Rotorua Central Scout Group youth and leaders attend the Dawn Parade at Ohinemutu. PHOTO/ SUPPLIED
It has been around for more than 100 years, but boys - and girls - are still taking part in the age-old tradition that is the scouting movement. Rebecca Malcolm finds out more about the movement in Rotorua
In A world where technology seems to be taking over, it seems it is good, old-fashioned fun that is drawing Rotorua kids to the age-old scouting movement.
From learning to tie knots to helping others, camping out on camp stretchers in the middle of winter and telling stories around the camp fire, the skills the kids learn are ones they can take with them for the rest of their life, and that is part of the appeal according to Amanda Hunt, from Arawa Scouts.
She says they've definitely seen an increase in referrals for those wanting to take part in either the Cubs or the Scouts programmes. She expects the same for the Keas too when the leader comes back off maternity leave.
For Ms Hunt, that demand shows what they're doing is still relevant in the modern world.
Nationally, there are about 16,000 young people in scouting in New Zealand, spread across five sections: Keas, Cubs, Scouts, Venturers and Rovers. Each section has its own balanced programme of activities, badges and awards.
The Keas start with Year 1 children, moving up to Cubs at Year 4, and Scouts at Year 7. Some then follow on to Venturers when they reach Year 11 and, if they're still involved in the movement after leaving school, they can take part in Rovers, which is for 18-26-year-olds.
Ms Hunt says at Arawa they've got about 20 invested members, most in the Cubs area but more are moving on to Scouts as they get older.
"I think the programme we run is skilful and educational and the children love it."
It's so popular Ms Hunt says she's has many children asking to go more than once a week.
Part of the reason the movement is so popular is because of the hands on, practical skills that the kids gain, backed up by a strong foundation of theory. "A lot of it is theory before they step out of the door. It's based on bush skills but they learn a lot of the theory behind it.
"They're gaining new skills and a lot of that positive feedback is around the life skills."
Ms Hunt became involved when her son joined - she had been having some difficulty with him - and the change was quick and remarkable.
"His whole behaviour changed, he gained a lot more respect and independence."
He has since moved on from Scouts to focus on sport, as many of them do, but Ms Hunt believes it was the foundation provided by Scouts that "opened the doors".
Both her daughters have since joined.
"They were adrenalin junkies and enjoyed the more adventurous side."
Ms Hunt says the pride in watching the children achieve is one of the biggest reasons that have kept her in the movement.
"They buzz out on it."
Among those kids "buzzing out" is 10-year-old Damien Enright, who is preparing to make the move from Cubs up to Scouts with the Arawa group.
He's one badge away from completing all his 24 Cub badges, and says he's ready for the move to Scouts next term.
"It's exciting, scary and nerve-wracking."
Damien says he's loved the camps with the Cubs and getting to be a "sixer" - leading his own pack of six.
"My favourite event is Regional Cub Day or going tubing. Cubs do a whole bunch of activities."
Seeing the pride in kids like Damien as they move through has kept Kitty Johnson involved for so long too. Over at the Rotorua Central Scout Group, she tells the same story as many, getting involved with the group when her kids were little. They're now in their 40s, and aside from a short break away, she's been involved ever since.
While these days her role is more dealing with the leaders, it's the youth that kept her involved for so long.
She says on the whole, membership is still steady.
Ms Johnson says the movement caters well to the various age groups, with the young Keas having shorter, more structured sessions through to the Scouts and Venturers who do a lot more independently.
Over the years she's been involved, she's seen the movement change, from the old days where individual leaders were left to do much of the planning themselves through to now, where the national office provides more support and guidance on what programmes should entail.
She believes it is not a case of parents not knowing the skills, but not necessarily having the time to pass them on.
"It's about teaching them new skills, safety and bush craft. It is about getting out and about and just basically doing different things."
Camps are always a highlight, with the Scouts generally going on a camp a term. For many, the pinnacle is the jamboree, held every three years for 10 days. Ms Johnson loves seeing the changes in the children as they go through the movement.
"Especially when they come in at Kea age. Their self-confidence grows, and their physical growth. They come in as these little fellas and get quite tall. It's not just their mental growth but their physical growth and confidence."
Scouts New Zealand Volcanic Zone leader Niall Dinning says the local area - which covers Taupo and Whakatane - has experienced the biggest growth this year, up almost 30 per cent. "A the end of the day the reasons we're successful is groups are well led and quality programmes."
He says the organisation has just released a new document - Better Prepared - aimed at taking the movement into the future.
"It is definitely still relevant and we're sticking to what we do well. Our byline is 'adventure plus'."