Scouting New Zealand

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The Scout emblem of Scouting New Zealand features a stylized pup tent.
The Scout emblem of Scouting New Zealand features a stylized pup tent.

New Zealand has 15,600 Scouts (as of end 2007[1]) served by Scouting New Zealand. Scouting was introduced to New Zealand in 1908 by Col David Cossgrove and the island nation became a member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement in 1953.

Scouting New Zealand is very internationally minded, participating in many Asia-Pacific Region and World Scout camps and Jamborees.

There is a strong emphasis on conservation of natural resources. Scouts frequently help in natural disasters such as sand bagging rivers during flooding.

Contents

[edit] History

Scouting in New Zealand began in 1908 and spread rapidly throughout the country. In 1909, the first Sea Scouting units were founded followed by Cub Scouts in 1916 and the Rover section in 1918.

In 1963, the Venturer Scout section was introduced.

In 1976, the first females became members of the Venturer section, on a trial basis. Because of the great success, in 1979, females were formally admitted and the Venturer section became co-ed. In 1987, girls were formally admitted into the Scout section. This was followed by girls being admitted into the Kea and Cub sections in 1989.

In 1979, Mr. Arthur W.V. Reeve was awarded the Bronze Wolf, the only distinction of the World Organization of the Scout Movement, awarded by the World Scout Committee for exceptional services to world Scouting.

[edit] Jamborees

A Jamboree is a large gathering of scouts with camp for nine days (usally 28th December-5th Janurary) at a certain location. There are 3 different types of Jamborees. One is a World Jamboree which any scout from around the world can enter in. Another is a region Jamboree (New Zealands is Asia-Pacific), where a whole group of countries can go to. The last type is a country Jamboree, where any scout from that country can enter, as well as a small number from other countries, generally in the same region. The Asia-Pacific Jamborees in New Zealand run during the New Zealands Jamboree. Jamborees are held every three years.

The first New Zealand Jamboree was held in Dunedin in the years 1925-6. Only an estimated 200 people attended. The next was held in Auckland in 1958-9. Since then they are held every three years. The most recent New Zealand Jamboree , the eighteenth, was held in Christchurch. Because it celebrated 100 years of scouting, up to 3000 scouts and 1500 leaders attended (the Nora Virus and the chickenpox outbreaks brought the numbers down with about 300 quarantined).

[edit] Badges

The 18th NZ Jamboree badge
The 18th NZ Jamboree badge

Every Jamboree has a badge to go with it, stating the years it went for, the location and a picture. Every scout who attends receives them for collecting or trading. Because of scarcity of some Jamboree badges, they were remade. The most common difference between original and remade is the old one most likely had its details embroidered in the badge so it had a 3D look.

[edit] Program sections

  • Keas-ages 6 and 7
  • Cubs-ages 8 to 11
  • Scouts-ages 11 to 14
  • Venturers-ages 14 to 19
  • Rovers-ages 18 to 26 (associate 26 - 34)

All sections are coeducational. Scouting New Zealand has similar Scouting sections as the Scout Association in the United Kingdom, although the names are slightly different: Beavers are called Keas, Venturers in place of Explorers, and Rovers in place of the Scout Network.

[edit] Keas

The Keas' promise:

I will try to share my fun and help others.

[edit] Cubs

The Cubs' Promise:

I promise to do my best
To do my duty to my God, to the Queen and my country,
To help other people and to live by the Cub Law

[edit] Scouts

The Scout Motto is Be Prepared.

The Scout Oath is:

On my honour I promise to do my best,
To do my duty to my God, to the Queen and my country,
To help other people and to live by the Scout Law.

The Scout Law:

  • A Scout is loyal and trustworthy
  • A Scout is considerate and tolerant
  • A Scout is a friend to all
  • A Scout accepts challenges with courage
  • A Scout uses resources wisely
  • A Scout respects the environment
  • A Scout has self respect and is sincere

There have been 18 Jamborees in New Zealand. The first New Zealand jamboree, the New Zealand Exhibition Jamboree, was held in Dunedin in 1926. The 18th New Zealand Jamboree was held in Christchurch from 28 December 2007 to 5 January 2008.[2]

[edit] Scouting New Zealand elsewhere

Non-sovereign territories with Scouting run by Scouting New Zealand include

[edit] External links

Scouting Portal

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ NZPA. "Scouts on the rise", Lifestyle, New Zealand News Ltd, 17 December 2007. Retrieved on 2008-01-10. 
  2. ^ Scouting New Zealand - 18th New Zealand Jamboree
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