Scout leaders learned how to build emergency shelters in Pirongia Forest Park recently.
The leaders, kaiarahi or mentors, were challenged to build emergency shelters from material found lying on the bush floor. While trampers should always carry some form of shelter in case of an emergency, even on day trips, no pack liners or survival bags were used.
The 10 scout leaders were given just 15 minutes to build their shelters by the Scouts Aotearoa Introductory Tramping Course facilitators last month.
When they were done the group reviewed each effort and suggested what they would do differently next time, or with more time.
“I want to be more prepared for our scouts,” said Kirikiriroa and St Peter’s Scout Group scout kaiarahi Dawei Wang.
Wang joined the combined land and sea scout group in Hamilton two years ago after emigrating from China.
He was invited to become a kaiarahi after his son Tristan joined the group.