New group for young scouts

Press, 2 October 1979, Page 26

New group for young scouts

The Scout Association has, launched a programme for boys aged six and seven who wiil be called kea scouts. The programme will precede the cub scout section, which a boy enters at the age of eight. Ten trial kea scout groups have been running successfully for three years in Auckland. Wellington, and Christchurch. Although kea scouts will, not wear an official uniform.' they will wear the scout scarf in the colours of their parent group. A simple promise. “I will try to share my fun and help others,’’ will be taken by the boys on entry. The kea scout programme:

, includes games, outdoors [activities, singing, stories. ! and simple crafts. There is no badge or reward system. Sharing is emphasised instead of competition. Parental involvement is a | feature of the programme. Parents' sub-committees will assist kea leaders and parI ents will help al group meetings and with handcrafts and outdoors activities. I The responsibility for introducing the new pro[gramme is in the hands of Mr H. J. Dowling, of Hamilton, who is the national commissioner of the 'cub scout section and who has now been appointed : national kea commissioner.