SCOUT MOVEMENT

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 38, 25 January 1946, Page 6

SCOUT MOVEMENT

DEVELOPMENT OVERSEAS “As a matter of interest to some of your readers interested in scouting activities, I would like' to congratulate Thames on the splendid material available for the furtherance of scouting in this district.” In these words Mr Kenneth M. Crabtree, who is now at Mt. Pleas-i ant, Thames introduces an article written for "The Thames Star” in which he describes interesting experiences of scouting overseas, on which he recently addressed local scouts.

“The movement readily attracts all that is finest and best, and its'aifns and ideals, together with its high standard of character training, have found Thames fully cognisant of the fact that here, in the Boy Scout movement is the natural outlet for the boys—pioneering instinct, with its fundamental principles of good citizenship,” says Mr Crabtree. “Slaving seen and visited Troops of many and varied nationalities, it is always with keen interest that I find boys are boys all the world over. Their natural exuberance of spirits, and spirit of comradeship are indeed something that is unstilL|ed and refreshing; and at a time like this, it always seems beyond the realms of possibilities that there should not be peace and good fellowship radiating to all the peopled countries of the world. Groups in Egypt

“A comparison is always ing and to visit Scout groups in Egypt opens- ones eyes to the adaptability of Scouting. It would probably appear disconcerting to a New Zealand boy to be transplanted suddenly into the expanse of the desert but to the Scouts of ,Egypt there is that about its trackless wastes which is to them as our forages afield, are to us. “A visit to the Swiss Rover Crew co-incided with their handycraft ex,hibition and the varied and assorted articles on display showed the home.element that is never far away when peoples of the same country foregather.

“Round the camp lire was spent one night with the troops at the American Legation, and those songs which are familiar to us are equally so to them. The caiup fire, symbolical of the wide open spaces and of nights under the starry skies, are furthered by the Rover Crews who have an ideal camping ground at El Maadi. There many of our New Zealanders in the early part of 1941 spent some very enjoyable evenings. Scouts of all nationalities, Egyptian, French, Swiss, Greek, Turkish were amongst the many friendships made, and although the language question would appear at first to he a harrier, it was found to be just a stepping stone to a real friendship. N.Z. Rover Crew

“Our Rover Grew, formed within the N.Z. Division contacted the Scout Headquarters in Cairo, and in many eases the members were able to assist at various troop meetings and render some very practical help, besides gaining experience of Scouting activities in Egypt.,

“From Egypt to Germany is a far cry but as it fell to the lot of some contact was made in various camps, at Stalag 383 a Crew was formed and officially registered at Imperial Headquarters under the name of The Richard Couer-de-Lion Rover Crew.

“Naturally some aspects, of Roving were curtailed hut a lot of good work Avas put in by the Rovers and later a Sea Scout Patrol was formed. Practical test Avork, discussions, and Avood badge theory papers Avere covered to the best advantage. “The motto of “Service” Avas carried out in the camp, and Avorking together with the Toe. H- group, very A r al liable assistance Avas given to lli? hospital and to the many welfare and ’camp organisations which helped to make life so much more pleasant.

“Scout Commissioners from SAvedcn, Mr Eric Berg, and Mr Hugo Cedergren both Swedish Protecting PoAver Y.M.C.A. representatives for P.O.W. camps in Germany, were invested members of the Crew and supplied a number of Scouting Books and papers, Avliich Avere in great demand. “Much could be said on the Avork of the Scouts during the Avar, and the woi’k of the British and international Red Cross Society, for which many of us OAA-e a debt of gratitude.”