CAPTAIN Musick Air Scouts celebrate 100 years of New Zealand scouting in style on Saturday night with a four course dinner prepared by troop members.
More than 40 distinguished guests, including present and former leaders and the pack’s Queen Scouts will be treated to taste sensations devised by the scouts, their leader Phil Barge and a mum who works in catering.
Group leader Jenis Baldock says: “Phil is taking the scouts to the chefs’ school at Manukau Institute of Technology and they’ll be shown how to prepare food, serve and set tables. They’ve put in a lot of effort and are excited.”
The evening is followed by an open day, 11am to 4pm this Sunday. People of all ages can experience a campsite, abseiling, orienteering and many other scout activities.
The Captain Musick troop engages in regular scouting activities with additional aviation interests, such as gliding and helicopter flight simulation, while venturers can attend the Walsh Memorial Flying School to learn to fly.
“Scouting is booming. Just about every working group in the area has got full sections,” says Mrs Baldock. “I think people are going back to more basic things and outdoors activities – the things you learn at scouts.”
At a recent centenary campfire, more than 250 young and not so youthful scouts flocked to Pigeon Mountain to enjoy the traditional ceremony, while reminiscing and showing off legendary camp blankets.
Further celebration recognised Mrs Baldock’s and Mr Barge’s 30 years service to scouting.
“It gives me a buzz to give children an experience they’d never have otherwise. It’s something they’ll remember all their lives,” says Mr Barge.
“In what other organisation in the world can kids experience the same objectives, structure and rules when they’re transplanted from one country to another?”
Mrs Baldock assisted scouts for her children. Not content with one activity, she has also helped establish kindergartens, school halls and libraries and scout dens in the Bucklands Beach area since the 1970s.
“I’ve done things I would never have done without being part of scouts. I’ve been under the ground caving and I didn’t even realise what I was doing.”
During a trip to Mt Ruapehu she climbed to the snow line, but when Mrs Baldock descended the steep drop overwhelmed her. Skilled venturers came to the rescue, created steps and safely escorted her down. She couldn’t believe she had done it.
