Scout receives highest honour
Justin Schur receives his King Scout Kauri Award. Photo: Supplied
Taupō Scout Justin Schur has received one of New Zealand Scouting's highest honours, capping a decade of outdoor adventures, community service and leadership.
By Dan Hutchinson
Justin, 18, a first-year engineering student at the University of Auckland, was presented with the King Scout Kauri Award at a ceremony held during a regular 1st Taupō Scout Group meeting on September 4, with national Scout leaders making the trip to Taupō for the occasion.
Only 27 young people across New Zealand received the award last year.
To earn it, Justin completed a Gold Venture Award — which requires planning and running Scout nights and demonstrating community leadership — four Better World badges, and a multi-day Adventurous Journey in which he planned and led outings for fellow Scouts around the Taupō region, including walks at Lake Rotoponamu, the W2K track and Rainbow Mountain.
Justin says the decade he spent in Scouts, from age 8-18, has given him skills that go well beyond tying knots or reading a trail map.
"Things aren't going to be always straightforward. It's definitely helped me. I see it at university — I don't want to say a higher level of maturity, but I'm able to cope with challenges through my studies a lot better than others are."
His father, Kenyon Schur, sums it up in one word: adaptability.
"He's had to adapt a whole bunch of times. When the weather cancelled a trip and it wasn't safe to go ahead, having to replan very quickly within the time window you had — and then adapting to the wishes of adults and leaders for what they want."
Justin says Scouting has moved beyond purely outdoor activities, with social activities now woven into the mix.
"There are obviously lots of outdoor things, but it has evolved."
Kenyon grew up in the United States where the Eagle Scout is the equivalent top honour.
He believes Scouting fills a genuine gap for many young people.
"I know there are a lot of kids, particularly in single-parent households, who won't have the outdoor opportunities that Scouts affords.”
The 1st Taupō Scout Group has seen a significant resurgence in recent years, with the Cubs section growing to between 100 and 150 members and expanding to two meeting nights per week to keep up with demand.
As for the next generation, Justin is already thinking ahead.
"It's something I'd probably make my kids do, certainly for a few years, and there'd be the potential for me to get involved as a leader."
In the meantime he is at the University of Auckland, studying to become an electrical engineer.
He went to Tauhara High School and finished up there last year.