THE BOY SCOUTS

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 64, Issue 4560, 15 April 1942, Page 5

THE BOY SCOUTS

EASTER ENCAMPMENT TE AWAMUTU TROOP Twenty-two Boy Scouts of the Te Awamutu troop, under the care of Scoutmaster Don Rogers, spent the Easter week-end under canvas, the camp being held at Mangapoapoa Pa on the Frontier Road, and being voted a great success. The boys took a keen and enthusiastic interest and delight in the outing, and some of them have combined to supply the Courier with the following extracts from their diaries: OFF TO CAMP After weeks of good weather, Good Friday morning broke dull and wet. The boys rose about 5.30 o’clock, and started to pack vegetables and camping gear bn a trailer. Only one Scout, doubtful of starting out in the rain, rang to inquire if the camp was to be held. Maybe that was why he was late arriving at the Post Office, where twenty other Scouts were gathered by the arranged time of 9.15. The boys loaded their blankets and gear, and then went to the camp per car and bike, calling at “ Akela’s ” to load the most necessary, namely, bread and groceries. On the way out we met little Barry struggling along with his bike loaded fore and aft with gear, so we relieved him of his burden and he was soon out of sight, bound for the Pa. Finally we decided we had everything, and left at 10 with an overloaded trailer. We arrived safely at the Pa, and twenty-two stout men (and the S.M.) made short work of transporting the gear across the gully. We formed patrols under P.L’s. Bayly, Brain, Allen, Bain, and Bedford, and drew for days on mess duty. We then got to work, and made fireplaces and pitched tents, rigged a labour-saving device to haul water from the river and made a hot-water system. The latter were two new ideas which seemed to cause a lot of comment. First meal in camp: Luncheon sausage, bread, butter, jam, honey, or what you would like- The afternoon was spent clearing the ground and making beds. Tea at night: Baked fish, mashed potatoes, a cup of tea, and a slice of bread and butter. Next day we rose with the sun, the cooks soon being busy preparing the breakfast of stewed apples and weetbix, baked chops, and bread and butter, with tea. We spent the day making paths and steps, settling down the camp generally, with breaks at noon for a meal: Hunter’s stew, steak and kidney, and five kinds of vegetables. This was followed by a plate of boiled rice and raisins, with a spoonful of golden syrup and a cup of tea. Even after this and a siesta, and then a little work, all were ready for a light tea of bread, butter, cheese, jam or honey. A campfire followed where everyone chose a song. The voices were helped by two or three mouth organs, a whistle, a banjo and ukelele, and a couple of combs with paper till we found out what was wrong. A cup of cocoa and biscuits topped the first full day in camp. EASTER SUNDAY AND MONDAY Sunday’s breakfast was of stewed pears and weetbix. A little light work prepared the boys for their Sunday dinner of corned silverside and five different boiled vegetables; no room for dessert. The District Commissioner and Lady Cubmaster of the Te Awamutu Pack dined with us. After dinner the Scouts’ own service was conducted by the D.C. and the S.M. After this the D.C. initiated three new-comers to the Brotherhood of Scouts. Afternoon tea of tea and cake, after which the visitors, who totalled during the day about a score, departed. A little more work, and tea and corned beef sandwiches, and another campfire, with cocoa and biscuits, finished the day. Monday morning’s breakfast was of rolled oats, corned beef sandwiches, and tea. The morning was spent sorrowfully striking camp and carrying gear across the gully and packing. A good lunch of corned beef and vegetables, followed by a good helping of plum pudding, did not cheer everyone as it should have done. Finally we managed to tear ourselves away at 2.45. All met at the Big Tree to parade through the town before unloading the gear and saying “cheerio” for this camp. THE HIGHLIGHTS Some of the highlights not mentioned in their places in the above dairy are: 1. Marks imitation of Blondin and then the mudlark. 2. The bread-eating contest; double helping of butter on the sixth slice. 3. The full parades at breakfast, dinner and tea. 4. The obeying of the order Fall In after the swimming period ended. (In the river, not on the parade ground). 3. The cure by giving last man in line a job to do. 4. The result of above, falling in at the double at the signal KEEP AWAY. 5. The two P.L’s. who struck tent made their beds and pitched tent over beds. 6. The Scouters who arrived for dinner without eating tools. 7. The Scout who brought a suitcase (but who will notoffend again). 8. The Grey Ducks who quacked all night but went to sleep just before they allow shooting at 6 a.m. 9. The cooking of plum puddings with half amount of rising and how we fixed it. In conclusion, we wish to extend to Messrs Young and Houghton our thanks for the assistance rendered, to the gentleman (name unknown) who kindly delivered the corned meat and to Messrs Allen, Henderson and Houston for help with transport. To this we should add an extra measure of thanks to “Akela” (Mrs A. B. Allen) for the tremendous amount of time and energy she put into the task of arranging the menu, in purchasing the necessary provisions, assisting packing, supplying utensils and helping in the hundred and one other things that made the camp such a huge success.