What comes to mind when you think of Boy Scout activities?
You might imagine them wearing uniforms, camping, or starting fires.
The Boy Scouts is an organization with friends all over the world, engaging in activities that foster friendship in nature, teach leadership, and develop the ability to think and act independently.
In Mizushima, Kurashiki City, there is a group engaged in Boy Scout activities: Kurashiki 14th Group of the Okayama Boy Scouts Federation.
I will introduce the specific activities of the Kurashiki 14th Group of the Okayama Boy Scouts Federation.
What is Boy Scouts?
Boy Scouts engage in activities that allow them to learn together with friends in a fun way while camping and hiking in nature.
Through these activities, they aim to develop cooperation, leadership, and the ability to think and live independently. Events and programs vary by age group.
Currently, over 57 million people are involved in Boy Scout activities in 174 countries and regions around the world.
The Beginning of Boy Scouts
The Boy Scout movement was initiated in 1907 in post-World War I Britain by military man Robert Baden-Powell.
Having survived World War I, Robert Baden-Powell was a very famous hero in Britain.
Robert Baden-Powell believed that by training boys in a military style and using programs that emphasized adventure and discipline, he could contribute to their growth.
He then wrote and published a book titled Scouting for Boys, which became a massive bestseller, leading to the establishment and spread of Boy Scout organizations around the world.
About Boy Scouts in Japan
In Japan, the Japan Boy Scouts Federation was established in 1922 and officially joined the World Organization of the Scout Movement.
As of March 2024, Japan has 80,000 members and 29 staff members.
You might wonder why there are so few staff members, but most leaders are volunteers.
Boy Scouts in Okayama Prefecture
As of March 2024, there are 18 Boy Scout groups in Okayama Prefecture, with a total of 501 Boy Scouts and 169 leaders.
In Kurashiki City, four Boy Scout groups are active.
- Kurashiki 14th Group of the Okayama Boy Scouts Federation
- Kurashiki 16th Group of the Okayama Boy Scouts Federation
- Kojima 1st Group of the Okayama Boy Scouts Federation
- Tamashima 5th Group of the Okayama Boy Scouts Federation
About Kurashiki 14th Group of the Okayama Boy Scouts Federation
The Kurashiki 14th Group of the Okayama Boy Scouts Federation (hereinafter referred to as "Kurashiki 14th Group") was established in 1979 by the chief priest Kanbara Akikyo of Mizushima Temple in Mizushima, Kurashiki City.
Mizushima Temple and Jiai Kindergarten are located on the same premises, and the Boy Scouts mainly conduct their activities in the temple grounds and the kindergarten playground.
The current group commissioner is Kanbara Shonin, who is both the chief priest of Mizushima Temple and the chairman of Jiai Kindergarten. As of June 2024, there are 33 children aged 4 to 18, both boys and girls, and 13 leaders in the Kurashiki 14th Group.
The Kurashiki 14th Group has four Boy Scout divisions, and they mainly meet twice a month on alternate Sundays for activities.
The target area is Mizushima, Kurashiki City, but there are also children commuting from Okayama.
Many of the leaders are parents, and some continue to be active even after their children graduate.
About Boy Scout Activities
The Kurashiki 14th Group has four divisions (scouts) and goals set according to age.
The leaders plan activities that help the children achieve their goals. While the basic activities are divided by division, there are several occasions each year for group activities to deepen interactions.
Let’s introduce the activities of each division in the Kurashiki 14th Group.
Activities of Beaver Scouts
Beaver Scouts consist of children from 4 years old to 2nd grade in elementary school.
The goal of the Kurashiki 14th Group Beaver Scouts is to become friends with nature and get along with friends.
Here they are enjoying grass sliding at Sakatsu Park. You can see they are having a great time.
They also had an adventure riding the Mizushima Rinkai Railway to the Bikan Historical Area.
During the kite-flying activity, they not only flew kites but also started by drawing pictures on paper, then bent bamboo strips gradually by heating them over a candle flame.
They attached paper to the bamboo strips with tape and tied the string to complete the kites. Each one is handmade, making the kite-flying experience memorable.
During a cycling event in Soja, they learned traffic rules through games using hand flags and studied history at Kobori Tumulus, engaging in enjoyable learning activities.
Activities of Cub Scouts
Cub Scouts consist of children from 3rd to 5th grade in elementary school.
The goal of the Kurashiki 14th Group Cub Scouts is to follow rules, cooperate with friends, take care of their own matters, and actively do good things.
Cleaning the Mizushima Temple grounds and the kindergarten playground they regularly use is one of their activities.
They used bamboo shoots they harvested themselves to cook bamboo shoot dishes outdoors. They divided into teams, shared tasks, and cooperated in the cleanup.
During the Boy Scout festival where everyone gathered, the Cub Scouts tried their hand at Indian cuisine. With the help of parents and a bit of nervousness using unfamiliar knives, they managed to create delicious Indian dishes.
Activities of Boy Scouts and Venture Scouts
Boy Scouts are targeted at elementary school students from 6th grade to junior high school 3rd year, while Venture Scouts are for high school students.
The goal of each group in Kurashiki 14th Group is for Boy Scouts to "devote themselves to God (Buddha) and country, always help others, and cultivate virtue."
