SCOUT NOTES

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19373, 23 December 1932, Page 12

SCOUT NOTES

FOR THE PARENTS. Each year parents of boys new to Scouting ask just why so much em- ; phasis is laid on camping. Here are j some of the reasons:— The Boy Scout camp satisfies that ! “get away from home” urge that from j time to time stirs in the heart of every j normal boy; particularly the “gypsy” ] in town or city boy, restive after the restrictions of the winter and the school, that longs for the free spaces of the woods and the lakes, the simple rough life of camp, and the company of a “gang” of his kind. It is this impulse, unwisely met, that has produced runaway boys. Invariably the boy returns from a Scout camp and it= , carefully worked out activities with a j new appreciation of his home, his ! brothers and sisters and his parents, j and generally a broadened outlook on ; life. As to health, there is no safer I or more beneficial place for a boy in ' the summer than a well run Scoffi | camp, with its close attention to all j matters of personal and general cam-) j hygiene, its supervised games, and ! swimming precautions. For the Scoutmaster all preliminary j arrangements should be planned with | the full co-operation of the local Committee, who should assist with th~ 1 camp financing, camp location, and camp site details, tents and provisioning. Permission must be obtained from . the Commissioner before a Troop may go into camp. NORTHDOWN TE-RANGI TROOP NOTES. Considering the weather there was a fairly good attendance at the last par- i ade. During the evening we were j visited by the D.S.M., who had some I news for us. The troop sent its quota to assist i with the Mayor’s Christmas Appeal, and also planned to make use of (he swimming facilities offered during the holidays. A party under the Scouter cycled to Kakahu, and camped there over a week-end. The object of the trip was determine the suitability of the district for camping. However, it was decided that it was too great a distance to go as the majority of the troop do not possess bicycles. Preparations for the camp to be held at Lyons Bush early in January are in full swing. It has been decided that a number of St. Peter's scouts will be included in the party, as their troop ' will not be able to camp as a whole this season. The troop was represented in a ] party which went out to Kakahu to cut staves. The thanks of the Scouts are due to Mr and Mrs Hall for permission to cut the manuka, and also for the excellent reception which we were given on arrival. ST. PETER’S TROOP.

As soon as the Patrols had marked the rolls and balanced the budget the evening’s programme commenced with the Scouts race. Considering that we have had no previous practice with the pace, our times were fair, as we did the first half mile in five minutes. The method was altered for the return half mile, but we were a minute behind schedule.

Two Leaders from St. Mary’s and Pareora assisted in the programme. It was arranged that the Patrols were to go into camp after Christmas, and both the Highfield and Northdown scouters have offered to take a Patrol. Ron King was chosen to obtain the manuka from Mrs Hall. The log was read, and the previous minutes were confirmed at the Court of Honour . HIGHFIELD GROUP. Cubs. The Pack held its final meeting of the year, when about 24 parents and friends were present. Proceedings started at 6 p.m. with tea for the Pack followed by games. The visitors, who arrived at 7 o'clock, were entertained for an hour with songs and recitations by various Cubs, and demonstrations of work brought a successful year’s work to a close. Mr Freeman, chairman of the Committee, in welcoming the visitors, spoke in eulogistic terms of the Cubmaster’s work with the wee chaps, and called for three cheers for him. The Pack responded with a will. Akela, in reply, thanked the parents for sending the Cubs along so regularly, and hoped that they would continue to do so. He wished the Pack “Good Hunting" during the holidays, and asked them to return in the New Year ready for a spell of steady training for the next competitions. Scouts. All arrangements have been made for the forthcomng camp, and those who are going are looking forward to a good time. Our numbers this year will be augmented by the addition of some of St. Peter s Troop. The Troop has been very busy for the past few weeks fulfilling orders for stools and trays, the profits on the sale of these articles being devoted to camp expenses. Two recruits recently passed their Tenderfoot Tests and were invested at the close of parade. Two more are ready for investiture. Rovers. The Crew have been hard at work lately 7, tent-making, and assisting the Troop in the making of stools, taking up most of their time. We are sorry to say that the response to our appeal for toys to mend has not been very great. Not enough toys have been collected to make a visit to the hospital worth while, so it has been decided to hold them over for a future occasion. The totals of the Group at the close of the year are—Cubs 23, Scouts 23, Rovers 4, Officers 4—total 54. The gear in the possession of the Group has been gradually increasing, and we are now equipped with practically all the essentials for both camping and ordinary training.