History of the Ruapehu "Carrot" badge
In 1993, the Ohakune Scouts were asked to design a badge that showed the unique features of our local area.
The winning entry was designed by Scott Nation, Brian Hays and Dwayne Marsh and included the local icons of the mountain, skiing and market gardening (carrot growing).
In November 1993, 100 of the T-1 were produced and were an instant hit with not only our Scouts, but all over NZ.
After the 1994 troop trip to Camp Hi-Sierra in Santa Clara County, California, badge stocks were low so the badge was redrawn by Warwick Hays and a further 100 were made.
The original T-1
The T-2
When Mt.Ruapehu (Roo-a-pay-hoo), an active volcano in our "backyard"  erupted in 1995, and again in 1996, it was decided to mark this major event with a new badge.
The distance from town to crater rim is only 15 miles so it was quite spectacular.
(Note: April 2007 - a very badly made "fake" or reproduction sold on eBay in the USA)
The T-3
In early 1997, Warwick Hays (now a qualified animator) again upgraded the Carrot design for the trip to Orange County's Lost Valley Scout Reservation.
We had also had a name change to Ruapehu Scouts because of some boundary changes.
Again only 100 were made.
(Note: April 2007 - a very badly made "fake" or reproduction of this sold on eBay in the USA)
The T-4
With the millennium approaching it was decided to create our own 2000 patch.
As always, only 100 were produced.
The T-5
The S-6 & S-7
In 2005, with earlier stocks completely exhausted, it was time to upgrade "The Carrot" again. The task was given to Sharlene Hays (John's wife and a qualified graphic designer) who came up with this zany punk snowboarder version.
100 standard pieces were produced, along with 20 pieces which have a silver mylar border as a special collectors patch or presentation piece.