Venture Scouts aim to "plan activities themselves and serve as role models by guiding younger children."
In Kurashiki 14th Group, Boy Scouts and Venture Scouts engage in activities together.
During a hike from Jiai Kindergarten to Hedatori Shrine, they searched for triangulation points on Kamejima Mountain, measured distances at the shrine, and also challenged themselves with rope work in the park.
At the Boy Scout Festival, the Boy Scout troops cooked fried rice outdoors, while the Venture Scouts grilled yakitori and frankfurters over charcoal and made hot sandwiches using gas cooking equipment.
The hot sandwiches were filled with sweets, featuring original recipes with marshmallows, bananas, and chocolate, and were reportedly very popular.
During the hiking focused on map reading and compass use, they practiced how to find routes using back bearing and how to record the course they walked.
Back Bearing
Moving while recording direction, distance, and time, and using that record when returning
During the Spring Camp held during Golden Week, the groups set up tents, engaged in outdoor crafts, and made and ate gapao rice for dinner.
There are plans for high-difficulty outdoor activities such as summer camps and cold-weather camps in the future.
In other events, there is the World Scout Jamboree, which gathers Boy Scouts from around the world every four years. Three high school students from Kurashiki 14th Group participated in the event held in South Korea in August 2023, deepening their interactions with people from various countries.
Boy Scouts enjoy activities planned by leaders throughout the year, which helps them increase their capabilities, challenge themselves to acquire knowledge, and grow continuously.
The more you know, the more interesting the activities of the Boy Scouts become.
I spoke with Kambara Jun, a leader of the Boy Scouts Okayama Federation Kurashiki 14th Group and the captain of the Boy Scouts and Venture Scouts, about the Boy Scouts.
Interview with Kambara Jun, Captain of Boy Scouts Okayama Federation Kurashiki 14th Group
The Boy Scouts Okayama Federation Kurashiki 14th Group operates at Mizushima Temple and Jiai Kindergarten in Kurashiki City.
I spoke with Captain Kambara Jun about the activities of the Boy Scouts and what led him to become a captain.
What Led You to Become a Boy Scout Captain
Why did you decide to become a Boy Scout captain?
Kambara
I have been involved in Boy Scouts since I was 5 years old.
When I became a university student, I registered as a Boy Scout leader, but since I went to a university in the Kansai region, I could only help out when I returned home, which was about once a year.
However, after becoming a working adult and returning to Okayama, I decided to take on a more serious role in leadership.
I have always been interested in education, and being enrolled in the Faculty of Education was one reason for this.
Education is actually broad, including school education, home education, and community education, and there may be even more.
In school education, there are limitations on subjects and curricula, but I thought that through volunteer outdoor educational activities, I could engage in more essential education for human beings.
The Appeal of Boy Scouts
I see. What do you think is the appeal of Boy Scouts?
Kambara
In Kurashiki 14th Group, children aged 4 to 18 engage in activities together, which I believe is a valuable experience.
The sight of children of different ages playing together outside, which was common in the Showa era, has become difficult in modern Japan. It is also common for play and learning to be completed indoors or on smartphones.
Children's brains are designed to develop through interaction with nature. When children go outside, they seem to have a lot of fun playing.
Through outdoor activities, Boy Scouts can deepen friendships with peers and learn important life skills.
Progress System of Boy Scouts
It's wonderful that children can learn what they need to live. I heard there are ways to encourage children to do their best; what are those?
Kambara
Within Boy Scout activities, there is a progress system where children can earn badges and patches through individual effort. This system allows children to enjoyably acquire skills and knowledge and grow personally.
When they achieve the highest rank of Venture Scouts, the Fuji Scout Badge, they are given the opportunity to pay a courtesy visit to His Majesty the Emperor.
Boy Scout leaders support children in achieving their goals by creating age-appropriate plans and helping them acquire skills.
Message for Children and Parents Considering Joining
Finally, please give a message to those considering joining.
Kambara
In Kurashiki 14th Group, children of various ages engage in activities together in nature in a friendly and enjoyable manner.
There are many reliable leaders, so I believe you can learn various skills and gain valuable experiences that will last a lifetime, such as leadership and teamwork.
Kurashiki 14th Group is always recruiting participants, so if you are interested, please contact us through the Japan Boy Scouts Okayama Federation website.
Conclusion
When the author visited, the birthday festival for Monk Akira Kannabe was taking place.
Students from elementary school to high school formed mixed-age groups and participated in a walk rally. Although it was an unfortunate rainy day, the children cheerfully moved from checkpoint to checkpoint wearing rain gear.
The sight of elementary school students, middle school students, and high school students chatting excitedly and working together to achieve their goals is an invaluable experience. I believe that the activities of the Boy Scouts greatly contribute to children's growth and create many wonderful memories.
I felt that more people should know about such activities.
Data of Boy Scouts Okayama Federation Kurashiki 14th Group
| Name | Boy Scouts Okayama Federation Kurashiki 14th Group |
|---|---|
| Date | Twice a month, mainly on alternate Sundays For inquiries, please contact Japan Boy Scouts Okayama Federation |
| Location | 1-9 Minami Saiwaicho, Mizushima, Kurashiki City, inside Jiai Kindergarten |
| Homepage | Boy Scouts Okayama Federation Kurashiki 14th Group (Facebook) |
