The weeklong 6th SAF Scout Friendship Camp will begin at National Scout lYaining Camp in Gazipur on October 12 with the slogan Scouting for peace and friendship".

Organisers said that the camp would strengthen ties among the Saarc countries, paving the way for establishing a regular communication among them.

About 350 Rover scouts and leaders from eight Saarc countries are going to participate in the Friendship Camp, says a press release.

Chief Adviser Fakhniddin Ahmed will be present at the inaugural ceremony on October 12 as the chief guest while President and Chief Scout lajuddin Ahmed will be present at the Youth Parliament on October 16 as the chief guest.

A meeting of Saarc chief commissioners will also be held at Jamuna Resort on October 13 to discuss the development and spread of scouting in Saarc countries.

Besides, the chief commissioners will make a courtesy call on President lajuddin Ahmed at Bangabhaban the next day.

The friendship camp programmes also include youth forum, country-based cultural programmes, Mahatabu Jalsa and International Night.

The previous SAF friendship camp programmes were held in Bhutan, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Nepal andPakistan.

Bangladesh Scouts now stands fifth in the list of world scouting and well known in the world for its activities regarding healthcare and social welfare. Earlier, Bangladesh held International CentenaryComdeca in Cox's Bazar in 2007.

Presently there are 10 lakh scouts in the country and the number is expected to reach 151akhby2013.

The Daily Star, Channel i and Radio Today are the media partners of the event.