Scouting New Zealand

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Emblem of Scouting New Zealand

Scouting New Zealand was introduced to New Zealand in 1908 and the island nation became a member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement in 1953. It has 16,847 Scouts (as of 2004)

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.

History of scouting in New Zealand

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.

Program Sections

Keas-ages 6 and 7
Cubs-ages 8 to 11
Scouts-ages 11 to 16
Venturers-ages 15 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.

Keas

The Keas promise:

I will try to share my fun and help others.

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

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 17 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 will be held in Christchurch from 28 January 2007 to 5 January 2008.[1]