HIGH SPIRITS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 44, 28 January 1944, Page 5

HIGH SPIRITS

SCOUTS AT ROTOMA

FULL OAMP PROGRAMME

Stealing out across the placid waters of the lake, three wellladen boats of boys in peaked hats ripple across the bay in the cool air of early morning. On the beach, groups of others bathe, wash or sit about, Avliilst behind: the shelter of a nearby bank light columns of grey and blue smoke ariste above the s?.te of the cook house. Such is a cameo of the pre-breakfast scene almost any morning at the district Scout camp at Lake Rotoma and which breaks up tomorrow afternoon. Already the boys und.cr Scoutmaster Thomas as O.C. and Scoutmasters C. Lofley (Waiotahi) and J. Marsh (Awakcri) have, had seven days of camp life in ideal surroundings. Picnics, tramps and bush exploration make, up the recreational side of the programme, but there have also been, included signalling, tracking and Scout training and examinations. It is hoped in fact, to haA'e all Scouts past their 'tenderfoot' stages by the time the camp concludes. Remarkable Fellowship The fellowship in the camp is an inspiration and boys who are normally living nearly a hundred miles apart are becoming fast friends and extending invitations light and left to their new acquaintances to come, and A r isit them. Parents will probably have a little unravelling to do on their return. Nick names JiaA'c been coined and Avill probably stick for years. Scout Rae Delves has: made ai» excellent quartermaster while Scout Syd (Spud) Shapley should emerge a fully qualified camp chef. Scout 'Buck' Allport of Te Puke has Avon a reputation all his: oAvn Avhile at last Wednesday's camp lire Scout Haultain of Awakcri established his permanent reputation as an elocutionist. In every way the boys haA 7 e grown into one happy family and to a casual are having the. time of their young lives. Camp fire To-night The boys plan to have a special programme at a break-up cam]) fire this evening, and have collected a pile of logs at the lake, edge Avhich should titrn night into day Avhen set fire to. Songs, items, community singing and yarning Avill fill the two hour programme round the. fire and the grand finale Avill be hot cocoa and the last post. The camp committee extends a warm invitation to parents and! others interested to attend this function wjiich Should afford them a unique opportunity of seeing the boys under the friendly atmosphere of Scout training and also provide them with a splendid evening's clean fun and entertainment. The fire is lit at 8 p.m. The camp breaks up to-morrow when the boys Avill disperse during the afternoon and the committee, expresses its deepest appreciation to all those Avho, haA r e assisted towards its success donation, contribution or by making cars available for transport.