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The Puhoi Valley will ring with the sound of a bosun’s whistle next year with the formation of a new Sea Scouts group.
Since scout leader Daniel Watson put the call out to Puhoi parents for registrations of interest, he has had 80 families respond.
He hopes to have it up and running in the Puhoi Sports Club by February.
“We have a beautiful river that goes out to sea, so I saw it as an opportunity to teach kids boating skills and generally create a community,” Daniel says.
The new group will cover boating skills and kayaking around the coast, as well as activities such as rock climbing, hiking and abseiling.
“It’s about finding the point where kids can challenge themselves and take risks but in a safe way.”
Although it is early days, Daniel has ambitions to fundraise and convert an old run-down A&P shed into a scout den.
“There are plenty of skills in the community we could make use of, if we can find the materials to convert it into a clubhouse. It doesn’t have to be the Taj Mahal.”
Daniel was previously a scout leader in Greenhithe and believes that it creates well rounded kids with leadership and outdoor skills.
He was also an engineer in the territorial forces in the New Zealand Army for 18 years and is familiar with shooting guns and digging holes.
His wife Sarah, who will also be involved with the new group, is a child psychologist and is opening a new practice in Warkworth.
As well as keen kids, Daniel is looking for parents who would be interested in volunteering to be involved in the activities or to join the committee.
