Fiordland fun for Waimarino scouts

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 13, Issue 619, 16 January 1996, Page 7

Fiordland fun for Waimarino scouts

It seems a tradition that the weather for the start of every Scout jamboree in New Zealand is for heavy rain and high winds and this year's was no exception — what would you expect in Fiordland? After 1 5 months of fund-raising to make up the $950 each for the 14th New Zealand Jamboree, the "ultimate scouting experience", 21 Waimarino scouts and five leaders went to have fun, meet scouts from around the country and the Asia-Pacific region and to explore the deep south. The opening ceremony included low level passes by a "sandfly ' helicopter which then dumped two monsoon buckets of w ater on the crowd (as though they hadn't been wet enough already) and a flyby demonstration by a Spitfire from the W anaka W ar Birds (it crashed on takeoff two days later). The W aimarino scouts became involved in activities such as tramping the many spectacular walks of the Fiordland World Heritage Park, canoeing, sailing, climbing, abseiling, rafting, mountain biking, four-wheel driving cycle safaris, rowing, and orienteering to name but a few. About 10 of the group got a trip to the West Arm Underground Power Station carved out of the solid rock at the end of Lake Manapouri while others vi.sited the glow-worm caves, while Andrew Evans flew a light aircraft for the first time over the beautiful lakes and mountains of the Te Anau area. . The whole contingent took the opportunity to take a day visit to Queenstown where they all sailed on the T S Earnslaw, and were awe-struck by the panoramic views from the top of the gondola station. It was built into the jamboree programme

that every one of the 5500 scouts attending would get a day trip to Milford Sound, travel through the Homer Tunnel and ride out into the fiords on one of the cruise boats. The Waimarino group went over three separate days. Laureen Hays' group got beautiful weather and dolphins, Warwick Hays and Fred Lang's group had fine weather and waterfalls, while Grant Hays' group got low cloud and torrential rain. Other highs and lows included having a really fast trolley in the sub-camp cart competition only to have the lead 'horse' pulling it forget the track layout; Shaun Hawira dressing up to compete in the 'Miss Scout' contest; and seeing some of the quieter scouts take to badge swapping with a ruthlessness that was a little scary. Several of the older scouts and some of the leaders had their fingers crossed to get an overnight stay at Borland Lodge, only because they could sleep on a proper bed, there were toilets with real doors, and unlimited supplies of hot water for a shower. Thankfully the "enormous blood-drain-ing mosquitoes and huge sandflies" did not arrive thanks to effective spraying by the Army, and copious quantities of repellent. 'The experiences gained certainly increased the confidence of all of our scouts who attended, opened up parts of our beautiful countryside that they had not seen before," said leader Grant Hays, "giving them an awareness they are as good as, if not better than, any scouts in the country." The scouts and leaders wished to thank all those who, through support, assistance or offers of work or fund-raising, made the trip the success it was.