1st Devonport Scout Group was founded in 1908, making it one of the two oldest continuously operating Scout groups in New Zealand. Our journey began in a shed in the garden of a house on Mozeley Avenue, and we’ve been part of the Devonport community ever since.

In 1911, under the leadership of Rev. C.T. MacLean, our troop became the first in New Zealand to win the King’s Standard, awarded for having the greatest number of King’s Scouts in the Dominion. By 1912, Devonport had five active Scout troops, including Sea Scouts and Girl Peace Scouts, reflecting the area’s strong commitment to youth development.

In 1923, Scoutmaster A.E. Knowles led the construction of Scoutsville.

From 1928 to 1939, the troop was based in the Bunker at the top of Mt Victoria, before moving to our current home, The Den on Allenby Avenue, in 1946. The group thrived in the 1950s and 60s under the leadership of Nick Morgan, producing 21 King’s and Queen’s Scouts and winning the Auckland Regional Camping competition four times in five years.

Despite nearly folding in 2008 – with only 3 cubs enrolled in our centennial year – the group has since experienced a remarkable revival. You can read more about that here – Cubs go from brink of closure to healthy waiting list – NZ Herald

Scoutsville has been part of the 1st Devonport Scout Group’s story for over a century. Its connection to Rangitoto Island reflects the long-standing tradition of outdoor adventure and community involvement in Scouting.

Rangitoto Island became a public domain in 1890, managed by the Rangitoto Island Domain Board under the Devonport Borough Council. To help fund maintenance, the Board began leasing campsites in 1911 for £2 per year. By 1918, leases were offered for permanent buildings, and by 1937, there were 140 baches located around Rangitoto Wharf, McKenzie Bay, and Islington Bay.

The 1st Devonport Scout Group’s involvement began in December 1914, when the Domain Board approved their application for a campsite—free of charge, unlike other leases. The Scoutmaster at the time was Ernest Sturmfels, an optician based in Queen Street, whose son Jack was a member of the troop.

After WWI, the troop became active again under Scoutmaster AE Knowles, who led the Devonport Bull Pups (later known as Wolf Cubs). In 1923, Knowles began building a Scout hut on Rangitoto using timber donated by the Allison family. The hut was completed over the summer and officially opened on 9 February 1924.

At the opening ceremony, attended by members of the Devonport Borough Council and around 200 visitors, Deputy Mayor SW Luxford praised the hut as a valuable addition to Scout training.

Newspaper clippings from the 1920s and 1930s describe the Scouts’ time on the island. Activities included hiking to Islington Bay and the summit, swimming, wrestling, signalling with semaphore flags and Lucas Lamps, and even ambushing and deer-stalking. Field telephones were borrowed from Narrow Neck Camp to support training exercises.

In 1937, the Commissioner of Crown Lands surveyed all buildings on Rangitoto. The Scout hut was listed as Bach 45, described as a “wooden shack with iron roof and iron chimney,” and valued at £30—half the value of the nearby picnic shed.

The island was closed during WWII, but the bach was back in use by 1948. The Scouts insured the building for £100 against fire damage. In the 1950s, the bach was repainted and used regularly, especially for winter camps. Scouts slept in hammocks suspended from the central column and cooked over open fires. The wrecks of old ships in Boulder Bay added to the adventure.

On 17th March 2024 we celebrated 100yrs of the Bach with 100 guests and a magnificent cake!