A BIG thank you to The Vogelmorn Foundation for their huge grant towards the replacement of our old knackered windows – with matching period correct timber windows! We will finally be able to cross ventilate the hall and be able to look through the clear glass to see outside!

We just have the small matter of installing them now! Two frames have recently been done and are awaiting for the sashes to be painted before fitting them. Fingers crossed for more fine weekends soon??

Chris, our master hall improver (and a Group saviour) has also finally had the chance to complete our led colour changing light installation. Done with his usual careful eye for bargain purchases (combined with his DIY skills) he was able to save us lots of $$. Thanks Chris

Thanks to everyone involved in this project especially Anneleah for putting together a successful grant application. And of course David – another BSG ? who can’t help helping!

A small plea regarding volunteering. There are many ways to support the Group, and by extension our youth. Currently we are struggling to attract whānau support for everything – from mentoring our youth to fundraising for gear, hall maintenance and activities. We are introducing a waitlist policy which will help us identify and prioritise new youth members that have whānau that are happy to commit to active adult support and fundraising roles within the Group.

A big thank you to Chris, David and John who spent a significant amount of their long weekend maintaining the Scout Hall windows. Two of the new window frames installed. The sashes are coming very soon.

Following on from our Matariki activities night the keas made a trip to the Carter Observatory to learn more about the star cluster that makes up Matariki, as well as the lore and legends behind it.

Learning about gravity with a ball run was a blast, as well as a trip into the 360degree planetarium for an immersive film experience about the stars. 

A big thank you to the fantastic observatory staff who gave us all the best time! 

This week our Keas had an exciting night of lots of mini activities as we learn together about being tangata tiriti and celebrating Aotearoa this Māori new year. 

After learning about the origins of Matariki and how Māori whanau usually celebrate, we got crafty with decorating some mihi booklets and finished up with some toasty marshmallow goodness. Yum! 

With this term’s theme of construction at Brooklyn Scouts, the Keas took on the challenge at their evening meeting on Tuesday 14 June.   We started with a  quick reflection on last weeks “diversity around the world” activity, and we heard that many keas enjoyed the opportunity to learn a new language or experience a new game.

But this week, they had a practical deadline – to deliver a shelter one person could sit or lie in –  in 35 minutes or less.  This was a kea led activity – to complete their task in teams of 2 or 3 using all or any of the resources available in the room.   There were many different interpretations, from log cabins through to paper pup tents, classic and  futuristic tepees, to multi material lean to-s.  And some micro scale mini designs. Kea creativity was at its peak.    Keep in mind that when they get to Scout section, they will be building bivouacs in the outdoors and sleeping in these overnight.  

Thanks to youth leader Jen, and to the adult helpers who pitched in.   With the kea section now at full capacity, we do need two parents each week to assist – if you have not already done so, please get in your online volunteer application so that we can process you through the necessary clearance steps that help us support our youth in safe and constructive ways.  

Nga mihi
Kea kaiarahi Denise & Anna