Brooklyn cub pack had a fantastic camp last weekend teaming up with over 350 other cubs to participate in National cub day at Brookfeild in Wainuiomata.

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The weather on Saturday was absolutely fantastic and the kids participated in a huge range of activities from working as a team to get the ‘co-operative skis’ to work, starting a fire by rubbing two bits of wood together with a fire bow, scorching their initials into bits of wood using a magnifying glass, racing push carts round a track while avoiding the wet sponges, doing a giant Jenga puzzle, making masks…………and a whole lot more.

Fascinating to hear the number of kids who didn’t know how to use the magnifying glasses to concentrate the sun. It makes me realise how much old school knowledge is being lost and also how great scouting is for teaching these things and encouraging the questions like “how does that work?’ that I heard from lots of the kids.

Huge thanks to everyone who gave their time to make this a fantastic event and to our wonderful Brooklyn cubs, leaders and parents who came and shared their fun and ideas on this camp. Even the wet tents on Sunday didn’t dampen the fun.

A message from a Parent that attended:

I found it really rewarding to see the kids work together (even when they didn’t know each other) and the look of wonder – especially at the magnifying glass wood burning activity and fire starting with friction sticks (sorry, no photos – my camera battery had gone flat!).  The ‘conceptual’ maze was a revelation (to me) in the cubs’ ability to observe, remember and instruct/help others to move forward and complete the task.  I came away from the day thinking ‘don’t underestimate’ cub age children!

And Duane, I think you struck a really nice balance by cutting the kids slack and letting them have the opportunity to explore and work out things for (and between) themselves, as opposed to a ‘management’ style that is instructive or prescriptive.

Thank you for the opportunity to relive my cub days and have my eyes opened as to the capabilities of young children working together. Many parents would benefit from the experience!

SCOUTS know all about flags –  commitment to community sits alongside the adventurous experiences that are the essence of Scouting.

This year more than 730 Commonwealth Flags were raised around the world to mark the celebration of Commonwealth Day on Monday March 9^th.   Four youth from Brooklyn Scouts were part of the shared celebration of this amazing family of nations that encompasses the globe.

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Nicky Heitger, Alexa Lee, Frankie Zelas and Mathieu Ewers joined Councillor Mark Peck, and others from SCOUTS NZ at the Commonwealth flag raising ceremony at Frank Kitts Park.

Nicky took the honours raising the Commonwealth flag, and spoke afterwards about the significance of Commonwealth Day and the world wide movement of Scouting, which now stands at over 36 million members.  Nicky is in Year 10 at Wellington College, and is working towards his Chief Scouts Award.

Frankie, Alexa and Matthieu are all students in Room 10 at Brooklyn School and members of the 24 strong Scout troop at Brooklyn.   Frankie is an Assistant Patrol Leader in Scouts, having joined as a Kea aged 6.   Alexa joined last year and is making the most of her scouting adventures with tramps and camps.   Mathieu starred in the gang show in 2014, and loves everything about the outdoors.

Brooklyn Scout Group is a flourishing community organisation, with over 60 youth supported by an active group of leaders and parents.    The group received a Platinum Award for Growth from Scouts NZ in 2014.    Youth members have achieved four Chief Scout Awards (the highest award in Scout Section)  in the last 2 years.

The group runs activities for Keas, Cubs, Scouts and Venturers (ages 5 – 18) and works actively with local Rovers.   Seewww.brooklynscouts.org.nz for more information.