Youth Brigade members last weekend.
The young members were taught teamwork during the exercise.
Youth Brigade members at Emilio Wilson Park.
PHILIPSBURG–The St. Maarten Youth Brigade had a very intense training over the weekend.
Some 26 members ages 14-20 set up camp at Milton Peters College and subjected themselves to military-themed training.
Four of the Dutch Marines stationed in St Maarten worked with the Youth Brigaders over the weekend to provide them the intense and focused training. The highlight of Saturday’s training was heavy physical exercise, including group push-ups, sit-ups and other exercises such as crawling through the mud using military techniques.
There was a mountain march on Sunday from Cake House to Sentry Hill and ending at Emilio Wilson Estate. The group scaled large boulders and hiked through prickly bushes, stinging nettle and other hazards, but the youngsters all made it along the mountainous ridge-line and completed the hike.
St. Maarten Volunteer Corps VKS Lieutenant David Bardfield, who conducts a similar hike for VKS members, was concerned at the start that the trail was not in good shape since the passage of Hurricane Irma, but the group made it through, especially with the encouragement of the Marines with the group who kept the young participants going.
The training was also part of a promotion test for three of the members who had a chance to demonstrate their leadership and organisational abilities. Two of the older Youth Brigade members who are now older than 18 have already signed up for VKS training. This will allow them to continue to participate as adults in the security and defence of the Government of St. Maarten and continue in their personal and professional development.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/70664-youth-brigaders-get-intense-vks-training
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