JAMBOREE CAMP

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 85, 7 October 1938, Page 7

JAMBOREE CAMP

WORKATHERETAUWGA

KEEN INTEREST SHOWN

Preparations are being hurried on on the site of the Centennial Scout Jamboree at Heretaunga. At the jamboree in December, 1939, and January, 1940, the area will be the-site of a canvas village of a thousand tents. It is expected that 100 Boy Scouts will sepnd this weekend at Heretaunga. The work being done at present is the clearing of the area of gorse and the preparation of lay-out plans.

The site comprises an area of 100 acres, skirting the hill on the east side of the railway line at Heretaunga, nearly opposite the station. Gorse and scrub lie heavily on the hill portion and there is a fairly dense growth of young gorse, about two feet high, on the level portion.

With the keen interest being shown by Wellington and Hutt Valley Scouts, graat progress is being made in the clearing of the gorse. The lay-out of the camp calls for much forethought and preparation.

The administrative and essential offices must be conveniently situated/ the market, bank, hospital, post, office, and other services must be central and handy, and at the same time care must be taken to make the lay-but attractive from the point of view of the visitor to the camp. Simply to plot the lay-out on a map is impossible, as. the site is dotted with trees, subdivided with hedges, and includes a ridge of hillside. Careless lay-out would mean that when erected the commandant's tent might have to be erected around a sturdy, totara, or might be orr'a slope of 45 degrees, or even cut off from the rest of the camp by a high hedge. The gateway of a jamboree camp is always a: source of considerable pride, and reflects the craftsmanship of the Scouts who are in the position of being the hosts at the camp. Wellington Scout leaders therefore are already considering designs for a suitable, striking, and symbolic gateway, the construction of which will be carried out "by the rovers of the district. With a tremendous amount of preparation before them, the jamboree organisers are acting on the Scout precept of being ready early, and are already hurrying on their preparations.