The oldest group, the 1st Kraśnik Gryf Scout Group of the 24th Uhlan Regiment, is 17 years old. The district also includes five boys’ groups and one girls’ group, bringing together young people aged 10 to 19. – We come from Kraśnik and the surrounding area. All the groups that came to Świętoszów cultivate the traditions of the 24th Uhlan Regiment, which is why we were so keen to visit the 10th Brigade, especially the 2nd Uhlan Battalion, which inherits the same traditions – said Scoutmaster Karol Wojtaszek. – We wanted to take part in the Brigade’s celebration. The boys will be able to see the equipment, which they are eagerly awaiting. I think their stay in Świętoszów will be an unforgettable experience.
The young campers’ schedule is filled with activities from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., seven days a week. The younger and older participants begin the day with morning exercises and finish it with lights-out. A roll call and formation take place every morning. The scouts organize these activities themselves. In addition, instructors from the 10th Armored Cavalry Brigade’s subunits have arranged activities for the guests, during which the young people can see the Brigade’s training facilities and observe up close what an ordinary day for a tank crew member looks like.
On the very first day, the scouts visited the Śnieżnik training and simulation system, where they watched reconnaissance teams train. They then had the opportunity to view small arms and even test their accuracy and reflexes. Next, the young people went to the Leopard Training Center, where instructors demonstrated the capabilities of the training devices and simulators.
– I really liked the exercises at Śnieżnik and the Leopard Center. You don’t get to see places where soldiers train every day. I saw tanks and other armored vehicles – said 17-year-old Jakub Paszteleniec from the 2nd Kraśnik Dęby Rover Group, who can boast six years with the group.
They still have around 10 days of active recreation ahead of them in Świętoszów. The soldiers have prepared, among other things, engineering and sapper training, communications tactics activities, climbing lessons, and finally participation in the most important celebration for the tank crews.
Although the scouts are sometimes tired from walking the considerable distances between the training facilities, they appear to be happy. This is suggested by the statement of one of the youngest members of the Kraśnik group, 10-year-old Karol Maciąg: – The activities are fun. We did camouflage. Then we shot at the range and on simulators, and now we’re going to the training area. I don’t know where, but definitely far away. I liked the camouflage best. I saw various soldiers here, but I don’t remember their ranks. I’d like to become a soldier someday, too. I like being a tank crew member. Tanks are cool.
Katarzyna Przepióra