SCOUT NOTES

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 15, 19 January 1927, Page 15

SCOUT NOTES

(By "Scouter.")

AHIT-f Patrol-Leaders and Rovers. , To, a fi^, lle- , T;llkin S of drill," said L h A Wlth whom 1 was chatting recently, -how can it be taught proplrly? Perhaps my Scouts are exceptional, but ofefl,.?r e T?. llVely-,dislike for any'form ili • have almost given up hope, and their present drilling is rather hope«n " o-7T?T c you triod games?" I asked "Games?" he repeated; /'but you can't bring James into drill, or drill into games. . "What: about Seiigeant MurA^ll e n Wt e-el" he admitted, rather-doubtfully, "there may be something m it." Nevertheless, -he was not easily convinced. Like a great many more Leaders who can take a broad view. of everything else, he considered that Scouting instructions was work, play being an entirely different matter. It might do a great deal oV good if these 'people were to look carefully at Scouting for boys once more. v Almost the first thing that they would see would be "Rules for Playing the Game of Scouting for Boys." . There are some, of course, who never will realise that beoutmg is not only meant to be a game TV Iri a- f, me-^i aGt '.the greatest of all', lne Lhiet.has said this quite a number of times; so .have other people, but it will beaiv repetition. There is no sense in treating Scouting as a dreary task, to be. encountered m much the same way as school lessons. Every boy likes to play at soldiers, .so that if the members of a Patrol do. not readily take to drill there must be. something wrong with the instruction. ' .

