without parents?

No problem for me, because I've been out and about without my parents a few times, says Sadi. Erinc is clearly holding back. He could hardly have slept. But he couldn't say whether he himself was afraid of the darkness or whether it was more the restlessness of the others. (During the night another tent was taken down and moved close to the neighboring tent, which is probably statement enough. It's understandable!)

Our fathers really liked the idea of camping, only our mothers were very worried. They didn't want to let us drive off alone.

(So during the campfire there were a number of calls from concerned mothers asking if everything was okay. It's just like everywhere else in the world, no matter what their beliefs or beliefs, the mothers worry! Serken Kaplan explained to us later)

Would you like to do more trips like this?

lovingly. We got to know each other a lot better and had a lot of fun with the others in the group who didn't belong to our class. It was just great to finally get out of the city. Whether with this group or another is not so important. However, it was also something very special here, because we had never known climbing before. And that was a great experience.

(Only later do we find out that the group leader organized a small competition and our two interlocutors were the winners in the second round of the course)

Our last question also concerns teaching. Do you also have to accompany the excursion in writing?

(Enthusiasm noticeably diminishes) Yes, after returning to school we will have to describe the events like a diary. Each individual should explain the weekend from their point of view.

In the meantime, the Hoca, i.e. teacher and trainer, had also gotten involved in the discussion, so that we were able to put a few more questions to him.

Hoca, what do you think were the reasons for the camp?

I recognized a lack of self-confidence and insecurity in some students and wanted to try to improve something here as part of this camp. But also being on my own and getting out of the city were very important reasons for me. One recognizes the feelings of individual participants and also the motivations here outside of the school much better. So I was surprised when two tents were moved close to each other in the middle of the night when it was dark.

As a scout group leader and full-time teacher, what does the family say about the camp weekend?

The smile that crosses Serken Kaplan's face is unmistakable: My whole family is in the Boy Scouts, my wife as well as my children. So there is full understanding of these activities.

(Again like everywhere else in the world! Some get involved while others prefer to take it easy).

We learn more details about the Boy Scouts in Manavgat, who, if you take all the groups together, number at least 1,000 people. We also find out a little later, as an interesting fact, that he is insured as a teacher in his work as a group leader for the scouts on weekends as long as he stays in his service district Manavgat. We thank you for the information and wish the three of them lots of fun in their group.

When the tents are pitched in the afternoon, the group gathers at the caravan to say goodbye to us after honoring the best of this camp weekend. As a special distinction and honor we can present the certificates. Of course with the hearty, international boy scout greeting.

A little later, our camera team from ATV Europe, with whom we had an appointment during the International Music Festival in Antalya, to shoot a few sequences here, also appears. The climbing park quickly became the focus of interest, so that Ömer Arslan, as manager of the facility, made two of his employees available for the purpose of demonstrations for the film recordings. Later, when we sat together for a chat over tea, the idea came up of making an offer like that to the Boy Scouts to groups from Europe as well. Why not offer the beautiful surroundings with the ancient places also for hikes as part of a tent camp for scouts or other groups from schools or associations. The first ideas were quickly collected, which we would like to mention here:

7 days leisure camp in Oymapinar between September and November or February and June in a tent camp with varied outdoor activities:

Hiking along the Seljuk caravan routes (4-6 hours)
Mountain biking around Oymapinar Dam (4 hours)
Climbing in the Adventure Park high ropes course (2 hours, multiple times possible for competitions)
Hiking to Lost Ancient City (4 - 6 hours)
Canoeing on Oymapinar Dam (4 hours, competitions)

Besides

Bathing, relaxing, exchanging ideas and much more!
Feudal accommodation is also available for the accompanying staff, if desired!

Should such a program be of interest to your group, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We are happy to forward all inquiries.

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