Back from the brink and gliding into the future
The Riwaka scouting troop is back in force, with 18 children invested into the group last week. Photo: Elise Vollweiler.
It seemed as if the Riwaka Scout den doors would be shut for good last year, but six months later, the troop is flourishing and making plans for the future.
Last Thursday marked a special milestone, with 18 local children becoming official Scout members through the investiture ceremony, where they took the scouting pledge and received their grey shirts and first badges.
Several years ago the troop was struggling because of a lack of leaders, and when Covid struck in 2020, the group folded. The troop was under threat of losing its scout hall through lack of use, but late last year Richmond troop leader and lifelong scouting enthusiast KJ Kohe stepped in to rescue and reignite the local scouting scene.
The revitalisation began slowly, with a handful of children showing interest, but this year the troop has hit its stride with more than 20 children regularly attending the Thursday evening sessions, in their three age group brackets of keas, cubs and scouts.
There they learn skills such as putting up tents, building campfires, and cycle safety, as well as wider messages about responsibility, teamwork and respect.
Last Thursday’s ceremony began with a rollerskating session at the Motueka Recreation Centre, before the children headed upstairs for their investiture.
KJ said he was extremely proud of everyone who had stepped up to get to this point, including the children and their parents.
“And there’s more to come,” he said, with his customary enthusiasm.
Nelson zone leader Allan Lockyer, who has been involved in the scouting world for 38 years, agreed that it was a significant milestone, and commended KJ’s passion for getting the troop back up and running.