eently, -how can it be taught properly? Perhaps my Scouts are exceptionaL but }™c a lively dislike for any'form ot- dull. I have almost given up hone and their present drilling is rather hopl"pS.' m " ??*Y c yon tried games?" I asked. Orames? he repeated; /'but you can't bnng .games mt o driu „ j m int S m?»T ■ lI)1"lt Seiigeant Murphy?" I queried. "We-e-el " he admits rather,doubtfully, "there 'may bTsW thing-in it." Nevertheless, he was not easily convinced. Like a great many more Leaders who can take a broad view. of everything else, he considered that Scouting instructions was work, play being an entirely different matter. It might do a great deal oT good if these'people were to look carefully at Scouting for boys once more.,, Almost the first thing that they would see would be "Rules for Playing the Game of Scouting for Boys." . There are some, of course, who never will realise that Scouting is not only meant to be a game Thp'rr- f "»^. fa=Vthe greatest of all. Ine Chief.has said this quite a number of times; so have other people, but it will bear repetition. There is no sense in treating bcoutmg as a dreary task, to be. encountered in much the same way as school lessons. Every boy likes to play at soldiers, /so that if the members of a Patrol do. not readily take to drill there must be something wrong with the instruction. ' Not only in drill, but in every thine wjiich a Leader has to teach his Patrol his aim should be to make the instructions as interesting as possible. The way to do this is to make it a game. The bcouts may not be conscious of the fact that they are learning, but they are nevertheless, and thoroughly, too. Above all do not make the mistake of telling your ■patrol that by playing this game or that ;they .will improve their drill, or their tracking, signalling, observation, or anything else. You might as well advise them to play cricket because it will give them a quick eye and make their muscles supple, or to play Rugby, because it will develop quickness, judgment, and improve their wind. The reason we play games is because we like them. Impress on them too, that it is not in the winning of a game, that the pleasure lies, but in the struggle to rise superior to an opponent For this reason; it is well to match your bQouts against another patrol. That ia che purpose-behind patrol competitions ho give your fellows plenty of games and' get away as: much as possible from the schoolroom atmosphere, which, in many troops is such;a noticeable feature of patrol instruction;. There are one or two excellent Tjooka of Scouting games and you will 1 do well to buy-them and teach your Scouts some of the games which they contain—perhaps with modifications which will occur to.you. You will bs'surprised how. quickly and well the patrol will learn Scouting. . -. . Wellington South reports that Trinity bt. James s, Seatoun, and St. Cuthbert's Oubs have already started 1927 with good parades. Boys' Institute and St. Cuthbetts commence next Friday week with a campers_ social. Those Scouts who were at the Paekakariki camp and who desire a week-end camp: this week-end; are asked t£,Eie.et at the Boys' Institute to-morrow (Thursday): night, at 7.15. . . The Kaiwarra Troop's Publicity Officer reports that the Scouts of his troop have already made a start collecting silver paper for the Rovers, who, it appears have some dodge up their sleeve. I wonder what it is? . It would be rather-interesting to know who were the three Scouters who visited the Girl Guides' Camp last week-end. Can any^ person enlighten us upon the- matTwelve of.the Collingwood Sea Scouts under S.S.M. Scott spent a great time with the Iron Duke Sea Scouts of Nelson, under.Lieutenant Griffith, at a camp held at Torrent Bay, about 23 miles by sea from' Nelson. >The Collingwood Troop were the guests of the Iron Duke, which commenced on 23rd December: and ■ concluded on 3rd. January. The journey to camp was-made in the Iron Duke's boats, in tow of a launch.- Time was. spent' in swimming, sailing; rowing;-- and-. tramping. Several' boys were also nut through for theiiv'swimmers'.. and cooks' badges, and' the.best- of; weather, was experienced while, in camp.:: On' New Year's Eve.: a grand concert was 'given "by the two troop's to an audience of forty campers who were staying nearby, and a tired but happy party saw the Old Year out and the dawn of 1927. During the Collingwobds' stay in Nelson they- were billeted- with the Nelson chaps, and shown as much of the town and surrounding country as time permitted.- This is the ifirst .time, that a .Sea Scout Troop has gone visiting another Sea; Scout.Ti'oog in-New Zealand, '■ but judging by - the remarks of -the lucky members of Collingwbd'd' Troop who . attended the camp, jtf'will not be the last, at least for this troop.., ■ ■'...."''"•'■ The Rovers held: their first meeting for 1927 onvSaturd'a-y /evening, last,, when all shook-hands, -wishing;-;each-other a ;prosperous'•New. Year.- - During the' evening the company-wasvdivide.d-.into. patrols, and the Rovermates 1 gave; an-^interesting chat on hiking gear, in preparation for the Anniversary Day week-end hike. Scoutmaster Harris, of, Burma (India), held undivided attention with tales of the Burmese during supper, while the Court of Honour met in the Council Room, and discussed many important matters, which resulted' in six Rovers being detailed to assist various troops for the time being. Any Packsoosr s Troops desiring assistance are 1 asked to get in touch with one of .the following:—District Commissioner (Sir' Alfred Robin), Rover Chaplain' Rev. ,Bi-, anchi, Rovermaster C. Meachen, Rovermates S. Jantke, D. Perry, Rover Seconds L. Hepburn, L. Morris, and we will "do our best" to help. Arrangements for' the New Year are well in hand, and aii investiture ceremony for those Rovers who have not yet taken the promise of "service" will be held shortly. The meeting was concluded by the company singing the National Anthem. Scouts and Scouters, be prepared, and get your Scout .clothes, troop flags, patrol signs, and. staves in readiness for use, during the visit-of the Duke and Duchess of York. The Citizens' Committee meet this week. Watch out for the part allotted for Scouts. . _ ■' ' The formation of a new troop-at Wadestown has advanced a stage. Soon we may welcome it as the first new troop "formed for 1927, unless Berhampore Boys' Home gets in beforehand. There is, however, room for- all. The fourth Scout Law reads: "A Scout is 'a friend to all and a brother to every other Scout, no' matter to what social class the other belongs." • The following extract is from the Pahiatua "Herald," and Kaiwarra Scouts who have just completed their annual camp at Hukakui vwill henr it with the deepest regret:—"A distressing accident occurred at Hukanui on; Monday afternoon, when little Beryl Mabey, the three-year-old daughter of Mr..,and Mrs. R. Mabey, settlers at Hukamii, was run over by a motor-lorry, necessitating amputation of an arm."- Kaiwarra Scouts met Beryl at ■their concert, when she won the hearts of all.. x , - ■•'.■•' Kindly forward your notes to C. Meacheri, "Ithaca," Thorndon-quay, on or be fore Monday of each week.

