SCOUT CAMPERS

Timaru Herald, Volume CLIII, Issue 22470, 4 January 1943, Page 4

SCOUT CAMPERS

Under Canvas At Raincliff

South Canterbury Troops Fully Represented

More than 150 scouts are now in camp at Ramcliff, including representatives from almcst every troop in South Canterbury, including “Lone” scouts from Orari and Pleasant Point. They are taught that camp is not necessarily “ roughing it,” and they are shown, through the use of innumerable “ gadgets,” to make camping comfortable. The Scout is taught to be a “handy-man,” to take care of his camp equipment, and to take every precaution from the health aspect. As a result of a number of discussions of the Scouters of the South Canterbury district, a camp was decided at the Pioneer Raincliff Scout camp. Realising that although there were a number of Scouters, as well as many of the patrol leaders working during the holiday period, it was felt that the boys had earned their camp, as they have done a considerable amount of work throughout the year in answering various national service calls.

A good quartermaster was found in Captain H. W. Simpson, who, known in the camp as “ Baloo,” has proved himselt most capable. The camp chief, Captain S. A. Smith, group scouter for Waimate, who, through many years of experience in this type of work, has been able to conduct a most efficient camp. In regard to cooking, each patrol is required to cook three complete meals on at least two occasions during the camp period. The menu includes the preparing of plum duff and sauce, roasts, mince, corned beef, spaghetti, macaroni, porridge and puddings. The quality of the bread is so high that more than 200 loaves will be consumed before the camp is completed. In each camp group there are original notice-boards made from animal skins and tied with leather thongs. The Scout camp, situated within 100 yards of Raincliff bridge, comprises three acres of ground, and is sheltered by a magnificent group of elms, pine, sequoia, and lawsoniana trees. In the sentre of the camp is the “Main den,” a wooden building of 45 feet by 25 feet, with two rooms, one used as the quartermaster's store and the other as the “ sick bay.” All the boys live under canvas. The camp is divided into five different camp groups each group being self-contained, and under the control of a Scouter, who in turn is responsible to the camp chief. Each camp group bears the name of a native bird, and at the call of the camp chief the group leader runs on to the parade ground followed by his troop uttering the cry of the particular bird after which the group is named. Daily Routine Reveille is sounded by the bugles at 6.30 am.; breakfast at 8 a.m. After breakfast all tents are attended to, and the kitchens are cleaned, ready for flag-break which takes place at 9.15. When the flag has been broken and morning prayers by the camp chief completed, the inspection takes place, points being awarded by the camp chief to each group. At 10 a.m. Scout craft, “second class" and “first class” is taught. Before lunch each day sufficient time is available for the boys to go for a swim. After lunch there is a compulsory rest for an hour in the tents. The afternoons are utilised for Pioneering, tracking and other scouting activities. After a quick swim, the bugle sounds at 5.30 for a hot dinner. At 6.30 a complete inspection of the camp kitchens and all the cooking utensils is made by the camp chief. Games follow for am hour and flag down is at 7 o’clock. The big feature of the camp is the camp fire, opened by the camp chief. Here is displayed the natural talents of the boys in producing “ stunts ” of a most original and varied type. Some of them produce amusing and entertaining impromptu sketches. The quality of the camp fire songs, according to many of the older Scouts, has not been excelled. Competition marks for the day are announced by the camp chief and routine orders for the following day. The finale is a mug of cocoa and a biscuit. “Lights out” is sounded at 9.45 p.m. and the boys are told by the camp chief—” You can talk as much as you like until quarter to ten!” The scouters then meet to talk over the days activities and to make plans for the morrow.