On August 30, 2014 Saturday, the first group of HLC Eco-scouts visited Bill's Sanctuary at Inijakan, one of the school's Outdoor Teaching Labs. At the island teaching lab, the eco-scouts learned all about the major components of marine ecology and how eco-scouts can help preserve the fragile marine eco-systems of Cantilan. While at the primary Outdoor Teaching Lab of HLC, the students learned how to identify the various types of seagrass, fish, and coral reef. 

As part of the school's Eco-scouting program, the HLC eco-scouts conduct regular coastal clean-ups in the nearby beach (Baybay Dos). The eco-scouts are grouped according to the following patrol groups: River, Mangrove, Forest, Ocean, Kalaw.

Working together with our adopted community in Purok Uno in Bgy. Magosilom, the eco-scouts regularly pick up and collect large amounts of garbage along the beach in Balwarte. On average, they collect about 5 sacks of mostly rubbish items such as plastic bottles and sachets, snack packets (potato chip packs and such), plastic bags, glass bottles, and disposable diapers. The amount of trash the students have collected so far should come as a solid wake-up call to the local government.

It is our hope that we can help increase the awareness of the local communities of the values of proper trash disposal and recycling. If we all do our bit when it comes to managing our own household waste and making sure that we understand the impact of our activities on the environment, Cantilan would surely be a cleaner town.  

As part of the holistic development of HLC students, swimming lessons are incorporated into their physical education classes. No, HLC doesn't have a pool. It has something even better - a river right outside the school! 

Safety first

Naturally, the school has taken many precautions when it comes to the safety of its students. During supervised swimming classes, the school nurse - certified in delivering first aid and CPR techniques - and the P.E. teachers are always on hand. Students who are still learning how to swim can opt to have lifejackets OR hang on to the recycled plastic-bottle rafts that they made in their TLE class. Additionally, students who only have basic swimming skills are only allowed to swim within the confines of the dry dock. 

Every other Wednesday, when the weather is fine and the tide high, you can see HLC students learning how to swim or kayak during their P.E. class. Pretty soon, they'll be starting their surfing classes!