Not only m drill, but in everything which a Leader has to teach his Patrol, his aim should be to make the instructions as interesting as possible. The way to do this is to make it a game. The scouts; may not be conscious of the fact that they are learning, but they are nevertheless, and thoroughly, too. Above all' do not make the mistake of telling your ■patrol that by playing this game or that ;they .-will improve their drill, or their tracking, signalling, observation, or anything else.' You might as well advise them to play cricket because it will give them a quick eye and make their muscles supple, or to play Rugby, because it will develop quickness, judgment, and improve their wind. The reason we play games is because we like them. Impress on them too, that it is not in the winning of a' gam? that the pleasure lies, but in the struggle to rise superior to an opponent. For this reason.; it is weir to match your Scouts against another patrol. That is one purpose-behind patrol competitions, bo give your fellows plenty of games and' get away as: much as possible from the schoolroom atmosphere, which in many troops is such;a noticeable feature of patrol instruction;. There are one or.' two excellent 'booka of Scouting games and you will 1 do well to buy-them and teach your Scouts some of the games which they contain—perhaps with modifications which will occur to.you. You will befsurprised how quickly and well the patrol will learn Scouting. . .- Wellington South reports that Trinity bt. James s, Seatoun, and St. Cuthbert's Cubs have already started 1927 with good parades. Boys' Institute and St. Cuthberts commence next Friday week with a campers_ social. Those Scouts who were at the Paekakariki camp and who desire a week-end camp: this week-end, are asked tamest at the Boys' Institute to-morrow (Thursday): night, at 7.15. ..- . The Kaiwarra Troop's Publicity Officer reports that the Scouts of his troop have already made a start collecting silver paper for the Rovers, who, it appears, have some dodge up their sleeve. I wonder what it is?

It would be rather-interesting to know who were the three Scouters who visited the Girl Guides' Camp last week-end. Can any person enlighten us upon the- matter? ■ -„.-.■

Twelve of.the Collingwood Sea Scouts under S.S.M. Scott spent a great time with the Iron Duke Sea Scouts of Nelson, under.Lieutenant Griffith, at a camp held at' Torrent Bay, about 23 miles by sea from' Nelson. >The Collingwood Troop were the guests of the Irou Duke, which commenced on 23rd December: and ■ concluded on 3rd. January. The journey to camp was.niade in the Iron Duke's boats, in tow of a launch: • Time was. spent in swimming, sailing; rowing;-- and-. tramping. Several' boys were also; nut through for theirv'swimmers'.. and cooks' badges, and' the.best- of weather, was experienced while in camp.:: On' New Year's Eve.: a grand concert^ was given "by the two troop's to an audience of forty campers who were staying nearby, and a tired but happy party saw the Old Year out and the dawn of 1927.

During the Collingwobds' stay in Nelson they- were billeted- with the Nelson chaps, and shown as much of the town and surrounding country as time permitted.- This is the ifirst/time, that a .Sea Scout Troop has gone visiting another Sea Scout.Troog in-New Zealand,'but judging by - the remarks of :•the lucky members of Collingwqod' Troop who . attended the camp, jtf will not be the last, at least for this troop.'\- ■' .. .."''■•'■ The Rovers held: their first meeting for 1927 .on.;.'. Saturday {evening, last,, when all shook-hands,-wishing; each-other a iprosperous- New. Year.- ■■■:■ During the' evening the company-wasvdivide.d-.into. patrols, and the Rovermates' gave! an-'interesting .chat on hiking gear, in preparation for the Anniversary Day week-end hike. Scoutmaster Harris, of, Burma (India), held undivided attention with tales of the Burmese during .supper, while the Court of Honour met in_ the Council Room, and discussed many important matters, which resulted' in six Rovers being detailed to assist various troops for the time being. Any Packsoosr s Troops desiring assistance are 1 asked _to get in touch with one of .the following:—District Commissioner (Sir Alfred Robin), Rover-Chaplain'Rev. Bi-, anchi, Rovermaster C. Meachen, Rovermates S. Jantke, D. Perry, Rover Seconds L. Hepburn, L. Morris, and we will "do our best" "to help. Arrangements for' the New Year are well in hand, and aii investiture ceremony for those Rovers who have not yet taken the promise, of "service" will be held shortly. The meeting was concluded by the company singing the National Anthem.

Scouts and Scouters, be prepared, and get your ■ Scout .clothes, troop flags, patrol signs, and. staves in readiness for use, during the visit-of the Duke and Duchess of York. The Citizens' Committee meet this week. Watch out for the part allotted for Scouts. .

The formation of a new troop-at Wadestowri has advanced a stage. Soon we may welcome it as the first nevv troop 'formed for 1927, unless Berhampore Boys' Home gets in beforehand. There is, however, room for all. The fourth Scout Law reads: "A Scout is 'a friend to all and a brother to every other Scout, no' matter to what social class the other belongs." • The following extract is from the Pahiatua "Herald," and Kaiwarra Scouts wlio have just completed their annual camp at Hukahui vwill henr it with the deepest regret:—"A distressing accident occurred at Hukanui on; Monday afternoon, when little Beryl Mabey, the three-year-old daughter of Mr.,and Mrs. E. Mabey, settlers at Hukanui, was run over by a motor-lorry, necessitating amputation of an arm." Kaiwarra Scouts met Beryl.at their concert, when she won the hearts of all. -i , ■ • '