Scouts go international

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 13, Issue 613, 21 November 1995, Page 4

Scouts go international

On the night of 8 November over 50 Keas, Cubs, Scouts and Venturers dressed up in the costume of a country of their choice for a parade and supper in the Ohakune Primary School hall. International Night was the theme for the evening, and area scout leader Grant Hays said that a similar event was being held by all scouting groups throughout New Zealand and the rest of the world on that date. International Night was thought up by the founder of the scout movement, Sir Baden Powell, who hoped a night of wearing the national costume of another country and sampling their food, would encourage tolerance for foreigners amongst scouts.

They all put a lot of time and effort into their costumes, which were very well received as the keas, cubs, scouts and Venturers paraded before parents and friends. Librarian Wendy Hubbard was made a special guest of honour in appreciation of her efforts in finding books on national costumes. According fo

Corina Godfrey, Wendy was absolutely bombarded with children asking, "Have you got a book on what I should wear?". In the second part of the night five cubs crossed over to become scouts in a ceremony called 'The Link'. Mrs Godfrey said nuinbers have grown from 15 to 50 in the past few years.