Four years’ work sees three scouts achieve highest award
It has been at least 10 years since there was a Chief Scout in the Takaka Scout Group, and in 2009 there are now three.
Ruby Meiklejohn, David Hutchinson and Leiria-Beth Hutchinson have completed their Chief Scout awards. This is the highest award that a scout can achieve, and it takes four years of hard work and dedication.
Ruby, David and Leiria-Beth completed several hikes around the Abel Tasman and the Cobb, and around Nelson as well. They camped over at Gilbert Lodge in the Wairoa Gorge, helping younger scouts with activities. They also attended a jamboree, a 10-day camp with over 4000 Scouts from New Zealand, Australia, the Pacific Islands and other countries.
The Chief Scout award requires at least 12 hours of community service. The new Takaka Chief Scouts worked at St John, helped with street appeals, sold poppies before Anzac Day and attended the Anzac Day commemorations.
The trio said that organising events, setting goals, and doing community service required a big time commitment, and that appearing before the interview panel, where four leaders grilled them about what they did, had been a particular challenge.
This award will open more doors and job possibilities for them in the future. Chief Scouts also become role models for younger scouts and cubs, encouraging them to achieve the same goals.
Scouts come from from all backgrounds and levels of fitness, and come together to experience outdoor activities, camping, tramping, making new friends, learning new skills and earning awards. If your child would like to join, or you would like to become a leader in scouting, please call 0800 SCOUTS (0800 726 887). Submitted
