From 9 to 11 January, the 25th annual scout and guide winter rally “Baltais Vilks” is taking place at Ložmetējkalns. The rally brings together more than 150 participants and volunteers from all over Latvia. Activities are held outdoors and accommodation is provided in heated tents; the young people cook for themselves and learn life skills through a variety of activities over three days. The camp is organised every year by Latvijas skautu un gaidu centrālā organizācija (LSGCO), and various guests take part as well – this year Latvijas Kristīgie skauti, along with representatives from Latvijas Mazpulki and Jaunie Vanagi.
“The camp is not a competition – it is an experience of unity (...) This year there will be a strong emphasis on being together and on setting up the sub-camps – tasks that call for cooperation, trust and ingenuity. There will also be activities on Friday and Saturday, though less prominently than in previous years – they will add to the shared experience of the camp rather than set its rhythm. Step by step, each patrol/unit will build up its flag with distinguishing marks – small symbols of what has been achieved and experienced. On Friday night the participants will set off on an adventure-filled night hike, which will become their first shared test and will awaken the spirit of the Wolf. (Camp leader Zane Grošteine-Balode)
Scouting, although non-military, grew out of the experience of war and reconnaissance, and has always been grounded in practical skills, courage and the strength to face challenges. Our camp, too, will lead participants through tasks that train the mind, the body and firmness of spirit. It will be a chance to experience what it means to be part of this pack – to join forces, to find security in togetherness, and to learn that true strength lies in cooperation and trust.
The 2026 “Baltais Vilks” will be not only a test of physical challenges, but also a spiritual journey. It will inspire participants to understand how the old riflemen's values and the symbolism of the wolf chime with the founding principles of scouting – honesty, endurance, and respect for nature and for one's neighbour. It will be an opportunity not only to become stronger themselves, but also to draw inspiration from the heritage that unites us as a people and as scouts and guides.
Friday evening's campfire will open with the film “Dvēseļu putenis”, followed by the evening campfire itself with performances and members' memories of past camps – the patrols/units will give polished performances revealing the spirit and experience of their own patrol/unit.
On Saturday evening a song evening is planned, uniting everyone in shared voices and creating a special atmosphere. This will be followed by a night game, which this year will take the form of an obstacle course. At the closing ceremony on Sunday all the flags will be raised, adorned with the marks earned, as a testament to unity and to everything experienced.
The spirit of the White Wolf does not end when the camp closes. Between now and the summer, the patrols/units will receive tasks and will add new marks to their flags. At the summer sports games each patrol/unit will proudly display its flag – a living testament to the friendship, cooperation and unity gained during the rally and strengthened over the following six months.
Anyone can experience the spirit of the camp by joining in at Ložmetējkalns on the open day, 10.01, 15.00-18.00.