Scout News

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19887, 16 May 1936, Page 24 (Supplement)

Scout News

PACK NOTES. Te Awamutu No. 2. Last Friday night, we met at 6.15 p.m. and went up to the Rovers’ Hut as our hall was in use. We met later than usual as three or the cubs were “going- U p.” We started orr with the Grand Howl and Inspection and then Akela gave each six a piece of paper on which was written something we had to act. The Grey Six had to act the “Story of the Good Samaritan,’’ the Blacks “We have a Cub concert” and the Tawneys, “Mother gets the flu.” Bagheera was Judge and the Black Six gained most marks. Then we had a game and while this was proceeding, a mysterious letter was put under the door by some kind person. We traced the clues down the road and round THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK. Look wide and never think. a box or cakes and a biUy or cocoa. This was a surprise. ATter this, we went down to the scout hall ror the Going Up ceremony. We were sorry to lose, Ron, Allan and Trevor from the Pack, hut we understand that they are only journeying a little further along the “Road or Scouting.” Last Sunday was Mother’s Day and we all did something very special ror our Mothers. A Mother is the best person in the world, isn’t she Cubs? “God could not he everywhere, so He made Mothers.” Bt. Peter's Pack. Instead or our usual Pack meeting last Saturday, we held a special Maori meeting. Our Old Wolves had been busy during the i week and transformed the den into a Maori ' meeting house, and the pack were divided i inti) two parties of a tribe, who came together for a general meeting or the tribe. Maori dress, was worn as mush as possible. Arter going into the meeting house, the tribal taxes were collected by the two chiefs (Old Wolves). One chier then told us a yarn and the two parties acted It ip turn. Hakas were the next item on the programme, performed by chiefs and cub instructors. The warriors were then then taught how to plait flax head bands and also made an attempt at the Maori stick games. They discovered that these S J^t. quite as easy as they looked. Both parties then took part in the Canoe song with actions, and acted the landing or Captain Cook in New Zealand. One or the chiefs then held a pow-wow on Mothers’ nay berore the warriors took their clepar- 1 ture. This meeting was a pleasant change i from ordinary pack meetings and the cubs are looking rorward to the next. Claudelanda Paok. Pack meeting was held last Saturday arternoon as usual. The main Items on l b ® Programme were the Flags and Health ror First Star and the Tenderpad tests. fn£» 8 ' am J es .> “Hopping and Bargabd **s* and bone.” both being good run. Tills Saturday, we are solng: to do a good turn for the Rovers. They are ' holding a campfire down at Mr Grinder’s ! in the evening, wnich the Rangers, Scouters and Rovers will be attending, and we I are going down in the arternoon to collect the wood and help prepare the Are, etc. J

"By Silver Wolf."

GROUP ARRANGEMENTS IN SCOUTING. The group system In Scouting aims to give continuous training suited to even* age ana taste. This training can only he : satisfactory ir all sections or the group are working together. A group Scoutmaster is appointed to correlate the gToups ;as a whole and It is his Job to help every section, and to see that no section is overlapping on another section’s training. The Pack and the Troop must he well linked up and here, it is the attitude or the Scouters that Is most important. The Pack and the Troop should meet occasionally hut not to do any work and decidedly not Tor camp. It Is the C.M.’s Job from the time a boy Joins the Pack to see that the boy and the parents clearly understand the connection that exists between the Pack and he Troop, and this point should be continually kept in the foreground. The “going up” ceremony welds another link between these two sections or the group. The S.M. will find it a big help if he can get to the know the Cubs berore they go up, probably by visiting the Pack and having a yarn to tibem, or teaching them the Tenderfoot tests before they Join the Troop. Senior Scouts can go to the Pack and help prepare the Cubs for these tests. This Is -“'■h preferably done after the usual Pack meeting. It Is Akela’s Job to see that the Cub has been so trained in the Pack that he enters joyfully and bravely on Scouting trails. Although the object or Scout and Cub training is the same, the methods are totally different. The Cub wav is the play way and all work Is learnt through play. The Troop is a more strenuous enterprise, running under the Patrol Leaders and in the gang spirit. The Rover crew brings Scouting aims and Ideals into everyday life in the world as service inside and outside the crew meetings. Their motto is service and their idea is to live the life or to-day coupled with chivalry. Opportunities to Learn. By the time tbe cub is old enough to go up to the Troop he has progressed to the practical age and he must be given opportunities to learn by doing things Tor himself. Even if he makes mistakes, there Is no reason to worry, he will learn bv I those same errors. For Cubs, the Pacfc i a 3 a w-hole is the unit of work and plav I and the Pack must always be one happy family. For Scouts, the Patrol is the unit, the troop giving strength by bringing the Patrols together. The Patrol Leaders are old enough to have responsibility. Thi* system must, however, be avoided In the Pack. The Troop is steered by the P.M. and propelled by the Scouts. The Court or Honour is a real live ractor which maker* all practical declstous. and ates the Pcouters and the Patrol Leader 5 The Sixers’ Council is not a Junior Court or Honour and its methods are quite dl<tinctlve from the Troop’s Court of KonThe Rovers should be Interested in t**e Troop and Pack work. The Scouts and Cubs provide one outlet Tor the Rover service. Übey can be an example In ; courtesy, uniform, etc. to the younger boys, and where there is a lady C.M-. the Rovers ran help In badire construction. Jungle dances, somersaults, leapfrog, and camp preparations. In all Groups, Rovers can take the Cubs for their outings, instruct in Star tests, help make Pack properties, and decorate lair, and can also help by collecting games and suitable stunts. It is well to remember that a C.M. who •has appreciation of all section* or the Group knows the pitfalls r<• avoid and just where to obtain help, it save* overlapping and Akela will herseir h,> helplmr to link all sections or the Group -n,i will be able to encourage the Cub* : ■ «o ru? ther along the road or scout 1,. ft i* |t)ie spirit and co-operation that umt m ;the successful running or everv grouo and it is up to every member or that group to see that he does hi* best to foster that spirit.