BOY SCOUTS

Hokitika Guardian, 21 August 1925, Page 1

BOY SCOUTS

(Contributed). A parly of nine, including most ol those who are Lo attend the Jamboree, have been camping at Lake Alahinapua since Saturday morning. August loth, and the camp has been a very interesting one. Favoured so lar with ideal weather and surroundings it has been possible to get a record amount of training into a lew days and the impmvmenl, noted to date in efficiency and smart ness constitutes a very satisfactory record. From 7 a.m. till H.O p.m. everyone in camp is busy al scouting games and practices of camp duties and probably the fact that liall'-an-liour is the maximum amount oi spare time which has been allowed on any one day for “'spare time” accounts for the unbrokenly happy spirits and good health of the party. The severe frosts ol the first two nights might excusably have led to regretl'ul longing after the leather bed at home or to an inclination to shirk the morning wash in the lake but nothing of Hie sold has been apparent. Elidei' Patrol-leaders P. Blank find R. Bone the two parties have been competing for the championship of the camp with the utmost vigour and at the time of writing look like making a “ dead heat ” of it . Every day two or more rehearsals for the Jamboree have been performed and these also show a satisfactorily improved standard. On Alonday night two ex-AYolf Cubs were enrolled as Scouts at the Council Fire and it is hoped that the remaining member of the party who at present lacks his badge will gain it before camp is broken. The progress apart from Jamboree training as such, has included almost every part: of Scout work—bird and tree'study, hand and other signals and patrol cries and signs, stalking, pathfinding. knotting, map-reading and so on, while all the cooking has been done in nltorantc patrols. The actual mo limits and practices laid down by Sir Robert Bnden-Powell have been followed in detail and have once more proved their fascination to he a" great as ever. The fact that two of "the campers lmd never before been a wav to tamp makes the uubrok--1 enlv hapnv spirit which prevails, tot the early morning scramble to be I'ust to -‘break the ice” at the morning wash till the camp fire sing-song under the stars is followed by prayers and "lights onl.” all the more satisfactory. The camping party returned to Hokitika on ‘2Oll l insf., and the next “ indoor ” practice for the Jamboree will ho on September Hi. Wolf Cubs oT the 2nd Pack please note that tliev have an all-day meeting on Friday. August 21st. and a singing rehearsal at 7.0 p.m. the same day.