Youth

from Wikipedia:

St John Youth is divided into two programmes. There is the Penguin Programme for children aged between 6 and 8, while the Cadet Programme for young people aged from 8 to 18. While the basis for St John Youth is first aid, other topics like drill (marching), healthcare and leadership make up major parts of the St John Youth programme. St John Youth has a nation-wide Child and Youth Protection Policy (CYPP) which ensures the safety of its cadets.
 * St John Youth in New Zealand** is a cadet-based programme designed for children and young people aged between 6 and 18. Members who turn 18 tend to remain in St John Youth in leadership roles.

On 2nd May, 1927, Mr Ted Gilberd founded the Wanganui Cadet Ambulance Division (the first cadet division in NZ) and became its first superintendant. You can read more about Ted here:

**Penguins** The Penguin Programme is run for children 6 to 8 years old. It is NZ's answer to England's Badger Setts. Badger Setts were established in New Zealand in 1987 and converted to Penguins in 2001. The mascot for the Penguin Programme is a yellow-eyed penguin (or //hoiho//) called Primo. He was chosen as a popular native bird (who features on NZ's $5 note) with similar colours to those of the Venerable Order - black, white and a splash of yellow. Penguin members work towards nine badges: Caring, Communications, First Aid, Games, Health, Hobbies, Resourceful, Safety and St John. On receiving their ninth badge before their ninth birthday, Penguins receive a Super Penguin Badge which may be worn on Youth uniforms until the gaining of a Youth Member's first Gold-level badge. Penguins work by the **Penguin Promise**: //I promise to be a good Penguin// //and try to do my best in absolutely everything.//

Grand Prior Award Scheme
The Grand Prior Award Scheme is often considered to be the highest achievement available for St John Youth members. Badges are split into three levels - Green, Blue and Gold. In order to earn the Grand Prior, a cadet must achieve the 6 compulsory badges plus 6 other optional badges, all at Gold level. The badges available are: //(note badges with an * beside them indicates a compulsory badge)//
 * Accident Prevention ||  ||
 * Animal Care ||  ||
 * Camping ||  ||
 * Caregivers || * ||
 * Casualty Simulation ||  ||
 * Child Care ||  ||
 * Civil Defence ||  ||
 * Communication || * ||
 * Community Awareness || * ||
 * Drill || * ||
 * Environment ||  ||
 * Faith ||  ||
 * Fire Safety ||  ||
 * First Aid || * ||
 * Fitness ||  ||
 * Hauora (Health) ||  ||
 * Hobbies ||  ||
 * Home Technology ||  ||
 * I.C.T. ||  ||
 * International Understanding ||  ||
 * Leadership ||  ||
 * Māoritanga ||  ||
 * Road Safety ||  ||
 * St John || * ||
 * The Arts ||  ||
 * Ventureship ||  ||
 * Water Safety ||  ||
 * Water Safety ||  ||

Competitions
Competitions are held regularly throughout the year, with tests on Basic Life Support, Caregivers, Communication, Drill and First Aid Divisions can enter teams of up to two competitors for Penguin (6-8 year olds) and Junior (9-10 year olds) competitions, and there are four team members in Intermediate (11-12 year olds) and two team members in Senior (13-18 year olds) teams. Many Regions run District Competitions, and winners of those competitions go forward to Regional Competitions, however Central Region is a region that does not hold formal District Competitions - instead any Division may enter teams straight into the Regional Competitions. Both North Island regions compete annually at Interprovincial Competitions. To qualify to go to Interprovincial's your team needs to gain a 1st, 2nd or 3rd placing in the Senior Team Quiz test at Regional competitions (in Central Region only) or get a placing for the Hutchinson Cup (in Northern Region only)to be able to go to Interprovincial's. Additionally, both regions send 5 teams to Interprovincial's the first 4 from either the Quiz tes or Hutchinson Cup and the other team is selected at regional discretion by the Regional Youth Manager or their nominee.

National Youth Festival
The National Youth Festival is held every year in a different region. This is a competition where all regions from around New Zealand meet for competitions which are often held in June. The National Youth Festival is often considered the highest honour in competing with St John Youth. The current holder of the Champion Region honor is South Island Region, who won the award in 2013 after winning the majority of tests during the competitions. The Champion Individual title is currently held by Eunice Ng of Northern Region.

Divisions
Each region in St John Youth is made up of "Divisions" in which Youth Members meet meet. Divisions usually meet for an hour and a half and once a week. Each Division has a Divisional Manager and many have Assistant Divisional Managers as well. Youth Members recite the Youth Promise, available in English and Te Reo Māori:

Cadet of the Year
Each region elects a Cadet of the Year who will represent their region in events around the country. After all the Cadet of the Year cadets are chosen, then a National Cadet selection is held, every other year, a think tank is held in conjunction with the selection process.