SCOUT NOTES

Hutt News, Volume 15, Issue 15, 10 September 1941, Page 6

SCOUT NOTES

•The'following article has been re- , ceived from "Kamahi," written for , the "Campflre Team," and deals with the birth and growth of district campflrerf. i ■ "Some time before the proposed ' Centennial Jamboree was scheduled to take place, 'Aorangi,' then leader of the Jamboree team, an<i Country Commissioner for the Hutt Valley and Bays, gave the writer the job of improving the standard of campflres in the district. "It was then summer, and fortnightly campflres were organised outdoors, "wtih varying success and without much noticeable improvement,'although they were much . »Joyed. With the coming of colder weather, indoor gatherings were held, and a slight improvement was noted, due mainly to the better acoustics and to control being easier.. The programmes were directed entirely by the writer, who frequently lost his voice before the singing ended, which was not surprising. Attendances varied from 40 to -60 boys and Scouters. VOwing to a breakdown in health, the writer had to take leave from, Scouting, and the onus'was then on the tsmainlng Scouters ds to whether the campflres . were carried on. ! A camfclflre team was; the-jeauit, and i from that the Bcouters ttfok turns i i in leading a section of the pro- . gramme. The obvious advantage of i this was that voices and throats did 5 not suffer too much, a,nd more f Scouters were able to gain experience in handling campflres. . About this time some genius thought of using a with'slides, so that the words of the songs could be ■ seen 'by vall difficulty. " This proved most Successful, and simplified the picking up of new songs to a great extent. The season is now fixed to run frota immediately after Easter until About November, and the average attendance is between 60 and 80 boys Scouters. Commencing at 7.30 p.m., the programme concludes at 8 p.m,. • when supper is served. The writer, now back in harness, is a member of the team. "The present campflre team now includes such office-bearers as the 'C&mpflre Chief (H. E. Browne, better known as 'Mintie'), a con■i venor, projectionist and assistant, scribe, treasurer, song and stunt leaders, and a supper convenor. Regular meetings of the team pl&n programmes ahead, and deal wi|h suggestions and ideas. It itj likeiy that a broadcast camßflM' ' will be given in the near The team is shortly to wear distinguishing! armlets at all campflres.* These Will be in the district .wtyh an ' appropriate insignia. Fihance comes ■ from a subscription of one penny, per ■ boy and Scouter per catabflre. In addition 'eats' are brought from home. s !'At a recent campflre 'Littlejohn' remarked on the tremendous improvement on one of the earlier campflres he had attended, and congratulated .the team -and the boys on their achievement., ,He further stated that the campflre at which he was present was probably the , best he had. heard so .far,, and said that he would like to see the idea taken up by all districts wherever passible. The yalue of the camp-fires.-hasnot only been, £mply def monstrated by. the improvement Jn singing, but by the lact tha>t they make . fop district, spirit and, solidarity, which, in, -these-difflcult .times is a thing appreciated, ■ 4 "Th# fipnipflr? . a 3 ?felcbfl»e , to •> Visiiors wIU heartily . The campflres . held fortnightly on tv «ssep|ng9 ( Butt Scout dens, The cUtyrJcJj office or any -HuUVaUe*., Stouter caa «ive advice .as to , the, particular Saturday. t vwhen a .show ou-. ,We , would like you to come—lt's up to you!" "Thank you, "KfUnafei." . "TAWAI."