SCOUT NOTES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 164, 11 June 1940, Page 10

SCOUT NOTES

TRAINING FOR CITIZENSHIP. (By “Rama.”) “Voluntary organisations have always, demanded something from their members; this something is best described by tlie fact that each individual boy. is to some .extent responsible for tile smooth running of his troop, brigade or club. The primary object of every voluntary! organisation is to fit the boy to become a good citizen an.? the essential elements for this responsibility aro learned in the youthful community to which lie belongs.” This was the opinion of Viscount Monck, speaking at a luncheon of the Standing Conference of National Juvenile Organisations in London. “No youth movement or youth centre is of real value unless it visualises as its main purpose this training for citizenship,” continued Lord Monck. “And the mere provision of leisure and pleasure will result only in producing a generation expecting as their due the free bread and free entertainment demanded by the peoples of the Roman Empire—an outlook which contributed so largely to their subsequent decline. “Practically every country in the world realises to the full the true importance of youth training. In one .respect wo differ from them all. Whereas, in other countries,' this 'training takes the form of one stereotyped organisation, frequently of' a military nature and generally compulsory, we believe very strongly in variety. “We make no apology for this belief ; in our view the duty of a youth movement is to develop and expand the character and natural ability of every member, and if this ,-s to be done to the l>est effect a variety of organisations is absolutely essential in order to provide the most suitable training for the widely differing characteristics which exist among hoys.” TROOP JOTTINGS.

3rd Palmerston North (West End) Troop.—Recently we had a revision or knot tying and it was surprising how many hoys had forgotten the simpler knots. We also tried out a new method of Hag-break and this proved most interesting and successful.. On Saturday we went off for a cycle trip to our quarters on the Pahiatua' Track. AVe were accompanied by Scouters “Manua” and “Kawau” and Mr AVCollins. The outing was very enjoyable particularly the game of fox and hounds, The two foxes (K. Caldwell and L. Murray) had us guessing all the time, and while we were scouring the countryside looking for them they had a quiet hour of relaxation at the hut. They had doubled back in their tracks and we never caught a glimpse of them. Good luck to them. A considerable time was spent in signalling and we had lunch in true Scout style. On the return trip Scouter “Manua had a puncture and we all smiled merrily as we. passed him plodi ing cheerfully home, with “Kawau” for company. , 4th Palmerston North (All Saints ) Troop.—Our meeting last Friday was well attended, with several late-com-ers. After a song practice for our forthcoming concert a game of ‘grab was played, which, rough though it was produced much excitement. AVork proceeded in patrol corners, TroopBeader Sheldrake testing several boys for their Scout’s pace. Games were taken over by “llama,” whose introduction of a new variety of handball was much appreciated. The meeting was closed with the usual Couit of Honour. During the evening we received a surprise visit from Scouter Grover, of tho Brittania Sea Scouts, AVellington. On the Saturday afternoon a small party tra.ve)led to Aokantere to gather wood for one of pur church organisations. In the evening another party met to play handball and dodgeball, which were very closely contested, the A team binder the troop-leader winning the handball 1U goals to 9 and the B team the dodgeball, 3 games to 2. * sth (Te Awe Awe) Troop.—The meeting opened with flag-break and inspection, which was followed by ambulance work and signalling m leadiness for our parents’ evening which this year will be held at All Saints , as our hall has not sufficient room or heat to give the comfort required. A short run through the programme followed and a game oi Handball brought the meeting to a. close .... 9th Palmerston North (St. Patrick s) Troop.—At our last meeting we welcomed back “Kahn,” who has been in camp at Levin. To warm us up we held a road race over a distance ot about ono mile, G. Burns coming in first. “Ka.hu” afterwards spoke to the troop about bis forthcoming .three months’ military camp. Accounts of troops which carried, on Scouting in the absence of Scouters, in the last war, which before were just stories to us, are now becoming more real, rie said that it was up to every member of the i>atrol to help his patrol-leaders hi every possible way, and take some of the responsibility off their shoulders. Continuing, lie said: I would not like to see the troop disbanded, and 1 am confident that the troop can carry on under its patrol-leaders.' Concluding, he said that he would a - range for a second provisional warrant which will enable a senior patrolleader to assist the present troopleader, who has the first provisional warrant. The patrols then went to their corners, where second-class work was given. As the night was cold we had a game of “riders and horses which warmed us up considerably, the troop was dismissed earlier than usual, and a short handball practice was held in preparation for the challenge fiom All Saints’ for tho Handball Cup.