BOY SCOUTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 May 1926, Page 4

BOY SCOUTS.

(Contributed.)

A party of seven scouts of the Second Hokitika Troop returned on Wednesday after spending the first five days of. tho school holidays in camp at tho Hokitika Gorge. With ideal weather, tho camp proved a very 1 appv one, as being almost the first attempt of this troop to use “pushbikes” as the sole means of transport for scouts and gear. As the district was a new one for nqirlv all those in camp, a good deal of exploring both up and down the valley was enjoyed while the local rabbits helped to make the inevitable, camp stew even- more successful than usual.

One rather unexpected result of having cycles in camp was that the local Stores remained within reach, and the catering was thus simplified so that a record in economy was established, am! the camp proved" the cheapest one the troop has ever held, although the aforesaid rabbits and a kind gift of milk each day no doubt had something to do with this.

Apart from the first day’s rations -all bread was made in camp, and other cooking by the boys was unusually successful. The sunrise scamper down to the creek through the frost for a stripped wash and the evening camp tires inside the hut, were carried out with the utmost zeal and a camp programme of scouting games and practices made the five days pass very rapidly. Another pleasing feature was !lv»t none of the medicines and first aid appliances whicli had been brought weic required cither by cycles or cyclists, and tho journey each way was accomplished in excellent time considering the heavy packs which a winter supply of blankets necessitates. Tin's is the forty-first camp of Ibis troop since its formation two anil a ball’ years ago, and the scouts arc hoping to celebrate their jubilee as crimpers before the next troop anniversary. Their wanderings have included everything from a single night under canvas to three weeks away from home, and from a camp on a Healey Street section to tho Dunedin Jamboree. Camp lips been pitched on the shores of the three local lakes: Brunner, Kanieri, and Mahinapua. and besides their hike over Arthur’s Pass at least three local mountains have been climbed, while the sen beach at 'four different.points has also provided camp sites in 'Westland. Camps have been mostly under canvas, but huts in various localities have also been loaned, and twice bivouacs ot bush nuterial have been constructed and used by the boys. A night under the stars has also proved successful more than once, Bo far Ross has been the troop’s “furthest South”, but the success of the cycle as a conveyance may lead to trios into South Westland at future opportunities.

The least ptisfactory part of this record is that very seldom is anything like a complete attendance of the whole troop at camp possible, and although

one or two boys have over seventy nights' in camp to their credit, many of the most interesting expeditions have only been enjoyed by .a few. However, every member of the troop lias bad some camj) experience and probably has a better idea of bis native County Ilian Ids average non-scout school fellow. The Wolf Cub meeting of the Second Pack was hold on Thursday instead of Tuesday this week, hut during the r ..st of the school holidays the ordinary programme ot week-end and othoi meetings will lie adhered to with the addiitou of rallies at 8.0 a.in. and 1.0.0 a.m. oil Monday (Empire Day).