For most Scouts the prospect of spending a week under canvas, sharing in the preparation of their own meals and in a wide range of outdoor activities with their Scout friends is a great adventure that will never be forgotten. It can be the culmination of a year’s weekly meetings when the skills learned theoretically during the previous twelve months are put into practice.
The founder of SCOUTS Lord Baden-Powell said of the week long summer camp: "The camp is what the youth look forward to and is the Leader’s great opportunity".
The New Zealand Central North Island Summer Camp concept is particularly aimed at assisting those Packs and Troops who would normally not be able to provide a 4 or 5 day summer holidays camping experience for their youth members.
The venue is the Waitawheta Base Camp up in the hills between the Waihi and Paeroa townships in New Zealand's North Island.
The Scout and Cub camps each have a maximum of 250 people.
Packs are expected to have one adult for each 6 youth members. Scout Troops a minimum of 4 adults per troop. 2 adults must be warranted leaders. There are also staff vacancies for adults who have outdoor skills and can instruct or assist with the activities.
Older Venturers wishing to help, while having a huge amount of fun doing so, are welcome to apply as junior leaders.
Scouts and Scout Leaders need to register for the expeditions using the online registration - see links below under Applications. Troops and Packs will charge an additional fee to cover transport, fuel and other expenses associated with the camp.
ADVENTURE PLUS is the key to both the Scout and the Cub Camp programmes. A team of skilled and dedicated volunteers will be onsite to run exciting and challenging programmes appropriate for each age group. All Scouts, Cubs and Leaders will be camping in tents. The Scouts cook the meals for the troop supervised by an adult cook. Food is provided by the camp.
All the leaders and staff at the two camps are volunteers in SCOUTS and have made the commitment to give up 5 or 6 days of their holidays to join in the fun and make sure the camps are 'full on' and enjoyable for all the participants, be they young, or merely 'young at heart'. There is no upper age limit for adults helpers, but Police Vetting must be done for each helper.
A moderate level of fitness is advisable for those assisting the Scout camp as there are one and two night expeditions (Kayaking, tramping, cycling and horse riding) on the programme and adults are expected to take part and support the Scouts. Older Venturer Scouts are welcome to apply for positions as programme staff and practice their leadership skills. The Cub programme is based on an adventure type theme.