Liv Cowie, 10, Sophie Kaan, 10, Jackson Brown, 12, and Jasper Salt, 13.
Scouts made new friends and memories as they learned camping skills in Cambridge at the weekend.
Scouts and Kaiarahi gather around the campfire to tell stories and sing. Photo: Chris Gardner
Kirikiriroa & St Peter’s Scout Group’s scout section youth leadership team had asked for a traditional team (or patrol) camp where teams of scouts could camp independently with the support of kaiārahi (or adult leaders) at Cambridge Scout Group headquarters in Maclean Street.
Te Awamutu Scout Group’s scout section accepted an offer to join the camp where the first order of business on Friday was to erect team tents before the sun went down.
Scouts cooked breakfast, lunch and dinner on camp stoves and an open fire, many of them for the first time, with support from senior scouts and kaiārahi.
Teams were given a list of activities to complete over the course of the weekend, including seeking out kaiārahi who could mentor them in areas such as being prepared for the weather, packing the right gear and equipment and the seven principles of leave no trace.
Each team dug its own wastewater pit, complete with leaves and twigs as strainers, as they learned to dispose of grey water properly.
“I loved learning new skills,” said Te Awamutu scout Sophie Kaan, 10.
“Making a fire properly and cooking on it.”
Scouts built shelters in the paddock behind Cambridge Scout Group headquarters. Photo: Chris Gardner
Sophie joined scouts six months ago.
She joined a team that included Kirikiriroa & St Peter’s Scout Liv Cowie, 10.
“It’s been good to meet new people and learn what they do.”
“I loved making new friends,” said Liv. “I loved Saturday night’s campfire where we were singing different songs.”
Liv joined the movement as a kea, aged five, and has recently joined the scout section from the cub section.
She also enjoyed “time to be myself for a while”.
“It’s fun to learn new experiences,” Liv said.
It was a similar story for Jackson Brown, 12, of Te Awamutu scout section. He, too, joined the movement when he was five.
“Making food and cooking on the fire was my favourite activity,” he said.
Fellow Te Awamutu scout Jasper Salt, 13, loved meeting new scouts and kaiārahi.
The camp also helped prepare scouts for the 24th Aotearoa New Zealand Scout Jamboree planned for December 2026 and January 2027 at Mystery Creek.
Thousands of scouts will gather from all over the world to participate in youth-led, adult supported adventure filled activities.
Preparing for lunch are scouts Liv Cowie, 10, Sophie Kaan, 10, Jackson Brown, 12, and Jasper Salt, 13. Photo: Chris Gardner
