SCOUTS’ WEEK-END CAMP

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 78, Issue 7025, 28 February 1949, Page 4

SCOUTS’ WEEK-END CAMP

BENEFICIAL INSTRUCTION FOUNDER’S DAY CELEBRATED The scouts’ camp held at the air force depot over the week-end, for the purpose of recognising the birthday of Lord Baden-Powell, which is also Founder’s Day, was a success in that it is the first of its kind in the district. Scouts and scoutmasters from the district between Ohaupo and Te Kuiti were present in the camp, which was one of the many held throughout the Dominion to celebrate the founder’s day. The scouts pitched camp on Friday night and rose early on Saturday morning. The day began with an early morning run and prayers, after which they had breakfast. The rest of the day was spent in alternate periods of instruction and campcraft, patrol leadership and games. The instruction was very successful, but at the same time it was hampered by lack of equipment which the scouts have not been able to get, due to their having a financial handicap at the present time. However, they hope to overcome that, and make the camp the forerunner of many more of its kind. Sunday morning was devoted to general camp duties and instruction in personal hygiene. At two o’clock in the afternoon the camp was opened to visitors. At the same time they held a “Scouts Own” service, as well as paying tribute to their founde? on the occasion of the 41st birthday of the organisation. Afterwards the scouts held a patrol stunt, which was followed with keen interest by the spectators and a band of Cubs who were also present for the afternoon.

The “stunt” entailed crossing a stream without getting their feet wet, passing over a bottomless chasm, through a crocodile infested swamp and transporting their patrol leader, who had incurred a “sprained ankle”, back to the camp. For this they used improvised stretchers made from their staves and shirts.

Three patrols participated in the “stunt”, a summary of which was given by the scoutmasters afterwards. Among the points they stressed were that the elected patrol leader should be obeyed and that initiative should be indulged in to its* greatest extent by him.

The camp then proceeded to break up, the flag was lowered and the scouts went their various ways home after a very full beneficial week-end.