Scouts New Zealand

The Scout Association of New Zealand
Country	New Zealand
Founded	1908
Founder	David Cossgrove
Membership	18,649
Affiliation	World Organization of the Scout Movement
Website Scouts New Zealand

Scouts New Zealand, officially registered as "The Scout Association of New Zealand" is the national Scouting association in New Zealand, affiliated to the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) since 1953. It has 18,649 members (as of 2011). Scouts was introduced to New Zealand in 1908 by Colonel David Cossgrove.

Scouts 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

membership emblem

Scouting in New Zealand began in 1908 and spread rapidly throughout the country. The first group was formed in Canterbury. Another group in Parnell also claims this honour but the group's documentation has been lost. 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.

Sections

Scouts New Zealand now uses the school years.^{[citation needed]}

• Keas-school years 1 to 3
• Cubs-school years 4 to 6
• Scouts-school years 7 to 11
• Venturers-ages 14 to 19
• Rovers-ages 18 to 26 (conditional membership as an Associate Rover 26 - 34)
• Associates-ages 26+

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.

The four cornerstones are:

• Outdoors
• Community
• Personal Development
• New Experiences

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 Promise 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

Venturers

The Venturer motto is: Accept the Challenge!

Venturers adhere to the Scout Law and Promise

Rovers

The objectives of the Rover sections are:

• Service to Scouting and to the community
• Outdoor pursuits
• Continuing skill development
• Social interaction

Rovers adhere to the Scout Law and Promise

Events

Jamboree

The first New Zealand Jamboree, the New Zealand Exhibition Jamboree was held in Dunedin in the years 1925-6. An estimated 200 people attended. The next was held in Auckland in 1958-9. Since then they are held every three years. The 19th New Zealand Jamboree was held at Mystery Creek Events Centre, Hamilton from 29 December 2010 to 6 January 2011.

Venture

There have been 11 National Ventures in New Zealand. The last New Zealand Venture was held at Brookfield near Wellington from 1 January to 11 January 2010. Venture is held for Venturers approximately every three years.

Moot

Main article: List of New Zealand Rover Moots

There have been 69 National Rover Moots in New Zealand. Moots are normally held locally and nationally once a year which are organised and run by Rovers. The 70th National Rover Moot is being held near Kaikohe from the 6th to the 9th of April 2012 which is Easter weekend.

National Schools

The following educational schools are run by the Scout Association:

• Aviation School
• Canoe School
• Caving School
• Walsh Memorial Scout Flying School
• Mountaincraft School
• Photography School
• Snow School

Gang Shows

• Christchurch Gang Show First Gang Show presented in September 1956 at the Repertory Theatre- restarted in 2009.
• Otago Gang Show - started in 1956.
• North Shore Gang Show - started in 1959, located in Auckland.
• Manawatu Gangshow, started in 1962, located in Palmerston North, New Zealand.
• Auckland Central Gang Show, started in 1969.
• Hutt Valley Gang Show - started in 1979. Although located in Lower Hutt, Scouts and Guides from across the greater Wellington Region are eligible to take part. The 2008 Gang Show celebrated NZ's Scouting and Guiding centenary with a history of the movements in New Zealand.
• Waikato Gang Show - restarted in 2005.

Scouts New Zealand elsewhere

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

• Cook Islands - Cook Islands Boy Scout Association
• Niue - Scouting in Niue
• Tokelau - Scouting in Tokelau

See also

• GirlGuiding New Zealand

External links

• Scouts New Zealand website
• New Zealand Rover Scouts website
• New Zealand Venturer Scouts website