The Tongariro Northern Circuit (one of the New Zealand Great Walks), is a three to four day tramp. It was energetically undertaken by 13 of our Scout youth (with various adult family members tagging along) on the last weekend of the school holidays. Combined with the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, the walk incorporates some stunning volcanic alpine scenery.

In the face of (heavy) showers and shortening daylight, we managed to eat over 100 sausages at Shorland Park, Island Bay – while getting to know whānau and playing some games!

Imaginations ran wild as young fingers moulded clay and flourished paint brushes!

Edmund did a great job organising the night but he forgot check the forecast.

Our youth put a positive spin on the night and all went home… well damp(ish) – possibly reflecting on how they could have been better prepared?

The 25th World Scout Jamboree will take place from 1 to 12 August 2023, in SaeManGeum, Jeollabuk-do, Republic of Korea. The theme is “Draw your Dream” – expressing the desire for Scouts to transform the event into their own festival and grow their dreams – with organisers embracing a willingness to accept young people’s ideas and opinions, and create opportunities for them.

The BSG has a history of supporting youth to attend National and World Jamborees. These events represent incredible value when you consider the personal development opportunities and the cost of doing the activities on offer through private operators.

I am really very proud that we have three Scouts and one Venturer signed up to go (and a Venturer Kaiārahi is also helping organise the NZ contingent). The last World Jamboree in West Virginia, USA, had over 28,000 youth attending it – what an amazing experience for the 40 youth that travelled from NZ! Last week our youth attendees had their second Meets online planning get together…