SCOUT NOTES

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 69, 23 March 1938, Page 18

SCOUT NOTES

(By "Chingachgook.")

The decision to hold the swimming competitions as one big function this year instead of holding district eliminating competitions first was fully justified by the carnival last Saturday afterno&n at Thorndon.' The large - attendance of parents and friends, 'as well as of Cubs. Scouts.- and Rover Scouts, set a new standard of keenness and enthusiasm for Metropolitan gatherings and clearly indicated the direction in which further advances can be made. Special thanks are due to the members of the Wellington Centre. New Kealand Amateur Swimming Association, for their willing as-\ sistance, Mr. Allan Dale, who so efficiently organised the carnival, and the Rover Scouts, who, in a number of capacities, ensured the effective running of the programme. Over 200 different boys were included in the entries. The association places special importance on all members who are not physically incapacitated being able to swim, and it is evident that this insistence is bearing 'fruit. Entries from any one pack or troop for ' any one event were limited to two Cubs or Scouts in order to prevent the programme being overloaded. A large proportion of the Rover crews, troops, and Cub packs put in entries, arid it is hoped that those who were missing this year will make sure of participating next year. Congratulations are extended to the winning section in each part of the programme. These were as follows:—Rovers, Raukawa Rover Sea Scout crew; Senior Scouts, St. Joseph's troop; Junior Scouts, Collingwoocl troop. As a part of the alterations rendered necessary under'the new method of holding the competitions, the previous trophies have been withdrawn. Instead, special certificates were awarded to winning individuals and to troops and packs. Mrs. B. Foster presented them at the close o£ the carnival. Romance and Adventure. AH of us who by our actions influence the activities of the boys, whether as leaders in the Metropolitan area or as Scoutmasters and Cubmasters taking charge of troops , and packs, need to remind ourselves constantly of the importance of keeping the spirit of romance and adventure fully' alive in all activities. There is . a danger continually present if we are not careful of these activities becoming too "scientific." It is important that the boys should be able to carry out their Scouting efficiently, but, if, we want to test any boys to find out whether they are real Scouts or not, it is not their knowledge so much thjat.we should go by. Any average boy, after being shown how to do a filing in Scouting activities, can do itr, particularly after he has practised it a number of times. That is not the point. The real test of the Scout is whether he can carry on' effectively when he is up against something unexpected and new to him. Any ordinary boy .can, when he; has been shown how, put up a tent or, if there is plenty of wood about, get a lire going and make an 1 eiVectivc boot-rack and other gadgets, s But what is going to happen if he ' finds himself on a desert island or 1 in'j some other place without a tent ■] or; any of the gear he is used to t having with him or easily obtainable? 1 If /his Scout training has been on the < right lines, he will make the best 1 oJI, whatever is available; that means he:, will improvise and' use whatever f material he- can find to ensure his 1 safety and health. If his training i has not been on the right lines, he -\ will be very helpless. The test of the 2 real Scout is not so much knowledge \ as. initiative, and initiative needs 5 training and encouragement. Metro- I politan headquarters is considering the ( question of recasting all the conditions for most of the competition in order to make them tests of initiative as weir as of knowledge. 'Scoutmasters are asked to-keep this matter in mind in all their activities. . Camping. The heart and soul of Scouting are centred in the camp. It is around the camp fire —where each is thrown upon his own resources, and must bear his i share of work and toil —that otu c movement finds. its best and most .. subtle influence.' It is in the camp that tlie play of personality finds fullest expression. No army cooks are r needed lor a Scouts' camp, no pillows s 6r palliasses, no unnecessary guards c or pickets, or constant round, of inspec- a lion and parades, no military man- r pcuvres and tedious, drill, but just a * free unfettered enjoyment of a backwoodsman's life. Up with the' lark to c run barefoot in the grass arid enjoy a bathe in the river; cook a billy of a porridge over a pinewopd fire; go off 1: ior the day, with1 rations in your c haversack, to seek adventure like pio- ineers in an unknown land; play your *, games of tracking and raiding like ,J border chiefs of long ago; then home again to an evening meal prepared by '' comrades left in camp. A sing-song c round a glowing log lire; a record of a the day's failures or successes; a study fi of the stars; an outline of tomorrow's s programme; a yarn or two from the i". story-teller; an expression of thanks for the joys and gladness of the day, v and, with mother earth for our mat- n tress, we sleep until the peep of the sun, or the song of the birds in the c trees above, shall waken us on the ii morrow. A happy family,' the woods i and the fields, sweet communion with v wild life in forest glade- and fairy glen, that is "camping" as Wellington Scout? v have found it. ti Headquarters Notices. y Entries for the tests for: the Ath- a lete's ' Badge close at Metropolitan Headquarters at; 5 p.rii.;on March 25. The tests will, be held on the afternoon ~ of Saturday, -April 2. Entries "for the d next First-class Badge Test Field Day close at Metropolitan Headquarters at b 5 p.m. on April 1. This Field Day ti will be held on Saturday, April 9. a Scouters and Rovers are reminded oi the garden party to meet the Domin- • ion Chief Commissioner and members lr of the Dominion executive. It is to w be held at Mr. J. E. F. Vogel's home b Woburn Road, Lower Hutt, on March f£ 26. All applications for the Home w Studies, Part 1, of the Gilwell Course, c . must be at Dominion Headquarters by March 31. Entries for the Patrol Camp- f; craft competitions at Easter must be "' at Metropolitan Headquarters by 5 p.m. eJ on April 1. .. fr